In this forest, which has a system of its own—as Ilona had mentioned before—it feels like a puzzle: the trees and terrain change periodically. It may seem illogical, and it raises questions and debate, yet it's an everyday phenomenon for the creatures living here.
In short, every area shifts to replace another, as if it moves, rotates, and swaps places. Still… I sense there is something deeper, more hidden in this forest.
Toki's voice pierced Luna's thoughts, hesitant in her ears: "Luna… Luna…"
Luna lifted her head, staring at Toki calmly.
Toki spoke with a cold expression: "Why are you so distracted?"
Luna was seated on the back of a creature called Falkorn, while Sophie played with its fluffy fur, streaked with purple and green.
As they walked through swaying trees along golden sandy paths, Falkorn asked in a pale voice: "Why are you here? And what were you doing?"
Sophie replied with a small smile: "I'm accompanying my brother Toki and my sister Luna, and—"
Toki interrupted: "We just happened to find ourselves involved in this farce."
Falkorn murmured quietly, as if speaking to himself: "Living here is dangerous… especially with him around." Then he whispered inwardly: Do they know the nature of this forest…?
---
About an hour earlier…
Each of them stood still, exchanging cautious glances. The beast with its thick fur and steel-like skin was lying in a deep slumber.
Sophie broke the silence with soft steps toward the creature, while Tokki, Luna, and the fox watched her closely.
"Why does it seem familiar… yet I've never met it before?" Sophie's thoughts were scattered as she approached. Suddenly, she climbed onto its back with excitement.
Her crimson eyes sparkling like stars, she exclaimed: "Wow! You're so soft and fluffy… let me stay here for a while. Or maybe… forever!"
After Sophie's actions, Toki and Luna exchanged sly, sideways smiles. The beast rose slowly, its massive body trembling gradually. Sophie remained still, while Toki and Luna didn't move, as if they knew its intentions.
Yet within Toki, memories of anticipation and farewell stirred, and his misleading eyes flickered silently. The creature felt a strange warmth from Sophie's gesture and recalled its past… those beings who used to mock its odd form and colors.
"…What's your name, little one?" it asked with a gentle tone. Sophie's curiosity was piqued, and she replied lightly: "Sophie… Sophie Sylvan Evandrin."
The beast's eyes widened in astonishment, and it said without emotion: "Evandrin… I haven't heard that name in a long time. And you, sirs, what are your names?"
Luna introduced herself first, followed quietly by Toki. Then the beast revealed his name: "I am… Falkorn, just a passerby."
From that moment, he decided to help them find their way out of the forest.
---
The Present…
They continued walking until night fell, deciding to sit for a while until sunrise. At dawn, they began moving again, reaching an area that gradually darkened over time.
The terrain shifted suddenly while they stood firm, yet Falkorn remained calm and in control. He climbed onto a protruding rock on all fours, then a raging flood swirled around them—a whirlpool waiting for its victims.
Meanwhile, Sophie was asleep after entering this zone, while Toki and Luna remained vigilant. The fox, however, acted strangely, looking in different directions periodically, as if tracking something ominous.
After a few minutes, the terrain shifted again, revealing a comfortable and beautiful area filled with butterflies and flowers, with refreshing air.
They walked for a long while until they nearly exited the vast area, but behind that beauty awaited only an unknown beginning.
Night fell gradually, and the rustling of leaves stirred in the wind. Suddenly, a tall figure with a veiled face appeared, black steam emanating from its body, passing directly in front of them.
At that moment, Toki panicked, yet remained silent, his face pale. Inner turmoil stirred; his breaths were ragged and whispers spun in his chest:
"What… is this?"
"This is truly strange… where have I seen it?"
"Could it be… I remember, that person…"
Falkorn whispered to them: "Do not move. Do not look at it, and do not act rashly."
Luna tried to restrain her instincts from confronting the creature; her eyes narrowed and her features tensed.
The entity continued on its path, leaving the air charged with tension, then disappeared into the darkness.
Toki scolded himself, clutching his chest, sweat dripping down his face: "The same scene I saw in the valley… if I had taken a step toward that beast, I would've been dead. What is happening exactly?"
Falkorn's pale voice reassured them: "When you meet someone you do not know, your level means nothing in this world."
His words eased the tension, allowing them to continue walking until they reached a tree with drooping branches forming a dome-like canopy.
Sophie awoke from her sleep, while Toki and Luna dismounted from Falkorn's back and went to gather dry branches for a fire.
