Forsaken

“Don’t do it, Kenz! Don’t go into those woods! You won’t come back!“ Those were the last words I had heard from my brother. His voice was shaky and consumed with fear. But as usual, I rebelled. “Why should I listen to you?” The more they warned me to stay away, the more the urge and curiosity swelled up inside me. It didn’t matter what anyone said anymore. I was determined to venture off into the woods. Surely, they were all just paranoid cowards. I kept forcing myself to believe that everything was a lie, that they were just trying to prove me wrong for once. But boy, was I wrong. When I left that eve, I was oblivious to the obstacles I’d soon surpass. But in my mind, it was settled. The eve of December 13, 1334 was the day I would escape from this wretched town filled with bogus rules. Rules I didn’t want to abide by. I’d only longed for one thing my entire life. Freedom. My greatest goal was to escape from this tyrannical kingdom. Our king was nothing but a tyrant, and “his people” succumbed to every word that slipped from his mouth. In their eyes, he was their savior, the only reason we hadn’t perished. But in my eyes, he was nothing but a self-centered and arrogant jerk that was fortunate enough to achieve the throne. And to make matters worse, he was the man I was betrothed to. Every maiden in this kingdom drools over him. They’re all completely smitten! They all envy me, yet I wouldn’t care if he was ripped to shreds by a pack of wolves. If only it were that simple to remove him. My life would surely improve slightly. We were to be married on Christmas Day, yet I simply wasn’t having it. I made up my mind, I was no longer going to follow that king’s rules. I was leaving. And just like that, I claimed a horse from the stable. I hopped onto the black appaloosa and set off towards the steel gate. The stallion quickly trotted out of the kingdom. It was as though he was just as eager to escape. He was just as determined as I. As though he could read my mind. And as we passed through the last gate, I shot a quick glance at the town I once called home. More specifically, my prison. I didn’t hold back, and I urged the stallion to continue north. The light reflecting from the moon shone through the clearing, and lit the way into those woods. The woods that they had all urged me to beware of. The forest that all the women in the shrieked at, simply hearing the sound of its name. I refused to heed their warning. I went into that forest, I knew the king would never send his knights in either. He wouldn’t send them into a suicide mission. But I was wrong. As the stallion and I reached the border line into the Dark Forest, I heard men shouting not far behind in the distance. It got closer and closer, and that’s when I realized that he wasn’t as unclever as I had assumed. He sent them after me. I gripped the reins tightly and the stallion accelerated to a sprint. I guided him straight ahead as the sound of the knights drew closer. I shot a glance behind me, and saw them a few tail lengths away. The sound of crunching snow and breaking twigs following them. The commander was shouting. “Get that maiden! Don’t let her get away!“ And as I turned my head forward, I saw that we neared a cliff. The only way to escape was to make that jump, and my horse surely would back down, resulting in us both being seized. But me on the other hand, was solely confident that we would make it. The horse tried to slow down, but I gripped the reins tighter and as we neared the edge, the stallion leaped into the air and we landed on the other side. I sighed a breath of relief, as I watched the knights pull their horses to a halt. “You’re making a big mistake maiden! You’ll die in there!“ One of them yelled. Yet, I disregarded his words and the horse trotted ahead. We had been traveling for hours. It was now sunset. I heard my stomach growl, and stopped the horse. I was starved, and I was certain the stallion was too. I searched for berries, and found a bush full. I grasped a few and headed back toward the horse, when I was stopped. The sound of growling surrounded me. I spun around, glancing at every direction, as flashes of gray popped up around me. I reached into my pack and drew my hunter‘s knife, the one my father had given before he had died. “Come out and face me like a real wolves, cowards!” I angrily yelled. But my anger faded into skepticism when I heard one of them come forward and speak. “You dare call us cowards, yet you trespass on the land of Oranos.” The large wolf snarled. “I know for certain you have no authority over me, pests.“ I stood back in awe, my knife still pointed forward. “You unfortunate girl. Testing my patience, now are we? Come on, we both know you won’t kill me. You don’t have it in you, princess.