Damien and Lila kept walking into the endless darkness until they finally reached their destination.
Moonlight slipped through the sky, filtering through the enormous trees that aimed to cover the whole area. These trees held no color that resembled the purity of nature. The leaves were dark, not because it was night, but as if the life force that nourished them had suddenly stopped.
What separated the road from the dark forest itself was that the road was utterly lifeless and silent. The path they had come from became thinner and thinner to the point where it could no longer be considered a road. Damien and Lila had no choice but to helplessly walk in the direction the old beggar had instructed.
But the dark forest wasn't exactly lifeless. A few bats flew from one tree to another, their deep red, almost blood-like eyes shining from within the cover of the enormous trees.
"We are really in front of the dark forest. I never imagined in my life that I would be here," Lila said, her voice a whisper as she held tightly onto a part of the robe Damien had given her to wear.
A cold wind brushed through the trees, making the once-silent bats nervous. They made a noise so unpleasant that even the deaf would find it jarring.
"We are finally here," Damien breathed in the fresh air. To him, the wilderness was like a second home. As a hunter, he had slept in trees for days and bathed in rivers at night when predators slept. This was the life he was used to.
"Lila, I really thank you," Damien turned to Lila, the rusty lamp illuminating her beautiful features.
"For what?" she asked, confused.
"No… I know it's a lot to ask, and I took it too far by asking you to come to one of the worst places, a place that even the kingdom forbids." Damien's eyes were filled with guilt, his voice sincere as he held one of Lila's soft hands. "I was supposed to protect you. I promised your mother. But I let my selfish desire get the best of me. I endangered a little girl."
"Stop it right there."
Lila's sharp voice pierced the surroundings; even the bats hiding among the shadows flew away nervously, making loud noises.
"First of all, I'm not a little girl, Damien. You should know that I'm older than you," she said, her face slightly blushing. "As the oldest, I should be the one to protect you. And the reason I came… is you."
Damien, taken aback by the sudden change, was speechless. His bare chest felt the cold wind, but inside, it burned.
"Thank you... Lady Lila."
"I don't know what to say, but I, Damien Naverend, swear upon my name that I will protect you with all my life." He placed a hand on his chest as he swore his oath. "As long as blood runs through my veins, as long as my heart does not stop, I will protect you, Lady Lila."
"What are you, a knight now? And don't call me a lady just because I'm older than you," Lila chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
"Then it's my turn. I, Lila Ravienheart, swear upon my name, that as long as I live, I will protect you and never let you go, and offer my body and soul to you."
"Woah, that was a bit intense," Damien's gaze lowered, trying to hide his sudden shock.
"Hey... I was joking with you. Did you get scared, little knight?" Lila laughed, covering her mouth as she teased him.
"Let's keep moving, then," Damien said, a bit annoyed. He held the lamp higher and took the lead, not finding it humorous.
But I meant every word I said, Damien, Lila silently promised while walking slowly behind him.
…
Twigs and leaves crunched under Damien's every step, making small sounds that exposed them to the dark forest.
This was a very bad sign for a hunter like Damien. From countless experiences, he had learned that being exposed to your prey ultimately leads to you becoming the hunted. Tables can turn easily in the wilderness, and the worst cursed place for that to happen would be the dark forest.
All he could see were dark shapes and darker tree trunks looming in front of him. Lila, who was walking beside him, tightened her grip on his arm. "Any normal girl would be scared," he thought.
His feet led the way, although they did not know where they were going. He began moving deeper into the woods. His free hand, the one not holding Lila's, continuously touched the grip of the silver sword tied to his belt. His bare chest brushed against shadowy leaves, making his heightened hunter senses go wild.
As Damien walked forward, his ears caught whispers that flowed with the unsettling wind, and they were undoubtedly following them.
I need to find a place to settle down and start a fire.
The thought forced him to move faster. He held Lila's hand tighter and began to press farther into the dark forest.
A cave or an open space would work.
His eyes had somewhat adjusted to the darkness, so he could at least see a few steps ahead even without the rusty lamp.
As he walked, he remembered the rumors about the forest—why they were here in the first place, and what was said to live within. There were tales of demonic beasts that tore living flesh from bones and consumed people alive, or blood-suckers who drained their victims and plucked their hearts out as trophies. There were dark magic users called Witches who could transform a person, giving them six limbs or leaving them with none at all.
But there were rumors of good things, too. Some said there was a hidden kingdom deep inside the dark forests, filled with immense treasures like gold, jewelry, and magical stones. Others said it was abandoned and held no treasure at all, that the real value was in the unicorns and fairies that lived in hiding within the dark forest.
Dark or light, Damien didn't believe any of them. But he knew something was hidden here. Perhaps it was a beast; he might as well hunt it down and sell it. But more than that, he had a strange feeling, as if something was requesting him to come. It was a pull, attracting Damien to this dark forest.
I need to find out why.