The Untold Forest

by Elisa Menz

  Pouri blinked, tilting her head in confusion. “These?” She showed her hands wet with her tears. “Do they hurt like this?” Pouri’s bottom lip trembled, her eyes teary once more.

  “Yes.” Maeve kept stroking her hair, warm to the touch. The long, silky strands of black hair turned into scorching lava as they reached the ground, burying in the deeps. “I understand you don’t mean to hurt them, but what you’re doing is cruel. You need to stop.” The goddess stared at the ground, clutching her dress and nodding bashfully, like a scolded child. She stood still while the red dust crawled back towards her, leaving the bodies of the mountain half-breeds and everyone else taken. It flew straight to her hair, traveling down to bury in the ground, and disappearing from the land.

  It didn’t take long for the dust to vanish completely, and the valley filled with the voices of the half-breeds, now free.

  Pouri didn’t lift her eyes, her tiny body folded in on herself. Maeve’s hands dropped on her lap. When she realized they had accomplished what they came to, emptiness replaced the joy she should have felt. Maeve bent a knee to stand before Pouri held her by her sleeve, stopping her with a hopeful glance.

  “Would you stroke my hair a little longer?” she begged.

  But Maeve couldn’t do it. The hate was gone, but she harbored no love for the child. She no longer wanted to hurt her, but Pouri asked for a tenderness she didn’t feel. “Pouri.” A commanding voice resonated behind her. Maeve turned to find Hua, with Paki on his back. The Ancients had come for their sister.

  Pouri cowered and hid behind her, but the Ancients hurried to their side, Hua swiftly taking the little girl in his arms and holding her in a loving hug. “My little darling! I missed you so much!”

  Pouri snuggled into his arms, letting a few tears go. A pair of warm hands lifted Maeve from the ground. Paki had always been very aware of her feelings, so she most likely understood her pain better than anyone. “I’m so sorry, Maeve.” They both knew no words could mend her broken heart. Paki hugged her, sending a healing wave of love through her. Allowing herself to let loose, Maeve closed her eyes and sought refuge in her arms.

  The goddess’s calming voice soothed her. “With time, this too will heal.” Those were kind words, but Maeve didn’t care about healing. Not now, at least. She wanted to be close to him. She wasn’t ready to leave Hakken.

  Paki kissed her forehead, letting go to join her siblings.

  Kniv had walked away, sitting on the ground while he rubbed his head, muttering to himself. Regn crouched by his side, ignoring his grief while trying to console the old man. Close to them, Ystävä hugged Finn as both Warlocks mourned in quiet contemplation, staring at the field and the surrounding people. After a few seconds, Ystävä whispered a few words before moving to help the wounded. Finn turned to his sister, and Maeve saw him hesitate. If he hugged her then, she would never stop crying. So it was a relief when he gave her a pained smile and walked away to join his master.

  “Maeve...” Flyg stood behind her, clutching her broken forearm to her chest and holding a weakened Dröm. They both seemed anguished. “I’m so sorry, Maeve.” Tears poured from Flyg’s eyes. Maeve had shut down her powers, but the guilt coming from them was too strong to ignore. She placed a calming hand on each.

  “No. Don’t do this to yourselves. Dröm, this is not your fault. None of you are to blame.” The mountain leader nodded faintly before sending a hateful glare to the gods. Maeve touched his face, turning him away from them. “You have gone through too much pain already. Let go of this hate. You’ll need all your strength to heal your people.” Dröm took a deep breath, closing his eyes and tightening his hold on Flyg. When he opened them again, the turmoil in his heart was somehow calmer.

  His lips twitched in a faint smile. “Thank you.”

  They kept going, looking for a healer, and now Maeve was alone.

  There was so much left to do, so many still in pain and in need of aid, but all she wanted was to be close to him before the moment she would never see him again. Maeve lay down on the ground by his side, taking in every detail of Hakken’s handsome face.

  He was so peaceful. It was easy to imagine him opening his eyes, turning to look at her, and saying something sweet. Or silly. Either way, she would have probably blushed. Tracing his nose, Maeve caressed him with the tip of her index. You are so beautiful. She touched his lips before taking a few strands of hair away from his face. I wouldn’t trade a life with you for anything.

