Verdana Forest
Me and ohsaka had taken the metro as for as we could before we reached the Verdana forest outside of the city. It was around night time by the time we got there and was now cold as night.
I had been in this forest before... As a kid. It use to be so lively and colorful, Now it's just a bunch of dead trees and yellow grass.
The forest that was once so alive now chills me. In this thirty degree heat I'm actually Shivering. The trees that sheltered so many with their spreading canopy of green and provided so much are now lifeless sticks of charcoal, no more vibrant than the old lamp-posts in the city. The unfettered light illuminates the scorched ground and still that smell of burning lingers despite the rain. If I were to close my eyes I would still see the mosaic above, feel the humid air and hear the sounds of the frogs.
Cael: This place is so creepy…
Ohsaka: *Pop* Tell me about it. It seems really strange to me that Von Aries would have his mansion in the middle of the forest, instead in the city itself.
Cael: Y-Yeah that's pretty strange. Especially for someone rich like him.
Ohsaka: Maybe he's one of those modest hipster rich guys who shows off their chihuahua in tuxes?
Cael: Heh. Maybe.
*Caw*
A crow called in the distance as we it deeper into the forest of verdana. The wind picked up And I swore i could hear voices within it.
I quaked in fear.
Cael: Did I mention this place is creepy?
Ohsaka: Yes.
Ohsaka replied back, annoyed.
Ohsaka: Gosh cael! your acting like such a little girl. What are you scared of?
Cael: I don't know… It feels like we're in a horror movie and there's about to be a jumpscare.
Ohsaka: What? That's ridiculous-
As if on cue. We heard a rattle in the bushes! A huge black figure came out and poised itself in front of us. It had four legs a black coat of fur and a mean scowl. It clearly was a large dog. It poised itself in front of Ohsaka, Gnawing it's teeth and barking at us relentlessy. My heart raced as all this happened and I froze. I had an extreme fear of dogs, Due to getting bit by one when I was little.
Dog: *Bark*
It barked more furiously.
Cael: O-O-Ohsaka, I T-Think we should J-Just turn back
Ohsaka: No. We came all this way. We're going to see this through.
Ohsaka narrowed her eyes and stared the dog down. Her bravery seemed to knows no bounds.
The dog barked at her. But ohsaka did not submit.
Ohsaka: Come at me,You mutt!
Cael: Please D-Dont anger it.
I pleaded.
Dog: *Growl*
It began to circle us dramatically, Watching our every move. Almost mimicking the predators of the jungle.
I thought we were done for until I heard a voice from out in the forest.
?: No Pietro! Bad boy!
The fierce dog suprisingly backed down. It sat on it's hind legs like it was waiting for someone.
*Brush*
We heard a brussling sound from the forest. A figure came out from another pathway
?: I'm so sorry. I hope he didn't scare you.
It was a girl. She was tall with pale skin, and hair that came down to her waist. Her eyes were blue and hair was a mix of black and purple. She was very much older than us being about 16 or 17 and having slight ire of affluent-ness to herself.
?: I swear everytime we go into the forest, he always gets rowdy like this.
She exclaimed. To be honest, I was just happy that we didn't get mauled by a dog.
Cael: *phew* Thanks for saving us.
Ohsaka: "Save" is a subjective term.
Cael: Don't be rude, Ohsaka.
I whispered.
?: No problem. I take it you two are guests at my father's mansion?
Cael: Y-Yes we were invited by-, Did you say your father?
I asked.
?: Ah yes. I probably should have introduced myself first. I'm Claudia Von Aries. The Heir to the von aries throne.
She bowed to us.
Cael: Throne?
Claudia: Just a metaphor I use. I like to think of myself as a sort of a "princess" of sorts.
Cael: Oh really?
Claudia: Yes. And if I would be so humbled, Father would be king.
She exclaimed.
Cael: Uh well. I'm Cael abel and this is Ohsaka matsushiba. We're two of the quarter finalists.
Claudia: Oh magnificent! more finalists have arrived!
She said excitedly.
Cael: More? Are we not the first ones here?
Claudia: No There's two more champions - Azuma and Leonaidis came before you two.
Cael: (God...Leonaidis)
I didn't expect to see him so soon again. It was surely going to be a shoe once I arrived at the mansion and had to speak to him again...
Ohsaka: If I can ask? Why exactly are you out here.
Claudia: My father sent my into this forest in order to make sure "champions" like you don't get lost.
Cael: Oh. Are we -
Claudia interjected me before I could say anything further.
Cael: Lost? Definitely. You went down the wrong path and over shot the mansion by about 20 meters.
Cael: Ohsaka? What the hell, I thought you said you knew where we were going?
Ohsaka: I lied.
She smugly said.
Claudia: ….. Well anyway. I'll show you the way to the mansion. Just follow me.
We did as she told us and followed the girl we had just met into the forest. She led us through all the complex and rough paths there were in order to get to her mansion.
After about 15 more minutes of traveling we managed to von aries mansion.
Claudia: Alright! Looks like were here
The Mansion Was Huge It Was At Least 25 Meters Tall And 40 Meters wide
It Had A White And Blue color scheme, And The sides of Front Had Windows On it. In Front Of the House Was A enormous fountain With The Duel Monster "Blue eyes- White Dragon" Statue in inside of the basin.
It was obvious that aries was a huge fan of the game of duel monsters.
Claudia: When you get inside, Just wait for my father.
Cael: Right.
Claudia: We'll after you . Have a good time.
Ohsaka: you're not coming in with us?
Claudia: No. There are more people coming along the way. I have to make sure they won't get lost.
She stated.
Claudia: Farewell-
Cael: Be careful.
I wished her.
Claudia: Don't worry I Know my way around these woods.
She winked back at me.
Claudia and dangerous dog left us staring at a mansion they contained the keys to prosper. It was almost like destiny had waived and left us waiting.
Author: Sorry that this part took so long. I got really sick and was bedridden for 5 days.