The Secret of the Forbidden Forest

“How’s that supposed to work?”

“Your body absorbs the energy from them. It’s an ancient gift from the depths.”

Clara eyes the stuff warily.

“Do they at least taste okay?”

“No,” Tora sighed, rolling her eyes.

Clara let out a heavy sigh and buried her face in her hands.

“Okay, okay. Hand it over. But if I eat this, you’ll let me go.”

Tora calmly smiled and held the seaweed out through the bars. Clara took it hesitantly, sniffed it – and instantly recoiled.

“Oh, no, no way. I can’t eat this. It smells like… like…”

“Seaweed,” Tora said, her tone flat.

Clara let out a sharp breath and pinched her nose.

“I’m gonna die, not from hunger, but from the smell.”

“Eat faster.”

Clara took a shaky breath and tore off a piece of the seaweed. The bitterness hit her tongue, and nausea rose in her throat, but she swallowed it back. She reminded herself that this was necessary – she had to be strong, for the one she needed to save. She forced herself to chew, eyes squeezed shut, the taste like salt and decay. When she finally managed to swallow, it felt like a stone sliding down her throat.

“Quit the drama,” the fairy said, rolling her eyes as she watched her.

“Easy for you to say,” Clara sighed, still feeling disgusted but noticing the dizziness fade. “Oh! I actually feel better now.” She looked at Tora more confidently. “You can let me go.”

“Let you go? No, I won’t,” Tora crossed her arms, eyes narrowing.

“But you promised,” Clara frowned, confused.

“Did I?” Tora smirked and stepped closer. “Or maybe you imagined that. I never said a word about letting you go. And I’m not releasing you until you explain why you came to Mirissia.”

“What?!” Clara exclaimed, shocked.

“Clara Miller,” the fairy began, “you said you just ‘accidentally’ stumbled into our world, looking for your father. You tried to act all innocent, but you brought weapons.” She tossed a quiver and a bow to the ground. A few arrows spilled out. “My fairies think you might be a banshe, but you have no shadow mark.”

Clara stared at her, stunned.

“Banshe? Who are they supposed to be?”

Tora didn’t answer right away. She tilted her head, studying Clara.

“You’re dodging the question,” the fairy said.

“Because I have no idea what you’re talking about!” Clara burst out, then quickly remembered that yelling at someone who had her locked in a cage wasn’t the best idea. “Look, I don’t know who these banshees are, or… whatever you want from… I’m just telling the truth: all I want is to find my dad.”

“You – » Tora began, but she was cut off by a sudden, loud ringing.

“What’s that sound?” Clara asked, lifting her gaze toward where the noise had come from.

Above them was water, and the brunette could see, though just barely, a watery, magical world.

“The banshees are here!” Tora shrieked, panic flashing across her face. With a burst of her transparent wings, she shot upward and vanished into the water.

“Hey! Wait! What about me?!” Clara called after her, but the fairy was already gone.

Panic clawed at Clara’s chest. “What am I supposed to do now?” she whispered, her mind racing. She froze as a sound – no, a series of heavy leaps – echoed closer with each beat of her heart.

“F-fairies? Is that you?” she called out, her voice trembling as her eyes darted around the cramped cell. But there was nothing – just damp air and rusty bars.

The leaps grew louder, thudding closer with a relentless rhythm, and Clara’s heart slammed in her chest. Two large shadows stretched across the wall, monstrous in their size.

That’s it. It’s all over. I’ll be dead soon, she thought, eyes squeezed shut, if it was the banshees – she’d heard enough to know she wouldn’t stand a chance.

Suddenly, something metallic clattered to the floor, ringing out with a sharp, clear chime. Clara blinked in confusion and opened her eyes.

“You?!” she breathed, hardly daring to believe what she saw. Two lumistars sat before her, tongues playfully sticking out, their bright eyes fixed on her.

“I almost forgot about you,” Clara said softly, a guilty smile tugging at her lips. Then her gaze fell on the silvery key resting in front of Zoey, and she let out a surprised sigh. “You’re incredible, little ones,” she murmured warmly, watching as the lumistars gently nudged the key toward her.

