THE ELEMENTALS Beginning of a New Era

The stars blinked in silence above as the campfire crackled softly, sending tiny sparks spiraling into the night sky. A breeze swept through the trees, cool and whispering secrets no one could hear. Harsha stretched his legs with a lazy sigh, but Zubo sat upright near the fire, rummaging through his old, worn backpack.

From its depths, he pulled out a thick, leather-bound diary and a few crumpled notes tied with red string.

"This," Zubo said, holding the book with exaggerated reverence, "is your survival guide. Yug handed this to me just before we left. It contains everything you need to know about the Sacred Forest of Shadows—maps for the first two floors, and detailed notes on the shadow monsters."

Harsha leaned forward, suddenly interested. Zubo smirked and opened the diary to a bookmarked page.

"Now listen carefully," he began in a serious tone, "Before entering the forest, there are some important things I need to tell you. The Sacred Forest is not just a forest—it's a multi-layered death trap, each floor more dangerous than the last."

He flipped the page and pointed to a crude hand-drawn map.

"The first floor has only one Stone Beast patrolling each section. Manageable. But on the second floor, you'll encounter two Stone Beasts at once. Beyond that? We don't know. The map ends after Floor Two, and even Yug said the rest is wrapped in mystery. That's why..." he gave Harsha a pointed look, "...we're not crossing into the third layer. You're not strong enough to handle what's waiting there."

Harsha frowned. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

Zubo continued as if he hadn't heard. "Each floor is a maze. And here's the fun part—the entry gate shifts its position every 12 hours. So once we enter, finding the way out becomes... tricky."

"Lovely," Harsha muttered.

"Same with the doors to the next floor," Zubo added. "They don't stay in one place. You'd wander in circles for days if you didn't have me. That's why you hired a professional. Let the navigation part be my job."

Harsha yawned. "Yeah, yeah, Captain Compass."

Zubo raised a finger theatrically. "Now comes the most important part—pay attention, Mr. Adventurer."

He pointed to a sketch of a Stone Beast.

"Single beasts are easy enough to take down. The problem is—they're rarely alone. You attack one, and every beast nearby will rush you like you owe them money. That's why we'll be hunting small packs, or better, the rare twin-gem beasts—they wander alone or in pairs. Easier to track. Easier to kill."

He handed the diary to Harsha. "This section covers their weak points, behavior patterns, and how to harvest their gems. Go through it carefully. Oh, and any extra explanation from me will cost you—let's say, one silver coin per word."

Harsha gave him a flat look.

Zubo just winked and pulled out a sleeping bag. "Anyway, I'm going to sleep. Good luck studying."

As he laid it down, Harsha raised an eyebrow. "And where's my sleeping bag?"

Zubo paused dramatically, then said with a straight face, "Two silver coins, sir."

Harsha groaned. "After this quest, I'm going to sue your ass."

He flicked two silver coins at Zubo and muttered, "Now I have only eight silver coins left. Already gave six gold coins to Zogo just to hire you for six days… I'm down to three gold coins. I have no idea how I'm going to survive the upcoming days."

Zubo tucked into his sleeping bag with a satisfied smile. "Good night, broke prince."

Harsha smirked. "Do you want a coin for your GN wish too?"

They both laughed softly under the night sky.

---

Later, when all was still, Harsha flipped through the diary under the moonlight. The illustrations were crude but clear—Stone Beasts, gem cores, shadow symbols, shifting gate patterns, even warning signs for unknown threats on Floor Three. He finished reading, closed the book with a thoughtful hum, and slid it into his coat pocket.

Just as he settled down, a small chime echoed in his ears. A faint green holographic screen blinked to life in front of him—visible only to his eyes. Three icons now floated on the top right:

1. Timer – 5D:07H:09M left

2. Notifications

3. Rewards

"Huh?" Harsha squinted. "Where did this come from?"

He tapped the Rewards icon. A glowing wooden chest appeared on the screen.

[Category: Common Chest]

"Looks like I unlocked something… but why?"

He tapped the chest again. A message popped up:

> Unlock Timer: 12 Hours

Unlock Now: 12 Diamonds

Current Diamonds: 0

"Tch. Obviously."

He clicked Unlock and mumbled, "Let's see what treasure I get… tomorrow."

With a sigh, he turned over and finally let sleep take him.

---

Morning – 6 Hours Later

The rich scent of sizzling vegetables and roasted spices woke Harsha from his dreams. He sat up groggily and found Zubo cheerfully cooking breakfast—using ingredients from Harsha's own ration bag.

Harsha rubbed his eyes and growled, "Oi! That's my food you're cooking. I'm not paying for that."

Zubo didn't even turn. "Relax. Cooking is included in the guide service. You're already paying Zogo, remember?"

He added calmly, "Get ready. In 2 hours, a gate will appear straight ahead—about 5 kilometers from here. We'll need to reach that spot in time."

Harsha narrowed his eyes. "Do you only carry stuff that helps you steal money from me?" Dont you have your own food.