  The pain in her chest grew heavier, pinning her down. Staying by his side only added to her sorrow, but Maeve couldn’t find the will to leave him.

  It wasn’t until she heard the footsteps approaching, she found the strength to sit. The Ancients stood close, Hua still carrying Pouri. Paki came to her, offering a hand to help her stand. “We came to say our goodbyes, sweet Maeve.” It was only natural. The world needed to carry on, despite her loss. Paki would return to her Tree. The tribes would bury their dead and rebuild their lives. Perhaps she could join her brother or find the will to live amongst the Children of the River. But the thought of going back to the village without Hakken was harrowing. It scared her.

  Ignoring the searing pain, Maeve raised her eyes to the goddess. “I see. I hope to visit you one day.”

  Paki tilted her head, giving her a sympathetic smile. “No, my dear. That will not be possible anymore. We are going home now, back to the stars. We have dwelt here for far too long. You know we love our children with all our hearts, but it is time to leave you to rule your own destinies.”

  Troublesome and bitter news. Maeve shook her head, taking the goddess’s hands. “No, you can’t leave now. We need you! There is so much to be done, and the Warlocks will need your strength now more than ever!”

  “Do not fear, I will not leave them helpless.” Paki caressed her face, and her calming energy eased her distress. “We have spent eons harvesting the vital force harnessed in us. The power of this world is the power we hold. Now we are to leave and go back to the heavens, and we do not need to take it with us. I will bequest my remaining power to the Tree, and with it, every Warlock will be able to aid the Forest, for centuries to come, as it has been done.”

  “I will leave my power with you, as well.” Maeve turned to Pouri, who timidly stared at her from the safety of Hua’s embrace. “Ever since I can remember, I envied my siblings for their capacity to create all these pretty beings.” The child’s cheeks flushed, and she blinked away her tears. “I didn’t understand their love for them. They were cute but unintelligent. They caused nothing but unbalance and made my siblings worry.”

  The little girl studied Hakken, her face somber and sorrowful. “I did not know how important you were for each other. How his death would hurt you.” Her stormy eyes landed on Maeve, filled with emotion. “I am sorry.”

  Maeve nodded. If nothing else, it was for her own well-being to forgive Pouri. Resentment would eat her away.

  Nevertheless, she was spent. She longed for solitude. It was time to say goodbye. “I wish you all a safe trip. Thank you for everything.” Taking a few steps back, she vowed to the Ancients, wholeheartedly wishing they could rejoin their kin. “Farewell.”

  “Young Maeve—” Hua gave her a kind smile— “I have one parting gift for you. I also have the world’s energy in me, and I owe you a birthday present. You showed remarkable courage this day, and I’d hate to leave you with nothing but pain.”

  The last three Ancients, creators and shapers of the Forest, stood together under the morning sun, sharing a loving embrace. After his cryptic words, Hua kissed his little sister’s forehead, beaming at her.

  “Pouri... you’d always wanted to know how it felt to give life.” The little goddess smiled, and he poked her nose. “Let me guide you.”

  As those last words faded, a blinding light surrounded the gods while they looked up to the sky. Maeve covered her face, shielding herself from the raw power surging from them. A gentle and overwhelming force.

  C
hallenging the brightness, Maeve took one last glance, witnessing their bodies rendering to dust. With one strong blast, three light orbs shot for the heavens while a mighty force spread throughout the valley, into the Forest.

  The wave of energy made her falter. The hill where they stood was now empty, and a pleasant warmness covered her body. Maeve watched in awe as the wounds in her hands healed, and when she looked around, it became clear Hua and Pouri’s energy had been spent on healing everyone on the battlefield.

  A little ray of hope kindled in her chest when Maeve remembered Hua’s last words. “...to give... life?”

  CHAPTER XXXXVI

  THE DARK RIVER

  Hakken

  He was floating. Above him, the sky lit up with stars, but those did not resemble the stars he remembered. Not that he cared. It was the most glorious night sky he had ever seen. An unfathomable pool of blackness, strokes of blue and purple molding vast clouds, hoarding the twinkling lights.

