The ongoing battle with the forest grew harder. Sweat poured down every inch of Tristan’s body. Salty droplets filled his eyes, blinding him. His muscles burned as if hot coals sat inside his flesh. Aching, his heart pounded, filling his ears with its rushing rhyme. Above it all, he heard the cries and roars of Prospero’s battle with the heart of the forest. Tristan never ceased his flight. All the while, a voice beckoned. Tristan. Come back. Rest in my embrace.

  He knew what foul entity spoke those horrid words. “Leave me alone,” he shouted. As if in answer, nearby weeds pulsed, sprouting higher into the air. They stretched out, a green hand reaching for Tristan. Having no weapon in his possession, he used the only tool whatever god made man provided him from birth. Lashing out with both hands, he caught the weeds and yanked them in opposing directions. The tension snapped and the weeds ripped apart. For a moment, the surrounding foliage calmed. His sudden ferocity made the forest’s monster think twice before launching its next attack...or so Tristan thought.

  Be ready, Prospero’s voice warned. The lad looked around, expecting to find the god beside him. To his surprise, he was still alone. He’s coming for you.

  “What?” he exclaimed. That was all he had time to say before their foe appeared. Since entering the forest, Tristan had no idea what to expect. Each new day was stranger than the last. What he saw now was worse than all the rest combined.

  A low moan burst from deep inside the earth. It came from beneath Tristan’s feet. Instinctively, he backpedaled, pushing back the way he came, but it wasn’t enough. The ground before him dropped, as if a chasm was born out of nothingness. This chasm swallowed the grass, weeds, rare flowers, and even the trees. They all dived into the hole while Tristan fought against the current that tried to drag him into the depths.

  Another moan and a sight from Tristan’s nightmares was born. A face made of the forest’s elements stared from the green abyss. Thick vines and weeds crisscrossed to create the vaguest form of a face. Hollow gaps made the eyes. Tristan couldn’t look at them. It was as if they gazed into the recesses of his heart and found him lacking. Chunks of the trees formed jagged teeth. They gnashed for the nourishment of man’s flesh. The sight of them made Tristan’s gut quiver. All the while, his feet kept retreating. One slow wrong step and he’d find himself within the creature’s maw.

  Join me, the monster urged. Become one with the forest.

  “Not a chance,” he shouted, desperation pounding inside his heart. “Prospero. I could use a little help.”

  Be there as soon as I can. He tied me up before pursuing you. The god sounded flustered. That didn’t inspire any confidence. He’s a tricky beast, but he won’t do it twice. I’ll be free soon. Hold out until I get there.

  If only I had a weapon, he thought. His eyes darted around for anything. There was no point in grabbing at the nearest tree. All around him, the trees bowed away from the consuming chasm. It was only a matter of time that they fell and became a part of whatever beast plagued him. He hoped that his eyes could spot some magical item capable of slaying the monster. To his chagrin, he found nothing. The only tool at his disposal were the rocks.

  As the forest was destroyed, some rocks broke in the chaos. Small stones, perfect for throwing. Wasting no time, he gathered up as many as he could and hurled them at the ghastly face. Stone after stone struck the green face. Some slipped into the large mouth. Others dropped into the empty eyes. He wasn’t sure if he did any significant damage, but he didn’t stop. As long as he was free, he refused to stop fighting in whatever way he could.

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  Too bad his enemy wanted this battle over and done with. Uttering a deafening roar, the earth erupted. Everything around Tristan rose as water when a large stone drops from high above. Weeds, trees, bushes. Everything lifted from the ground as if their roots were plucked by an invisible hand. Tristan was discombobulated. One moment his feet scurried back to avoid the dangerous living pit. The next he found himself careening in midair. His rock weapons floated harmlessly next to him. Crying out in panic, he glimpsed his destination. The open maw awaited him.

  Join me, the voice crooned. Lay your burdens to rest.

  He ignored his enemy’s calling. Nothing could distract him from the task at hand. There had to be some way out of this. His mind strained, hoping to cling to any idea that might buy him a little more time. As his body slipped into the awaiting mouth, he found his way of escape. Throwing out both arms, he wrapped his body around the nearest tooth-like tree trunk. His fall came to a sharp stop.

  A high-pitched roar exploded from the beast’s throat. The entire face shook. Accenting its furious cry, the teeth gnashed, snapping about in an attempt to throw Tristan away from his tether to safety. With each movement of the trunk, the bark racked against Tristan’s skin. Droplets of blood accompanied the pain. “No,” he grunted. “You won’t beat me that easily.” Pain and blood meant nothing when his life was on the line.

  Realizing that this strategy wasn’t bearing any fruit, the monster inhaled deep. Obeying its will, earth dove into the ravenous maw. If it couldn’t swallow him, it would bury him. Dirt and stones pummeled him. Rocks struck his arms while the dirt attempted to choke him. Tristan’s time was running out. His muscles burned from the strain. The pain was becoming too much for him. It was not if the monster would devour him, but when. Out of options, he did the only thing he could.

  “Prospero,” Tristan shouted through the din. “Help me.”

  Answering his prayer, a spear drove into the monster’s mouth. All the chaos ceased. Frozen in a moment in time. Its choked groan bellowed. The voice cried out one last time, then everything fell apart. Earth caved in. Trees fell. It all dropped with Tristan in the center of it all. His strength spent and relief setting in, Tristan lost consciousness. The last thing he heard was, “Sorry it took so long.”

  He didn’t dream. He was thankful. A mindless sleep was just what he wanted.

  When his eyes opened, he found Prospero floating next to him. The god’s weapons were nowhere to be found. His eyebrows creased with contemplation. As Tristan stirred, all he said was, “You’re awake.”

  “I know,” Tristan groaned, struggling to sit up. His body ached from the nightmare he endured. To his surprise, he found no wounds on his arms. “What?” he exclaimed, looking at the god. “How did you heal me?”

  The question brought a faint smile to the god’s otherwise stern expression. “Ariel is my domain and all the mortals that call it home. I am far more than its protector. Healing the people falls under my duties as well. What kind of patron god would I be if I couldn’t help those that serve me?”

  Before Tristan could consider the words further, he realized that something was drastically different about the forest. There were no signs of overgrown grass, no weeds clogging the path, not even vines waiting to trip him up. It was a clear path ahead. “When did that happen?” Out in the distance, he was certain he heard birds singing.

  “Moments after that monster died,” Prospero answered. “However it took over, the forest mimicked its twisted nature. Now that it’s gone, the forest can return to its natural state.” Prospero said nothing for a moment. “Take whatever rest you can. Don’t bother with climbing a tree. Nothing will harm you now.” Taking the advice, Tristan fell back asleep. Somehow, he survived the worst the forest had to offer, but in his gut, he worried what challenge they would face next.