It would take a few hours to get to Drakenforge, and even though walking through the lost wood wasn't the safest way, it was the fastest.
The lost wood was know to be a strange land were souls rest, some said it was the home to evil spirits, while the rest said to is owned by elves. Even though, it was clear why everyone stay clear of there, unless they have to.
The lost wood spans almost the entire country of Hilda, at least that was what his father had told him, but not every inch of the forest is dangerous. The part of the forest besides Aria, which he worked with the old man was said to be safe and the most dangerous part was far of the other side of the country.
The part between Aria and Drakenforge wasn't too dangerous if you say on the right path, but most travellers avoid it completely. Because of story of people being attacked by the unknown.
Bell looked around the forest, except from the strange looking trees that looked like they had humans trapped in them and the colourful flowers that seems to mark the path they should follow, there wasn't anything else that seemed out of the ordinary.
_don't worry about it, it's going to be fine_
At least that was what he told himself, he pulled Ryu a little bit closer to himself as she was beginning to slow down.
He could have hire an adventurer to escort them but that would cost him a lot and he didn't have anything to coin to spare. Not to talk about the fact that the money was clearly not enough to fed them and find a place to stay even he manage to get to the capital, maybe he shouldn't have gave his mother eight thousand.
But he knew he did the right thing, he was not sure if he'll be able to earn immediately he reach the capital, so it was better if she had enough till he's able to settle down. Besides, the old man had gave him some foodstuffs that will be enough for them.
He kept pondering on his thoughts, unknowingly missing a turn and walking into the forest, Ryu on the other hand couldn't see, so she blindly followed Bell deeper into the forest.
They walked for a while before Ryu suddenly stopped walking, and pulled Bell back, almost making him fall to the ground.
"Ryu, what's wrong?"
"Big brother, s–someone is watching us" Ryu said, her voice was a little bit louder than a whisper.
"Huh?" Bell stopped to look at his surrounding again, the strange human-like tree were as tall as ever, preventing him from seeing the sky clearly, but, the colourful flowers that lit the path wasn't there anymore. He couldn't hear the periodical chirping of the bird, only dead Silence.
_Don't... Tell me we're lost!!?_
He didn't know when they missed a turn, just a few moments ago they were on track. He quickly tried to retraced his steps, maybe if he walked towards the direction he came he would eventually find the colourful flowers.
He grabbed on to his sister and tried to walk but she wouldn't move from the spot she was standing.
"Come on, Ryu. We don't have time for this!" Bell yelled and tried to pull her but she was surprisingly strong.
"Someone is watching us" Ryu repeated
Bell looked around but couldn't find anyone, who would follow them in this kind of place?
"I don't see anyone around. There's no way someone will be following us in here"
"No, someone is really watching us. From there"
Ryu informed and pointed to the bush a few metres behind him. Bell turned to look at what she was making a fuss about and noticed the bush shaking.
Slightly scared, Bell slowly approached the bush, leaving his sister standing where she was. He opened the bush, hoping it was animal when something scratched his cheek.
Bell fell to the ground, his eyes widened with shock as he felt a sharp pain on his cheek. With his hand trembling, he touched his face and saw some blood on his hand.
"Big brother, what happened!?"
Ryu sounded panicked, she tried to walk to his direction but she tripped on a stick and fell down. Bell suddenly regained himself as he saw the creature that just attacked him heading towards Ryu.
He immediately stood up, equipping the hatchet the old man had given to him, he charged at the creature, swinging his hatchet at it.
The creature leaped backwards, successfully dodging Bell's attack as Bell stood between it and his sister.
"Get away from her!"
The monster was something Bell will immediately recognised in the first sight, it was about four feet tall, a sickly green colour skin, pointed nose and ear with jagged, yellowed teeth.
A goblin!!!
_Monsters are suppose to be in a dungeon, so what the hell is a monster doing here?!_
"Big brother?!" Ryu called out to him, that was the first time in a very long time that Bell had seen his sister scared. Even though her expression didn't change, he could sense the fear in her voice.
He reached out to her, still swinging his hatchet at the goblin as he held her hand, trying to calm her down.
"I...it a goblin, it just one so I can handle it. Don't worry"
Ryu seem a little bit calm after hearing her brother's voice, she lets go of his hand and gently nodded. Her expression went back to it blank state, but Bell could still know she was scared by the way she held on to her gown.
Bell turned the goblin who seem hesitant to attack, it was dressed in rags but was equipped with a rusty dagger, it mouth dripping with saliva as he steal glances at Ryu.
"You bastard!" Bell yelled, visibly angry. He felt disgusted by the monster. "Why don't you face me instead?!"