NARRATOR: This is Nokon Forest, located on the borders of the Holy Kingdom. Among the locals, it is known as the "Blue Forest"—for nearly everything within it glows with a brilliant blue hue. From the leaves of the trees to the animals, the insects, and even the monsters, everything here is cloaked in a mesmerizing shade of blue. But today, the forest's usual beauty had been replaced by an unsettling silence… followed by strange, haunting sounds.
Echoes resounded from a dense part of the forest, shattering the quiet like a blade through glass. They resembled the chaos of a battlefield: the sickening clang of metal meeting flesh, the crunch of bones breaking, and the anguished screams of the dying spread like a curse throughout the woods. These terrifying sounds stirred not only the forest's creatures but also its predator-like beasts. Yet those drawn to the noise weren't just animals.
A rustle came from the underbrush. Amidst the shadows, two humanoid silhouettes slowly emerged from the dark blue haze.
They were members of the Void race—inhabitants of this forest, known also as the Children of the Blue Forest. The Void were tall beings, nearing two meters in height, with blue skin, long pointed ears, and intelligence equal to that of humans.
As the two figures stepped forward, it became clear they were both female. The one who led appeared to be middle-aged by Void standards (Voids could live up to three hundred years, making her somewhere between 150 and 180). Her emerald green hair was braided into twin tails that reached her waist, and her amethyst eyes gleamed with intensity. A long scar slashed diagonally across her face, giving her a fierce and resolute presence—elegant, yet intimidating. Strapped to her back were two identical silver swords, leaving no doubt she was a warrior.
The Void behind her was slightly shorter and younger—clearly less experienced. She had short purple hair, green eyes like shining pearls, and carried a massive dark purple hammer nearly her size. She followed the older one cautiously, her steps nervous and careful.
After walking in silence for a while, it was the younger Void who broke the tension.
MIANA: Katara, are you sure there's really something out here?
KATARA: ...
NARRATOR: Miana glanced around nervously as she spoke.
MIANA: You said you heard strange noises this way, but we've been walking since morning and haven't found a thing. Maybe you misheard? We're getting too deep. If we go any further, we could get into real trouble. I think we should turn back.
NARRATOR: Katara continued walking. Something from that direction was calling to her—as if pulling her forward. She didn't think, didn't listen, didn't respond. She just walked.
MIANA: Katara, are you even listening to me? Hello? Nokon Forest to Katara…
NARRATOR: Miana grabbed Katara's hand, halting her steps. The touch snapped Katara out of her brief trance.
MIANA: Are you okay? You look pale. Come closer… Yep, you're really pale. We should stop here and go back to the village.
NARRATOR: Katara blinked, her mind still foggy from the momentary hypnosis.
KATARA: I'm fine. No need to go back.
MIANA: Are you sure? Don't try to act tough. You know that doesn't work on me.
KATARA: I know… but we're close. I can feel it. It's just beyond these trees.
MIANA: What?
KATARA: I don't know.
NARRATOR: They both stared into the thicket ahead. A few seconds passed before Miana shuddered slightly, then sighed and turned to Katara.
MIANA: Ugh, whatever... Let's just check over there. But after that, we're going back—got it?
NARRATOR: Katara nodded slightly, and the two Voids stepped cautiously past the trees into a clearing. What they saw made them instinctively shift into a defensive stance—Katara reached for both her swords, while Miana gripped her massive hammer tightly. Their hearts pounded as they scanned for threats. They stood still for a while, listening, observing. When they noticed no immediate danger, their tense muscles slowly relaxed, but their guards stayed up. The silence hid something—they just didn't know what yet.
MIANA: What… is this?
NARRATOR: Katara scanned the area with a serious expression, while Miana, horrified, covered her mouth with her hand. In a hushed, trembling voice, she muttered:
MIANA: This is… awful…
NARRATOR: "Awful" was the perfect word to describe it. The clearing that should have been glowing blue was drenched in crimson. Scattered across the ground were human corpses and the dismembered remains of beasts not native to this forest—but rather, from the dark woods of the Holy Kingdom's eastern lands. It looked like a scene from an apocalypse. Both Voids shivered as they examined the grisly field.
MIANA: It's disgusting. What the hell happened here?
NARRATOR: Katara's eyes narrowed in anger as she scanned the blood-soaked ground. Her voice turned cold.
KATARA: Mandarks. This is their doing.
NARRATOR: (Mandarks are a species of monsters that dwell in the Dark Forest—an endless realm of massive black trees to the east of the Holy Kingdom. Towering close to three meters, their bodies resemble oversized bears covered in thick, blackish-purple fur. With bat-like pointed ears and sharp white fangs, their most terrifying feature is their glowing blood-red eyes that can pierce through darkness.)
MIANA: Mandarks? But what are creatures from that cursed forest doing here? They shouldn't be able to come this far… And what's even weirder—these humans. I thought we had an agreement with them. Are they trying to start a war?
NARRATOR: As Miana voiced her concerns, Katara responded coldly while inspecting the area.
KATARA: Poachers. I've seen their kind before—humans who defy their own leaders and ignore promises.
MIANA: This is really bad, Katara. We should tell the village chief immediately.
KATARA: Not yet. We need to make sure… see if anyone survived.
MIANA: You've got to be kidding. I'm not staying here another minute! What if something attacks while I'm alone?
KATARA: Then run.
MIANA: W-What?! No! You know I can't run fast—they'd catch me in seconds! HEY! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE, KATARAAA!
NARRATOR: Katara ignored Miana's panicked cries and kept walking. Each step through the field of corpses felt heavier, dragged down by a strange pull—as if some unseen force was luring her into the unknown. Her chest tightened, her breath grew short, and cold sweat dripped down her face. Then, she stopped.
The feeling that had only been a vague sensation was now real. In front of her hovered a glowing object—radiating shimmering strands of light. Katara stared, eyes narrowing, lips pressing into a thin line. After a moment of silence, she spoke in a firm voice:
KATARA: Hey… What are you?
NARRATOR: The glowing being gave no answer. It simply shimmered and pulsated. The silence gnawed at Katara's patience. Her right hand gripped one of her sword hilts tightly, eyes flashing with intensity. She raised her voice.
KATARA: I said—what are you?! Why did you call me? ANSWER ME!
NARRATOR: Katara's voice echoed through the forest. Then, the light began to dim, the shimmering slowed… and a silhouette appeared.
It was a woman.
Though still glowing faintly, her form became clear—brown hair, green eyes, and pale white skin. A serene smile graced her lips, as if she had finally found the one she was searching for. Katara instinctively released her swords, narrowing her eyes as she examined the mysterious woman.
After a few seconds, she asked again—curious, but wary:
KATARA: Who are you? Why did you call me?
NARRATOR: The glowing woman raised her hand slowly, pointing toward a torn, blood-soaked tent nearby. Katara turned her head to look…
…and when she turned back, the woman was gone.
Not a single trace remained.
Katara's eyes widened in brief shock. She took a deep breath, eyes narrowing again as she began walking toward the tent. Her instincts screamed caution, her heartbeat thundered in her chest. A sharp, foul scent struck her nose as she approached—the scent of Mandarks. Her hand shot to her swords.
Inside the tent… what she saw made her freeze.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
TO BE CONTINUED…