Sounds Of Freedom

The Faceless Forest

They had stepped out of a stone house shaped like a rock, in the middle of nowhere. They continued to walk the road towards the city of light where they can finally rest at peace. They took several breaks on the way and the faceless forest slowly crept on them, getting closer and closer each step away they take. Was the journey finally going to end once they eventually reach there? What will happen after they arrive? Will they be able to call it home? Those were the thoughts roaming around their heads.

The adventurers (including Beddle) now faced the Faceless Forest after months of marching. It had already been almost a year since Jolly had first departed from home, that meant his birthday was also soon approaching again and spring was around the corner.

"Well, none of you thanked me for the food that was given by my finest of friends west of here." Beddle said staring at the dark forest (his friends were crows that brought food to them).

"If you hadn't got us in that dire situation, maybe we'd thank you. Just be glad we're even bringing you along." Chirpy rolled his eyes as they entered the forest.

The forest trees were wet and tough, the path started to become dark. Jolly checked his pocket to see if his crystal was still there (it remained safe in his pockets).

"It's all me." the same whisper from his dream came back to him.

Jolly tried to forget about it, and moved on. They stopped by nearby a cold lake.

"Hey Jolly? If that's even your real name. What was it like? To have a family, of course." Chirp asked as they sat on large cold stones.

"Don't bring up family around me." Jolly coldly responded.

"Why do you do that? Why do you place yourself in the center, thinking you're the only one going through things? Sure, they may be hard to think about, but if you solely think of the good things, you can at least try to move forward. Sure, it probably won't work, but at least you try. At least you don't live on as some curse..." Chirpy said as he held his cold hands together.

"Winter comes around every ten years, you don't forget about it, it always comes back. Somehow it always comes back and, no I may not live on as a curse. I personally don't know the feeling but I know I'm not the only one. I'm sorry Chirp, I didn't you any harm." Jolly gave him a sympathetic look.

"It's fine, I just snapped for a second."

"I think we all carry burdens with us, light, heavy, we all carry one. Oh I forgot to ask, since I've told you my story, it's about time I've heard yours. "

"It's best if I don't."

"No, no. I'll feel bad if you don't."

"Fine, but I'm only telling you this once."

"That's all I'll need."

"This tale starts with a little boy, he grew up without a father nor mother, but it was told that they were killed and butchered by the people of the sea. He grew up knowing this, then he turned nine, once he did, his owner sold him away to the city near the mountain. Once he got there, he realized it was quiet and perfect, he found someone he could look up to, he was just a bit older but the week after, the town got burnt to flames and that meant he had to move again. So he went into a kingdom west of the mountain. Someone took him in and cared for him, she was kind and gentle. She took care of him like he was her own, but she died months later and another owner took him in, he beat him a whole lot. So, the boy ran away, he continued to run west, he didn't have anyone to rely on. He was now twelve. He entered the green forest this time, and found another village. He found a caring old man this time, he also took care of him, but he disappeared. The boy again felt so alone but then across valleys of stone, he finally made it to a place he could call home. He made it to Ryder town, where everything seemed normal, this time he made sure no one cared for him so it never happened again. Then when he was sixteen, he went on an adventure, he went on an adventure with strange, but fun folk, then he finally reached the city of light living happily ever after." Chirpy told his story.