The shimmering light of the portal faded, and Ethan and Gregory found themselves standing in a dense forest. Towering trees with glowing emerald leaves blocked out most of the sky, and the air was thick with the scent of moss and damp earth. A faint mist curled around their feet, giving the place an eerie, otherworldly atmosphere.
Gregory scanned their surroundings, his expression flat. “Seriously?” He gestured at the endless trees. “You took us to a forest? Should we wait for the magical tigers to come and devour us, or should we go look for them ourselves?”
Ethan sighed, already feeling the tension creeping up his neck. “This was the last place in Eldoria that I visited. I didn’t visit it on purpose, but it’s the only place I’ve been to.”
Gregory crossed his arms. “So, do you know how to get out of this forest and into civilization?”
“I said this forest was the only place in Eldoria I’ve been to. How exactly am I supposed to know the way out?”
Gregory groaned, rubbing his temples. “Well, if you can fly, you could go above the trees and look for the right direction for us to go in.”
“I can’t fly,” Ethan said flatly.
Gregory raised an eyebrow. “How are you sure you can’t fly? Have you ever tried before?”
“I’m sure I can’t fly,” Ethan repeated, his patience fraying.
“Just try,” Gregory urged. “I’m pretty sure you didn’t know you could open portals until you tried.”
Without warning, Ethan grabbed Gregory by the collar and, with a grunt, threw him into the air. Gregory let out a strangled yell as he soared above the treetops before gravity dragged him back down. He landed with a thud, groaning in pain.
“What the hell was that for?” Gregory sputtered, brushing dirt and leaves off his tattered clothes.
“I wanted to see if you could fly,” Ethan said, his voice dripping with mock innocence. “You can’t know until you try, right?”
Gregory glared at him. “Next time, maybe give me a heads-up.”
Ethan smirked. “Hey… heads-up.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“You can’t die, so what’s the fuss about?” Ethan shrugged.
“I can’t die, but I can definitely feel pain,” Gregory shot back, wincing as he stretched his back.
“So, which way are we going?”
"I don't know." Gregory hesitated as Ethan stepped closer, eyeing him suspiciously. “Hey, hey, alright… it’s that way,” he said, pointing toward a break in the trees. “I saw buildings in that direction.”
“Nice. Alright, let’s move.” Ethan started walking.
Gregory muttered under his breath, “One of these days, I’m going to send him into space.”
“You coming?” Ethan called over his shoulder.
“In a minute,” Gregory grumbled, jogging to catch up.
---
The deeper they ventured into the forest, the stranger the surroundings became. Glowing mushrooms dotted the ground, their light casting eerie shadows on the trees. Strange sounds echoed through the air—whispers, clicks, and the occasional distant roar.
“Doesn’t this place just scream ‘welcome’?” Gregory said, stepping over a fallen branch.
Ethan’s focus snapped to movement in the distance. Something large and quadrupedal was weaving between the trees. Its eyes glowed like lanterns, and its sleek, iridescent fur shimmered with every step.
“Stay behind me,” Ethan said, raising his hand as a ball of blue magic began to form in his palm.
Gregory grabbed his wrist. “Don’t. Just don’t.”
“What? It’s a magical creature. Better to take it out before it takes us out.”
Gregory shook his head. “Most of the creatures here don’t have magic of their own. They’re like mirrors. They collect whatever magic is thrown at them and redirect it back. You blast that thing, and we’re the ones who’ll be toast.”
Ethan hesitated, lowering his hand. “Seriously?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” Gregory gestured toward the creature, which was now staring at them, its glowing eyes unblinking.
The creature took a cautious step closer.
“Run!” Gregory shouted, bolting in the opposite direction.
Ethan followed, muttering under his breath, “You’re supposed to be immortal, and I’m the one running?”
They sprinted until the glowing eyes disappeared behind the thick foliage.
---
The forest wasn’t done with them yet. Hours later, as they trudged through the seemingly endless maze of trees, they encountered a small pond. Its surface was perfectly still, reflecting the canopy above like a mirror.
Gregory leaned down to inspect it. “This water looks... weird.”
Ethan stopped him. “Don’t drink it.”
“Why not?”
“Because the last time someone drank magical water, they turned into a frog. Or was it a toad?”
Gregory straightened, crossing his arms. “Fine. No water. Just dehydration. That’s totally fine.”
“Let's keep moving,” Ethan said, stepping around the pond.
Gregory followed, muttering, “No flying, no water, no fun. This adventure is a disaster.”
---
When they finally emerged from the forest, the sight before them made Ethan stop in his tracks. A sprawling city stretched across the horizon, its elegant towers and domed buildings glowing faintly in the twilight. The streets were lined with shimmering lights, and the faint hum of activity reached their ears.
“Civilization,” Gregory said, his tone a mix of relief and awe. “Finally.”
The moment they took a single step out of the forest, a dozen elven guards appeared, their bows drawn and arrows aimed. Their armor gleamed with a silver sheen, and their faces were set in cold, unreadable expressions.
Ethan froze.
“Shit.”
YOU ARE READING
Blood
FantasyEthan, a 16-year-old high school student, has always felt like an outsider in his small town. He's drawn to the mysterious and beautiful Emily, who's just transferred to his school. As they spend more time together, Ethan discovers that Emily is hid...
