We found ourselves in a dense forest. The silence was chillingly dead. We all stood in silence. The boys tried to get their bearings and we waited for their instructions. The keys will take you to another place, but not exactly where you want. Suddenly, Shika grabbed her heart and hissed.

  "What is it?!" I blurted out, running over to her right away.

  "The forest is sick. It hurts so bad." She cringed in pain.

  "As an elf who comes from the forest, she's a little more sensitive to this than you and Kenji. Wait, I have something for you." Haru explained as he rummaged through his backpack.

  Shika was right. Some higher power was trying to grip my heart, like lianas wrapped around my heart, trying to strangle me. The forest was really suffering here, and something was pulling all of its strength from it. But why? Was it the monsters' fault?

  "There you go. You'll feel better later." He handed her some dried herb.

  Shika took it and chewed it. She swallowed loudly. Fortunately, the herb had a quick effect and Shika straightened up, hanging her hand from her chest.

  "Thank you."

  "Let's go!" Fuyu ordered.

  Haru just smiled at Shika and walked forward with Fuyu. Behind him walked Aki and Kenji, with Natsu beside them. I was the last to go with Shika. We chatted, wishing that our journey out of that painful forest would go by quickly.

  ??????????????????

  At last the forest was coming to an end and the tall dark brown trunks were replaced by light green grass and meadow flowers. A mile or so away was a small outcropping on which grew a small settlement. This must be the village of Gruzvitry. This is where the last attack took place. Fuyu told us this information on the way out of the palace.

  "Let's do it, my friends." Natsu announced and took a step in front into the tall grass.

  Soon after, the meadows turned into fields, already being worked on by the hardworking villagers. I won't lie to you. We became an immediate target. Everybody kept their eyes on us and whispered something. The closer we got to the hill, the more pairs of eyes grew. The village was spread all over the hill. It was even bordered by wooden stakes. Fortunately, the gate was open. Our destination was at the top of the hill. Here was their leader and we must speak to him first.

  "Hello. Who are you?" Asked one of the guards who was keeping watch outside the entrance to the town hall.

  "Excuse me. We are here by order of the King of Taoi. We're here because of an attack that happened here. They should be expecting us." I showed a document with the king's crest and signature. The document said exactly what Aki said, that we are here on the orders of the king.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Aki should really become some sort of interpreter or diplomat. The stone faces and deadly stares of the guards seemed to disappear by magic. We were easily led to the local mayor.

  "Hello, sir. These are here because of an attack that happened. Our prayers have been answered. The king sent them here."

  "Hello, sir. I am Fuyu Naruno and these are my three brothers. We are hunters. These three are our apprentices with great potential." We introduced ourselves with a hint of a small bow.

  The mayor stood with his back to his table of food. He waved his hand somewhere to the side. The guards bowed and left. Only when the men had gone did he turn around. It was an old man with a long white beard in a robe. He was kneeling down, chewing berries in his mouth that he had picked from the table.

  "So the king sent the famous Naruno commando. How wonderful! I guess the king realized that this situation was quite serious. After all our letters begging for help."

  "The King was aware of the situation all along, sir. We were just trying to fend off invasion in other countries. You are not the first or the last."

  "Yes, yes. You're right. I heard."

  "Well, sir, let's cut to the chase. Do you have any clues as to how we might find them?"

  "Yes, I do, and a big one." He popped another grape into his mouth.

  "What kind, sir?" Fuyu pressed for an answer. I noticed that he was a little grumpy despite his best efforts to be patient. He definitely wanted to get it over with.

  "That this wasn't their last attack."

  We all paused at his words.

  "What do you mean?" Haru asked.

  "Their last attack wasn't that successful. They were looking for something. More specifically, they came to steal the Book of Time. Andronia is a land of chroniclers and farmers. All the chronicles are stored in this village. The chronicles are stored beneath us in the depths of this hill. They want a chronicle called the Book of Time. Fortunately, we repelled the attack. The book is protected by a powerful protection spell and the only entrance is through this town hall."

  "And how do you know they're after them?" Aki asked the question now.

  The old man put down the grapes and leaned against the table. He rubbed his eyes and sighed.

  "My daughter... She was kidnapped... They say they'll kill her if I don't open our library... But I can't publish the book. I... I need you... It's the only thing I have... I'm old and I want at least one of my descendants to survive."

  "Don't worry, sir. We will do everything we can to protect you and your village." Shika walked up to him and patted him on the back. Shika put all formalities aside and showed her fervent sympathy for the man who was worried about his child. The man wiped his tear and smiled.

  "You know, I'm probably an old fool, but...you remind me of my youngest daughter." He paused for a moment, and it was obvious that he had given himself over to his memories. "Sadly, she died along with her brothers and mother of the plague 5 years ago. It was a difficult time for the Gruzvites. We all lost a lot and now this. 5 of our men have died. Our village is not as strong as it was in its golden days. Where will this lead, my child?" And he patted her shoulder in gratitude.

  Shika smiled sadly. We all now shared the same pity for the old man and the villagers. Fuyu gave a good talking to about not sharing. They may have been once, but now they are destroyed. Humbled by their own grief. They no longer have the pride to refuse help. They've lost everything.

  "Don't pay any attention, folks. I'm an old and sentimental man now."

  "Don't worry. We'll help you. We'll return your daughter and peace to your village." I said firmly.

  Shika gave the mayor one last sincere smile and let go of the old man.

  "Will you excuse us?" Fuyu asked.

  "Yes of course." And waved his hand towards the door.

  "I have a plan." Kenji said as he left.

  Those beasts are going to get the brunt of this.