II | The stupidest of stupidiest

Ataraxis POV

"IS THERE ANYONE HERE?!!" Hygge loud shout, enveloped the dark forest we entered.

His voice echoed around causing the birds to fly around.

This kind of scenario is not new to us because, we are always on our training on how to fight. But it's different now because we know it's not a simple training anymore. The life of one of our friends is in danger and we don't want to take the risk.

"FIKA!" I shouted as I looked around. I did not know where to look because I was surrounded by tall trees and thick leaves.

Not even a shadow of the sun can enter the forest because the fog surrounds the area.

"FIKA WHERE ARE --- !!" I was still shouting, but I was stopped when Hygge suddenly grabbed my wrist causing me to turn my gaze to him him.

I lower my gaze because he is now kneeling on the ground. He was leaning using his one knee while staring at the green liquid on the floor.

"Acid." He said

At the same time, quickly take a stick and dip it in the green liquid that is still boiling.

"You think that has something to do with Fika's disappearance?" I asked as i knelt beside him. At the same time, we watched the stick melt as he dipped it in the green liquid.

"I think so." He said smirking while looking ahead the road.

We saw drops of green liquid spread down the trail. So to find Fika we carefully followed it.

We slowly walked along the side of the trail. As far as I know, we have been here for two hours in the forest and it will soon get dark when that happens, the trees will change position and the trail will disappear so it will be difficult for us to return or we will not be able to return.

"Hygge before the sun goes down." I whispered to him to remind him that we can't stay any longer.

"I know.. What time is it?" He asked while seriously walking slowly.

I quickly looked at my necklace where there was a clock. But I frowned when I saw that time had stopped.

And there's only one reason I know, there's a strong energy pulled my watch. This gold necklace watch was given to me by Maktub and It can't just stop.

"The time stopped." I said.

He just nodded.

We also followed the trail for a few minutes until we reached the middle of the forest.

We heard a crack so we quickly hid behind a boulder.

"What is that?" Hygge asked while whispering.

I ignored him instead I slowly peeked where the crackle was coming from.

I quickly hid when I saw the cause of the crackle. I smiled at the thought that we would soon recover Fika.

Yūgen's POV

Ataraxis and Hygge have been in the forest for almost three hours and I can't help but to think about what could happen to them inside.

"We have to decide. Are we going into the forest or not." No emotion I said while sitting on top of the tree.

"Didn't you understand what Hygge said? Let's wait here because they'll be back before the sun goes down. They'll be back with Fika." Said Meraki.

"Azure!" I called Azure.

He quickly turned to me.

"We're going in.. Now." He said seriously. At the same time, he grabbed his sword.

I jumped from the tree to get down with my bow and arrow.

"WHAT !? Think hard!-" Meraki shouted.

"Sorry Meraki two against one. We have rules provided by Ataraxis that can be followed if a majority wishes. We are the metaphor of a democracy. So we'll go. It is now or never." I told her with a wink, that annoys her even more. But in the end she did nothing and just followed us.

But we were not far away when we heard the footsteps of horses and the sound of iron swords behind us. So we quickly stopped. And slowly looked behind.

As we approached there were two large horses in front of us. A black horse with a riding creature wearing a royal blue hood. His face and appearance could not be seen because he was covered with a hood. On the white horse, on the other hand, there is a creature on who is wearing a green hood, I can't see its face but I can see its long white hair lying in front of him.

We're dead.

Ataraxis POV

We were blinded by a sudden spread of light from a portal. The whole area lit up following the sound of the birds and the strong wind around.

"We're dead." Hygge said while covering his eyes.

No we're not. We are close Fika, wait for us.

We quickly hid behind a rock when we heard unusual noises.

"Morosis." Said Hygge as he stared with amazement at the morosis coming out of the bright portal.

"The stupidest of stupidiest." I said while smirking.

We have studied the different creatures that we can interact since we entered here in Metanoia and this is the first time we will see a real Morosis. What is in the book is correct, they look dirty, dry and disgusting. They also carry a fishy smell that resembles rotting fish. Their eyes are black and they have no nose and hair.

Based on our study the Morosis have strength but they do not have brains so they do not know how to think. And ... They came from Alamort in the Echor world. They are made of mud and a mixture of dark power.

Then the secret tunnel is ... It's inside Metanoia.

"Now." Azure said as he took a kunai knife from his pocket and quickly threw at our opponents.

Two were immediately hit in the back of the neck. Because based on our study, the energy of the Morosis comes from the back of their necks and once you hit them, they will die immediately.

Just as Hygge did I also took the kunai knife and rushed at our oponent.

We killed twenty morosis effortlessly. We gasped as we leaned against the large tree behind us. While watching the morosis as they gradually melted and disappeared.

I glanced at the portal where the morosis had appeared earlier. Could this be the road to Echor? And is it also possible that they bring fika their?

"Ataraxis we have to go back. It's only a few minutes and it will be completely dark." Hygge said without emotion as he picked up our Kunai knives.

"No. We won't be back until we're with Fika." I said seriously, as i slowly walk closer to the portal which is now still bright.

This is the path that we all dream of. Being in the world of Echor. World where we belong.

I smiled happily. I am ready to leave everything, I will start again in this new world.

I even heard Hygge call my name but I ignored him instead I inserted my hand into the bright portal.

I was about to enter when someone suddenly pushed me sideways causing us to fall on the grass.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING !?" I shouted then overlap on him while holding the collar of his shirt but I was stopped when I realized something ..

"Maktub?" I asked hesitantly as I looked at the man wearing a green gown and with long white hair.

To be continued...