《Sekai: The Wonders and Wanders of the forest》


 Chapter 1: Lost at sea

    "Row, row, row your boat -- gently down the stream. Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, this is not a dream.


    The swishing through the waves, the ominous silence overwhelmed this realm, as a man hidden underneath his cloak uses his paddle to pierce through the waves, as he would sing a little song, with vibrato echoing out through his deep voice.


    ???: "Young Child, where is your home? Young Child, do you know?"


    As he began to sing, the little girl who rested on the deck of his ship would whimper, as she would slowly open her eyes, it seemed as if he was talking directly to her.


    ???: You must go back before they attack. Go while you still can or your suffering will never end.


    The girl was still very sleepy, as she couldn''t pull herself to open her eyes fully, or even stand up -- She couldn''t hear the man very well, his voice was muffled, she could only point out specific words.


    Girl(Mumbling): "Go back. . ? Never. . .?"


    ???: Young Child, awaken, my love! For you must listen to my words. Because once we land here you will be trapped -- like a caged bird.


    He sang louder for the last few words, as he chuckled a little under his breath -- he would release the grip on his paddle, as he turned and looked at the girl. The girl was still on the floor, struggling to awaken. He would simply shake his head


    ???: Ah, I see my song has awoken you, Hareta.


    Hareta would open her eyes once she heard her name, as she blinked and tried to make eye contact with the man.


    Hareta: What. . .who. . .how do you know my name?


    ???: I was informed of you, by you. Do you not remember? I am the one to take you to where you desire to go.


    Hareta was very confused, she couldn''t yet grasp what the man was saying. At last, she would stand, but once she did the boat had rammed into a rock, tilted upwards, and the waves of the water would rise up and back down in movement with the boat''s landing. The boat''s sudden uprising would cause Hareta to fall on her bottom, as she would just cross her legs, moving her attention to the water on adjacent sides of the boat


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ???: You know, touching that ocean can give you Immunity to most type of harm. It makes for a great armor! Haha.


    Hareta would gaze deeper into the river, as all she could see was an insane amount of trash and human remains, shivering at the sight of it all


    Hareta: I don''t know if I can trust you, sir. I don''t even know your name yet.


    Charon: The name''s Charon. Now that you know that, we can move on.


    He spoke with a dry tone, as if he was an embodiment of being apathetic.


    Charon: And now, we''ve arrived.


    Charon''s boat would hit the edge of the tile of land in front of it -- as only a large forest laid ahead. Charon chuckled, as Hareta would exit the boat and look back towards Charon


    Hareta: This. . .is where I need to be, right?


    Charon: That is a question you''ll have to answer yourself.


    Hareta would stare at Charon, then stare at the woods -- and then back at Charon.


    Charon: May your travels manifest your mind and soul to become abstruse, and may you understand to never accede to the foul beats that lurk beyond this path. Good luck, Hareta!


    And with that -- Charon sailed off, as a wave would rise and slam down on top of his boat, causing him to disappear -- and now, it is time for Hareta to make her decision. Will she travel through the woods, or will she go back in the ocean trying to salvage Charon. The choice is hers. All we can do now is wait.

 Chapter 2: House of a feeble old woman

    It had been clear that Hareta chose to travel into the depths of the woods -- seeing on how she carefully placed her foot down for every step. The unsettling sent of a blunt floated around in the area, Hareta couldn''t help but the just cover her nose.


    "Where am I going, exactly? In fact, now that I think about it, how did I even end up here? I don''t really think my brother could be somewhere in these woods, and it''s too late to turn back and ask Charon for a cruise on his boat...."


    Small drops of water began to decline, Hareta paid no attention to this, as she continued walking further and further down the road. The road was almost untouched, with vines sparling out on the sides of this brick road, and bushes and trees limped over as if they were looking down to watch this young girl, the sky seemed no existent, and the only source of light magically began to stem from the trees above. Rain began to be more relevant, as droplets of water came crashing down at a much more faster rate. Hareta would let out a fierce sneeze, wiping away what remained with her sleeve as she grunted -- things were not going her way. After looking around the perimeter for a bit, Hareta''s eyes happened to find a small spot for her to hide under. It''s a leaf, a leaf that towered over her as if she were some sort of Pikmin. Hareta would Sprint to this new area, crawling underneath the leaf and sitting there, with her knees up to her chin and her arms around her legs, as a sign escaped from the grasp of her lips.


