Forest of Gold

Life in the Demon realm was very similar to the way things were in the human world. There were Trees, Roads, alleyways, and regular houses. One of the only visible differences was their means of transportation while the human world used Cars, Motorcycles, Trains, and Aircraft to get by the Demon realm had different means for different individuals.

The witches couldn't open Portals but they could use Teleportation Magic which didn't have a very wide range and they also had their brooms while the Sorcerers were able to open Portals at will coupled with other conventional means of transportation.

The Demon realm also had Enchanted creatures that could do a variety of things but as fun, as magic is there are forbidden types of magic spells that if cast by a Sorcerer or witch they would face immediate expulsion into the dark dimension where their souls are tormented for eternity.

"Steady your hands Peter you don't want to go blasting your comrades now would you?" Melissa said. It was a difficult time for the young students especially Peter as he had no knowledge of magic. They practiced every day on the fields and read the books of spells Melissa had in preparation for the times ahead.

"It's been a month since we got here Alice and I've practiced every day since do you think I'm ready?" Peter asked as he played with a ball of light he conjured.

"You can never be fully prepared Peter the world is dark and not just here but everywhere," she said. "You might practice all year but you should also understand there are people who've been practicing for the past decade waiting for you to surface, let's hope we don't have to encounter people far more powerful than us," Alice said.

"Your mom, where is she?" Peter asked.

"The last time I contacted her was the night you came, she's still at the Castle I just hope the Demon council doesn't find out we're together If not she'd be in big trouble" Alice responded as her face dimmed in sadness.

"We have to get her out if that's the case. Because the dark ones we encountered the other night answer to a faction of the Demon council" Melissa interrupted "and I'm not sure the spell killed them that night".

"And you didn't tell me!" Alice said in anger.

"I'm sorry Alice it just didn't occur to me at the time" Melissa apologized.

"I'm leaving I have to get her out," Alice said as she darted towards the door.

"I'm coming with you," Peter said.

"it's too risky Peter the whole Demon realm is on high alert in search of you can't just follow me anywhere," Alice said.

"And you? what are you going to do, walk through the front door?" Melissa asked rhetorically. "If we're going to infiltrate the castle we need a plan, first let's confirm her exact location".

"And how do you suppose we do that," Peter asked.

"Alice your mother and I formed a pact that we would always come to each other's aid if any of us were to be in trouble," she said. "The Pact allows me to see into her mind, I can use that to find out where exactly she is" Melissa explained.

Melissa drew a circle on the ground and lit four candles around it indicating the cardinal points and sat inside the circle. She began to chant incantations as she levitated a little above the ground. After a couple of minutes, she came down slowly to the ground and said

"I've found her. It seems she hasn't been caught so we have to move quickly we can't go through the gates we'll be dead in seconds, and we can't open a Portal to get inside the castle because of the shield over it that leaves us with only one option".

"And what would that be?" Peter asked in suspense.

"The Forest of Gold" answered Melissa and Alice in unison.

"The Forest of Gold is an Enchanted forest that turns people without a pure heart into gold" Melissa explained. "I hope you guys haven't been doing anything dodgy lately because we leave at sundown," Melissa said.

They got to the entrance of the forest and stood as they looked on in awe the grasses the trees, leaves, and Vines were all made of gold. After a while, they made their way further into the forest and with curiosity's itch, Peter tried reaching for a leaf.

"Don't touch anything Peter and fasten your pace it's almost dark" Melissa warned as she urged him to move faster. They came to a halt as they heard rustling in the distance the rustle was becoming louder as it got closer.

"Whatever comes out From that darkness do not hurt it, just try your best to dodge or block it'll eventually disappear it was sent by the forest to corrupt our souls by killing it," Melissa said when she evasively parried the attack from a large Snake.

Alice was able to escape the attack directed at her but Peter wasn't so lucky, the Snake launched another attack aiming for Peter's head but he blocked with his hand and fell to the ground.

The snake wrapped itself around Peter as Melissa and Alice tried desperately to get its attention. Peter struggled to get out of its grip but it was futile the grasp of the Snake became tighter as Peter struggled to break free it was at that time Alice drew her knife from its sheath and struck the Snake's left eye it immediately released its grip on Peter and slithered away quickly into the darkness.

"What have you done foolish girl you've killed us all" Melissa cried out.

"Wouldn't my heart be impure if I let my friend die knowing I could save him?" Alice asked. Peter got up with his face all red and blood running from his nose he sat back down to catch his breath as they awaited their Golden fate a couple of minutes passed and nothing had happened so they heaved a sigh of relief and continued on their way.

"I was a little skeptical about you until just now it seems you aren't a bad person," Peter asked.

"Well, I only fight when I need to protect myself and others other than that I'm just a normal old lady," Melissa responded.

After walking throughout the night and into the morning they finally got to the exit of the Forest which was just directly behind the castle unguarded because even the wind coming from the forest turns impure hearts within 10 Feet to gold. The Castle was transported to that location during the time of the first civil war when the Castle was under attack by different factions of the Demon council it was a good means to prevent Invaders and it hasn't moved since then.

They thoroughly scouted the grounds behind the castle with a Geolocation spell and after confirmation that the area was cleared they launched a strike to create a little opening capable of fitting a person on the shield wall and so they made their way into the castle grounds.

Immediately they got in Melissa cast a cloaking spell which made them invisible to the rest of the castle they walked along the castle walls for extra caution to avoid dangerous traps. They kept on walking until they saw an entrance to the castle and darted towards it. They continued walking cautiously inside until Peter shouted in pain as a sudden surge of energy flowed through his body.

"Mel, what's happening to him why is he in so much pain?" Alice asked as she bent down to comfort him.

"It's the Castle, it recognizes the power within him so it has sent a signal but his body isn't strong enough to take it. Melissa Said. "If the boy keeps shouting like this we'll be in big trouble grab him let's leave we can be able to open a Portal from here".

"I'm not leaving without my mom I've come this far I can't turn back now" Alice retorted.

"Refectio"! Melissa said pointing her hand towards Peter. it was a spell to make an injured victim heal but Peter's state remained unchanged. Alice and Melissa were stuck in their state of worry as things started changing for the worst they heard marching footsteps coming in the distance and they braced their selves for the incoming assault.

"Immortui Milites!" Melissa screamed forming a sign with her hands as a group of undead soldiers appeared and engaged their counterparts in battle. After a time the Castle soldiers pulled back from the fight and stood still as the spell for the undead soldiers wore off. The Castle corridors returned to their original quiet state but was soon disturbed again by the gentle footsteps of someone approaching.

"Welcome, Peter I've been expecting you".