Noticing that the mob was falling further and further behind them, Natsu broke from his dead sprint and came to a stop. Catching up to him, the others began to lecture the youngest about making rash decisions too quickly. All of which was completely wasted on Natsu's uninterested ears.
"Hey, come to think of it. Where exactly are we?" Gray observed after having argued with Natsu for awhile. Taking in the dense cover of foliage around them he came to a realization, "Crap. We're lost aren't we."
"That seems to be the case, Gray. Perhaps now would be a good time to sit and take inventory of our rations." Jellal attempted to take the logical route to the situation.
The boys came together as a group and went through each of their packs individually. Of the four, only Gray and Jellal came through with food while Gajeel had some water. As expected, Natsu only had shiny trinkets and matches in his sack, though fire could feed him it did little to nourish his body.
"We have enough for at least 2 days of travel if we ration it among ourselves… and hide it from Natsu," Jellal observed, "Natsu you have free reign over the matches so that should keep you satisfied at least. Now, we need to start moving. Which direction would those in the group who have keener senses suggest?"
"Well.. I already used my magic today which means if I use it again I won't be able to control the panic attack that comes afterwards," Gray pondered before turning to Natsu and Gajeel, "Do either of your scaly butts have any idea?"
"Nah, I can only smell the moisture and the trees. Even the air seems to be sending me mixed signals." sighed Gajeel.
"There must be magic present. Nothing confuses your acute sense of smell, perhaps it is a way the forest keeps everyone trapped here," Jellal turned to Natsu with a peculiar look, "Even you seem to be having trouble, Natsu, the best idea would have to be starting off in a single direction."
"Sounds good to me!" Natsu grinned, throwing his hands behind his head in a carefree way.
So the little group of peculiar individuals went on their way towards the great unknown of the shadowed forest.
The first night out there in the wild is always the hardest, after a long day of walking and seeing nothing but continuous amounts of frighteningly tall trees and dead grass littered with fallen leaves for more than the desired amount of time nothing sounds better than curling up in a warm, cozy bed next to a fire. But the only thing that awaited was a night in the quiet woods, sleeping on the cold hard ground with nothing but the clothes on their backs for comfort. That's what was in store for the group, of course there was always Natsu, the human heater, and Gray, who never gets cold, but even they were still subject to the lack of comfort the forest emanated. The next morning brought the second day of their journey to a start. Already starving again, the family packed up their belongings and continued on. Their food and water supplies was already beginning to diminish. About a day's worth of food remained and about two days worth of water if rationed precariously.
"Why is it we haven't stumbled upon another source of water? This IS a forest after all." Gajeel wondered aloud.
"You're right Gajeel.. It's quite strange." agreed Jellal.
"Whatever man, I'm starving to death over here." moaned Natsu dramatically, earning him a smack on the head from Gajeel.
"We're all starving loser," Gray grumbled out, "But until we can find food and water that's just how it has to be."
The group continued further not realizing that the more they walked, the deeper they were going into the forest. A few more hours passed and everyone was getting very tired.
Suddenly it seemed like the air was getting heavy around them as they walked into a dense fog that quickly surrounded them. Within minutes they were all yawning, stumbling forward together.
"Guys.. I can't… feel… my face.." grumbled Gray.
"Stick together everyone… we don't know… what's… out…." Jellal tried to make the words come out of his mouth but it was like his jaw became slack and useless.
"I can't see anything… where…." Gajeel squinted through the fog.
They had become quite lost, and already they were being separated from each other in the mysterious fog. Despite his feeble attempts to continue on, Jellal was the first to fall unconscious to the ground. Then Gray, passing out on the forest floor. Before they knew it Gajeel and Natsu were the only two left standing.
"Oi Metalface, I think we've lost the others." Natsu blinked tiredly, thinking he was talking to Gajeel right behind him. However, when he turned to look back Gajeel was nowhere to be found.
"Crap… what am… I going… to do?" Natsu slurred out, falling to his knees in exhaustion. Before he passed out he could've sworn he saw several dark figures walking towards him.
In beautiful silence.
A little bit of a shorter chapter here!
Any reviews on what I have up so far are greatly appreciated, the next update for The Forbidden Forest will be next week!
Thank you!
celestial tea