The moon hung high in the sky, setting the misty air ablaze in spectral light. The villagers gathered and sit on the ground to form a circle. A bonfire was lit in the center as it kept the creeping vapor at bay. Peter, Borin, and Anna concealed themselves among the overgrown foliage and grasses.

Among the other villagers, Susan sat in the front row while showing no expression. The scene swayed as the flame danced, giving a sense of uncertainty.

When everything was ready, an old man emerged from his hut. Peter remembered him as the one responsible for the containment of Ramos and Gladys. A scowl adorned his gaunt, withered face as he leaned on a carved stick taller than himself. His elaborate headdress of feathers rose a full two feet above the old man’s head in beaded and plumed splendor.

His eyes were hollow and unfeeling. It was as if he had done this many times before. Waving his hand, he gestured for several villagers to lower the cage to the dusty earth.

Ramos shook his body when a villager pull him out. His angry stare resulted in a hard slap that taught him to surrender. On the other hand, Gladys was so helpless. Her head was down the whole time as she cried in desperation.

“Poor princess,” said Anna in a low voice.

Ramos and Gladys were then tied back to back on a wooden pole that had been prepared in the middle of the yard. It was so tight that their wrists hurt so much. The ritual started as four people beat drums loudly, followed by six tribal women who danced around the bonfire.

The shaman stepped forward with a chicken in his right hand. He pulled a knife and cut the chicken’s throat in a precise movement. As the blood oozed, he took a fingertip and smeared it on Ramos’ and Gladys’ foreheads, who immediately frowned in disgust.

After the old man returned to his seat, food was served in a large round tray made of woven bamboo. The shaman was the person allowed to eat for the first time before the tray was passed around. All villagers then ate together from there using their bare hands. Two men came forward carrying torches and blew them, sending flames in the air. Meanwhile, the women continued to dance.

“Is there nothing we can do?” Anna looked miserable. It broke her heart to see Gladys being treated so cruelly.

“There’s no point in acting now. They’ll catch us easily,” said Peter.

As time went on, Ramos felt his heart pounding faster. Every moment could be the end of his life. Gladys didn’t even dare to open her eyes. Her head was down as tears welled continuously. The mental torment continued for about an hour. Mom, dad… am I going to die? Her heart screamed in fear. Several minutes have passed, and the bonfire was now extinguished into ashes and charcoal.

The ritual was complete. Two men then untied Ramos and Gladys from the post and herded them to the east, followed by all the villagers carrying torches.

Peter, Anna, and Borin followed from a distance.

Gladys’ shoulders drooped as her step faltered. Halfway through, she collapsed to the ground, limp. Some men had to lift and drag her along.

They walked about two miles away until finally arrived at a wide river. There was a boat moored there. The old shaman went into it while two villagers—who brought Ramos and Gladys—followed. After everyone was up, a man then caught up and started rowing across the river.

Peter saw that there was a long rope tying the boat to a stick stuck in its original place. For whatever reason, it looked like the rope was used to pull the boat back to its original place.

It was dark across the river. Peter could only see the silhouette of many tall and shady trees. The boy felt a mysterious aura rising so thick, making his body shudder in horror.

“Where will they take him?” asked Borin to himself.

“Into the Forbidden Forest.” Susan appeared behind them of a sudden, making Borin jump in surprise. He would almost scream if Peter had not kept his mouth shut. The tribal girl was ready with a bow and arrow slung over her back. A bamboo stick tucked around her waist. It was the thing used to shoot the paralyzing needle.

“This is my friend, Pogna.” The tribal girl introduced a dark-skinned man. A knife was tucked in his waist, while his hand was holding a pointed bamboo stick. He was almost the same stature as Peter, but more muscular.

“Then what’s on the other side?” asked Borin.

“Calm down and look,” Susan said as she crouched down to reduce the risk of being seen by the other villagers who were still standing by the river.

From there, they could see Ramos and Gladys being taken off the boat and tied to a tree across the river. After that, the old shaman, along with the two villagers who had joined the crossing, rushed back into the boat and returned to the crowd.

“Why were they left there?” asked Anna, desperate and almost crying. “The princess must be terrified. It’s very dark over there.”

“Can we cross this river?” Peter asked Susan.

“Not without the boat.”

“The river is full of crocodiles,” said Pogna.

Now Peter realized that what he thought were floating logs were actually crocodiles.

“One… Two… Three… Four…” Borin started counting those creatures. “Are they not disturbing the villagers? Why don’t you just catch and kill them?”

“The crocodile is god’s pet. We can’t kill it unless one strays and attacks the village,” explained Pogna.

“Then what’s the rope for?” asked Peter, questioning the long rope that tied the boat.

“To pull the boat back,” said Susan. “If they are unlucky, all of them on the boat may not survive.”

“What do you mean?” asked Peter.

“Just watch. You’ll find out soon enough.” Susan then put her index finger to her lips, signaling Peter to be quiet.

Arriving back in the crowd of villagers, the old shaman got off the boat. He then led the group of residents back to the village. His task of leading the ritual had been completed. The rower was the last to leave after making sure his boat was moored safely.

“Can we cross now?” Anna asked. She was so sad to see Gladys tied helplessly across the river, crying in terror.

“Just wait a minute and look at that,” Susan said while pointing across the river.

At that moment, Ramos was getting goosebumps as a growling sound grew closer. It felt cold and tense, like death itself was coming. He then ventured to open his eyes.

A creature with a crocodile-like snout appeared from the forest darkness. Its skin was green, and he stood on two legs like a human. It came closer while showing off its thick saliva and a row of sharp teeth.

Then a heart-wrenching scream was heard, breaking the forest silence.