    "Sheesh. if I stay out here any longer, I might get sick...maybe I can build a little home in the ground. . ."


    As Hareta would begin her digging expedition -- it was ultimately brought to an end by a soothing voice. The voice seemed to be someone singing, someone who was nearly breaking their falsetto voice, and into their high notes. The voice seemed very feminine, and drop into a lower pitch after the first seven words.


    "Tracey died soon....after a long hard fought. . . civil war. Just as I....wiped away his....last tears. I guess he''s at better than he was before. A whole lot better of.....than the fools he left behind. . ."


    Hareta was intrigued by this enchanting voice -- She couldn''t help but listen to it as a small smile cracked open on to her face, as she peeked her head out from under the leaf''s shelter to see where the voice was coming fromThe narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Hey, that''s a song from the best artist of all time!"


    Hareta would then look further beyond and find the source of the voice not too far from her right. The voice was coming from a woman with pitch black hair, and a black Kimono, while she had a black umbrella, gripped into her right hand, looking up at the rain pouring from the sky as if she was about to ask the question -- "Why?". Hareta would stand up, using her writing hands as drying hands on her head as she ran towards the woman, the woman almost jumped in shocked -- like she never seen anyone of her kind before.


    "Hey, I heard your singing from underneath that leaf -- and you sound pretty good!"


    "Thank you. . .I am a little embarrassed, I didn''t think anyone was around. What are you doing out in a storm like this, young lady? Are you lost?


    "As a matter of fact. . .I am. I don''t know really know where to go anymore."


    "I feel you. . .Come, I will take you to my home, where we will eat."


    "Alright, let''s get going then!"


    The two females began walking through the bushes and circling around trees, and it didn''t take very long before they reached The Woman''s house. The house had what seemed to be two stories or an attic. There was smoke coming out of its Chimney, and it almost looks like a traditional Japanese home. Hareta would nod, she seemed to be impressed. The woman smiled, opening the doors and taking her shoes off near the entrance, as the Woman bent her hands towards herself, Hareta would soon take off her shoes in front of the entrance to this house, as she followed The Woman. The Woman would lead Hareta into what seems like her living room, with a TV and a classic Nintendo Entertainment System underneath it. There in that room were four children. They would all stop their previous actions to face the Woman and her new Acquaintance.


    "Madam Iris! You''re back!"


    "Did you find what you were looking for?"


    "I did. . .we have a new temporary member of our lovely home. What is your name, dear?"


    "Oh right, my name is Hareta. Hareta IDka. You can just call me Harte."


    "Sweet, it''s nice to meet too! My name is Ben, Ben Hyrule."


    Ben spoke -- and he vastly different than the rest of the boys. The other boys -- one hat a and shorts the other had a jacket and jeans. Ben, however, wore a green tunic, and a green hat.


    "Dinner is going to be ready soon, so sit back, relax, and enjoy!"

 Chapter 3: House of a feeble old woman (Part II)

    "Hey, Madam Iris is allowing you to stay here too?"


    A voice of a boy would ring throughout Hareta''s ears -- as she turned around and saw a boy wearing a white tunic, almost as if he''s pretending to be an elf. Around this boy were two other children around his age, one male and one female sitting on the ground talking to themselves, laughing and playful pushing on another. The boy in the tunic held an old Nintendo Entertainment System controller in his hand, as the game he''s playing has clearly had an impact on his choice of dress. Behind him was Madam Iris, stroking and caressing the boy''s shoulders. The Madam stared into Hareta''s eyes, as she smiled, Hareta scratched her hair and waved at the both of them.


    "Yeah. . .she did. My name is Hareta, a pleasure to meet you."


    "Hareta. . . Well, hey there! My name is Ben!"


    "So. . .how long have you stayed here?"


    "I got here last night! I''m just sticking around a bit longer before I leave."


    (Madam Iris): "You two stay here....Jim, Carrie, I''m making dinner soon, and I''ll need your help."


