Chapter 92

Carter

Before us loomed the forest, ominous and foreboding, its tangled branches reaching towards the sky like gnarled fingers. The darkness within sent a shiver down my spine, for it was not an ordinary darkness. Instead, a thick mist clung to the forest floor, and eerie, otherworldly sounds echoed from the shadowed depths.

I couldn't help but make a quip to ease my tension. "How do trees connect to the internet? They log on," I said, earning a roll of the eyes from Irene. Yoogni, always serious, chided me. "Unfortunately, the internet is not available within these woods."

Though I had tried to lighten the mood, the gravity of our situation quickly settled over us once more. We knew the peril that lay ahead. "We must remain together at all times," Yoogni warned, and we all nodded solemnly in agreement. For in these woods, danger lurked around every corner.

The demon-spawn slinked towards the edge of the forest, their malevolent presence freezing me in place like a statue. What was it that filled me with such dread? Was it the uncertainty of what lay ahead that made my heart race?

"Carter, hurry," Irene urged me. Her voice cut through the darkness like a beacon of hope. "Remember, we are not alone. Together, we have the strength to face any adversary." It was true - I stood among the offspring of darkness, and their power was a formidable ally. No matter what terrors awaited us, we would emerge victorious with their aid.

I steeled myself and approached the demons, ready to step into the Forest of Lost Souls. The moment I crossed the threshold, an icy gust rushed through the trees, causing a shiver to ripple through my body. It was a chill that spoke of danger and menace, hinting that something ominous lay ahead.

"Ah, breathe in deep and let the icy tendrils of that chill slip away from you. Fight against the urge to be consumed by it," Yoogni advised, his voice laced with concern. With closed eyes, I obeyed his command, my lungs filling with the frosty air. As I did so, I conjured a mental image of roaring flames from a hearth, beckoning towards me. Gradually, the frigid grip of the cold began to subside, leaving me feeling restored and whole once more.

With cautious and calculated steps, we braved deeper into the hazy forest, our senses on high alert for the treacherous roots that slithered beneath the veiled mist. The slightest rustle or creak in the undergrowth elicited an overwhelming sense of fear.

Suddenly, a chilling cry pierced through the dense atmosphere, reverberating through the thicket. "Help, help!" the plea echoed around us in a hauntingly familiar tone. Despite the urgency in her voice, the devilish lot beside me ignored her cries, continuing their march ahead.

"Guys, do you hear that?" I whisper under my breath, my voice barely above a murmur.

"Hear what?" Tay barked, his normally somber demeanor replaced by a visible annoyance, his body tense with irritation.

I murmured a soft gasp, sensing the desperate plea for aid that echoed through the trees. Yoongi's body stiffened beside me, his sharp senses attuned to the same haunting cry.

"It is the children of the damned," he murmured, his voice low and cautious. "You mustn't heed their calls."

My curiosity prickled like thorns, begging me to inquire about these mysterious children. But a shiver crept down my spine, reminding me of the eerie forest that surrounded us. I dared not invite any more terror upon us by delving into a horror story. After all, the name "Children of the Damned" hardly painted a picture of rosy-cheeked innocents.

A multitude of youthful voices joined in unison, their plea for assistance transforming into a melodic and eerie refrain.

I chanted under my breath, counting the trees as if they held some sort of magic or protection from the eerie sounds resonating through the forest. The cries of desperate children reached my ears, threatening to break my concentration. But before I could continue my ritual, Tay snapped.

"Will you shut up," he practically spat the words, the anger and frustration palpable.

I recoiled slightly, feeling guilty for bothering him, but Yoongi intervened. Placing a calming hand on his brother's shoulder, he urged Tay to resist the forest's hold on his emotions.

But Tay was beyond reason, shaking off his brother's touch and striding ahead. I exchanged a concerned glance with Irene, worried for Tay's well-being in the twisted and unpredictable forest.

We were shadowing Tay with synchronized strides, but amidst the eerie hush of the forest, a piercing shriek shattered the tranquility. Irene, ensnared by a writhing root, was mercilessly anchored to the earth.

"Remain still!" Yoogni barked, his tone laden with urgency. Unease wrapped like a stranglehold around our throats as we turned to him. "Carter, focus your mind. Rid yourself of all distractions." Absurd. Irene was trapped by an enlivened tree's embrace, caught in its clutch. And he expected me to clear my thoughts?

What did that even entail? "Clear my thoughts?" I repeated, incredulous. Tay sneered, "Empty your mind." He muttered under his breath, "Imbecile." I longed to retort with a sarcastic reply, yet the gravity of our predicament forbade any such action.

"Now, Carter," snapped the exasperated man, "you must expand your perception and communicate with the tree. Request that it relinquish Irene." I gazed at him incredulously, convinced he had been bewitched by the woods. Talking to a tree? What manner of lunacy was this?

"Indeed," Yoogni spoke with a collected tone, "Tay speaks truth. For you, dear one, are a deliverer of souls, and the tree that stands before us is not of this world nor the other. Its roots tether it to that great in-between, where life and death hold no sway. And mark my words, these trees are alive and thriving with a power both ancient and otherworldly."

I took a deep breath, banishing all frivolous thoughts from my mind. A harsh voice boomed in my head. "Why do you dare to tread upon our sacred grove?"
I felt my insides clench with fear, but I knew I had to be truthful. "We seek the aid of the powerful witch Renee. Our dear friend Lilly has been possessed by the devil, and we need help in saving her."
The ancient tree seemed to ponder my request for a moment before asking, "And what manner of aid do you hope to find?"
I gestured to my companions, the Devil's children. “We require the means to exorcise the demon that has taken hold of Lilly's body."
The tree's bark rattled with eerie laughter. "That seems like an impossible task.” I nodded in agreement. “But it is one we must try.” I responded. “Please release Irene and let us on our journey.” Slowly the roots from the tree recoiled and Irene was free. “Thank you.” I gave a slight bow in respect. “The worlds are changing.” The tree said in a somber voice.