Page 7

Chapter 6

Selestina

T he trees tower above me, their trunks thick and gnarled, roots snaking across the forest floor like veins. Shadows settle heavily between the twisted shapes of the trees, pressing in around me. As I step forward, the last trace of daylight fades, leaving only slivers of moonlight that barely pierce the dense canopy above. It’s hardly enough to see where I’m going, just enough to hint at the path ahead and deepen the darkness. I can’t lie and say I’m not nervous or scared, because I totally am, I just don’t really have another choice.

The smell is almost overwhelming, cloying as it fills my lungs. Beneath it is something sharper, metallic, a subtle scent of blood, though I try not to dwell on why that scent lingers in this place. Every breath is a mix of rotting wood and old stone, bringing me back to my time in the morgue. It smells like death here, just like it did there.

The only sound at first is my own footsteps, muffled by the layer of leaves and moss beneath me. As I move deeper, the forest begins to wake. Branches creak overhead, a cacophony in the dead of night. Somewhere to my left, there’s a rustling, leaves shifting as if something is moving through them, unseen. Scratching follows, like claws dragging lightly against bark.

I freeze with my heart pounding and the sound fades away, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m not alone. I can almost hear Alexander’s cold and sharp voice, warning me to keep my focus, to push through the pain.

His voice brings back memories I’d rather forget, but the forest doesn’t let me. One moment, I’d been in the training room, fighting to catch my breath under Alexander’s cold gaze; the next, everything had gone dark. When I opened my eyes again, I was lying on the cold, damp ground, surrounded by trees like these, their trunks thick and twisted, looming over me.

He’d never force me to trek through the entire forest; it’s far too dangerous. No one survives a journey like that. Usually, he’d drop me about ten miles south of whichever kingdom I was expected to return to. Hard? Definitely. But at least it was survivable. The forest itself stretches about one hundred and twenty-five miles, give or take, depending on the direction you take, with the academy dead center.

From Tepetl to the academy, it’s roughly seventy-five miles. This will be a brutal journey, and there’s a real chance I won’t make it.

Had I taken the main roads, the story would’ve been different. They’re enchanted, making the distance much shorter and providing some measure of protection. But, of fucking course, those roads weren’t an option for me.

I look up to the stars to make sure I am following Tzitzimitl’s, the goddess of stars, path. Her Estrella de Norte shines bright above Obsidian Academy. A beacon to anyone in Tonalli.

A low growl pulls me back to my surroundings, my hand instinctively moving to the hilt of my dagger. The sound fades, but it’s enough to remind me to keep moving, to stay sharp. I press forward, each step slower and more careful.

The wind rustles through the branches above, but there’s something unnatural about it. It’s a sound that seems to carry voices, whispers I can’t quite make out, murmurs that make the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

A snapping twig sends a jolt through me, and I spin around, but there's nothing there. Just darkness and the slow, steady hum of insects hidden in the underbrush. The silence stretches, and I force myself to breathe, to focus. I am not allowed to get lost in memories.

The trees grow closer together as I go deeper, their branches weaving a dense, tangled barrier that blocks out almost all the light. The ground grows uneven, roots jutting out like traps, waiting for a misstep. My foot catches on one, and I stumble, catching myself just before I fall. I bite back a curse, my fingers closing around the nearest trunk to steady myself. The bark is rough and digs into my skin. I pull my hand back to see a line of small scratches up the palm, beads of blood welling in the wounds.

I’m not even going to worry about the blood drawing in the monsters that lurk here, because this is only the beginning.

I push through a thicket of thorns, their pointed edges snagging my skin, leaving lines of shallow cuts along my arms and face. The pain stings, it’s familiar, grounding, and I welcome it; let it remind me I'm still here, still fighting.

Another sound, closer, too close, and I whip around, dagger at the ready, but once more, nothing .

I take another step forward, ignoring the fear chewing at the edges of my mind.

