The Forbidden Forest

Chapter 2

Sand sat on the sandy beach, with his Unicorn petmate, BlueMoon, lying beside him. The sea breeze tousled his sand-streaked hair, making it look messy. The waves lapped the clean shore, making calming, soft-splashing sounds. Private moments like this were peaceful and both of them loved it. There wasn’t a day where you would miss both Sand and his unicorn soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of the beach.

Sand scratched BlueMoon behind her ears and heard her sigh blissfully. Considering Sand’s personality, he was glad that he had BlueMoon as his petmate. A horse-like creature with a small, golden spiral-horn on her forehead and white wings on her back that had not yet fully developed, BlueMoon also had a pale blue coat and a unique crescent mark on her head below her horn which gave her the name. She had been Sand’s constant companion since they were young and Sand considered her his best friend.

A distant figure of SkySea Tribe’s Daigou came into view. “Father,” greeted Sand as the Daigou, Storm, sat beside him. A burly man in his late fifties, Storm had a weathered face and a pair of deep-set eyes that were intimidating if anyone was to stare into them for a moment. Draping a fur skin over his shoulder, he held the confidence and the prominence typical of a leader of a tribe.

“How is Uncle Rain?” asked Sand worriedly. Two weeks earlier, Uncle Rain had been shot on the shoulder by a green arrow tipped with a poisonous liquid. Efforts to cure his wound had been futile. For many days now, Uncle Rain had been lying weakly on his bed, sometimes in cold sweat and groaning in pain.

“Worse,” came Storm’s sad reply. “At sunrise, Rain’s wound was bleeding badly. He’s now unconscious with a high fever. The healer said that he could not survive more than two months.”

“But why would LeafFur Tribe harm Uncle Rain when they need him to provide them with extra rainfall?” Sand asked, confused. The green arrow which harmed Uncle Rain had bored the symbol of LeafFur Tribe. For many years now, their tribe had been faithfully carrying out the treaty of peace, with Uncle Rain as the sole rainmaker for LeafFur Tribe. So why should they bite the hand that feeds?

“Perhaps LeafFur Tribe wanted to capture him to be their slave in making more rainfall,” reasoned Storm, his deep, gruff voice tinged with anger. “But what matters now is that someone must save Uncle Rain. We need someone who is able to obtain the TwinkleBerries from The Enchanted Garden. Someone who is strong enough to fight the dangers of the Forbidden Forest.

“As you know,” Storm continued, turning his head to face Sand. “When Norwicks reach the age of sixteen, they have to complete a task to prove their worth as a true Battle Norwick.”

Sand nodded. He had been waiting for that day since young; for he felt that it would finally prove himself as the son of a Daigou and someone whom others would look up to. That day had been an inspiration to him, encouraging him to train and study hard.

“However, as you have consistently produced top results in your Battle Magic practical, the tribe’s council and I have decided to appoint you to carry out the task despite you being two years younger. You, my boy, shall set out tomorrow at dawn.”

Sand, who was listening intently, then stood up and bowed deeply before Storm. He felt proud to have been chosen for the task. His moment had finally arrived.

“I shall gladly accept the task, Father.”