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Chapter 2: Longing with a Side of Hope

I stood there in awe. Where did it go? Who or what was it? I searched the area for several minutes trying to solve this mystery. Had it been just in my head? That creature somewhat resembled what I am. Is there another like me out there? I kept searching and searching. Time flew by; day became night before I even realized it. If it was like me then maybe it had some answers to what I am. I couldn't give up, but as night dragged on, it became apparent that I would not find this strange being. It would remain a mystery. I finished inspection of the Charred Forest, everything was calm, and started back to the Mellow Forest where my home was found. How was it possible for it to just vanish in thin air like that? I had seen a lot of amazing things in The Forest but nothing like that.

It was then that I reentered the Mellow Forest to find a hellfer walking toward one of the gerie villages. I took out my staff and dashed straight at it; the quicker I took it out the better. Right as I got in range, I swung at it overhead. From instinct it blocked, but I was way ahead of it. I kicked it right in the exposed stomach then, while it was on the ground, I slammed my staff down on it finishing it off. I wasn't going to allow it to cause trouble for the innocent geries. The only question is why was it in the Mellow Forest so late? Usually if a Hellfer crossed the border it was earlier in the day. It couldn't have just been lost; it stomped off right towards a gerie village. That couldn't just be a coincidence. It just seemed like there were a lot of questions popping up lately that just didn't have answers yet. Either way, I would have to stop by the Burning Forest the next day to investigate if there was any reason one of their inhabitants would cross here. I didn't have a good feeling about it, but it had to be done.

Despite all the distractions, I made it back to my home with enough time for a good night's sleep. I lived in a simple hut not too far off from the central gerie village located directly in the center of the Mellow Forest. I may have been alone, but I was used to it at that point. I leaned my bamboo staff against the wall beside the entrance and plopped down on my bed. What was that creature? Why was a Hellfer crossing into the Mellow Forest so late? Are these events connected? The day had been so confusing. Nothing like that had ever happened in all my time in The Forest. Why now? I concluded that my answers will come in time. I grabbed LittleZ and held him close as I closed my eyes. LittleZ was some sort of fluffy toy that looked like me. I had him for as long as I remember; I felt it was the only key to the origin to what I am, so I kept him. Soon enough dreams took over my world.

I saw him there in front of me. I had no clue what he was. His fur was grey, and he carried a long staff. It was me. I reached out and touched him. It even felt like me. I could feel a bright feeling inside me. It was me, something I've wanted, something I've longed for. I prayed for this day, a day with someone who understands me would show up. A day where someone like me would be there, but as my dream progressed, I saw myself move further and further away. I reached for him, but all that happened is he... I moved even further. I fell to the ground weeping as the land around me turned red and fire rose from the ground. It surrounded me, isolating me from the outside world. I was scared of course, but most of all, I was alone... still. Then everything stopped, all movement ended. The fire was frozen as were my tears. Time itself ceased to move. Then everything disappeared and all I saw... was a single green eye.

I woke furiously. I sat up panting. What the hell was that? I had never experienced anything like that. Was it a sign? What did it mean? I sat like that for several minutes. Shock from the dream overcame all other functions and left me in that position. I couldn't make any sense from the dream. The only thing I could recognize was the land of fire, the Burning Forest. Only problem is that there was fire surrounding me, but the Burning Forest's fire fields haven't been lit in years. What the hell had been going on lately? I took a quick breath and forced the questions out of my head. Right now there was only one thing I can do, investigate in the Burning Forest. I got up, slide on some pants, threw on a robe, and then I was off. I didn't stop at any of the gerie villages; there just wasn't time for that. I made it to The Division, a large expanse of tree that covers the horizon between the Mellow and the Burning Forests. It's hard to navigate, that is, for a normal inhabitant. I had a connection to The Forest; I instinctually knew every path since I was born... I think? I couldn't really say; I don't know if I was born here or not. All I knew is that The Forest is all I knew, so I should stop getting sidetracked. It didn't matter where I came from; this is my job, my identity. So I kept going. Every tree looked identical to the last and yet, somehow, I knew the way.

Sure enough, the trees opened up revealing a land of red and black, the Burning Forest. No trees grow here, only fire. It's been a while since actual fire sprouted from here. The 2 pure forests threatened to invade if they didn't stop the flames. It took a while, but eventually the Hellfers buckled down under the pressure. The Burning Forest is also the only forest to produce metal. The pure forests don't want anything to do with it so they stick with more natural weapons. Only the dark forests have metal. The Swamp Forest buys it from the Hellfers.

I walked onward, eyes alert for any more Hellfers that want to pick a fight. Strangely, there were none. I knew that to get to the bottom of the night before I'd have to go to the central village, but I had a very bad feeling so instead, I went to the nearest village I could find. It didn't take me long to get to it. Before I even knew it, I came upon giant iron gates. I gave them a loud knock, but there was no response. I banged on them again but still nothing. There was no excuse for this. I gathered my energy and, with one punch, brought the gates down. I walked in and all I could hear was the wind. No, there was something else, was it laughter? I ran towards its origin. What I found was a group of Hellfers in a circle surrounding something. I could see their darkened black flesh under their robes.

"What's the meaning of this?" I yelled to clear the air. Everything turned silent.

"Bi... BigZ, uh, we were just punishing a thief," one of them answered nervously.

"Let me see this 'thief' you speak of, I will be his judge," the same Hellfer flashed a look of defiance as he ordered the others to step aside. The group opened up to reveal a figure lying on the ground. Its clothes were torn and you could see the slash marks in its body. It was nothing I had ever seen before. It had pure white fur with streaks of pink in its arms and tail. Wait a tail! It was like me. The muzzle, the tail; there was no other creature in The Forest with such features except for me. Where did it come from? Could this be the creature from last night?

"What did this creature steal?" I ask, trying to hide my excitement and intrigue.

"It stole one of our knuckle blades from the armory," the Hellfer answered back in a low tone.

"I think you've had your fun for long enough, he's coming with me," again the Hellfer flashed a look of defiance, but I stared him down and he backed away.

"Everyone back to your posts now," he said as he walked away. I walked over and inspected this strange creature. It seemed to be unconscious. Its smell was defiantly male. I picked him up on my shoulders and started walking. I had a lot to ask him but all that could wait. I needed to get him back to my home as fast as possible. I had bad vibes from the Hellfers. It was like they were hiding something. I would have to investigate later, but getting this mysterious being to safety took priority. Were there more like him... like me? I dashed out of the village toward home. I came upon The Division once again and, just like before, made it out in record time. From there, it only took me a few more minutes to get home. I kick the door open and rushed in. I immediate set him down on my bed. First things first, I had to clean out his wounds. I grabbed a wet cloth and started washing the blood out of his fur. Next I grabbed some bandages and wrapped them up. I stripped his clothes off and threw on a blanket. I noticed something in his paws. In one, there was the knuckle blade. He really held on for dear life. In the other paw was some sort of round metal object. He really was just full of mysteries. His clothes, this object, and even he himself were all just mysteries. A mystery I had to solve. I stayed there, watching over him for hours, till the time finally came. I saw his body stir and, slowly, his bright green eyes opened to the world.