Arwin walked further in the forest, the rest of the crew started to feel a little off – like a tingling sensation of nostalgia that they can’t exactly point out. Arwin tried to keep her focus as she navigated through the trees marking them with a sigil to remember the path they just took.
To everyone’s surprise, Rosa halted and said, “Everybody stop, don’t move.”
“Why Rosa? What’s the matter?” Timothy worriedly asked, remaining where he was as instructed.
Rosa explained, “This forest. It’s changing- as if it’s adapting to our fears and past continuously sucking us deeper. It knows what makes us tick, and it’s using it to its advantage.”
“What do you mean?” Arwin asks
“Quick, what do you see?” Rosa asked from everyone. Timothy was the first one who replied, “A… forest and it- it’s snowing.”
Arwin was next, “A forest…filled with the people…I killed.”
There was a brief silence, but then, Rosa asked Gloin, and Gloin replied while t
Meanwhile, at the other side of the forest, Rosa was having a hard time; although she knew that none of the images that are being portrayed before her are not true, she can’t help but feel scared and paranoid. Before her stands her exact replica, and the longer they stay together, the more the creatures learned about her, and now, Rosa and the creature in front of her are the same. Rosa knew what the creature was. It is a tambal – a doppelganger, and right now, it’s pretending to be her, meaning that the tambal creature is planning to get rid of her so it can appear and behave as Rosa for the rest of its life until it finds another victim to copy. Learning about these creatures before, Rosa knew that these sneaky creatures would do everything to stay in the human world. Rosa can’t risk showing her powers to a tambal because she knew that the tambal could copy it, and then they’ll have no difference at all. She can’t prove she’s Rosa. Rosa aske
Gloin was all alone in the vast forest, not knowing that Timothy and Rosa were close to him, but he could not locate the others yet. He’s the one carrying most of the weapons, but he, for once, didn't really know how to use them in this situation. So all he could do is to wander aimlessly, hoping that someone would find him. Gloin heard cricketing sounds and whispers around him, so he grabbed the first thing he could and threatened the unknown person, “Who’s out there? I’m armed to the teeth, so don’t you dare!” He heard whispers and laughter, but he is not able to pinpoint where the sounds are coming from. As his eyes trailed down the trees, he saw an inhumane and enormous figure lurking and making its way to him. The forest was getting darker, and the only thing visible for Gloin is that wide and creepy smile along with those two white tusks on the side of its mouth. The creature was still laughing as it walked closer. Gloin could barely move
As the four of them: Rosa, Timothy, Gloin, and the Bungisngis creature, tried to find their way to Arwin and Mark, Arwin lunged her blade towards Mark aiming to kill him. Arwin is feeling a little disoriented, but her guard is up; she protested, “You’re lying. Who the hell are you?” “Drop your blade and let me explain!” Mark kept his distance from Arwin; as Arwin was not calming down, he continued, “It’s me, Arwin, it’s Mark.” “No. You’re probably one of my illusions; what creature are you?” Arwin insinuated, “Are you the ruler of this forest?” “No-“ Arwin cuts him off as she draws out her pistol releasing a shot hitting Mark in the stomach, “You’re lying. I can hear them. You’re one of them!” Arwin covered her ears as she repeatedly heard whispers of different voices, and they are telling her to kill Mark because he’s evil and he’s a traitor because he left the forest. Just then, Mark falls to the ground bleeding out; Arwin draws her pistol o
Timothy knew it too well that he couldn't let his emotions reign over him because the forest is tricky, and you will end up playing in the forest’s hands in no time- he just saw Arwin, the most logical among them, almost kill Mark but he couldn't control it. He is so mad furious at Sinas for doing such a thing to an old comrade- sure, they betrayed him, but Sinas had it coming. Still, seeing the doctor's horrible state right now just broke Timothy’s spirit. He could imagine just how much pain he went through in Sinas hands, and going back to his crew will even break him more. Mark’s state will break doc’s heart. Timothy could feel his heart pounding out of his chest as darkness started to consume him. He heard whispers all over, just like Arwin. He heard Sinas as he said, “You can die here and now for all I care.” The whispers are getting intense- so much so that Timothy started to draw out his arrow, and just before he released it, aiming straight at Sinas,
Meanwhile, as Gloin explained Mark’s condition to the doctor, Timothy was out there fighting the guards left there. Back at the camp, Rosa was single-handedly fighting off creatures attacking them. Mark’s blood drew the creatures of the night called Aswangs. The Aswangs surrounding them are now hiding in plain sight, regaining their chance for a surprise attack. These creatures made a terrifying and distinct sound like a tik… tik… tik… Legends has it that the more faint the sounds are, the closer they are, and right now, they’re at their faintest. Rosa hated her witch household for learning everything at once, but right now, she never would’ve thought that she’d thank her strict witch instructor for forcing her to learn all of this. The creatures of the night are the most powerful of them all-and most dangerous at that. Arwin struggled to get out of her bind and shouted, “Rosa! Let me out, or we’re going to die!” “Let you o
Rosa hurried to Arwin’s side as she was blasted through the trees. Rosa inspected Arwin’s body for any damages, but there were surprisingly none. Arwin coughed and said, “Well, would you look at that? This bloody armor Gloin made works!” Rosa protested, “What the hell were you thinking? You could have died- you should have! Wait, no scratch that- I could have died!” “What were you even doing shooting your gun at me like that!” She added as she smacked Arwin Arwin groaned and laughed playfully, “Hey now, we’re alive, aren’t we? Shouldn’t I at least get a ‘Thank you for saving my life?” “No.” Arwin said, “Ouch. That’s straight-up cold.” Arwin Then stood up with wobbling knees as she saw all the trees cleared out by the explosion. The trees started to decompose and grew just as easily. She remarked sarcastically, “And here I thought that would help clear our path a little.” “Crap! Mark!” Arwin forgot about Mark as she got too
Back at Sinas’ base camp, the doctor heard everything about Mark’s condition; his heart sank down as he fell to the ground after Gloin unchained him. The doctor said, “Mark... You’re saying that Mark is dying?” “Calm down, Doc. More than anyone, we can’t risk you losing your grip now!” Gloin saif with his eyes firmly looking at him, “I know it’s probably been tough what that Sinas did to you-“ Gloin is cut off as the doctor’s reaction suddenly shifts to a grim-looking atmosphere. Nevertheless, he continued to explain as he grabbed the doctor’s frail shoulders firmly, “But right now, I’m asking you to suck it up for a while and save Mark.” Gloin is practically on his knees as he begged the doctor not to lose his sanity. “Please save Mark no matter what it takes.” The doctor snapped out of it and said, “I- I’ll try.” Suddenly breaking off everyone’s silence, they heard Timothy’s shouting from the other side, “Hey! Do you mind skipping the drama
Arwin’s world stopped for a moment, and she stopped thinking logically as well. Her mind became fixated on what Mark had said earlier. Death follows Raven wherever they go. Death follows her. First, it was Timothy who almost died, and then it’s Mark- who, if it weren’t for Rosa’s magic, would have died already. Now, it’s Rosa. Just how many more lives will it take until Arwin realized that she truly is a Raven? Death. There is death everywhere. She can’t take any more of these deaths. It is painful, and she felt guilty knowing that everything- all of it is on her. Timothy rushed to his dear Rosa’s side, who was struck by a needle straight to her heart or wherever she drew out her power- in her heart. Arwin saw the scenery once again. It was exactly like from before. Exactly like what happened to Night Rose. It was messy and chaotic, and it smelled of despair, of loss, and pain. She has lived long enough to see this scenery tw