    Jim and Carrie, who appear to be the two children who were talking to each other around Ben, would stand up, both turning to Hareta as she would bow to her -- as they went to Madam Iris, and soon the three of them would walk away.


    "So. . .she just lets anyone into her house?"


    "Pretty sure it''s just kids, you know how these old people get after being single for so long."


    ". . .I guess, it''s weird. . .I think I might leave. . ."


    "Hey! At least wait until after Dinner then she might let you leave."


    "Let me leave?!"


    "Yeeeah, after some kids help her cook dinner, they leave."


    ". . .I don''t. . ."


    "Relax, it''s easy. I think. I haven''t done it yet."


    "Well. . .what should I do?"


    "You can sit here and watch me demolish this dungeon''s boss."


    "I''ve got nothing better to do. . ."


    Hareta would sit on the ground next to Ben''s chair, leaning her head on it as she watched him. Some times, she would stare at him carefully pressing the buttons on his controls, or him mashing on the buttons, at other times, she would see an 8-bit pixelated green boy dropping bombs, shooting arrows, and blasting swords out from his own sword as it tried to take down a Rhino! Hareta was in awe of this game, as she would apprehensively watch the screen more than the player.


    "You killed the Rhino?!"


    "Yeah I did, I''m a professional!"


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "Did it. . .just drop a triangle?"


    "That''s a piece of the Triforce. One of eight."


    Hareta: . . . What''s a Triforce?


    "God."


    ". . .Oh. That''s pretty cool. . .so what are you doing with this Triforce? And why is it called the Triforce if you''re collecting eight pieces?"


    And then, it began. The explanation that lasted a life time. Ben spent several hours explaining to Hareta the whole plot of this game. The character, the enemy, the final boss, the Triforce, timeline spilt and the several other games in the franchise.


    "Why isn''t Zelda two in the timeline? Wouldn''t that take place after the newest game, or after Majora''s Mask or Ocarina of time?"


    "Haha. . . what''s Zelda two?"


    "T-The adventures of Link?? You know, the game for this syst-"


    "Never heard of it."


    "You''re the one who told me about it!"


    "Listen Hareta, we don''t talk about Zelda two."


    ". . .Why?"


    "It''s. . .like, CDI important."


    "What''s CDI? A CD Indenity?"


    "You. . .my young friend, have much to learn."


    "Children. . .! Dinner is ready!"


    Ben would pause his game, standing up to walk towards the dinner table, Hareta followed -- sitting next to him as she looked at the food, it seemed like stew, stew with small bits of red floating around, Hareta would look to her right at Ben, who was observing the stew, swirling his spoon in circles in the pot. Hareta would then turn to her left at Madam Iris, who simply smiled -- Then Hareta would look ahead to see someone she hasn''t seen before! It was another girl, someone who looked around her age. This girl was shivering, she didn''t look at the bowl, she hugged herself, and was mumbling.


    ". . .Umm. . .Ben, what''s wrong with Carrie?"


    "What? Oh, no. That''s not Carrie, if it was she would''ve gone blastic and killed us all with her telekinetic powers."


    ". . .Where is Carrie. . .and the other guy?"


    "Madam Iris deposed of them. . ."


    The shivering girl whispered, tightening the grip on her arms as she began to hyperventilate.


    "They''re free. . .free from this house. . .!"


    "Dear, calm down ple-"


    "DON''T SPEAK TO ME. I WANT TO GO HOME. . .I DON''T WANT TO BE HERE ANYMORE."


    The girl would begin sobbing, and sniffling, as Madam Iris placed her hand on the girl''s head. The girl exhaled, and inhaled, as her head dropped down, dangling around. Madam Iris would carry the girl in her arms, shaking her head.


    "This young girl. . .is having trouble realizing where she is now. I''ve been trying to shelter her for as long as I can, but no luck so far."


    "Oh. . .I see."


    "She''s like you, in a way. You both wish to return home, but you''ll have to stay here for a while."


    "Yeah, you do."


    ". . . Right, I got it. So um. . . speaking about going home, where is Jim and Carrie?"


    "They have left us. Now, they''re traveling down their own winding road."

