The bush stirs, I step back as a black beast bursts out of it like a fury. I can't help but let out a scream and drop my weapon.

- We don't have a clear conscience, she declares.

I immediately recognize this voice and lift my head. I then recognize the cat from the city of Tean. It sits in front of me, and looks me up and down.

-You are the cat...

-I am the cat.

Its tail stirs, it wavers like a snake tamed by music.

-Did you follow me?

-It was so simple to follow you. I must say I was impressed by your run, he says with a small mean smile.

I don't know if I should take it well. I pick up the knife.

-You won't last long here, considering these fighting skills you have, he continues on the same wavelength.

- I've never been trained to fight. But if you managed to follow me so easily, the frog must have done the same.

-Miss Green Apple?

-Yes.

He laughs.

-Oh no, that witch? Let me laugh! She especially went to Temarlys, to warn Lord AEschylus of your arrival.

- I suppose that's not a very good thing.

You suppose right, once he knows, you'll have all the worst criminals and other scum of Afetis at your heels.

I swallow. The worst criminals at my heels? For this necklace? What's so special about it? Automatically, I put a hand to it.

- What have I done?

-Nothing.

- But then why am I going to have them at my heels?

-We don't like change in Afetis. What's new is seen in a bad light.

-Change?

-Don't make me repeat myself, he says, rolling his eyes. I hate that.

-What a drag. I just want to go home.

-In the meantime, let's not linger too much in the open.

-We're not going back in there!?

-You prefer, maybe to be attacked by Giant Lacertae.

-What is that?

- Are you that ignorant? The Lacerta is a magical and dangerous creature that inhabits the shores of this lake. It is the size of a large crocodile found in the marshes of the Henki forest. Its body is covered with shimmering scales that change color according to its mood. It's better not to see it turn purple. Its eyes shine with a supernatural glow and have a significant vision capacity. Generally, it also has wings similar to those of a dragon, although it prefers to stay near the water. The Lacerta is known in Afetis for its ability to control water and be the guardian of the great Lake. It can create whirlpools and waves with a simple flick of its tail. It uses this ability to hunt and defend itself, making the shores of the lake very dangerous for those who get too close. In summary, it's better not to linger on its territory, says the cat as it goes into the forest.

Forced and not wanting to be alone, I resolve to follow him.

-Where are you going?

-We have to join an imperial guard camp.

-The imperial guard? Isn't it dangerous if I'm not well regarded here?

He doesn't answer me and keeps moving forward. I hate being left without an answer.

-I asked you a question.

-And I'm not deaf. After all, if you prefer to wander in Afetis, when you can't even defend yourself. It's your choice, my dear.In this perspective, I indeed prefer to find the imperial guard. I don't want to come face to face with a dangerous, monstrous creature or even with an assassin and other criminals whose nature I am unaware of. I don't want to end up between four walls or worse.

-I suppose you know that I'm looking for the magician Iaso.

-Yes. You think he can bring you home.

-Do you know where to find him?

-On this point, the witch didn't lie to you. We don't find him, he comes to us. Or more accurately, his messengers come to find us.

- Great,I sighed. So here I am stuck here, at the same starting point, without any answers to my questions. I think I'm going to have to get used to this world.

-Who is the lord of this forest? I asked, trying to get at least some answers to the questions I was asking.

-There is no lord here. Just spirits, more or less good.

-I must deduce that the spirit that watches over this forest is not the best.

-Don't say such a thing, you'll offend him.

-I didn't mean to, sorry, I'm clumsy.

-I had noticed, he said in a very mean tone that made me frown. I don't react and focus on my surroundings.