Leaning down, Clara took the key and began searching for the lock that would free her from the dungeon. She found it quickly and slipped her hand through the bars, working to unlock it as quietly as she could.

“You’re going to have trouble!” a loud voice thundered from the shadows, making her start.

“If you’d just shut up, there’d be no trouble,” she shot back, defiant.

“The Banshees will find you! They’ll ki – ”

“Let them!” Clara snapped, a fierce spark in her eyes as the lock clicked open.

Tugging at the rusty bars, Clara winced as the cell door squealed open with an unpleasant screech. Wasting no time, she quickly scooped up the fallen arrows and stuffed them into her quiver before grabbing her bow. Stepping into the corridor, she first looked to the right, where a soft light glowed. Then she turned to the left, where thick darkness loomed.

“Now what?” she muttered, glancing around.

Suddenly, Lily tugged at the hem of her dress, pointing toward the dark side – a direction that didn’t exactly inspire trust. But gathering her courage, Clara decided to follow the lumistars and headed that way, where the light slowly faded and the surroundings grew more and more ominous.

She tried not to rush so she wouldn’t lose sight of the little creatures, but soon everything went quiet, and darkness closed in around her. Clara could barely see a thing, and the faint glow didn’t reach her brown eyes, sending a shiver down her spine. She wandered in a place where every sound might mean something terrible.

“Lily, Zoey, where are you?” Clara whispered, her voice trembling at the thought of running into someone – or something – else.

The darkness thickened around her, pressing in like a living thing. But then the lumistars appeared, radiating a gentle glow that pierced the gloom. Zoey shone with a soft blue light, while Lily glowed a warm pink.

“I’m so glad you’re glowing,” Clara sighed with relief, feeling her anxiety begin to ease.

Her steps quickened, each one steadier than the last. The only source of light were Lily and Zoey, their glow illuminating the path ahead. But the air around her seemed to thin, slipping away like water through fingers. Clara’s breath grew ragged, her chest heaving painfully.

“There’s… not enough… air…” she rasped, her voice cracking as panic clawed at her throat. “Are… Are you… okay?” Her words were barely a whisper.

The lumistars stayed silent, their faces marked with confusion.

“I… I ate those… seaweeds…” Clara whispered, suddenly stopping.

Her gaze darted around, struggling to focus on the lumistars. But they had blurred into two faint points of light, swallowed by the encroaching void. Strength drained from her limbs, and her lungs felt unbearably heavy, as if filled with lead. Weak and trembling, she sank to the cold floor, her legs losing their last trace of willpower.

“Wait…” she whispered, unaware that the lumistars had already stopped, watching her with growing concern.

“I… I can’t breathe…” Clara managed to gasp, her eyelids fluttering as darkness crept over her vision.

Her body utterly drained of strength, finally gave way, and Clara began to fall. The gentle touches of Lily and Zoey, reaching out to support her, were barely felt. Around her, there was only dampness, cold moisture, and the suffocating absence of air. Her weakened form slumped against the damp wall, clutching desperately as her brown eyes fluttered shut. Ragged breaths struggled to escape through her cracked, half-open lips.

“Tora… call her…” the brunette whispered with her last fragile breath.

Eyes closed completely, and the girl slipped into unconsciousness, surrendering to the silent embrace of darkness.

***

Diving into the water, Tora scanned her surrounding, watching her fellow fairies dart

Swiftly through the depths, passing battle spears between them with practiced ease.

“Commander Tora!” one fairy called out, swimming up to her. “The banshees have attacked. There aren’t many, but three fairies are already wounded.”

The warning sent a jolt through Tora’s spine. Her eyes locked on the approaching creatures – hum bodies twisted with monstrous grimaces – closing in fast.

“Mia, watch out!” Tora shouted, sharply pushing the fairy aside. With a powerful strike, she landed a solid blow to one banshe’s face.

These banshees were nature’s cruelest mockery incarnate. Their grotesque faces twisted in expressions of torment and malice, inspiring horror and revulsion in all who dared meet their gaze. Their bodies, armored with jagged spikes like those of a venomous rose, harbored a deadly poison that repelled any creature foolish enough to come near. Their mottled gray skin, grimy and cracked, was a harsh affront to the eyes, as if the very earth had cursed them to walk in blight.

