"If Ezra's premonition turns out to be true, then we're seriously in deep trouble," says Gun. "There's a strong possibility that all of them had been caught by the Bloodsucker by now."
The convoy is getting ready with the search and rescue gear. Caspain; although he managed to tag along in this mission, is finally prohibited from leaving the house. He is under tight supervision by Bua and Elder Talay. His gloomy face is visible within his sorrowful eyes. To see his family take off to a dangerous place, it feels like sending them to the battlefield.
"I made a call to Kawei last night. Don't worry, he will be here soon with Mei," says Tul.
"What about your baby?"
"The Beta helpers will be taking care of her in the meantime. Don't worry, Cir left a shield cast the last time before he left. Everything will be just fine," Tul replies.
Ezra quietly dons his jacket and checks his equipment. He bends down to grab his backpack when he takes a glance at his red thread. The golden bead is shining as if it sends a signal for help. That triggers the spirit in him.
"We're going home, ThongFa. In whatever shapes and circumstances," the Omega whispers.
It was exactly four in the morning when the convoy took off for the Dark Forest. They need to ride a boat from the island, crossing the sea to reach the place. In the darkness, they see the run-down pier is inviting them like in a horror movie.
How can you survive the world when you're afraid of some fictional ghosts?
Ezra's mind replays those words from Fa. Before, he took it as a joke. But, looking at the Dark Forest, his mind slowly snaps into reality. A big, huge question washes in his mind:
Can he survive today?
The boat suddenly stops and the engine is being turned off. They're still far from the island. They can only catch a glimpse of the pier, but never reach it.
"What's wrong?" Ezra asks.
"We need to be discreet. Noise will attract uninvited guests," says Gun.
Tul nods. "The best way to get there is by swimming. So, let's change to an aqua suit," the Omega stands up after he drops his bag.
Ezra blinks his eyes. All this time, he was thinking, why do they need to don an aqua suit under the tracking suits? The weather is cold, but it will be hot soon once the sun rises.
Now, he knows why...
***
At least four figures emerge from the cold seawater towards the grounding spot of the Dark Forest. Tul takes off his diving gear, followed by Sora and Renyu.
Ezra follows pursuits from behind, gasping for air that he is dying for. The swimming and diving drain almost all of his energy. No matter how much he told himself that he was prepared for this, it seems that those preparations aren't enough.
Every single step is extreme.
The convoy changes its outfit one more time; this time, they travel light. They forgo their diving gear in one spot. As Sora takes the lead, they slowly enter the Dark Forest. Renyu takes his place behind the convoy, with Tul and Ezra in the middle.
The Dark Forest is thick and cold. Almost as if it's a dark hole. The silence inside is killing. Too muted, too grim. Indescribable. The convoy walks carefully within the limited resources of the lights from the LED torchlights that they hold. Everyone ensures to activate their senses and lock their pheromones.
"Tul, how much further?" Sora asks. The Omega steps forward, pointing his torchlight around.
"I think, we're almost there. Let me take the lead," he continues walking, since he was the one who had been here before with Cirrus. So, of course, he is familiar with the road.
Ezra's eyes never rest from roaming. The newbie is definitely nervous about everything. He had never been in so many places, yet, he is now exploring a grim place. Skips all the fun, goes straight to the battlefield! Instead of some ghost houses or escape rooms at some amusement parks, he goes straight into the most haunted place in that area.
"No..." The nervousness in Tul's voice adds more suspense for everyone. He squats down, touching the red threads that are scattered on the ground. All of the amulets that protect the place are all over places, some have even been torn apart.
"The threads are the shield. I guess, they're already gone since Elder Abbot died," says Sora.
"Yes. But, now the amulets are gone. That means, the main mechanism of the protection was shattered as well," Tul replies. "I don't want to think the worst. But, at this moment, we have no choice but to keep being negative."
While they were talking, Renyu walked around the ground when he noticed something. He walks closer to inspect the spot and when he touches the object, his heart skips a beat.
"Hey, I found this..."
Everyone gather at Renyu.
"This belongs to Cir..." The Omega grabs the smartwatch from Renyu politely. "He always wears this whenever he travels. It has a navigation mode and sort—"
Tul snaps a bit. "It's broken."
"No use then, eh?" Sora asks subtly. Tul smiles bitterly, before he sniffs the watch.
"Whatever that has a contact with Cir are useful for me," he says. "I smell his scents from this and we gonna use that as a guide."
"I thought Beta doesn't have a scent?" Sora asks.
"Maybe you forgot something about your cousin. Aside of being a Cupid Beta, Cirrus is also an Abro Beta. His manipulates my scent so we can blend well together. That's how we became couple," Cirrus replies. Sora finally nods.
The convoy continues their journey as the enter the entrance of the Dark Forest. Based on the scent that Tul picks up from the watch, they walk along the trail carefully. The weather is getting colder, instead of warmer. Although the sun will rises in three hours, the air inside the Dark Forest remains static.
"Ezra..."
The Omega turns around in panic. He hears someone is calling him; loud and clear.
"Dad, did you call me?"
"No. Why?" Renyu asks the Omega back. He calmly walks behind his son-in-law, looking at the panic face with puzzling mind.
"I... ah... never mind..." Ezra brushes off the thoughts. He keeps his feet on the trail, pursuing Sora from behind.
"Ezra Han..."
Ezra jolts again. He grits his teeth, suppressing the fear inside him. The voice comes along with a cold wind that blows behind his ears.
All of a sudden, there's a rapid movement around them. The convoy gather in the middle of a spot; back against each other.
"Something's out there..." says Sora. She grabs her pocket tightly.
The movement is getting faster and confusing. They can't even see what is that, or who is that.
"Don't scatter. Stay put," says Renyu. He grabs a small knife from his pocket, and that's when a figure emerges from the darkness and dashes towards them.
The silence of the Dark Forest is tainted by a loud growl.