The Kingdom of Eternal Winter (Divergent Fourtris Fanfiction)

Chapter 16

So I know this comes a few days later than expected, I'm sorry. I try to stick to my usual update schedule, since everything that's normal keeps us all sane, but, as I said, it might be that I can't always make it. However, this is the longest chapter in this story so far, so I hope that makes up for it. Have a nice weekend, even if it's nothing like a usual one, and stay safe! ❤

Also, extra thanks to everyone who leaves votes for this story, votes and comments make my days so much brighter, especially now. If any of you just wants to chat a bit, feel free to write a pm. ❤

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The next day approached fast, and after a night of light sleep and a simple breakfast, Beatrice and Christina gathered their belongings and packed their bags. Given they only had few things with them, it didn't take much time until they were well on their way. Hiking wasn't that hard at first, as they were walking on a wide path. They saw that someone had walked here not long before them, as they could still make out the footprints. Judging from their number and size, there were at least three more girls ahead of them. They had no doubt they were heading towards the same destination.

The girls walked until it was time for their lunch break. They stopped at a clearing and sat on a stump to eat and relax their feet.

"From now on, it's going to get more difficult. We've almost reached the end of the area I know. We have to be attentive to not get lost, and also more vigilant. The closer we get to the Dark Forest, the more hidden dangers we could face. Usually, we avoid this part of our province," Beatrice sighed.

"Tell me about it. We don't go anywhere near the Dark Forest either. I mean, there's a lot of scary stories about what's looming inside it. My grandma used to tell us the eeriest of all when we were children. She wanted us to be aware of the dangers, she said, so we wouldn't take risks. But I often had nightmares after hearing her tales. Her imagery was very... vivid."

"So what is it that she told you about it? Because we were simply told it was dangerous and we shouldn't go there. In Abnegation, parents don't explain the reasons for the rules they set. They just exist, and we don't question them."

"Well, to make one thing clear, I don't know if any of it is true. It might just be stories. It is said that the Dark Forest is the home of the forgotten creatures. If someone is killed by dark magic, this is where the soul will go. But they are not pure souls anymore, they are cursed. The injustice of their death turns them sinister, so they seek revenge and try to pull everyone who dares to step too close into their everlasting darkness. Long time ago, a wall was build around the Dark Forest. It is supposed to be bewitched, so the souls can't cross it, but we don't trust it to keep them in. That's why we don't go any further than the fountain of truth, which is at least half a day's journey away from it."

"Oh wow. That sounds... awful. I've never heard those stories before. The only rumor I overheard two women talking about on a market was something about a black fog that would make you get lost. But that was a long time ago. I was still a child back then."

"Maybe both versions have a bit of truth in them?"

"I don't know." Beatrice shrugged and kicked a stick that was lying on the ground. "I guess we can't know for sure. Honestly, I tried not to think about it too much before now, but it gets harder to ignore those issues the closer we actually get. I mean, at least the part about the wall seems to be true, as it's part of our task."

"Yes, apparently. I wonder why it is supposed to be difficult. Is it just because it surrounds the Dark Forest, or is there more to it?"

"I wish I had an answer to that question. We'll see to it. Maybe it is a problem that the wall is bewitched?"