Sunlight peaks through the trees above. Damn it, I hadn't even noticed how close we were getting to morning. This forest twists time in just such a way to make reality seem like something far away.

I have so much anger within me, anger that flows through my veins like lava spilling from the mouth of a volcano in Tepetl. Nobody would ever know it, though.

I square my shoulders, shaking my head to dislodge these thoughts, and continue my journey through the dark forest.

The trickle of water reaches my ears, a welcome sound after hours of trudging through the forest. My throat is dry and my canteen is nearly empty. I quicken my pace, weaving between the trees as the sky begins to blanket the forest in darkness. I can feel the shift in the air, the way the forest seems to yawn and stretch, ready to torment those not welcome. So far, I’ve been lucky; nothing has tried to rip me apart. Yet.

I push forward, keeping my steps light, listening to the trickle of water growing louder with each step. Finally, I spot it, a small stream cutting through the dense underbrush, its surface glimmering in the fading light. I kneel down beside it, slipping my canteen into the cold water and watching it fill. The water is clear, almost shimmering, and I feel the tension ease from my shoulders as I dip my hands into the cool stream, letting it wash away the dirt from my palms.

As I sit back, taking a drink from my canteen, I catch a glimpse of light out of the corner of my eye. Then another. And another. Fireflies, hundreds of them, hovering around me, tiny sparks dancing in the air like the stars came down to Tonalli. I can’t help but stare, momentarily lost in the beauty of it. I feel my smile stretch wide across my face and take in a deep breath. The forest around me fades, the dangers momentarily forgotten as I watch the little lights swirl, painting the darkness with their quiet magic.

But that’s my mistake.

A low growl cuts into my reverie, and I get a shiver down my spine. I whip around, my heart racing, as the creature steps into the clearing. Larger than a wolf, lower to the ground, its body an abnormal mass of fur and muscle. Yet the color of its eyes is an unnatural yellow glow amidst the dark, and its mouth is full of row after row of crooked teeth in uneven lengths. When it opens its jaw, large black tar drips down, sizzling upon contact with the ground and scorching the grass.

A Fangshade.

Of all the creatures in the forest, it had to be a Fangshade. They're some of the most deadly monsters in all of Tonalli. Hardly anybody comes out of a duel alive. It’s strategizing as it stares at me, so I do the same in return. I formulate a plan of how in the fuck I am getting out of this.

It lets out another low growl, stalking closer. The fireflies scatter, their light blinking out as they disappear into the darkness, leaving me alone with the creature.

“Thanks a lot, assholes,” I mutter at the beauties who left me to die.

My hand instinctively goes to the hilt of my dagger, my fingers tightening around the familiar grip as I steel myself. I run over in my head everything I have read about Fangshades. I’ve actually never seen one in person, so if I make it out of this, I’ll have more information to store in my head about this beast. The thought makes me smile, and yes, I understand that I’m completely deranged. They are vicious, cunning hunters, relentless in their thirst for blood, which makes me wince. It’s probably been following me since I cut up my hand on that tree bark.

The Fangshade lunges at me, and I throw myself to the side, narrowly avoiding its snapping jaws. It lands where I'd been just a moment before, its claws raking across the ground and tearing through dirt and roots like they were paper. Scrambling up, I place my back to a tree and hold the dagger low, waiting for the next move.

It circles me, its eyes shining bright and never leaving mine, weighing me up. Its fur is matted, streaked with dark stains that could only be blood. There’s another deep growl, the beast is getting annoyed. I know it's just waiting for me to slip, to give it an opening, but I'm not about to give it that satisfaction.

I take a deep breath, forcing my heart to stay steady. “Come on, then,” I say to myself, but the creature seems to get it, its lips curling back in a near grin.

Before I can even react, it hurls towards me again, much quicker the second time around, a mess of teeth and claws.

I sidestep, slashing at it as it passes, this time drawing blood. The Fangshade lets out a howl; the sound echoing through the trees, but it doesn't fall back. If anything, the scent of its own blood only seems to make it angrier. It crouches low, muscles coiling, preparing to strike again.