 Chapter 4: House of a feeble old woman (Part III)

    <div>


    Another day, another virtual adventure. Hareta would sit on the ground watching Ben hack and slash his way through the several enemies in his game, but this time it was a different game. Hareta would hold the controller up as it was some kinda artifact, as Ben tried over and over again to redirect her to the screen.


    "Whoa...How do I use this?"


    "Okay, so to have Link use his sword you press B, and that''s all you need to know; alright? Okay."


    "Why is Link called ''Fuck Face?''"


    "Uh, I didn''t own this at first."


    "But...there are three separate save slots-"


    "Just play the game, Fuck Face!"


    "Alright, Alright...fine."


    Hareta would start playing the game, as Ben would tell her where to go and what to do from time to time -- then the girl at the dinner table from last night would silently walk into the room along with them, eyeing them down as she would inch closer to them


    "Ben...Hareta....Can you two hide me?"


    She spoke in a soft voice and tone, as she looked at the both of them with a very worried expression


    "Oh, sure I guess? Are you playing a game...?"


    "Madam Iris wants me to help her cook....I don''t want to help her."


    "Can you....not cook or something? I mean, you went crazy about it last nigh-


    Madam Iris: "Deary, Where are you?"


    The girl would freeze, as she started to freak out scanning for just a small place to hide, but it had been rendered useless, as Madam Iris placed her hands on the girl''s shoulders as she stood behind her with a smile


    "I. . .I. . .no. . .please. . ."


    "Come on, all you have to do is help me cook one meal and you can leave, along with Carrie and Jim."


    ". . .I don''t. . ."


    Madam Iris would take the girl by the hand, as the two of them walked away, Ben would then look at them with a questionable look, standing up from his chair as he stared down the hallway Madam and the girl were walking down


    "Ben? Ben where did you go....I need your help."


    "I''m literally right here. I haven''t moved very far."


    "Where...where are you going?"


    "I''m gonna....check up on Madam Iris and what''s her face, hey -- you come too."


    "I''m playing a gaaaaame."


    "Alright, fine. Stay there."


    And Ben would begin walking down the hallway doors, Hareta would pause her game and follow quietly behind him. The two would sneak into the Kitchen -- but would find that Madam Iris nor the young lady were able to found. Shocked, the two adventurers would continue to search throughout the house as they walked down a hall of stairs. They could hear the girl being yelled at by Madam Iris, as their ears lead to the door she hid behind. They would watch by peering their eyes through the door


    "EAT."


    "N-No....I don''t want to eat anymore.I feel myself becoming fatter and fatter..."


    "Nonsense my dear, now tell me, wouldn''t you wish to feast upon a house made of candy and sweets?"


    The very walls, doors and interior design of the home became a candy wonderland. The door turned into chocolate, the walls a sort of bread, and the accessories in the room became a plethora of different sweets, such as Peppermints and lollipops to name a few. This did not please the little girl, however -- Madam Iris sighed, her smile faded away -- and anger painted her face.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Wouldn''t you wish to create a delicious meal, just like your friends Jim and Carrie did?"


    The little girl shook her head left and right, and Madam Iris clenched her fist.


    "....Very well, but what you want at this point is irrelevant. I''ve kept you around for quite a long time and I''m not going to let your body go to waste!"


    The girl tried to run to the door, but an insane amount of pitch black hands grabbed her and slammed her down, rubbing and touching the innocent girl. Black lightning would Serge throughout Madam Iris''s fingers, and just a slight shook sent thousands upon thousands of shocks through her body, as she cried for help. Tears streamed down her face, as she tried to stand up but was slammed back down by the Wrath of the Madam''s foot. Hareta almost yelled out, covering her mouth and shivering as she watched, she covered her eyes, and Ben would grip on to the door.


    Should. . . should we go and save her?! We have to....! But just look at her, Hareta is terrified, I don''t know what I can do now. . .


    The girl would put her hands over her head, trying to protect herself from Madam Iris''s shocks while also trying to swat away at the many hands that had a tight grip on her. Her clothes began to tear the more she moved away, and the violence would stop, as the girl cried. Covering herself as she would place her hands over her eyes, she couldn''t take it anymore. She would look up at the door -- staring directly into Ben''s eyes, as she would reach out to him. Ben''s heart began to quiver, as it became more and more clear she was talking to him.