After collecting the branches and lighting the fire, Sophie sat near the flames, staring with absent eyes. She reached her hand slightly, as if wishing to grasp the dancing fire.
At that moment, Luna noticed a bloody red aura forming around Sophie's body, flickering like the flames. Luna smiled and called: "Sophie… look around you."
But Sophie was deeply focused, as if disconnected from the world. Gradually, the aura transformed into glowing strands of blood, spinning around her beautifully and strangely.
Sophie snapped out of her trance, looking left and right, then gasped in astonishment: "Beautiful… and brilliant!"
She stretched her hands, finding the strands forming a pulsating mass between her palms.
Luna raised a finger, shaping ash in the air into a small cube, and said calmly: "Try to imagine its shape in your mind… as if you are holding it already."
Sophie hesitated for a moment, then closed her eyes. Suddenly, the blood between her hands changed into various shapes—random figures, some clear, some distorted. Her heart shivered for a moment, but she smiled confidently.
Luna chuckled lightly, easing the atmosphere. Even Toki, sitting beside the reclining Falkorn, raised his head slightly and allowed a faint smile to pass his lips.
"What a… unpredictable night," Toki muttered, yawning. "I wonder when we'll leave this place…"
Toki stared at his right fist, intending to test what Luna had shown Sophie, but the result backfired. The ground trembled slightly, and some leaves fell.
Sophie and Luna turned, puzzled by Toki's action, while he pretended nonchalance, avoiding their gaze.
Thus, the night passed with gentle, comforting laughter under the crescent moon illuminating the colors of the stars.
——
Days of Travel
After five days of traversing difficult and serene terrain, the fox occasionally helped guide them to reduce risks.
They stopped atop a large hill, and what they saw was breathtaking: rolling hills stretching far and wide, with green grass swaying in the wind.
In the distance, a medium-sized village appeared, with wooden buildings surrounded by stone walls serving as a proper barrier.
Falkorn decided to stop here, pointing them toward the village road, and they thanked him for his support.
Sophie had grown fond of Falkorn and admired him and his thick fur. His final words to her were: "Take good care of yourself; fate may not bring us together again."
Sophie turned to him, waving, touched by his words, and asked: "What do you mean… fate may not bring us together?"
Falkorn tried to ignore the question: "Farewell, I am glad to have met you."
Each went their own way, leaving the hill in silence.
---
As they walked toward the village, Sophie was absorbed in Falkorn's words, and without realizing it, tears streamed down her cheeks.
Toki suddenly hugged her and said to himself: "I know these words well… it's hard to say them directly because he was a mirror for her."
He gritted his teeth: "Damn… this isn't fair…"
Luna approached them, understandingly: "Don't worry, Sophie. You'll meet again someday."
Toki stood up, sighing, while Sophie wiped her tears and tried to stay positive.
Luna held Sophie's hand, and they continued on their way.
---
At one observation post, a man wearing a white shirt and a conical hat saw three approaching figures:
A boy in a red shirt.
A girl the same height as boy, with pure white hair.
A child wearing a white leather coat, with crimson hair.
He went to inform the village chief, who allowed them entry, and the news spread among the villagers—a rare occurrence for them.
Toki and his companions reached the metal-bound stone gate, where the guards came out to welcome them. Toki and Luna were surprised by their reaction, which defied their expectations.
Sophie marveled at the organized layout of the houses and streets, blending earth and stone.
They wondered to themselves: what is kids doing in the Forbidden Forest of Loss?
As they walked with the gatekeeper halfway down the road, an elderly man with a commanding presence stopped them. He looked at them with kind eyes and said in a sympathetic tone:
"Welcome to Apple Village. My name is Orfin. It is not common for new visitors to arrive here."
He smiled at them and extended his hand invitingly: "Come with me to the meeting hall, where we can get to know each other better."
---
Before reaching the hall next to Orfin's house, small pebbles shot from a tree on the hill, like sudden arrows piercing the air at lightning speed.
Toki caught them with his bare hands, attempting to block them, even as blood ran between his palms from the impact, standing firm to protect Sophie.
Luna, meanwhile, vanished and reappeared in front of the source of the pebbles.
A young man leaned against a tree trunk, smiling mischievously, tossing the pebbles as if they were toys, then said with mysterious playfulness:
"You guys… seem interesting."
Toki and Luna exchanged quick glances; the young man appeared more enigmatic than they could imagine, and the pebble attack was only the beginning.