The sun rose the next day, signaling the start of a new day. Sunlight seeped onto every tent, slightly blinding the enforcers. They all got up and stretched their backs. Major, Frank, Elke, Saul and Jasper woke up from their slumber, finally having adjusted their sleep. A few minutes later, they began their training with Maple. Harvey also taught his men with diligence as the others prepared breakfast. The firepit was lit and a pot was hung above it.
Josh poured in water from a bottle, filling the pot. Then, he handed out rations to all the officers. Matthew handed out plates and cups to them which were later filled with water. After the water boiled, everyone poured it into their packet and waited. After a few minutes, they poured their rations onto the plate and began devouring the meal. Matthew and Josh also began eating breakfast.
"Mm…This is delicious. Is this steak? Hey, Josh what did you get?" Matthew asked, tugging at the meat.
"I think I got a ribeye or something." Josh replied.
"Damn, you're lucky." Matthew ate a piece of steak.
"Just be the one handing out rations every day. You get to pick what you want." Josh chuckled.
"Man, I wish I had done this earlier with you." Matthew drank from his cup.
"I wouldn't have taken this role otherwise." Josh ate a piece of his ribeye.
He saw the training enforcers coming back. The new members of AEOC's first unit began sitting down on chair, sweat pouring from their bodies. The five newbies looked especially exhausted.
'Has it been two hours already? Then, we're gonna have to leave soon.'
Josh put his plate down and stood up.
"Where are you going?" Matthew inquired.
"To give out rations." Josh replied, heading towards the storage truck. "Might pick out another for myself."
"Let me help you out then." Matthew put his plate down, trailing his friend.
***
After the enforcers ate breakfast, they loaded into their transport. The drivers slammed the doors shut and revved up the engine. Two trucks, four safari vehicles and three cars took off into the unknown. In the morning, the enforcers could finally see the leaves atop the tall trees. The trees stood tall, almost touching the clouds. Their leaves were vibrantly green but bore no fruit. Their body was thicker than any tree the enforcers had seen and their bark was red.
The drivers weaved between the massive trees, being careful not the hit anything. Surprising there was enough space to drive between. The driver tapped his fixed screen and it instantly opened. He clicked two programs, turning on the GPS and SONAR system embedded in the car. All other drivers did the same.
As they moved forward, a sense of unease crawled through everyone's body. Something was wrong…they couldn't tell what. After a few minutes, they heard the cries of bird. This did make some officers flinch out of instinct. Major and Amelia lifted their heads, trying to find the source of the sound. They eventually located a black bird perched on the branch of one of the trees.
"A crow…?" Major blurted.
"No, idiot. It's a raven." Amelia corrected him.
"Yes, ma'am." Major shut his mouth, keeping his thoughts to himself.
***
After hours of traveling, the morning turned to evening. The orange rays of sunlight hit the trees which created massive shadows that covered the land. It was almost as if night had befallen them early. In one of the three cars, Sterling sat with utmost excitement.
'A new species of trees! Such a discovery. Oh, how massive and thick are. They must be thousands of years old!'
His excitement only rose as they went further. Unfortunately, they had to find a suitable place to camp before conducting any research. Like a child, he curiously gazed at the trees, trying to find anything special about them when…instantly, the vehicles came to a stop – all of them. Sterling, confused leaned forward.
"Um, Mr. Why have we stopped?"
The driver didn't reply, he just pointed forward. Sterling also looked forward. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped out of pure shock.
***
Nyx's vehicle also stopped. David annoyed, asked in a rough voice.
"Oi! Why did you stop the car?"
The driver didn't respond again, he just pointed. David peered ahead, and his eyes widened in surprise. Nyx curios after their reaction, lend forward.
"What are you guys looking…at…?"
But she was also completely blow away, her mouth twitched and her pupils dilated.
'No…this can't be.'
***
When Lancelot's vehicle stopped, he was quite annoyed. He clicked his tongue and asked the driver in a raspy tone.
"Why did the car stop? We've barely left our previous camp!"
Again, the driver didn't respond. Lancelot annoyance was rising rapidly. He leaned forward and grabbed the driver's shoulder.
"Hey! Are you listening…to…me…? What the fuck is that?"
His eyes twitched after he saw what was in front of him. Denial rose and then confusion took over. Finally, curiously eclipsed them all. He pushed the door open, slamming it shut as he walked forward into an open meadow in the middle of such a dense forest. The other enforcers also got out of their vehicles and treaded forward – even Nyx was not left out. The sic scientists were especially rushing towards the object in front of them.
'How the hell can this be here? It seems to be made of wood but how can it stand for so long? Moss and dead leaves are covering its exterior. Damn, I need to get a better look.'
Finally, everyone stopped. They closely observed what was in front of them. Something that hadn't been discovered in the forbidden continent. Yet, it could change everything they knew of this forbidden land. Whatever, they knew of this land had been flipped upside down with this single thing.
A House.
A simple wooden house that looked to be made of wood, covered in moss and dead leaves. The wood was similar to the wood of the forest. It had a slanted roof and a chimney, possibly a balcony too. Sterling's excitement rose to extreme levels. His heart was throbbing against his throat. Suddenly, he felt an extreme pain in his chest. He clutched his chest and fell. Arthur saw this and immediately rushed over while the other scientists were helping him breath.
"Sir, Are you okay?" Arthur crouched down.
Sterling took deep breath. After a few seconds, his heart rate slowed down and was help up by Arthur.
"I'm fine…I just got a little excited."
He lifted his head, looking towards his partner – Charles who was grinning ear to ear while smoking a cigar. Then, he looked towards the house. He drew a sharp breath and pushed Arthur away. Arthur, still worried, asked Sterling in a soft tone.
"Are you feeling fine? Do we need to get the paramedics?"
"No – No, I'm fine." Sterling walked towards Nyx.
"Supreme commander."
Sterling drew Nyx's attention.
"May we have the enforcers clear the house?"
Nyx smiled. "Yes, we can."
She raised her hands, pointing towards the home.
"Listen up, everyone! We need to clear out the moss and dead leaves on that house – ASAP!" She shouted with an encouraging voice.
The enforcers nodded and rushed forward. Then, they slowly began removing all the moss and dead leaves.
'I'm not a scientists or anything but even then, I know how important this is...oh, Dante. How unlucky you are.'