Chapter 19: The Forest of Illusione.
WRITER'S POV
After Luana had fully recovered, the crew made arrangements to find the unicorn based on her dream.
The unicorn dwelt in the Forest of Illusione—a thick forest known to deceive and confuse people.
Which route do we take?"Harry asked, spreading out a map on the table.
"It's not exactly visible on the map, but it's located near Orco. Ogre and troll territory". Luana said, pointing to a point on the map.
"Yikes!" Stefano cried.
No one liked to associate with the ogres, they were angry, grumpy and mean.
The trolls too. Cunning little creatures who asked tricky riddles and hard questions.
If you ever got on their bad side, you'll have to pay a hefty price.
"In fact"...luana continued, "They're the ones that are going to give us the pass to the forest."
"You're kidding....right?" Stefano asked, looking from Luana to Harry.
"Come onnnnn!! I don't like riddles, and I never get them right". He facepalmed him self dramatically.
"Tsk. Your poor brain." Harry said, focusing on the map.
"Getting all cocky because you're a master at riddles huh?”. Stefano said, scoffing.
“Oh that's great! That means we have nothing to worry about”.
Luana said patting Harry gently on the shoulder.
“I'll do the best I can”. Harry said, a gentle smile dancing on his lips.
“Where's Ric?” Stefano asked.
“He's in a meeting. He'll join us soon”. Harry said wrapping up the map.
Just then, Riccardo walked into the room. His presence radiating kingliness and royalty.
“When do we leave?”.
\~~~~~~~~
Orco was a small town, yet accommodated a lot of trolls and ogres.
They worked together, fending off enemies and guarding the forest from evil folks.
The crew had just arrived in Orco.
Luana's eyes searched for a particular Ogre in person.
“HEY… WHAT ARE A BUNCH OF DEMONS AND A WITCH DOING HERE?”
A deep scruff voice spoke behind them.
Stefano yelped.
Seeing his face, luana realized that he was the one she was looking for.
“Sir Cellar, please we need your help?”.
He gave her a suspicious look but Luana begged with her eyes.
He grunted. His huge belly bouncing as he walked off.
“FOLLOW ME”.
\~~~~~~~
Luana told him everything that he needed to know.
From the prophecy to Raziel.
The people of Orco knew about the prophecy, but they didn't know the demon who had entered their town, was the demon king himself.
Having studied Riccardo for a long time, the Ogre decided to give Luana the pass.
“I HOPE HE BECOMES GOOD. HIS HEART ISN'T DARK AS NIGHT, SO HE CAN CHANGE”. He said, handing her a bottle filled with a powdered substance.
“He will. Won't you?”. Luana asked Riccardo.
The question caught him off guard but he smiled.
“Yes, I will”.
The Ogre nodded in approval.
The Ogre had instructed Luana to blow the powder at the edge of town, where a plain land lay.
She blew it gently, the contents drifted in the air.
Suddenly, a dome like structure appeared and broke off by itself.
Revealing a Forest. The Forest of Illusione.
\~~~~~~
“Remember, we stick together. The forest plays tricks on people and messes with your mind. Nothing you’ll see is real,” Luana said, getting off her horse.
They were at the entrance of the forest.
“Anything we should look out for?” Harry asked.
“Well… the forest will try to attack you initially,” Luana said, forcing a nervous laugh.
Stefano blinked twice.
“We’ll be fine. I got us covered.”
They all nodded.
They all got off their horses, apart from Riccardo.
His hands gripped the reins tightly.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Luana asked.
Ever since Riccardo said he’d free her, he had been acting strange—being moody, barely talking to anyone apart from small smiles or nods.
Luana was worried. She couldn’t understand why he was like this.
“What if he comes out? I think I should wait out here so that nothing happens to you guys,” he said.
“We can’t do this without you, Ric. Remember, the unicorn will perceive if you are worthy of its tear.” She placed a hand on his.
“I have a feeling he won’t come out.”
“Okay.” He smiled gently.
“Hey, if you two lovebirds are done, can we get a move on?”
“We’re not—!” Luana and Riccardo said at the same time.
Harry chuckled.
\~~~~~~~~
The forest was eerie, with weird-looking trees, dark bushes, and a slight fog in the air.
“Remember, stay toge—”
Luana hadn’t even finished her sentence when a tree branch grabbed Stefano’s leg, pulling him up into the air.
“Ahhh!” he cried, startled.
Harry immediately sprang into action, using fire to burn the branches.
It worked, and Stefano fell from the sky. He would have landed on the ground if Luana hadn’t created a soft bed.
“Why didn’t you use your powers?” Riccardo asked.
“I couldn’t. I tried, but nothing.”
“How’s that possible?” Harry asked.
“It could be that when the forest inhabitants touch you, your magic is nullified,” Luana said, turning to face them.
“We have to be very careful.”
As they walked deeper into the forest, strange things began to happen.
“Ow!”
“What?” Harry asked Stefano.
“A stone fell on my head.”
“Ow, me too,” Harry said, looking up.
Their expressions changed as they saw multiple stones of different sizes gathering in the sky.
“Umm… Luana, I think it’s going to rain stones.”
Luana looked up, confirming it.
“Shit. Everyone, huddle together!”
She created a dome-shaped metal shield that covered them from the shower of rocks.
\~~~~~
“I’m thirsty,” Harry said.
“Me too,” Stefano concurred.
They spotted a small stream and hurried over to get a drink.
“No, don’t drink that!” Luana cried.
“Why not?” Stefano whined.
“Look closely—that’s not water.”
They looked at the stream again and saw that it wasn’t water, but a pool of blood.