Banshees were impossible to defeat – fast, agile, and brutal. Merciless and emotionless, they knew every trick, closing in swiftly and never leaving their prey’s side for a single moment until their deadly purpose was fulfilled. Their immense size, skillful swimming, and mastery of lethal combat made them fearsome adversaries in the underwater realm.

Among vibrant corals, water fairies weaved gracefully, their movements fluid as they fought against the banshees – creatures whose shadowy forms melded seamlessly with the dark depths. Battle spears sliced through the water, their whistles composing a haunting, deadly melody that echoed through the submerged battlefield.

Tora moved quickly through the fairies, helping anyone who needed it. Her arrow flew straight and struck one of the banshees in the shoulder. The dark creature let out a fierce roar, but Tora was already rushing toward another fairy caught in trouble.

The battle raged on multiple fronts, the fairies fighting in coordinated groups. While one darted to dodge an attack, another aimed carefully and sent a spear, piercing an enemy’s heart at the perfect moment. Mirissia echoed with splashes, dull thuds, and banshees’ roars, the air thick with the fierce pulse of struggle. In one corner of the reef, a small band of fairies found themselves cut off, surrounded by dark, merciless creatures. Yet they fought with fearless resolve. A golden spear found its mark in a banshe’s eye, unleashing a blood-curdling scream that reverberated through the water. Tora surged forward toward the trapped group. Spotting a fairy cornered by the enemy, she lunged without hesitation. Her spear flew fast and true, plunging deep into the heart of darkness. But another banshe blocked her path, teeth clenched tight, Tora caught the thrown spear mid-air and, with savage swing, tore through the creature’s grotesque face.

Using her wings, Tora soared toward the majestic castle crafted from shimmering sea pearls. This enchanted stronghold belonged to Lord Evander, the sovereign ruler of Mirissia. Towering structures stretched skyward, guarded by countless sentinels – mermaids with long trails and tridents sharp enough to pierce any flesh with ease.

Yet, armed with the courage and determination of a true warrior, Tora slipped past the imposing gates and swam into the vast grand hall.

“Lord Evander!” she called out, her voice urgent as she rushed toward the tall, solemn figure who turned to face her.

Lord Evander was an imposing figure, his long hair shimmering with iridescent hues of pearl. His tail, tipped with fins of deep royal blue, gave him an air of regal authority. His muscular frame bore the scars of countless battles – each mark a testament to the endless struggles waged to protect his kingdom.

“Your Majesty, the banshees have attacked again,” Tora reported urgently. “Three of our fairies are wounded, and they won; t hold out much longer.”

The lord’s hoarse voice was heavy with concern as his gaze fixed on the window. “These creatures come more often than we feared. There must be something here they want.”

Beyond the glass, the battle raged – a brutal clash of banshees and fairies, chaos and fury tearing through the underwater realm.

“They’ve clearly found something… or someone,” Lord Evander murmured, his brow furrowing deeply.

A shiver ran through Tora as the thought struck her sharply: Clara might have escaped. Whatever she had done, it had drawn the banshees’ relentless hunt. The fairy nervously fluttered her wings, unsettled by the dark possibilities.

“Don’t worry, Tora,” the Lord said, sensing her tension. “Whatever happens, these banshees won’t linger here long. We’ll send them back to the shadows where they belong.”

“Still no word from the Princess?” Tora asked, her lips tightening as she searched his serious face.

“Nothing yet,” Lord Evander replied gravely. “The banshees might be attacking her more and more often.”

With a flick of his powerful tail, he crossed the throne room and paused before a large crystal that glowed softly beneath a thick glass shield.

“You’re going to use the crystal, aren’t you?” Tora asked, her voice heavy with dread as she watched him reach for the triangular stone.

Lord Evander’s sigh was low and burdened. “If Princess Delara doesn’t reclaim her rightful throne, we’re all doomed. This is the only way to hold the banshees off long enough to buy her a chance.” He turned toward the castle’s massive gates, the weight of his kingdom resting heavily on his broad shoulders.