This time, it feints left before dashing right, catching me off guard. I try to pivot, but it's too fast; its claws rake across my arm, tearing through fabric and skin alike. Pain flares up my arm, hot and sharp, but I grit my teeth, refusing to let it distract me.

The Fangshade pulls back, its mouth dripping with dark saliva as it eyes me. The warm trickle of blood down my arm just makes me take another step forward, raising my dagger. I have to end this quickly. Fangshades don't tire easily, and if it senses even a little weakness, it'll use it against me.

It lunges again, and this time I don't move, which makes it hesitate. It’s the opening I need. I wait until it's almost upon me, then drop to one knee, driving the dagger upward into its chest with all my strength. The blade sinks into its flesh, and the creature lets out a blood-curdling scream, thrashing as it tries to pull away. I twist the blade, feeling it bite deeper, my arm screaming in protest as I hold my ground.

The Fangshade recoils, its breaths coming in ragged gasps as it stares at me, hatred and pain mingling in its eyes. Thick blood pours from the wound, pooling on the ground beneath it. It takes a step back, then another, its body swaying unsteadily as it tries to stay upright.

But I don't give it the chance.

I pull the dagger free, drive it into its throat, through muscle and bone until my blade finds its mark, and in one last, strangled cry, the Fangshade collapses, its body thudding to the earth with a heavy weight. Standing over it, I breathe hard; my whole body's trembling, cold with adrenaline and exhaustion.

I stand there a while longer, and watch as the light fades from its eyes; the forest surrounding me hushed once more. The fireflies return as if sensing there’s no more danger near, their lights twinkling, but now they seem like the reminder of what almost was—a beauty I almost allowed myself to believe in, even here, within this twisted place .

I take a shaky breath, wiping the blood from my dagger before slipping it back into its sheath. My arm throbs, the cuts stinging as the adrenaline begins to fade, but I push the pain aside. I quickly tear off a part of my top and wrap it around just below my armpit, to stop the flow of blood. There will be time to tend to the wounds later. Right now, I need to keep moving to a safer spot. If there is one.

The Dark Forest isn't done with me yet.

The night begins with a sharp sting as a jagged branch slashes across my cheek. The forest wastes no time in reminding me it is alive, malevolent, and completely unforgiving. Blood trickles down my face, but I hardly register it. Compared to what follows, this is nothing.

My body, by the time night falls, has been through a war. Bruises blossom across my arms and ribs, and each step jars pain through my legs. The forest hums, unnatural, alive in ways that creep into your skin. The air was thick with growls, skitters, and whispers一like some great chorus of predators waiting for me to falter. Dark silhouettes dance at the edge of my vision, like living things, and my instincts scream for me to be ready at a moment's notice.

I don't have to wait very long for the forest to make the first move.

The attack is sudden; a blur from the dark. A creature launches itself from the shadows, a Grimmaw, his body stretched and slick with oily black fur that drips slowly to every place it walks. It has twin orbs of pale green light, its eyes smoldering with dangerous hunger. It glides closer to me, its extended claws scratching along the ground, a drizzle of saliva running from its jagged, bone-white teeth.

I barely have time to draw my dagger before it lunges, teeth snapping for my throat. I dive to the side, feeling a rush of air as its claws slice past my face. I hit hard, my leg taking the brunt, rolling to my feet in time to see it spin for another attack. This time, I'm ready. I sidestep its charge and drive my blade into its side, aiming for the space between its ribs. It lets out a shriek that shakes my bones and rakes its claws down my thigh, twisting away. Pain explodes, hot and blinding, but I grit my teeth and hold my ground.

The Grimmaw falters, its movements wild with dark viscous fluid oozing from the wound. I seize the moment to pull out my dagger and push it deep into its neck, twisting until it falls in a heap. My leg throbs, blood is soaking through the fabric of my pants, but I keep going.

