Lucy Wickshire 141 Chapter eighteen 1

Walter had entered the west side forest in the tree people's territory with D'huile following him silently behind. He was without a map, but he had gotten a description of the Valchana tree and knew it stood on the highest point in the forest. They first rode on horses, making sure that they are moving towards high ground, before he discarded the horses and went on foot. Hayin had also said to go in day time and move fast. She described the forest in levels; the first two levels looked like any other forest; the third level was a dead land, nothing there was alive, not even insects; the forth level is the level of vines.

Walter moved through the first and second levels with relative ease, as he had been informed that there were no animals in the forest. Though this was an odd occurrence in Walter's mind, he understood that this was no ordinary forest. The moved fast, hoping to pass through the two levels while the sun was still high in the sky.

He knew the moment he had entered the third level, everything was black; soil, tree and leaves, all except the now retreating sun in the evening sky. It looked like someone had entered the area and soaked everything in oil and lit a match stick.

But looking closely Walter saw that the leaves were fleshy and the trees, held not sooth. It now looked like someone poured ink on the entire forest. He only paused for a moment before rushing on with his journey. Hayin had said that it is best to be done with all levels before night. She had said that those who had managed to return from the forest, had gone mad. Most of them had slept the night in the third level. They ran the entire way up, after ditching their horses on the second level, hoping to leave the third level before night arrived.

Night had descended by the time they had gotten to the forth level. They noticed with they walked into veils of vines hanging from trees. It was too dark for Walter to tell if this level looked the same as the third level; black as though out of a fire. According to the legend of the Valchana tree, one can only tell it's difference from other trees when the sun is high in the sky. So, Walter suggested they rest for the night. D'huile said he would keep watch so Walter handed him a portion of dried meat, an apple and water before he settled down to eat his. After he was full, Walter laid his head on a tree root protruding from the soil and closed his eyes. It was not long before sleep took him.

D'huile stayed up without even a speck of tiredness. He waited and waited for hours, yet day never came. He started to frown around the thirteenth hour. He looked up in the sky and saw two moons shaped like a triangle laid out horizontally; it's two ends facing each other arched. He adjusted his vision and noticed the two triangles were shaped like cones. Then he looked again and saw another set of triangle moons on the other end. Wait, he froze for a second. Those were eyes. Those eyes had locked gaze with him. He got up abruptly only to feel a pressure push him down. He looked towards where Walter was lying and saw no Walter.

"Daring to provoke me?" D'huile said releasing his aura. The two pressures touched and a storm was formed. Vines were waved around, swaying wildly from side to side. Most vines snapped and were now spinning in mid air.

Walter, on the other, had felt pain slowly seep into his bones, but was not sure what it was. The pain increased as time went on, making him almost scream out loud, but he had lost his breath as his chest felt as though it was being crushed. He opened his eyes and saw nothing but a triangle moon in the sky with his left eye. He tried to move but could not. The weight on him was increasing and the pressure was building. He felt as though he was getting crushed. The smell of earth, roots and wood filled the little air he struggled to breath in. it took a while for his mind to adjust after the disorientation. He now noticed he was under a tree, wrapped in it's roots and slowly getting crushed.

Chapter end