In the next few days, Emily and Liam gathered all possible clues and necessary items and essentials needed for their forest search trip. In just two weeks, they had gone through most of the books in the geography section.
"Listen, Emily. Do you recall any other features of the jungle in your recent dreams?" Liam questioned looking up at her.
"Hmm.It's somewhere cold, with many old pine trees that reach to the sky, and the top is nowhere in sight," said Emily setting her eyes on his face.
"As we got to know from these books and alongside my opinion,forests like that are in the north direction from the city. We should prepare well. I already informed my parents as they are not back yet that I will be going on a trip with a friend. You should do the same," Liam said.
"Oh! I forgot. I will inform them today. So, when are leaving? Are we leaving after the graduation?" Asked Emily.
"Yes, I think we will be ready by then for our wholesome adventure." He replied with a slight smile on his face.
Ten days later, they left the small town and started the adventurous journey to the unknown dark forest with the clues they had. Using their magical powers to fasten their journey, they reached the pine forest, a couple of days earlier than yhe expected time.
"It should be somewhere deeper in there, if we are if the right place," Liam said.
"Yeah, this is the place. I feel a bit of familiarity with this place, as if I have been here before." Emily stated gazing at the tall trees visible in front oftheir eyes with no top in sight.
"Then we are at the right place. We'll continue after replenishimg our powers and taking a good rest as we don't know what it is like in there," Liam said, putting down his back bag.
" ok, we will do as you say." Emily replied teasingly.
After eating and resting for a bit, they continued on their journey, walking deeper and deeper into the forest, staying alert of their surroundings.
As the trees became taller and thicker, the wind started to turn cold and tge surroundings weee darkening, strange sounds were heard from time to time through the surroundings.
"It's getting creepier as we move deeper into the forest," Liam spoke.
"Hm, maybe it's because closer to the sunset. We should find somewhere safe for the night, to be safe from the wild creatures or something like that," replied Emily.
"Yes, you are right. We should find some clear and safe area to put up the tents", liam agreed.
They soon found an opening with fewer thick trees, which seemed like a nice place to rest for the night. Looking around once,they set up their tents, put up protection spells, and laid traps around the tents in case of any intrusion.
After having a light meal of dried food and some instant food they went in ti rest for the night.
...
Late in the night, they were awakened by the sound of heavy footsteps in the nearby area. They hurrieely packed up their tents and hung their bags on a nearest tree.
When the owner of the steps appeared in a distance, they were immensely surprised to see a Tigon, a hybrid of lion and tiger, staring at them with its ferocious eyes.
"Do you think we can kill it and run away. What do you say a out it?" Emily asked.
"Let's do it, whatever the result we have to tey atleast. It's a matter of life and death," replied Liam.
They communicated through the signals they developed during their library meetings to fight the wild beast.
After half an hour of combined efforts, the strangly strong creature, way stronger than an ordinary tigon, was finally defeated and ran away injured after the strongest magic attack .
But while trying to save Emily from a sneak attack during the battle, Liam had gotten injured, resulting in a wound on his left arm from its paws .
Changing their position, Emily dressed his wound and gave him the healing portion for faster recovery.
Continuing their journey, they came across a vast area filled with fog without anything in sight and decided to enter it without any prior preparation.
"Maybe it's just an illusion that tests one's courage, likein the school test's," said Liam.
"I was thinking the same," Emily replied.
They held each other's hands and entered the fog to avoid getting separated. When they opened their eyes, they were on the other side of the fog with it now behind them.
"It's a pass, I guess," said Liam.
"Looks like it. Let's move on," said Emily.
...Later, they came across a building made of stone that was built to look like a temple, with large stones used as pillars.
"It's a strange place for a temple to be located at. Don't you think so" ? Liam asked.
"We will know what's inside when we go in," Emily replied.
"So should we enter?"
"It might be a trap, the possibility is very high."
"But it is also possible that it's a much-needed clue," said Liam.
They entered the stone temple and found a flat stone slab in the middle of the hall covered in a layer of dust.
"Let's see what it says," Liam suggested.
The inscription read:
"To the fated person: The ancient prophecy welcomes you to try. To those who can fulfill, a great reward of eternal companionship is promised. In the very centre of the dark forest lies the ancient heart of the forest, waiting for the blessed ones to revive it and help reinvigorate the forest."
Looking around the temple, they also found another which instructed them to place their hands on a shiny stone to go through the trail and emerge victorious.