The War Of Hearts
Chap 10 - First Trip.

Fred looked at. “On that, you can talk about it with Mooni. He will guide you and tell you what you should do.”

I frowned, feeling foreign to the name called Fred. “Mooni? Who's that?”

“That's me!” The slightly hoarse heavy sound that echoed managed to make my shoulders lift in shock.

Reflexes of my eyeballs rolling towards the source of the sound. Exactly on the axe that was in my grasp.

My eyes crept, the skull of a human head the size of an adult fist, which I had previously thought was just an accessory on the axe was lifeless and able to speak. His mouth gasped, the part of the eye bone without the eyeball gave off a purplish black light, and I felt that I was being stared at by him.

“I am Mooni. The raga of this magic axe. And I have chosen you as its user. You can only use this ax with my permission, and only I can want what you want to do. Automatic you will be under my control,” he explained, I can only gawk while listening.

Afterwards, Fred just spoke, “True, Jane. It's not easy to control. But I'm sure you and Mooni can do a good job together. And remember one thing, if you force want to do what he does not want, then there will be a heavy risk that you will bear later. It can harm people around you or even yourself.”

I looked back at Mooni. “Hm, okay. I'll do it well. Please help!”

Mooni said nothing. Slowly the light coming out of both parts of his eyes withered. Back looks like a toy skull that never thought could live and move.

Fred moved to pick something up, his tall body approached one by one the wooden cabinet to check or maybe looking for something. Until finally, Fred came to us while carrying something that, — my eyes narrowed, guessing what it was. I've seen him, but I've forgotten his name.

“Close. Lined lengthwise to the side,” Fred's word while shaking objects that look like glass bottles with colorful liquids that mix but do not blend, so sparkly and bright.

Real pretty. I wonder what that liquid is.

Me, then Magani and finally Lyman. Fred began to open the bottle, immediately issuing a fragrance that was so fragrant as to poke the nose. Alternately, our bodies— from head to toe— are all splashed with that fluid.

“This is a scent disguiser. After you come out of this forest, you will enter the forest of death. At least with this scent, you will not be sniffed by the onslaught of danger targeting you. Only three days, if you do not come out of the forest of death for three days then be careful because danger must be lurking,” said Fred told, we are all beards.

A second later, Lyman asked, “Is there no map? In order to make it easier for all of us to quickly get out of the forest of death later.”

Fred shook his head, making us show sad expressions together. “Unfortunately there is no. You are truly tested in the forest of death. Use your instincts and logic. Don't get busy circling the same place for days. And if you make it out, then you're the first to survive and get out alive from that forest.”

We all nodded in understanding. After getting a directive from Fred, we decided to leave today as well. Even though the sky has started to darken, we are not thinking of traveling tomorrow.

“I have no food supply. You have to survive in the forest by finding your own food. I can only help you get here.” Fred drove us to the front of the house.

Standing in a jerky manner, we bowed our backs as a greeting of respect and farewell. Fred, who was not a human being, immediately turned into an owl, he flew back, roaming the forest to do his job.

“For a while, we follow the direction of the wind first.” Lyman circulated the view, staring at the quiet and pitch open, seeming creepy.

“I can't imagine yet what a forest of death we'll go to. Whether how many hundred or thousands of lives are scattered there because they can not get out,” great-grandson Magani, again and again he always parno first.

Just now we were about to step up and Lyman was ready to guide the way, suddenly our intention was taken down because of someone's startling voice. From his voice, we already knew who it was.

“You are still desperate to leave just because you heard the bird's stealth boast earlier? You guys are too rash, it's good that we all find out first what's really going on. There are still many triggers or other factors that can lead you to the truth,” Melvin cerocos, my eyes slightly widened when I realized he could talk that much.

I, fed up and lazy to argue, chose to throw my face away. But Lyman firmly responded;

“It's okay. It's our choice. And I don't know nor do I understand the truth of what you're really looking for. And please find it yourself. Me, Jane and Magani will be on this road,” Lyman concluded, then embrace my shoulders and Magani to immediately waltz away.

Along the way, I did not look back. But Magani whispers to us, telling us that Melvin is following. As expected, he just wanted to incite.

And since we all don't want to waste our time debating unimportant and endless matters, we agree not to rebuke or care about Melvin. So just let him do what he wants while not harassing us.

“About how long can we get out of this forest?” Magani asked in between footsteps.

Lyman shrugged his shoulders. “Don't ask me as if I was exploring this place earlier than you, Magani. Just walk without much to ask.”

Magani grunts. He chose silence and his short body was running around small to move places, choosing to walk beside me. Now my body is flanked by the two of them.

Looking at the towering trees, even though the sky had already changed by night, and there was no other illumination aside from the moonlight, strangely this forest was not so dark. I can still see the distance between the trees that are lined up not neatly.

“Spirit!”

For a second my heart stopped pumping. Made shocked by the voice just now that turned out to belong to a tall tree beside us. The tree spoke, the smiley grooves on its dull and fragile-looking trunk warmed our hearts.

“If you walk straight from here, at dawn you will be able to get out of this forest,” he said, we all feel grateful to have been given a clue.

“What's up ahead there we can find something to eat? Or at least there is a river that we can drink its water?” magani asked as she shrank the sweat, she looked exhausted.

“Sweetest. If you seek food and rivers, you will not find them. Opposite direction from here, then you can find it,” he replied.

Our attention turned to Melvin who had suddenly overtaken us, he walked first with ease while sipping water and a piece of bread was also in his hands. What the hell does that mean?

He seems to have done that intentionally. Want to make us, especially Magani who has complained of thirst wants to curse him. But what power, the man with the loyal owner of such a flat expression was already assured to have no heart, obviously he would not be offended.

“I hope he becomes a victim or a fall in the forest of death later. If until he dies, I will stand on his body while mocking him girly, ” cynical Magani, his gaze fiery as he continues to stare at Melvin's back which is increasingly away.

***