Magicians Contest #BattleTheBeast

The No Name Forest

"He he, where you're going you will surely die," a high pitched voice says from the trees. Quentin spins in place but barely catches a glimpse. "Don't worry. He prefers death to pain," the voice adds. Once more Quentin turns to face his visitor. He's been traveling through the No Name forest for two days. His skin is beginning to turn a light hue of grey. The forest is known for feeding on the life source of its unwelcomed guests.

"Who are you?" Quentin asks, trying to sound tough but he's so out of breath he has to lean against a tree.

A black smoke joins him in the small clearing and stops only a few feet away. As it gathers all its renegade wisps it expands, sprouting limbs and a head. In minutes a slender woman with short black hair is standing in front of Quentin. She looks no older than a teenager.

Quentin tries to stand up straight but nearly faints. The girl holds out a fist and an invisible force pins Quentin to the tree. Her hand flicks open and his grogginess fades. For the briefest of moments Quentin feels completely recharged.

"Not very smart of you to wander in here, and quite stupid of you to wander this far," the girl says.

"I've heard the stories."

"Those never do it justice," she says wagging a finger at him. "You won't just die here. You'll disappear. Poof, erased from history."

"And here I thought I was making such a good impression. I'm sorry to disappoint you but I have no intention of dying today."

"Humans are all so strange. You speak as if you're exempt from death." She flicks her fingers out and two blades flicker in midair. They pass by Quentin's head, sinking into the tree just behind him. "When it's always hovering just over your shoulder."

Quentin glances at the knives then back at his host. He offers a sarcastic golf clap. "While I appreciate that somewhat depressing lecture on mortality I do feel it would be best if we go our separate ways."

She gives Quentin a look that could peel paint. Her black eyes look ready to snatch his soul. "You're not truly arrogant enough to think you can fight him on your own."

Just as she asks her question Eliot shouts from the distance. "Quentin? Where'd you go man?"

"You didn't even have the courtesy to die alone?"

"Q!" Alice joins in.

Quentin shrugs. "Over here!"

"You're all fools," she says.

"We've been called worse. Much worse," Eliot says stepping into the clearing. He nearly falls on his face while Alice leans against the same tree as Quentin. She finishes the last of her water and sighs.

"Who's that?" Eliot asks.

"My name is Raya, the moon spirit of this forest."

"You answer him and not me?" Quentin asks.

"I've always been better with the ladies. You know that."

The sun begins to rise over the horizon. Raya watches the sheet of light approach the clearing. "I don't have much time. If you all wish to die I encourage you to find another way. The Beast finds joy in destroying this forest and whenever he does, he kills a part of me." She holds her side. "I don't know how much more I can take."

"You should help us then," Alice says standing a little straighter.

Raya shakes her head. "He cannot be destroyed. We have tried and failed, each time with worse consequences. You three will do nothing except expose my home to another attack. If you wish to summon him, you will have to get past me."