By the second day, my clothes are in tatters, my body a canvas of bruises and cuts, and the forest is intent on breaking me. Through the canopy above, the first light of dawn makes its way through, greeting me with my next challenge, a Razorspine. It is a mass of muscle and bones; its body filled with overlapping plates of metallic scales unlike any other, which shine like polished steel. Its back bristles with razor-sharp spines, each one leaking a thick green poison that sizzles as it hits the ground. Its eyes are sunken pits of yellow, shining brightly before it makes eye contact with me.

This is honestly such bullshit, and let me be real for a moment. I’m a huge complainer, like the queen of all complaining, I just keep it in my head. And right now? This sucks so bad, but what do I do? Keep going or die. So, I keep fucking going.

My movements are exact with muscle memory, but my mind feels disoriented and unsure.

It charges without warning, head lowered like a battering ram. I fling myself to the side barely as it crashes into a tree, the impact splintering the bark and sending shards flying. I roll to my feet, dagger in hand, ribs screaming in protest. The Razorspine snorts, pacing as it sizes me up. This isn't a beast; it's calculating, intelligent. Deadly.

I know I have to get in close if I'm to stand a chance. When it lunges once more, I duck beneath its side, driving my blade into the soft flesh beneath its armored ribs. There’s more resistance than the other two, but the Razorspine roars, twisting violently in an attempt to shake me off. I hold tight, my fingers slick with its blood, and twist the blade deeper. With one final, agonized shriek, it collapses, its huge body smacking into the earth with a sickening thud.

I stumble backward, gasping, my muscles shaking with exertion. My arm's slick with blood, not all mine, fortunately, and my leg's wrapped in a makeshift bandage torn from my shirt.

One more day.

The third day is one big blur of pain, exhaustion, and will. Every step is heavier than the one before; my body screaming for rest I can’t give it. The forest knows that I am weakening, and with dusk, it has revealed its final trick一a Nightfiend.

It emerged from the shadows like something out of a nightmare. It looms over me, its skeleton covered in sinewy, pitch-black fur that draws the light into it. Its eyes burn with deep, smoldering red and its mouth opens to reveal rows of needle-like teeth, covered in a thick black spittle that sizzles as it hits the ground. Long scythe-curved claws gleam with a wet sheen, promising agony.

The Nightfiend doesn't hurry. It thinks it’s the predator here.

It circles me, its movements languid and calculated, its eyes never leaving mine. It knows I'm tired, that I've been bleeding and limping for days. It's waiting for me to slip up.

But I don't.

When it lunges, I'm ready. I duck low, the claws meant to decapitate me, slicing through the air above my head. Pain bursts in my shoulder as one claw rakes across my skin, but I grit my teeth and spin, slashing my dagger across its side. The blade cuts deep, black blood spraying as the Nightfiend lets out an ear-splitting roar. In an instant, it's on me with terrifying speed, its jaws snapping inches from my face as I throw myself backward.

Suddenly filled with adrenaline, I surge forward, plunging my dagger into its throat. The Nightfiend thrashes about, its claws raking across my arm as I twist the blade, severing the artery. It falls back, its glowing eyes dimming as the life drains from its massive form.

I stumble back, my chest heaving, every inch of my body screaming in pain. Blood drips from countless wounds, my clothes are in tatters, and my vision swims. But I’m still standing. Against all odds, I’m still here. The forest may want me dead, but it’ll have to try harder than this to break me.

I limp forward, every step agony, but force myself to continue. The edge of the forest has to be near. It has to be. Trees start to thin out, slightly, and through the branches, I can see the most beautiful shimmering of light. Taking a deep breath, I grit my teeth and continue on, not taking notice to the ache resting in every inch of my skin and muscles.

I don't stop running until I break through the last line of trees, stumbling out into open air. I collapse to my knees, my vision blurring, and let out a shuddering breath.

I made it.

Then everything goes black.