I walked towards the large metal gate leading to the outside.
The city was a dead end, i couldn't find any information on her.
Where is she?
I thought to myself time and time again. How could I forget about her.
I wanted her so much. I carved her presence.
My body craved her presence.
I tighten my grasp, pointing the sword at the chains holding the gate closed.
*slaaash*
I cut them off opening the path.
There was nothing of use in the city , the palace where the king resides might have some information but I doubt that I'd be welcomed in there so the only place left to go now was the forest.
"Hehe aha haa ha"
Laughter.
It came from above me.
It surrounded everything near me in an instant and disappeared just as quick.
I looked above and behind but couldn't find the source of the laughter.
I continued ahead passing through the abandoned dirt road.
The trees were tall, taller than most buildings in the city.
The forest was called Eden.
Supposedly a powerful creature resided here and all life on the continent began from this forest but that's all myths and tales, now it's nothing more than a breeding den for monsters and horrifying creatures.
The source of the madness could also be traced back to here or so the newspaper said a few months ago.
I traveled around finding old housing and destroyed graves.
Some had been dug up in search of valuables and food.
Even the dead can supplement the living if the living is willing to sacrifice their sanity.
Truly this place showed cruelty in its utmost pure form.
A little bit deeper into the forest I began to encounter 'things'. I didn't know what to call them exactly.
When a human is affected by madness it becomes a creature from beyond, having powers similar to lower deities but has no intelligence.
When animals are affected by madness however they don't have the intelligence to sacrifice for strength so they give up their forms. Small rabbits turn into beings greater than trees. Birds walk on their beaks.
Snakes grow arms from their mouths.
This transformation is worse than that seen in humans.
And I had to fight them.
Again and again.
Tiring.
My body felt like it would fall apart.
It did at times fall apart , I had to stitch back my arms multiple times.
"Where is she...."
That's the only thought that matters to me in this moment.
"Hoo ho, what do we have here? An undead, in this part of the world? What are you doing in this forest?"
A voice called out from the trees.
It was a lady dressed in pure red.
Her eyes had the same colour as the dead moon and her brown hair swung freely in the wind.
She was a truly beautiful woman.
"Are you just going to stare or will you speak?"
"I am looking for someone."
"Oh well then you came to the wrong place sweetie. There is no one here, unless you are looking for corpses or animals, but I guess an undead would be looking for a corpse ."
"She's not a corpse. I know she's alive. I don't know where she is but I'll find her no matter what."
"Oh I see.. it's a she. Lover I assume.
Hehe oh what a foolish little thing, loving something alive while being dead in a world filled with madness. I admire your spirit."
" Can you tell me where she is?"
" I can tell you almost anything. You see I am the queen of this forest. The little beasts you killed were my subject, they came and told me of you."
"...I am sorry. I didn't know any better. I just wanted to defend myself. "
"Oh sweetie I am not scolding you or anything. How could I scold such a beautiful little thing?" Her eyes were glittering , locked onto me. "I just want you to do something for me, in return you can ask me anything you want." She said. Gleeing.
"What is it?" I asked.
"There are a few things that I want 'cleaned' up you see. Four to be exact. They are the soldiers the king sent out to capture me. Very strong but pathetically weak compared to me. I want you to clean them. Get me their corpses. And you'll have completed your task."
".. I'll do it." I said," But first let me ask you this, why aren't you doing it yourself. You are the queen of the forest and stronger than them so why are you relying on me?"
"Well it's quite simple. I want to see you struggle a bit. I want you to see the true horror of the king. It would be no fun for me if you didn't atleast get a little bit hurt. Hehe"
She laughed.
"Anyways I have to go now. I'll find you when you complete your task. Make sure to make this pleasurable for me."
With that she put up one of her hands, her eyes shined and fog surrounded her form, covering it entirely.
She vanished in an instant.
I was left alone in that forest.
I grabbed my sword and went ahead to find them.
To eradicate the four knights sent by the King.