Tora gazed sorrowfully through the enormous windows, her heart heavy as she watched the wounded fairies struggle desperately against the unending onslaught of banshees. The monsters’ numbers seemed to multiply without end, while the fairies’s resolve and strength ebbed away with every passing moment.

Lord Evander moved swiftly into the heart of the battlefield. Raising the crystal high above his head, he unleashed its ancient magic – a brilliant, searing light that repelled the banshees. The creatures recoiled in terror, their soulless eyes squeezed shut, forced to retreat into the darkness.

But even as the crystal’s light blazed, Tora could see it begin to wane. Its glow faded, and an anxious shiver passed through the ranks of fairies and mermaids alike.

“The crystal can’t keep up with these constant battles,” Tora whispered as she watched Lord Evander through the window.

Suddenly, the fairy heard footsteps echo behind her and spun sharply, her wings poised to strike.

“Guards?” Tora called out, her voice firm. But silence, et her ears. Her eyes narrowed, and she sank into a defensive stance, scanning the empty corridor for any sign of a banshe.

“Whoever you are, show yourself!” she demanded, her tone unyielding, every muscle tensed for battle.

But instead of the monstrous foes she’d expected, two small creatures darted into view.

Tora blinked in surprise, her brows knitting together.

“And who might you be?” she asked, her voice softening slightly as she studied the unfamiliar beings.

Curiosity overcame suspicion, and she crouched low, examining them closely. “Can you breathe underwater?” she inquired, tilting her head. The little ones simply stared up at her with wide, fascinated eyes.

“Do you understand me?” Tora continued, her tone gentle but watchful.

The throne room doors burst open with a thunderous crash, and the little ones instantly darted behind Tora.

“Commander Tora!” a mermaid’s firm voice cut through the air as she swam toward her. “Lord Evander had commanded you to search the area for intruders.”

“Understood,” Tora replied gravely, nodding before the mermaid turned and swam away.

Hidden behind a towering statue, the lumistars exchanged knowing glances. As soon as the mermaid departed, they hurried over, tugging at Tora’s wings.

“Don’t touch my wings!” Tora scolded sharply, eyeing the tiny creatures. “I don’t have time for games. I need to find that wretched girl!”

At her words, the lumistars nodded enthusiastically. Tora paused, scrutinizing them carefully.

“You know Clara?” she asked, narrowing her eyes. When they nodded again, she flapped her wings urgently. “Where is she?”

CHAPTER 7: STAY AWAY FROM DARKNESS

When Tora reached the dungeon, she was horrified to see the bars hanging open. A damp, seaweed-scented air hit her face.

“Where’d she run off to?” she muttered anxiously, scanning the lumistars, but they just drifted silently down the narrow, twisting corridor.

Scooping the little one into her arms, Tora gave a powerful flap of her wings and shot forward. The darkness grew thicker around her, and worry gnawed at her. Then, up ahead, she spotted Clara lying unconscious on the damp stone floor. Tiny fairies, their wings glimmering in the half-light, flitted around her like curious fireflies. They hovered, staring at the girl with wide-eyed wonder.

These little creatures were notorious for their gossip – if they found anything interesting, they’d spread it across the entire underwater realm in no time.

“Perfect,” Tora muttered under her breath, swatting them away. “Scram! And don’t you dare tell anyone about this,” she warned.

With startled squeaks, the fairies scattered in every direction.

“Clara?” Tora crouched down and laid a hand on the girl’s shoulder, giving it a gentle shake.

No response. Clara lay still, her face pale and slack.

Tora let out a slow, tense breath, her eyes scanning the shadowy corridor for any sign of help – or way out. Nothing. Gritting her teeth, she carefully turned Clara onto her back, then gathered her into her arms, feeling the girl’s cold weight settle against her chest.

“Light the way,” she murmured, lifting her gaze to the lumistars that drifted overhead, their faint glow guiding her through the darkness.

Tora glanced down at the girl in her arms, her brow furrowing. “If I get in trouble for this, it’s all your fault,” she muttered. “And don’t you dare die on me. I’m not exactly great at hiding bodies, especially human ones.”