The forest seemed like a good place to start the search. I think so...
Jacob was advancing on what appeared to be a route for a couple of hours. The thickness of the forest seemed to envelop him more and more for each step he took. Before continuing walking, the young man stopped to look at the sun, it was close to hiding, he would have a couple more hours of light before sinking into the darkness of the night. For this reason he hurried and walked a little faster despite how tired he was, just to stop again a little further. The road had been divided into two paths and in the middle of them there was an immense rock.
- And now? What path should I choose?
The road on the left seemed somewhat drier, it seemed to be more empty, on the other side, the road on the right seemed more alive, there were more trees and therefore it was thicker. After thinking about it for a moment, Jacob chose the path on the left. The abundant nature worried him, if there was something dangerous around he wouldn't know. The road to the left was clear, a little dead, but clear. He could see perfectly if there was something that could hurt him.
- I'd better hurry, the night will arrive soon.
Jacob didn't have much trouble finding a place to make the campfire, he just walk for a few minutes to find a good spot. Now he just needed something that would serve as fuel for the fire.
- With so many dead branches on the ground it shouldn't take long.
Once the branches were stacked, he just needed to use the lighter. And just like that, the fire was ready.
- It's really silent around here...
- Indeed.
- W-Who is there?!
Jacob pulled out his sword. I look in all directions, but I could not see anyone. Perhaps what was out there was as black as the darkness of the night? He heard again the voice speak.
- I-I'm over you. Look up.
Jacob looked up. In the tree that was next to him was a upside down bat, a giant bat. Jacob stepped back a few steps scared.
- Who are you and w-what do you want?!
- Calm down. I'm not a enemy. I was quietly in this tree until you appeared and created that bright thing.
The young man felt somewhat more relaxed, the creature's voice didn't seem to be lying. He sat where he was and he looked at the bat.
- I haven't seen you around here before. What brings you to the dead forest?
- I'm looking for an exit from this place.
- And why don't you go back where you came from? Are you lost?
- I do not mean to leave the dead forest. I'm looking for an exit from this world.
- Are there other worlds? *interested*
- Yes. Well... at least I'm from other world. I wake up not far from here. Now I'm searching for ruins that could have something that can help me come back.
The bat smirked, it seemed that he was waiting for an opportunity like this.
- Mmm... I know a place like that.
- Really? Can you tell me where?
- Yes, but... The thing is that I' am a little... hungry. If you can feed me a little, I could tell you where is that place. Win-Win.
- Sure, I have some food in my bag. *Searching*
- I was talking about other thing.
- Other thing...?
- I drink blood... I'm a bat. If you can tell...
- Oh... Well... I don't know if I can give you that.
- Don't worry. I'm going to take just a little bit. No dangerous at all.
Jacob did not know what to do. Risk that a creature unknown to him will suck your blood in exchange for information that could be false? But again, the bat didn't seem to be a liar. Can he trust him?
- Mmm... Fine. It seems like a fair deal.
- Nice! I'm going down.
The creature descended with a strong sound, walking on two legs perfectly and covered himself with his hands-wings as if it were a blanket. It was slightly taller than Jacob. From his mouth came two fangs that caused some fear because of their size.
- Can I know your name before?
- A-Are you interested? It's Trax.
- I'm Jacob.
- Why are you interested? I don't get it...
- Uh? Isn't that normal?
- Well... It's just that... *sigh* It doesn't matter. I was thinking about biting your shoulder. Do you have a problem with that?
- N-No... Go ahead. Just... Do it carefully. *revealing a shoulder*
Trax, surprised with Jacob, began to touch the young man's skin.
- It's so soft... *touching* It's... amazing.
- C-Can we end this please? I'm starting to feel a little uncomfortable.
- Yes. Of course. Sorry for... you know.
- It's okey.
Carefully the bat buried its fangs in Jacob's shoulder. Blood started to come out of his body, and Trax was ready to drink it.
*gulp* *gulp* *gulp*
The pain was somewhat uncomfortable, but nothing that couldn't stand. Then the bat stopped.
- Well... I hope you enjoyed that. Now... Where is the place?
The bat didn't answer, he was staggering a little. Was he feeling bad?
- Trax? Are you alright?
- Y-Yes. The place... To reach it you have to...
Trax gave him the directions to go to the place that the young man was looking for, the most important thing was the end. I would find a lot of bushes, and below them there should be a stone staircase.
- I-I have to go... S-Sorry... Good luck. *Leaving*
After that he left quickly. Flying of course.
- Maybe my blood be poisonous to him? I hope he don't feel sick because of me.
Jacob went to sleep. Finally he had a place to look, if what Trax said was true. He din't think about it anymore and fell asleep next to the fire.
The next day Jacob got up early and with joy. He had some real hope of finding a way out of here. The young man followed all the instructions his new friend had given to him. Many hours passed until he found the bushes. If what Trax said was true under these plants there should be a ladder. Jacob took his sword and began to make his way.
And indeed, what Trax said was true, there was a very long stairway leading to who knows where. After a long walk Jacob found it.
There were the ruins he was looking for.