“ He snarled again. The big gray wolf circled me, and the three other wolves with him as well. Their teeth were bared, and they all held a low growl. “This will be the last day you see. Seize her.” As he had ordered, the wolves jumped onto me and my knife flew across the forest. Everything dimmed into a dark gray cloud. All I could see, was a blurry land filled with nothing. It was completely dark and empty. I found myself stranded there screaming for help, but nobody could hear me, and nobody came to my aid. I was on my own, again. All I could think about was what had happened prior to the darkness I was now engulfed in. Talking wolves? What’s next? Slaying a dragon? Or have I died? Oh it’s not use. Why did I bother leaving my home. I should’ve endured the suffering. I really was never leaving these woods. I should’ve listened. I- My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of large gates clashing. Everything began to come back to me. The darkness faded slowly, and I could see my location. It was hot. Scorching fire and lava surrounded the room. I was being carried by wolves toward a large throne made of obsidian. A boy was seated quietly. He was about 23. He had black curly hair that fell over his eyes, which were as red as the fire around me, and he wore a crown of blood. The wolves halted and dropped me in front of him. I looked up at him as he stood and started toward me. “Who are you and what do you want from me?” I glared at him. The boy grunted. “Do you dare treat the Blood King with such disrespect?” One of the wolves snarled. “Silence, Cronus.” He ordered. He knelt down to my level and lifted my chin to face him. I turned my head to the side and shot him a glare. “Such a feisty one.” He grinned. “Oh please, you know nothing about me or what I’ve been through. I was passing through, when your wolves stopped me. Let me go and I’ll be on my way.” I urged. “I can’t do that, sweetheart.” He stared me dead in the eyes. His eyes grew more red as he spoke. ”Oh and why can’t you?” I asked, getting impatient. “I don’t get many people around here anymore. I’m fortunate enough to have caught you lingering around. So tell me, why are you here? Why didn’t you listen to the warnings of your village?“ The boy muttered softly. “I was betrothed to the King. I hate him and don’t want anything to do with him. There, you happy now?” I was so angered now. I just wanted to get on my way and leave, but he wouldn’t let me. There was a moment of silence before he burst into laughter. “So- You’re trying time tell me-“ He said through laughter, “That you left your home because you didn’t want to wed the king? That’s nonsense! Every girl wants to marry him, and you’re telling me that you don’t?” The king continued laughing. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.” I retorted, and my face held an unphased expression. “I can’t believe this.“ He grinned. “Can you guys believe this? Sweetheart ran from the king!” I rolled my eyes in annoyance. “Oh it’s okay, we were just joking.” He smiled. “My name isn’t sweetheart. It’s Kenzie.“ The Blood King listened softly before replying, “Nah, I prefer to call you sweetheart.” He whispered. “And anyways, my name is Logan.” I blushed at him after that. As much as I hated to admit it, I think I liked him. No wonder why they said the woods were dangerous. I just met with a dangerous king that could behead me at any moment. “Okay..” I smiled back. With a look of surprise, Logan stared at me in disbelief. “Would you look at that, a real smile!“ The boy chuckled. “Oh shut up.” I retorted while rolling my eyes once more. “You’re gonna lose your eyes back there, m’lady.” He held out his hand for me, and he took my hand in his. “Oh whatever.” I said whils standing up. It was love. Or maybe a crush. I couldn’t tell, but the feeling was mutual. The Blood King had grown very fond of me, and I of him. He led me into a room with a chandelier made of fire. The floor was lava, except for a stone circle in the middle. He had led me across, and he got down on his knee, pulling out a black ring. He had asked me to marry him. I was hesitant at first, but I said yes. “Good.“ He whispered under his breath. I thought nothing of it though. But then just as I turned to walk away, I felt my knees weaken and fell to the ground. Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe anymore. No air went into my lungs. I gasped for the air, I longed for it. But I knew this was it. He didn’t love me. He wanted to brainwash me so he could take my soul. Maybe the reason they warned me not to go into the woods, is because I’d fall in love. Or maybe its because you would end up dead no matter what. But I didn’t know what that choice would do, I thought he really did love me. Turns out he didn’t. He just used me to grow his empire. And I realized that I would‘ve been better off with that tyrant.