The change in landscape is radical, conifers with large thorns replace the large deciduous trees. Their tops are much lower. The ground is covered with a thick blanket of clover and a few tufts of green moss. The birdsong is starting to become rare. A sort of path is forming between the fern leaves. Finally, ferns, I don't know if that's the right term to define this plant with large curved leaves that almost form a spiral. Each of them reveals complex patterns of leaflets. The fronds of these funny ferns vary in size, more or less large. I look up. The sky is more visible. The sun's rays penetrate the forest more. I haven't seen a single animal yet. And I find that very strange. The silence is almost heavy. It's not just the absence of noise, but a tangible presence that seems to infiltrate between the trees, slip under the ferns, between the pines, nestle in the hollows of the trunks. The birds had simply stopped singing, the insects buzzing, and even the wind seems to have held its breath. Every crack of twig under my steps, every fall of pine cone or thorns resonates like a thunderclap in this oppressive quietness. I would almost say that the forest itself has fallen silent, as if it were suspended from an invisible thread. As if it were waiting for something. This silence is heavy, almost palpable, and it envelops everything. It thus takes care to create an atmosphere of tension and anticipation that is almost unbearable, which the beats of my heart transcribe the movements.

- I still don't know your name, I say to break the silence that makes me uncomfortable.

-My name is A.

-That's a nickname, isn't it?

-Maybe.

Yes, it's a nickname. I wonder what his real name is. After a few meters, a kind of fog licks the ground. A strong smell of spices floats in the air. Not a smell of spices that makes you hungry but a nauseating smell. A stops, his ear immediately twitches. His whiskers tremble. He stiffens. I have the impression that the ground is trembling. A vibration that almost echoes violent percussion. I clutch my bag against me. Nothing good, my intuition tells me to run and quickly hide. Yet my legs refuse to cooperate. I remain immobile like a statue. Almost animal growls come out on either side, around us, the ferns stir violently. Branches break. The earth turns over as if the sharp defenses and strong snout of a boar were digging into the ground with brutal efficiency, each movement of its head sending the earth and roots flying, revealing the bare ground underneath. I get closer to A.

- What is it?

-Don't move, don't talk, don't do anything, he orders me.

I obey, I feel the anxiety rising in me. My hands are shaking, a knot forms in my throat. I try to distinguish the creatures that surround us and threaten to jump on us. I can see yellow or orange eyes. Terrifying, bloodthirsty eyes. But I can't yet perceive the body and head that cling to these eyes. However, I can say that they are numerous and that their appearance is far from making me want to meet them. They are the size of a large dog like a Great Dane. I swallow my saliva with difficulty. I have to make a big effort not to move. The movements are getting more and more violent.

-I hope you run fast!

-What?

A starts running, an intense shiver runs down my spine when I see a monster leap in front of me, followed by others. Half man, half beast, their rough skin is as gray as rock, covered with moss as hair and dotted with scars and warts. Their yellow-orange eyes are like two narrow slits, and shine with a malicious glow. They are dressed in a kind of burlap skirt with sharp claws. Their arms, as thick as tree trunks, hang on either side of their massive bodies, and end in huge clawed fingers. Their legs, as short as they are stocky, are firmly planted in the ground ready to pounce on me at the slightest opportunity. Their mouth is like a gaping abyss filled with yellowed, pointed, almost rotten teeth, and displays a terrifying grin. They each hold pieces of wood to which a sharp, curved blade is attached. I don't linger any longer to observe them and immediately take to my heels. I've lost sight of A. Tears well up in my eyes. My feet hurt, due to the long walk, but I dare not slow down, a strange breath takes hold of me and animates me. I run through the forest, the lower branches scratch my face and the roots threaten to trip me at every step. I cast a frightened look over my shoulder. I'm starting to get out of breath, each breath of air seems to tear my lungs. Suddenly, my foot gets caught in a root hidden under the moss. A scream escapes me as I lose my balance, my arms swing in a desperate attempt to catch myself. But it's too late for that. I crash to the ground miserably, the breath knocked out of me by the impact. For a moment, everything was silent in the forest, the only sound being her panting breath and the dull beating of her heart in her ears. The silence is broken by the horrible roar of the beasts rushing at me at a brisk pace. Terrified, I can't move and scream in terror.