16. Unexpected helpers

Thogan awoke. Inexplicably he wasn’t in the pit with the pond, where he landed, anymore. Looking around, he confirmed that he was indeed in the Forbidden Forest. There was a loud buzzing behind him. He turned around and saw a quiet big, dark purple, bumblebee like insect. “I brought you a wet blanket.”, the insect smiled at him. Thogan, perplexed at what he saw, used it on his head. He grunted as it felt like his head was going to combust. The little bee aided him in sitting up. “My name is Mila”, she said, “You’re not from here, are you?” “No, I’m not. My name is Thogan, I am king Alfred’s right-hand.” “I know him! He’s In the forest too!”, Mila squeaked with excitement. Thogan was astounded: “What? Where is he?“ “Come I’ll bring you there!” Mila unexpectedly grabbed him by the robe and flew him up into the air. “Good heavens!”, he shouted. While Thogan freaked out over his situation, Mila seemed to be enjoying herself. Her flying was messy, but free spirited and authentic. Once they flew a top the forest, Thogan was able to share her enjoyment for just a moment, taking in the view. But when they spearheaded downwards again, he screamed for his life. They landed and Thogan laid down dizzy and disoriented. “Hello there, old friend.” The wizard turned to where the voice came from. His eyes filled with shock and joy alike. “My god. Alfred. How are you alive?”, he was mind boggled. It was indeed Alfred. Not Alfred II, but his old king, the legendary conqueror. “Well, I’m not all that alive to be honest”, he remarked. And he was right, because as Thogan attempted to hug his former lord, he phased through him. Alfred was a blue ghost! “How about you take a seat, Thogan”, he suggested. The wizard sat on a tree trunk. Alfred began monologuing: “When I entered this place, I saw what I thought to be the infamous “bear”. I wanted to slay it and then showcase the pelt to my knights outside. So, I tried to sneak up on the creature, but then the ground started shaking. A chasm opened beneath.” “The bear is a sorcerer?”, Thogan asked. “No Thogan. I mean yes, he is, but that’s not the point. Who did we throw down Hell’s Chasm together?” The wizard understood now: “The snake. He took your life after we thought he was done for.” “Yes. And he did much more!”, a voice said from the darkness. Both looked over. A pink teddy bear emerged: “Hello Thogan. I am the “bear”, second guardian of the Forbidden Forest. The guardian of darkness. My colleague and I protect the forest from evil forces. He is known for a kind and diplomatic approach, while I am very much not. The serpent that you are talking about is trying to use the forest’s power for himself. He always has, but he’s never made progress like now. Animals are beginning to turn into shadowy, lifeless husks and attack outsiders.” Thogan stood up: “Why now? What has changed?” The cuddly bear responded: “Any life lost in the Forbidden Forest grants it power. At this point it’s nothing but energy that can be turned into anything. Your king, he’s sending his workers into a meat grinder for his vision.” “We’re feeding the snake”, the wizard realized. “If we don’t stop him, the serpent will devour the entire world”, the bear stepped closer towards him. “We? You’re going to come with me?”, Thogan asked with hope in his eyes. “Me and Mila will aid you.” Thogan said his goodbyes to his former king, trying to hold his ghost hand. They journeyed to the castle in the sunset. “How are you known as such a scary beast, when you look this way?” “They think I’m cute, and then I swipe their heads off.”