  Nothing else surrounded him but that sky.

  He was floating. The lukewarm water scurried around his skin, the current gently carrying him towards an unknown destination. His body felt fresh, full of vigor even. Considering his recent stabbing, he had never been better.

  “Right...” He had been killed. He knew it because he clearly remembered Maeve by his side, and he was alone now. “She wouldn’t leave me.”

  The pleasant sensations disrupted when he remembered Maeve’s tears and her frightening words. He broke his promise. He told her they would both survive and return to the village. “I’m sorry, beautiful. I was not strong enough,” Hakken whispered.

  “You keep saying that! After twelve years, you’ve hardly changed!”

  Hakken snapped to the voice. That one voice he would never forget. The dark water covered his face, but he did not need to breathe. How convenient, since the shock would have made him swallow a bucket of water. Right next to him, the face that used to haunt his dreams beamed at his befuddled expression, her golden eyes reflecting the light of the stars. She looked exactly as he remembered her, her youth frozen in time.

  “Hello you...” she smiled.

  Speechless, Hakken gaped at her, analyzing her body for any wound or blood or simply to confirm if she was really next to him. But then... he was dead. So it made sense for her to appear by his side. He noticed out of the corner of his eye how they were now surrounded by others, silently floating in the same direction.

  The men and women who had fallen in battle. Only a few dozen warriors, but every life was precious. He looked around, trying to recognize anyone. Hakken hoped their preparations would spare their lives, but he failed to fulfill yet another promise. “Hakken... you need to stop,” she pleaded.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Not every bad thing that happens is your fault. You did your best. They did their best. Death reaches us all.”

  She floated by his side, so serene, so unaffected. She sounded wiser, and Hakken couldn’t help to wonder how long she had been floating in this emptiness. “I’m sorry.”

  Her eyebrows furrowed. “What for?”

  “I let you die. Now you are stuck here.”

  The young woman snorted, rolling her eyes and shifting her gaze to the stars above them. “The only one to blame for my death is myself.” She grew quiet for a moment. “I acted recklessly... I wanted to prove myself to my father, to you. That I was a magnificent warrior.” She chuckled without humor. “I jumped into a battle I was not prepared for. I ignored all the signs. I left you behind.”

  “Aurinko—”

  “No, Hakken!” Aurinko fixed him with a scowl. “I’m stuck here because I allowed myself to die a stupid death, and I left you to bear the guilt.”

  The young woman held a hand next to his cheek, but she didn’t touch him. She didn’t have to; Hakken could feel the warmth emanating from her, and the love still clear in her eyes. “You need to let me go, Hakken. You need to live without regrets. To be whole if you want to be with her.”

  “How can I?” Hakken could barely suppress the tears, and the lump in his throat caused his voice to falter. “I lost you, Auri... now I lost Maeve.”

  “You don’t know that yet!”

  “I’m dead! I think I can tell when—!”

  “Well, they seem to disagree,” she smirked, pointing to the side.

  Hakken followed her nod. The others around him began to float against the current, drifting away from them. “Where are they going?”

  “Back, I believe. It seems all kinds of marvelous things are happening now.” Aurinko let out a musical laugh when Hakken’s puzzled eyes returned to her. “This our last goodbye, Hakky. I’ll be able to pass into the beyond, and you get a second chance in life.”

  The current pulled in the opposite direction, taking him back to where the others headed. He wasn’t sure about his destination, but he couldn’t leave her again without saying goodbye.

  “Auri!” He reached and took her hand. He wanted to say something, but ‘I’m sorry’ didn’t sound right anymore. Neither of them needed more apologies. “Auri. Be at peace.”

  “Goodbye, Hakken. Hug my father for me.”

  The current surged around her, rapidly guiding her deeper into the quiet darkness, and his own body drifted into a blinding light. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. I’m going home.

  The first thing attacking his senses was the blinding light. He squinted, shielding his eyes from the sun. Then, warm drops fell on his face, tickling on his skin. The third marvelous thing he sensed was her voice.

  “Hakken...”

