Age of Darkness

Chapter 31: Forest Of Eternality

We manage to climb down the steep rock face to a scarcely used path below. I look down the trail. It leads straight into the darkness of the forest. There's a magic emenating from within.

''What's this place called again?'' I ask Elizabeth.

''The Forest of Eternality,'' she replies.

''Sounds like it's going to be just as fun as the caves.'' I say with very little enthusiasm.

''Yeah... Would there be a way around?''

I struggle to remember all the maps I memorized as a kid...

''No... I don't think so. This forest stretches right along the land. It's the only thing keeping us from Zaria.''

''Well, let's do this, then!'' I can tell she's struggling to be positive. For both of us.

As we get closer to the forest, something tugs at me, but I can't pinpoint what. Something is a bit... off. I try to remember what the Oracle said about this place, but I just can't remember. It's at the tip of my tongue.

''Do you feel funny?'' Asks Elizabeth, who must be feeling about the same as me.

''Yeah...'' I reply.

We walk into the forest, and I start to feel groggy... I know there's something I should remember...

I feel the overwhelming urge to just shut my eyes, if only for a second... Y'know, I should just take a rest. A little bit just to forget about all the bad stuff happening lately... Just a tiny break...

''Nicholas!''

''What?...'' I ask, my eyelids getting heavier...

''I remember what the Oracle said! About this place! It's the Forest of Eternality! It puts all who enter to sleep for eternity!''

My eyes pop open. I'm awake, at least for now. I can feel the sleep working it's way into me again.

''You have to resist it!'' Yells Elizabeth, who seems to be trying to keep awake herself, by yelling at me.

''But how?...''

I try to think of something. I create a magical barrier, which does nothing. I think of memories. Nothing. Nothing seems to keep the tiring feeling away.

''Think of a wall!'' Exclaims Elizabeth. ''Think of something to keep it out!''

I imagine a wall. I focus on that wall, thinking of nothing else. And surprisingly, I feel the tiredness leaving me. I feel more awake. I can feel the sleep trying to break through, heck, I can see it breaking through the wall bit by bit in my mind. But I keep on walking.

''Just keep walking!'' Says Elizabeth, who seems to be fighting the magic as well.

The sleep is winning, breaking my barrier bit by bit, by I keep on walking. I feel my eyelids become heavy once again. I can't give up.

I begin to run. I run, until I am tired not just in my mind, but my body. Elizabeth is right behind me. I stumble, exhausted, ready to give up...

And I feel the sleep leave me. The dark magic of the forest leaving my brain. Elizabeth falls next to me, and she seems to be the same.

''Are you okay?'' I ask.

''I'm fine. It's gone, isn't it?''

''It is, at least I hope so...''

I look around at where we are. We're still in the forest, of course. A sparkling lake lies in front of us, the beautiful light of the sun reflecting off of it.

''This must be some kind of sanctuary,'' I suggest.

''Yeah. A place where the sleep magic doesn't taint.''

''Well, this seems as good a place as ever to set up camp, no?''

We find a patch of soft grass, and unroll the blankets we bought in the Oracle's town. I gather some wood for a fire, and I don't seem to be bothered by the magic of the forest.

I lie the wood down, and look at Elizabeth, and I remember what today is.

Today's my birthday!