Chapter 1: The Invitation

"I'm too lazy to do this job. Never in my life I thought of going on an undiscovered, remote forest," Raze protested. He's now inside the van with Jet, his co-worker, whose eyes are fixed on the road.

"Me too, Raze. I don't know what's gotten into them to have us do the inspection. There are too many vacant workers in the office. I'm still working on the goldmine issue," he agreed.

Jet and Raze are one of ENVO's best workers. As environmentalists, protecting and preserving the nature and the world is their major goal. Today, they are tasked by their office president to inspect a forest, miles away from civilization.

According to Mr. Light, their president, that forest is a mysterious one. No one knows what lies inside it. Rumors about missing researchers in the said area reached them. Even though fear crept before them, they still went on the mission, thinking that their discoveries will be ENVO's pride.

Both nervous and excited, the environmentalists accepted the challenge. And now, they're heading to the Red Woods, the mysterious place with hundreds and thousands of secrets. Silence enveloped the van as soon as the engine started. Their restless minds are full of questions about the mysterious destination they are heading to.

"Raze, we're here," Jet shrugged his sleeping partner who fell asleep while he's driving. They travelled from the office to the forest for 5 hours. It's already afternoon when they got there.

"Give me three minutes," Raze said, his eyes still shut.

Not wasting any second, Jet went down the van and scanned the entrance of the forest. Like normal rainforests, it has lots of healthy and sturdy trees, mushrooms, birds and insects, and moist-looking, making Jet wonders why does no one came to this majestic area. Raze also got out of the car and went beside his partner, then gave the pen and paper to Jet while he sets up the camera.

As soon as their feet stepped onto the ground, birds, mostly crows began to make a noise. Raze is capturing the beauty of the forest in every angle possible. Jet is writing down the important details which will be submitted as soon as they go back before dusk. They need to have detailed reports for this one.

"I can't understand why people doesn't give a fck about this place. It is very rich in natural resources. It's also refreshing and relaxing. The presence of animals and insects are active, too. I can't see any signs of abuse, looks like it is well taken care of. I can even build a treehouse and live here and I'll survive until my last breath," Raze said. Well, he's not lying. This is the richest forest they've ever seen.

"I think there's something wrong in this place. People won't ignore this one for sure no matter how far it is," Jet explained. Raze chuckled with his partner's sudden seriousness. Jet is really like this, on and off work. For Raze, he looks like a newborn child, full of questions about the world.

"You're just nervous, Jet. Calm down and let's be fast so that we can have a longer sight of this forest more. We still have to go back immediately."

"Be attentive and careful, Raze. My guts were never wrong."

"Just....walk faster. Let's get going"

They're reaching the middle of the forest silently. To avoid being lost, they placed yellow strings and nails on the ground and trees. Thinking about Jet's statement earlier, Raze was a bit convinced that there is a mystery in this majestic woods. He's getting nervous but he doesn't show.

"It's for work, Raze. You should do your best today and have a lot of fishcakes and ramen later," he said to himself. He's already craving for his favorite foods but the breathtaking view distracts him.

The trees are a lot taller and leaves where thicker than those of the entrance, blocking the sunlight to dive in. Flashlights were on and work goes on. Both of them being passionate and quick, for they want to finish this mission as soon as possible.

After an hour and a half of exploring, capturing, and discovering different features of the forest, Jet and Raze decided to head back home. They went to a nearby stream and drank the fresh, cold water. As soon as they're done taking a rest, they stood up and started to find the marks they placed. But none of them were found.

"Raze, you placed the nails on the trees right? Where are they?" Jet asked his partner. They looked everywhere but there were no yellow strings or any nails on the ground. How come they disappeared all of a sudden? There's no wind nor animals who passes on their way earlier. Did the ground swallowed it? Nah.

" I don't know. The strings are gone too. What should we do now?" Raze asked. He tried to go further but just like before, their marks aren't there.

"Turn your GPS. How come we lost here? Not to mention that it's getting dark and cold."

Raze did what Jet suggested. "Our location cannot be found. Even the maps can't identify this forest." Jet tried to call their officemates but they cannot be reached.

They're doomed.

After a while, a white crow flew to their direction and dropped an envelope in front of them while they are having a rest on a large rock. The two were surprised; they have never seen a white crow in 7 years of their work with nature. Jet grabbed the envelope and the crow began to ascend. But as soon as it flew higher, an arrow hit the bird's head, falling back to the ground. Fear started to rise with the unlawful sight. That murder was fast. In a blink of an eye, the bird was fallen on the ground, bathing in her own blood.

"Jet, the envelope. What's inside?" Raze asked out of curiosity.

Jet pulled out a letter and read it.

"We are inviting you to join the party to celebrate the Queen's homecoming. The party will be held at the Palace, 6:00 in the evening, Full Moon. We are hoping for your attendance," Jet read.

"Signed by Claude, Red's Secretary," he finishes. He traced the sign on the paper and it's truly handwritten. Its ink is still wet as he can feel the stamp on the corner of the paper. Goosebumps are dominating his body right now. Weird things are starting to happen to them. Queen? Kingdom? And why is the invitation delivered for a very early time? It's still five months before January. Who would dare to celebrate in this creepy place? Red's secretary? Does that mean that there are residents here? Did the white crow lost from his flock and picked random things? But why would there be a white crow in the first place? The two couldn't believe their eyes. All of the impossible were seen in their naked eye.

Raze laughed after hearing what the letter is about. He can't believe it. Who in the world still play Kings and Queens? They're not children anymore.