  His eyes shot open, and he saw the face of the human girl who gave him a second chance in life, the one who rekindled his will to live. She smiled at him as some strands of her golden hair came loose from her braid, fluttering around her like a halo. She was so beautiful it almost hurt to watch.

  But her gorgeous face was now partly hidden behind her hands, shakily clutching her mouth, trying to hold the sobs taking over her body. Her tears made him frown. He had to stop them.

  “Maeve.” Hakken sat in one swift movement. The pain and exhaustion from before disappeared, and even the drowsiness from his awakening faded. “Maeve!” There was no need to overthink things. He loved her. He had been dead, out of this world. He came back to life, and he had no reason to keep away from her for a moment longer. Pulling her into a needy embrace, Hakken let out a sigh, rejoicing in the sensation of her arms around him. Her dainty figure molded against his body, while her sweet voice muttered incoherences between sobs. It was all too perfect.

  A broad smile spread on his face. He came back to her.

  “Hakken! Hakken!”

  A loud call shook him from his bliss. He lifted his head to find Kniv and Regn running to them. Still holding Maeve, he pulled them to their feet, swaying her from side to side. “Don’t cry, my love. I’m all right. Everything is all right.”

  “Hakken...” Maeve gazed up at him. The tears subsided, but she remained shaken. Her lips parted, words failing to come out.

  “Oh, boy!” Kniv stopped right in front of them, and Maeve moved aside to let him pass. Hakken was happy to greet his friend, but he didn’t want to let go of her yet. Before he could take Maeve back into his arms, Kniv grabbed his waist and lifted him off the ground. “You fucking idiot, I told you not to die!”

  Hakken burst into laughter. So like Kniv to hide his happiness behind shouting and mild violence. As soon as he put him back on the ground, he gave Kniv a reassuring hug. “I’m all right, old man. I’m here now.”

  He thought about telling him of Aurinko, but there was no reason to let him know his daughter had been roaming the darkness without being able to pass for all these years. She was finally free, and he would be here to take care of her father—his best friend.

  “Let him go, old man. You are going to squeeze the life out of him all over again.” Regn stood on the side, awkwardly shifting his weight from one foot to the other and trying to dry his tears w
ithout anyone noticing. The bashful smile on Regn’s face reminded Hakken of the persistent child he once was, following him everywhere while seeking to patch up a family of all the broken pieces they had become.

  He shouldn’t have pushed him away. But then again, at the time he was too damaged to be a good influence. Too many years had passed, and perhaps Regn didn’t want to have anything to do with him anymore, but Hakken wanted to try. He walked to the young nomad, grabbed his head with one hand, and pressed his forehead into his. “How are you, little brother?”

  Taken aback, Regn’s eyes shot open, and a grateful smile quickly replaced his shock. “Shouldn’t be me asking you that?”

  “You’re too slow,” Hakken grinned.

  Regn pulled him into another hug. They both needed those.

  A loud yelp cut their reunion short. It seemed everyone wanted to shout at him today. “Bless the petrified balls of Khaos The Immortal! My brother-in-law is alive!” Both Warlocks ran to join their meeting, Finn almost jumping out of his skin. “I’ve never been so glad to see a smelly half-breed so peppy and energetic!”

  Hakken rose to his full height, sending the boy a menacing glare. “Who are you calling smelly?”

  “Ah! Don’t you give me that ‘I’m going to eat you alive’ bullshit! Remember, I can do magic, and I’m perfectly able to prevent you from doing the nasty with my sister the rest of your, hopefully, long life.”

  “Oh, gods! Just shut up!” Ystävä grabbed Finn by the neck of his vest and pulled him into a deep kiss, silencing his apprentice for the first time. Everyone kept quiet, sharing smiles and nervous laughs, watching as Finn slowly relaxed and turned bright pink. Ystävä ended the kiss, and without releasing his hold, nor looking away from Finn’s eyes, he said. “I should have tried that years ago.”

  “K-kissing me?” Finn squealed.

  “Shutting you up,” the elf retorted, but he put an arm around Finn while staring bashfully at the ground.

  Maeve’s laughter called to him, and he turned to find her watching the scene with a peaceful gaze. She walked to him and curled into his arms. He would never grow tired of that feeling. “I’m ready to go home,” she said.