“What is that creature?” Borin’s voice shook with horror. Meanwhile, Peter rubbed his eyes repeatedly, since he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. The creature had a stooped stature and was slightly shorter than humans. They also had a long tail.

Not long after, two more appeared. They carried long spears like soldiers.

“We recognize them as a kobold. A half-human, half-crocodile creature,” said Susan. “If they’re starving, they will become savage and attack anyone who sets foot in the forbidden forest. That’s why boats have to be tied up so that if all those who go across got devoured, we can pull the boat back.”

“They are the army of god,” said Pogna, being more detailed. “They are the ones who will deliver sacrifices to the god.”

“You mean, if we want to save Ramos and Gladys, we have to confront them?” Peter trying to confirm what he had just heard. Susan and Pogna answered by nodding in unison.

“Then how many of them are there?” asked Borin.

“I don’t know. According to the legend passed down through generations, there were many of them. But of course, no one ever knew for sure. None of the villagers dared to cross.” Susan spoke while the three kobolds carried Ramos and Gladys into the forest. Their cries faded into the thick darkness of the night.

“This is impossible! We are just five ordinary people. How is it possible to defeat so many armed monsters like that?” said Peter in desperation.

“We’re not just ordinary people. We have a hunter and two mages with us.” Susan replied confidently.

Everyone was silent and stared in confusion.

What did Susan mean by saying that? If the hunter she was referring to is Pogna, how about the two mages? Did she know Anna was a mage? How did she know? If she did know, who was the other mage? Peter was lost in his own thought.

The boy did know he had mage blood running in his veins, but he didn’t know how to use magic at all. Peter was also sure that his friend, Borin, was just an ordinary fat teenager. Was Susan or Pogna a mage? So many questions popped into Peter’s head, leaving him in a daze.

“Who’s a mage?” asked Borin innocently.

“So you don’t know yet?” Susan looked deeply into Anna’s eyes as a sign. She hoped that the girl would reveal her own identity.

“Yes, I am too a mage.” Anna could no longer hide her secret.

“I’m sorry. I had to reveal your identity. However, in order to trust each other, we must not keep secrets from each other. We have to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses in order to work well together,” said Susan to her new friends.

“It’s okay. Now or later, you all will find out. I’m actually relieved to have nothing more to hide from you guys,” said Anna with a smile. “But how did you know?”

“I’m a mage too,” said Susan. “I can read memories.”

“Really? Guess what I am thinking?” asked Borin while thinking about his favorite roast.

“I can’t just read your mind. To get into your brain, I have to make physical contact and cast a spell. I’m sorry, I entered your private area when you were unconscious.” Susan then held Anna’s hand gently. “I feel sorry for your past.”

They were then silent for a while.

“Did you ever read the old shaman’s mind? Maybe he knows something about the god or his troops?” Peter tried to find another clue.

“Yes, I did that once when I was trying to free my grandmother. The god often shows himself as a blue flame,” said Susan. “He usually asks for sacrifices at every change of season. Or when natural disasters such as droughts or earthquakes occur.”

“Then what happens if your tribe doesn’t send a sacrifice?”

“The kobolds will come to take their own sacrifices. Not just one, but as many as they like.” Susan was staring at the moon as if reminiscing about an event that had happened in the past. Once again, they fell into an eerie silence.

God-shaped flames of fire and an army of terrifying kobolds. Everything seemed so mysterious to Peter. Just as mysterious as the world of mages that felt like a fairy tale comes to life.

“Then shall we cross?” Anna broke the uncomfortable silence.

“Yeah, I don’t think we have any other clues,” Susan answered firmly.

“All right then.” Although still a little hesitant, Peter felt ashamed of Anna’s and Susan’s determination. As females, they were braver than a man like himself.

The group then moved slowly, came out of their hiding place, and approached the boat moored by the river. They had to walk carefully so as not to disturb a crocodile sleeping there.

After everyone was up, Pogna paddled slowly. The boat glided quietly past several crocodiles who seemed to ignore their presence.

The light of the full moon reflected beautifully on the surface of the calm river water. The chilly night wind blew in greeting, swaying their strands of hair. They were then silent, lost in their own thoughts while guessing what mysteries awaited in the forbidden forest.

Arriving across the river, Susan led her companions down slowly from the boat and stepped into the darkness of the forest. The forbidden forest looks the same as a tropical forest with many tall and shady trees. The sound of owls hooting made their spine hairs tingle.

The soft light of the moon could not penetrate the dense shadow of the branches, so the group had to keep their pupils dilated just to walk without tripping over the roots. They just kept going, even though they weren’t sure which way to go anymore.

“I… am… so… tired,” Borin said as he leaned against a tree trunk. He was breathing heavily and his face was drenched in sweat.

“But Miss Gladys’ life is at stake,” said Anna.

“I think my life is also at stake,” replied Borin not to be outdone.

“Why are you so selfish? I am the one saving you from drowning.”

“Please be calm. There is no need to argue during this circumstance.” Susan tried to mediate the two.

All of them then went into silence. Borin sat under a tree while Anna threw her gaze around.

“I’m sorry. I got too carried away,” Anna said shortly after. “If any of you feel tired, then we better take a rest. They are gone and we have no clue, anyway.”

Susan smiled as she was so relieved. “I agree. We have to stick together in this current situation.”

“Alright then, I’ll be on guard first.” Peter volunteered.

“I will keep you company.” Anna smiled and sat down next to Peter. Meanwhile, Borin, Susan, and Pogna took a comfy position to rest.

The night was empty. No conversation went on since everyone was tired. The forest atmosphere created a sensation full of mystery. All of them seemed to agree that even the slightest sound could risk waking up forest monsters, or whatever creatures might hide in the thick vegetation.