Leyland Adventures Chapter Ten: Part Five

Within seconds of entering the silent path, the first move was made. While walking through the multiple branching paths, multiple images of Tysashi appeared only to Aradressa's eyes. They walked down different paths in an attempt to throw off her mind. She kept close to him until a whisper burrowed through her ears followed by a shivering finger running up her arm.

"Die."

Suddenly, a forceful grasp was placed on her arm. Her cries for Tysashi were muted, she began to fight back however her fist simply passed through the entity as it disappeared. With a breath of relief escaping from her lungs, she caught up with him, reaching out to grab his hand to finally feel sane.

"Tysashi, didn't you hear my shouts?"

"No, I didn't see or hear anything. What happened?"

"I was grabbed by an unknown force, there you also clones that resemble you in a disturbingly accurate way."

"Don't worry, nothing else will hurt you. I'll keep you safe, promise."

"I want to deliver on that promise as well." She tightened the grip, placing her body on his side while taking a sip of the Piku liquid.

"Aradressa, do you know how far we are from Flora?"

Time rode the wind as no response was heard. He grew suspicious, looking behind himself to see a trail of only his footprints.

"Wait...no no no...that can't be, she was right behind me! There's no way I lost her already!"

Putting his worries away, he called for her, it was pointless. His calls were just echoes that he could hear.

"Even if she took a different path, there would be no use in following it, there are too many paths...though she could be in danger. Then again...she doesn't need anyone to play the role of the hero. I just have to keep going, maybe I'll catch up with her."

His body was set into motion as depressing thoughts abused him. He pushed the thoughts away, running in the hopes of finding a lost partner. Aside from the sound of his shoes hitting the ground, another noise was heard. Sobbing echoed across the area, temping him to investigate it like a moth drawn to a flame.

"Hello, who's there?" His eyes darted all around, finally spotting a pale female child with extensive coal-black hair wearing a dress of white cloth.

"Hey!" He called, approaching the young girl. "What's wrong, please tell me so I can help you."

Her olive-green eyes were greeted with his.

"A p- precious amulet of m- mine was taken and I can't get it back." Her voice was broken by despair.

"No need to cry, please take me to whoever stole your amulet. I'll get it back, promise."

"What happened t- to your wings?"

"I never had any, I come from a different planet but there is no reason to be afraid of me, I'm a hero who loves to help."

"R- really? You'll help me?"

"Of course, just lead the way."

Wiping her tears, she grasped his hand with her wings fluttering rapidly. For what could be described as an extended period of running, she led him to a bulky tree with a crooked expression.

"Alright, so where's the person that took your amulet?"

"The tree took it," she answered, setting Tysashi in a state of confusion.

"Look through the smile."

With second thoughts, he did as told, seeing a ruby red amulet in the shape of a heart within the tree.

"My arms are too short to reach it, can you please get it for me?"

He paused for a moment, staring at the devilish grin of the tree. "How did your amulet get there?"

"While it was asleep, I somehow managed to wake it up and for ruining its sleep, it snatched my amulet with its branches. It's asleep now."

"I see, here I go then." With a straight face, he dug his arm through the mouth. Scouring the inside with his hand, he felt a smooth, glass-like surface. "Gotcha!" Just as he trapped the item in his hand, the mouth of the tree suddenly closed and a horrible crunching sound was heard. With a collection of unbearable sounds coming from his mouth, he forced his arm out. No bones were broken but it sure felt like it.

"Argh, I thought you said the tree was asleep!" Even through the pain, he didn't possess any anger. 

Just then, a demonic smile was splattered on her face as she charged at him, the Diamond Eye Necklace was activated and a vision of the girl cutting off his arm appeared in his mind. He avoided the attack, immediately concluding that he had to kill her before she. As his heart sank in the sea of regret, he lit his fist ablaze and struck the girl with unnecessary amounts of power. Her body exploded once his fist was forced through her chest like a bullet. Gallons of blood came raining down as her organs fell flat on the grass. Unable to bear his actions, he buried himself in his hands, shielding his eyes from the blood.

Whispers of his sins began to spread. The blood vanished...it was an illusion. 

"Wait...so...that girl wasn't even real...but she felt so human. So these are the tricks this place plays. I guess I should keep moving forward."

Back to walking through the silent forest, various whispers could be heard, some stating that his fate will be sealed and he will soon join the rest of them. He blocked out their messages, sticking with his...that is before an unfamiliar sound was spread across the air...laughter. Wild, maniacal laughter grew louder with each step he took but he was far from afraid. The laughter grew more crooked, possessed almost. With every opportunity he had, Tysashi would disappear behind the trees and scan the area to find the suspect. Even with the power of the necklace, he couldn't exactly spot the figure who was nearby. The necklace only increased eyesight, it didn't grant any related benefits like night or thermal vision.

Just as he was about to carry on, the figure finally revealed itself. A person whose face is drowning in darkness within a shadow hoodie with a dangerous white smile came out wielding a silver knife, laughing insanely once more.

"Who is that...?"