Zubo laughed. "It's called being efficient."

After eating, Harsha washed up and packed his things. He stared at his nearly empty wallet: 8 silver coins, 3 gold coins, and a growing sense of doom.

He checked through his gear one final time:

✅ Holy Water – Check

✅ 10 Days' Ration – Check

✅ Storage Cards for Stone Harvesting – Check

✅ A greedy little thug guide – Check

"All ready to go," he muttered.

Zubo slung his pack over one shoulder and gave Harsha a curious look. "Do you really think I'm greedy?"

Harsha didn't miss a beat. "Greedy? No, no—you're a saint. A divine angel sent by the gods solely to take all my money and bless me by freeing me from the curse of wealth."

Zubo burst into laughter. "That's the best compliment I've heard all month."

---

They walked for nearly two hours through sloping hills and quiet woods. The further they went, the more the air changed—cooler, denser, charged with faint humming energy. Even the leaves shimmered with a greenish hue under the rising sun.

Time Left: 4D 22H 59M

Suddenly, a tall, ancient gate shimmered into view, materializing like a ghost in the morning mist. Vines of obsidian stone twisted up its frame, glowing with faint silver runes. The seal at the top bore the mark of the Shadow beast—a swirling eye over cracked earth.

Harsha stepped forward, heart pounding.

Zubo smiled, adjusting his gloves. "Welcome, Harsha. You've reached the gate of the Sacred Forest of Shadows."

Zubo halted a few steps before the looming gate. The twisted wooden arch, entwined with glowing vines and glistening blue moss, looked less like an entrance and more like a creature's mouth—waiting.

Harsha stopped beside him. "So… this is it?"

Zubo didn't respond at first. He reached into his satchel and pulled out the leather-bound diary—the one he had handed over the night before. His expression turned unusually solemn.

"There's one last thing," Zubo muttered. "The part Yug told me not to show until we reached the gate."

He thumbed through the pages quickly, until stopping at the center binding. Then, with a breath, he reached into a small side pocket and pulled out a fine obsidian needle—barely longer than a splinter.

Harsha's eyes narrowed. "Hey. That doesn't look like something fun."

Zubo met his gaze. "This diary hides the Forest Vow—a sacred pact. It's sealed and can only be unlocked by… well… a drop of human blood."

"Human blood?" Harsha repeated, frowning.

Zubo nodded, and for once, his voice held no sarcasm. "I can't offer mine. I'm not human . The forest won't accept it. But you… you're still pure."

"Wow," Harsha muttered. "That sounded less like a compliment and more like I'm a sacrifice."

Zubo smiled faintly. "Nothing that dramatic. Just a prick. One drop. But I need your consent."

Harsha looked at the gate, then at the needle, then at Zubo. "So the ancient deadly forest wants to see if I bleed red before it lets me in?"

"Basically."

Harsha rolled his eyes. "Fine. But if I faint, you're carrying me."

Zubo grinned. "Deal."

He gently pricked Harsha's finger. A single bead of blood welled up. Zubo pressed it carefully along the spine of the diary.

At first, nothing happened.

Then the ink shimmered—like moonlight dancing on water. A seam split open at the diary's center, and a glowing parchment slid out, laced with silver runes and a faint bluish aura.

Harsha's jaw dropped. "You're telling me this was inside the whole time?"

Zubo unfolded the paper with reverence. "Yug hides his secrets well."

He stepped closer to the gate, the air around them thickening with unseen energy. The moss on the wood pulsed in rhythm with their breath.

Zubo placed one hand on his chest, held the glowing page in the other, and began to recite:

> "O Guardians of the Sacred Wood,

We are but seekers of blue light and truth.

We come with empty hands and open hearts,

No beast shall feel our blade but that of shadowed part."

He gave Harsha a look. "Repeat."

Harsha followed, each word rising into the morning air. The forest listened.

Zubo continued:

> "No root we'll harm, no wing we'll clip,

No sacred life shall lose its grip.

Grant us safe path through bark and stream,

And let our journey fulfill its dream."

Harsha echoed every line, his voice growing steadier. As the last word left his lips, the gate responded.

The vines unwound like serpents stretching from a long sleep. Blue light shimmered through the wood. Then—with a soft creak—the gate slowly opened.

Not by hand.

Not by force.

By permission.

Zubo handed the now-faded page back into the diary and grinned. "Congratulations. The forest officially likes your blood."

Harsha stared at the glowing vines as they slithered back into the trees, leaving the ancient path open.

He looked at Zubo, brow furrowed.

"What was that prayer for, anyway?"

Zubo paused mid-step, the faint glow of the forest reflecting in his eyes.

He turned slightly, a quiet smile tugging at his lips.

"That prayer…" he began.

> To know what Zubo reveals—and what truly awaits them in the heart of the Sacred Forest…

Let's find out in the next chapter.

NEXT CHAPTER 19: "The Vow to the Forest God"