The Quest

The Gashok Tree Sea

Many large forests covered the landscape of Sahala but none were as grand or large as the Gashok Tree Sea. It's expanse was larger than the three major cities of Sahala combined. Before the Sahalan Civil War there was no way through the Tree Sea. Messengers had to go around or risk going through. Going through could mean your doom. There were paths, yes, but it was said that a man could walk five steps off the path and never find his way again. After the war the kingdom improved the infrastructure of the kingdom and one way they did so was they added a few paths through the Tree Sea. The paths all connected at the center of forest and then split off to lead to different cities. Some of the forest still had a strange aura from the final days of the Sahalan Civil War, in the areas where mages fought each other with powerful spells. Timothy's path would lead him through one of these areas.

Timothy walked on the vine covered path. Even though he didn't need it, his torch lit the way ahead. He had walked this path many times in the pitch dark. No moonlight filtered down from above because of the thickness of the trees. He needed it to ward off the band of thieves he had heard were hold up in the forest. If that wasn't enough to keep them away he had his copper sword that he had created himself. It would be enough to fight a few thieves. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

The path Timothy walked on was very rough because of the vines that grew over the path, almost like the forest was trying to retake the path itself. He wasn't deterred though, because he knew he needed to deliver the message and the sword he had finished the day before, meant for the king himself. He wrapped it up as much as possible because of the amount of gold and jewels used to forge the sword would bring every thief within a thousand miles running. And this was Timothy's biggest worry, that the sword would be stolen on the path. It would be his fault and he trembled at the though of what would happen if the sword wasn't delivered by sundown tomorrow.

Im making such great time he thought I've got no reason to worry. If I continue at this pace I should be at the castle by sunrise.

With that an arrow flew out of the darkness and embedded in a tree next to Timothy's head. He spun to see where it came from only to see something darting in the darkness. He unsheathed his sword and took a defensive stance. He knew little of sword fighting but the old man who had taught him what he knew always said, "If you hold your sword in the correct way you can scare many weak beings away without having to hurt anyone." This had worked for all his walks in the forest but most of those had been during the day and any at night he hadn't been carrying valuable cargo. He slung the delivery over his shoulder and waited for another attack.

Nothing happened.

As quickly as it had started it was over. Timothy was confused on what had attacked him and why it hadn't continued its attack. He brushed it off as what his sword teacher taught him.

It was just scarred. Probably one of the bandits trying to take me out quickly and quietly. He thought

But it didn't sit well with him. He shook his head and continued on. He didn't have time to dilly-dally thinking about why he hadn't been killed. He jogged through the forest following the path. Timothy shook his head, he swore he could see something in the forest to his sides. Something was moving very fast at his sides but he wasn't sure it was anything. It could've been one of the many creatures that called the forest it's home or it could be something more dangerous than some bandits.

Timothy quickened his pace. He pulled his sword out again and continued on his way.
After an hour of this anxious jogging Timothy decided he wasn't being followed anymore. He sat beside a large tree and sat to have a snack. A small package of biscuits still kept warm by his own body heat. He hadn't even started eating when a large creature jumped out of the forest at him. It had twelve eyes on its chest and no head. Sprouting out of its torso there were four arms. It stood on three legs. At about its waist level it had a mouth that encompassed almost the whole thickness of it. It was an olive color.

Timothy jumped up but couldn't get his sword out fast enough. It pressed him against the wall with its arms. A long tongue stuck out about to taste it's prey.

"Drop him demon!"

The monster turned itself to look at the voice. There stood a swordsman. He had dark grey eyes and had navy blue hair and was of medium build. He had very little "armour" but he wore a cloth undershirt with a leather overcoat. The leather had some metal on the outside of it for a little protection. He had lightweight pants with the same metal plates covering it for defense. He also had a bandana around his forehead that flowed in the slight breeze. He held a large two-handed sword in his one hand. On his less dominant arm the metal plates were thicker as some sort of shield. He had his sword held out pointed at the demon. The sword's blade was a translucent red that seemed to glow in the darkness. The hilt was black with a green gem stone fixed in the center on both sides.

The demon dropped Timothy and completely turned toward the swordsman.
"I shall consume your soul then the boy's." The demon hissed.

"I will stop you here and now." replied the swordsman.

Multiple swords of pure darkness materialized in the four hands of the demon. It charged the swordsman, who just stood still. The moment the demon came close he spun around it and slashed at it's back. It cut deep and the demon's blood poured out. It spun around apparently not feeling the cut of the sword. It just looked angrier. It swung it's sword wildly and charged at the swordsman. The swords clashed in a shower of sparks. The demon pushed the swordsman back and jumped for a finishing strike. As it flew through the air it could see the doom that was waiting for it. The swordsman stood with his sword outstretched, pointed at the demons largest eye. It went to throw it's swords but was to late. It slid down the sword, but before it met the hilt the demon exploded into darkness, then was sucked into the sword.

Timothy sat in shock. He had just watched the defeat of a demon. The sword's turned toward him.

"What are you doing in a cursed portion of the forest at night?"

"I'm making a delivery to the palace. I just wanted to make it by morning." He stared at Timothy.

"I shall escort you to make sure you stay safe for the rest of your journey." The swordsman started walking down the path. He stopped and turned to look at the terrified Timothy. "I only do that to demons." He said. "I will protect you."

Timothy pulled himself up and started following.

"You can call me Pendleton."