Aren stood looking at the druid, then after a long second, he stepped forward, "Get through." His words cut through the silence, his eyes straight.
"Let’s be calm," she said.
"Get through." He said again, then bent his head low, "Please." His clenched fists loosened, his shoulders dropped, his garden faded away.
The druid stared, confused, shocked, seeing his change. She watched him tear through the forest, she watched him fight like a mad man, all that vanished before her eyes, and all she could see was a kid.
"Help , please. They took soone I promised to protect away from , I can’t fail to save her, I can’t." Aren said. He looked up at the druid, eyes red and teary, "I can’t afford to lose her." He said.
The druid stared at him. The silence dragged out for a very long while and then she stepped forward. "I allow the pure of heart to pass through my forest or so it is said." She said, and then stretched out her slender hands slowly, placing it on his chest.
"But that’s all said because no human is pure of heart." She continued. Aren looked up, eyes filled with shock, "What? Then how do I get through?" He asked, fear already starting to show in his eyes.
"No human is pure, right from the very day they are born, they are self-serving, selfish beings. Even now, you cry to , not for the love of your friend, but of the fear of failing, failing yourself." She stated, pulling her hand back from his chest and walking away.
Aren looked at her. He clenched his fist even tighter than before, "So what?" He barked. She paused,
turned around and looked at him.
"So what if saving her is my selfish desire? So what if my care and love for her is selfish, is there a better love than one which springs from my selfishness?" He asked. The druid blinked. She looked at him with confusion, trying to understand what he was getting at.
"The selfishness of man is the greatest attribute of a man. Humans love ourselves more than anything else, so if that selfish desire extends to love soone else, isn’t that the strongest version of love?
I don’t know what your criteria is to allow get through, but if it ans I’ll tear up this forest, then I will, but I must save her." Aren said, his gaze steady, unfaltering.
She stared at him for a few solid seconds and then smiled, "I knew you’d be interesting." She said.
"Regardless though, beyond this forest, what cos after is not what you expect. You won’t get to save her as you think, you won’t get to even reach her, I must warn sadly.
The only thing waiting for you after the forest is death. I may not know a lot, but I do know that the Blade family whom I protect would cut you down, no matter how strong you believe you are.
If they have soone that belongs to you, then I suggest you let it go, there is no victory for you." She stated.
’No victory for huh? I guess I kinda knew that before even coming here. What am I thinking, carrying myself to go against a family that has existed since the beginning of the trials.
They have gathered resources and strength beyond what I could imagine, all of it stored inside that town, and the mont I step in, any of it could be used against .
The safest option for would be to walk away, leave this and go. There is honestly no way for to win this.’ Aren thought to himself. He closed his eyes slowly, took one deep breath and then opened his eyes. He looked at the druid, "I know." He said, "But I have to save her." He said.
The druid was stunned by the response. She took a pause and stared at him, "I like you, what’s your na human?" She asked.
"Aren," he replied.
"Aren, well I am Tiara, if you sohow make it out alive, then please co see ." She said with a soft smile and then snapped her finger, and instantly, the trees to Aren’s right parted.
"Walk through there, no monster will attack, no tree will shift until you make it to the town." Tiara said.
Aren looked at the path then he looked back at her, "Thank you Tiara, I’ll be sure to co see you again." Aren said and then faced the path. He entered without hesitation.
Tiara watched him depart, watched his figure get even smaller and smaller, her eyes got sadder with every mont.
"I’m sorry Aren, we won’t see again." She said.
Deep in her heart, she hoped that he would escape, but no one knew the horrors of the Blade family and what they could do, leaving was not an option for Aren.
Aren sensed her change with his shadow sense. He let out a smile, ’She for sure thinks I’ll die, well, I can’t bla her, I’m the one that’s actually walking into my death.
Sigh, if life could be easier, if the things we face could be smoother, but sadly, it doesn’t work that way.’ Aren thought. He let out another smile and then dashed through the path. He ran as fast as his feet could carry him, turning into a blur.
Soon, the end of the forest ca into view, his eagerness grew, but so did his worry and fear. He had no idea what to expect, he had no clue what would be there, he was running in blind.
The mont he passed through the forest and was finally out, he stopped imdiately. He looked in front of him, and there it was, the Blade family town, standing grand and powerful. He could already feel the oppressive aura that ca from it.
"You aren’t ant to be here," a voice cut through the air, reaching Aren and instantly sending chills down his spine.
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