There are stories, whispered around bonfires, when the moon is dark and absent. Grand tales of a legendary race, performing feats nigh possible. Creatures who flew, so high, they breached the heavens. Creatures who built structures, so impossibly tall, they scraped the sky.

These were the creatures who captured the power of the very Sun. Plucking it from the galaxies and making it their own.

They were creatures of amazing capabilities man could only dream of. They were creatures of unfettered intelligence, bringing Nature to its knees. They were creatures of extraordinary strength and power.

They were Gods.

They were gone.

One day, Alexander had a bright idea. And Augustus used that term loosely.

"Hey! Hey! You know what we should do?" He had asked almost to innocently.

Augustus rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I am almost afraid to ask."

"We should go explore the Dark Forrest! Wouldn't that be so awesome?!"

The blond could only blink in Alexander's general direction. "Does the term 'common sense' mean anything to you?"

"I'm serious!" The brunette whined.

"There's a first."

"Please, Auggie!"

Augustus grimaced. "A-A-Auggie...?"

"Haven't you ever been curious? I mean, why is it called the 'Dark Forrest'?"

"For the same reason it is forbidden. Bad things happened there."

"But how can they be sure?"

Augustus heaved a heavy sigh. "Sometimes I wonder if you realize what you're saying... The Dark Forrest is forbidden because everyone who goes in there never comes back out."

"So how do people know bad things happened there?"

Augustus blinked once more, raising one elegant brow. "What do you mean exactly?"

"If people never come back out, how do those lazy, old fogies know bad things happened?"

"Don't call the Elders, 'lazy, old fogies'."

Alexander pouted. "Well, they are."

Augustus merely shrugged.

"So, you agree with me then."

"About what?"

"That we should go to the Dark Forrest. I mean just listen to the name! It practically begging to be explored!"

Alexander was off now. A full-blown grin decorating his expression as he ran around in circles. Chasing imaginary beasts as he slashed away with his imaginary sword.

"For all we know those people never came back because the Forrest was so much better than this dump! It would be so much like the 'Elders' to keep us from the good stuff! Monopolizing bastards."

Augustus chose not to respond.

Alexander frowned, tugging impatiently at the blond locks. "Auggiiiiieee!"

Agustus punched Alexander hard on the cheek, the apathetic expression never leaving his face. "Do not call me 'Auggie'."

Alexander rubbed his abused cheek. "Come on, please! At the very least, aren't you interested?"

"You're an idiot."

"I'll take that as a yes."

The journey did not take much planning. It wasn't as if they had a house to leave or a family to bid farewell. It was just them and the clothes they wore on their backs. All they had to do was pack a few provisions and they were off. Augustus, of course, brought his hand-made knife. Between the two of them, the knife was their only weapon.

It started well. In the world that they lived in, vagabonds were of not uncommon. Whole families could be found roaming the countryside in search of some decent game, and if needed, shelter. Everyone was scattered about and hardly anyone really stayed in one place for too long. What difference did two preteen boys make?

They traveled virtually unhindered and virtually unnoticed... Until they arrived at the mouth of their destination.

The mouth of the Dark Forrest no one dared approach. It was a sad, desolate place.

People kept away from the Forrest. Not only for its infamous reputation but for the presence it held. The Dark Forrest lived up to its name. It carried a stifling air of despair and sorrow, a shroud of solemn mystery that kept the common people at bay. Bad things happened here.

Augustus shivered.

"Well, then! Let's go in!" Alexander chirped, not phased in the least.

"No, let's not! We should turn around right now and go back home!" Augustus barked.

"Why? You scared?"

"No! I'm sane. There's a difference."

And then Alexander's grin sobered. A heavy mein settling on his shoulders as he locked eyes with his dear friend.

Something ancient... something old... in those pools of amber...

Augustus involuntarily stepped back.

"If you turn back now, Augustus. You will regret it for the rest of your life." Alexander softly stated.

"At least I will have a life. It's practically suicide to go in there!" Augustus argued.

"But... Can't you feel it?"

It was a plea. It was Alexander, back as he always was. Hungering for something more, craving action and adventure. Augustus wondered if had imagined the whole thing. Alexander? Serious? He must've been delusional.

"There's... something here... Something happened... Can't you feel it, Auggie? It's calling to us."

Augustus was a rational person. He liked good, solid facts. He always analyzed his surroundings, calculating every move in a fight. He was the opposite of Alexander who wore his heart on his sleeve. Alexander who expressed his emotions so freely, so in tune with his own heart.

But even he could feel it. A gentle pull, a whisper of a faded name that resonated in his very core. There was something here... And it held him in its inescapable grasp.

"Don't call me 'Auggie'." He finally answered.

"Alright!" Alexander cheered.

"Just so you know, I'm only doing this so you don't unleash some frightful monster, or something equally catastrophic."

"Whatever you say! Now come on, Gus-Gus! Let's get moving!"

...

"Gug-Gus?!"

Alexander grinned. His peals of laughter echoing in the empty silence, as he let Augustus chase him into the Forrest. Crossing the invisble boundary and plunging deep into the forbidden. Beyond the line men dared not cross, where light dared not tread upon.

Unraveling a secret not meant for humans...

Unbeknownst to the boys, two eyes peered from the darkness. Twin, crimson beacons in the endless, black abyss. Waiting. Watching.

But whoever said...

They were human?