Disclaimer: I own the characters, the… Wait, didn't I tell you this last chapter? Oh, yeah, now I remember! Also, please note that I own the entire plot/story line. Sorry, Issa, please don't kill me! From now on, the disclaimer will be SOS.
A beautiful white horse with a flowing white mane and tail was running out of the mist. Its thudding hooves brought pleasure and relief to Maka. The steady beat seemed to talk to her, comforting and reassuring her. All of a sudden, the horse began to change. It became black. It sprouted wings as its eyes moved forward on its head, like those of a predator. Screeching, the morphed hurrok took off in a spiral pattern. Above the ear-shattering shrieks, Maka could hear distinct laughter. The Slayer.
Maka awoke with a start. Breathing heavily, she took a swig from the waterskin at her feet. At first, she was disoriented. What time was it? Where was she? And, above all, why was she not safe at home in her bed? Then, she started remembering. After she had left the village, she had taken the road north out of the village, just like everyone had told her to. She had stopped in the early afternoon to rest. She supposed that she had gone to sleep, because here she was, sitting under a big old tree with here staff beside her. It was now late morning of the next day. Finally fully awake, she realized she was hungry. The only problem was that she had packed no food. Looking to her right, she realized where she was.
She was under no ordinary oak tree. And the forest next to it was no ordinary forest. It was none other than the Mienta Forest (***pronounced mee-EHN-tah***). The Mienta Forest was infamous for its host of both magical and mythical creatures. However, she also knew that there were delicious berries and other fruits in the forest. Her hunger getting the better of her sensible self, she trotted off into the forest.
Maka randomly chose a path and began to walk into the forest. For a little bit, he path was straight. Soon enough, though, it started winding, twisting, and forking. At such times, Maka would close her eyes and point to a fork, then headed down it. Each fork led her deeper into the forest. Nothing was really out of place here, except for strange hoof marks in the damp soil. Horses shouldn't be here, though Maka. Shivering from a chilly breeze that had swept through, she went on. At lest the Slayer hasn't been here, she thought. And then, it ended. Just as quickly as she had awoken after that strange dream, her path had ended. A huge wall made of piled boulders blocked her way.
As Maka surveyed the wall, a strange, overwhelming rush of energy flooded her entire body. She had a sudden urge to climb the wall, and climb it now. Without stopping to think, she started up. Several times, she fell down. The boulders were mossy and wet, and the small fungi didn't make it any better. The mud that she greeted each time she fell did not dampen her spirits. Eventually, after quite a few tries, she made it to the top.
During her climb, Maka had not noticed that the area above her was steadily growing lighter and lighter. Now, though, it was pretty hard to miss. She was very near the canopy of the forest and sunlight was streaming through. It illuminated a short path on the other side of the wall.
The boulders here seemed to be cut so that they made a steep ramp down to the forest floor. Growling about wall-ramp, and how it should have been a two-way incline, Maka headed down into the forest again. Her path was straight and short. It lasted for about five minutes before ending. This time, though, there was no obstacle. Her path put her into a very beautiful and natural clearing. In this clearing, there was a cool, clean, small lake. Nothing floated on top. Not even a lily pad could be found on the surface. The only things there were ripples from the occasional wind.
Maka wandered over to the edge of the lake. Flopping down beside the edge, she peered into the water. She half-expected to see fish, not the creatures that she saw.