    "Please....help me. Help me, I''m begging you to save me! I can''t take this anymore, It hurts!"


    "Silence!"


    As Madam Iris''s fist was covered in black flames, she would aim to take a swing at the girl, when in an instant -- a new face decided to join in on the struggle. Ben leaped into action, moving without a moment to waste as he delivered a strong jab to Madam Iris''s face. She collapsed, and Ben would swiftly pull the girl out of the grips of the black hands, as she wrapped her around him and sobbed even more. Hareta would soon run into the room, with a nervous smile on her face as her legs began to do a little dance by shaking left and right, she was terrified.


    "H-H-Hey....are you alr-right?"


    "Yes... .thank you, Ben. . ."


    "You two, get out of here."


    "Yeah, come on Missy. Let''s go....Come on let''s go, let''s go!"


    "You ungrateful brats..."


    Madam Iris would slowly rise, as her body melted and she turned pitch black. Dead white eyes and terrifying long fingers as she roared at the children, slamming their hands down as she looked them straight into the eyes.


    You....I was going to save her so YOU two can eat! Now. . . you all will be apart of MY FEAST.

 Chapter 5: House of a Feeble Old Woman (Part IV)

    Hareta: Y-You. . .what do you mean feast!?


    Madam Iris: You haven''t caught on yet? My, my, my...I''ll let you know on a little secret...I have these children eat until they grow, and grow, and grow...then...I use them for my next batch of children...the cycle continuous, now you''ll all carry fireflies in your stomach. . .


    Hareta would gasp, covering her mouth, holding back the remains of the people she knew that was aiming to escape from inside of her, she felt her stomach twisting and turning, she didn''t feel easy. Ben would clutch his fist, and the girl would fight back her tears, as they were all, slowly but surely, being torn away from this witch''s madness. Ben would grit his teeth, as Ben charged towards the woman, as her eyes widened and the colors of the area would fade, and Ben would stop in his tracks and his pupils shrunk. Hareta hugged the girl closer in a reaction to it. As she slowly walked back, Madam Iris would then attempt to lock eyes but Hareta closed her eyes, as she tried to cover the girl''s eyes, but she accidentally covered her mouth instead. Hareta would then slowly look down towards the girl -- and her pupils had shrunk as well.


    Hareta: H. . .Hey. . are you okay. . .? Ben!. . .Ben, are you alright!?


    Ben: Hareta. . .Where are you?


    Hareta: W. . .what are you. . .


    Hareta didn''t know if he was messing with her or not, as she would then look down at the girl she was hugging.


    Hareta: Hey. . .Uh. . .What''s your name, actually?


    Dove: Dove.


    Hareta: Oh, that''s cool. Dove, can you see me?


    Dove: N-no. . .


    Hareta: . . .They''re blind. . .!?


    Hareta could then feel a stabbing pain in her gut, her stomach as if it was being pierced. Hareta didn''t scream or unleash any sort of noise, the Madam would grab Dove, twisted the young girls head around as her neck would turn like a screw, as the female voice Iris emitted would turn deeper, ressembling that of a male, Hareta closed her eyes once more, but they would just be rushed back open -- as a terrifying beast stood in front of her, as they twirled their finger around her open gut. This new beast laughed.


    ???: I control what you colors see, that''s all what I choose to do, at the moment; you''re a smart girl, I see your able to detect that I was able to blind your friends by looking into the windows of their soul. In this form...I''ve shown you the true colors of this land. Dark, and empty. What will you do...Little Hareta? I am your first encounter in this realm, a being you don''t have the power to defeat....but maybe, if you''re able to weave this curse I''ve implanted in you into a gift. . .you may find strength.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Its words distorted her mind, she didn''t understand what to make of it, let it alone how to comprehend it. The beast would then pull a human from out inside her gut. A female who shared her physical appearance, with cut and clear differences. Instead of her eyes being a light blue color, Like Hareta -- they''re a golden yellow, and Hareta''s hair is black, while this individual''s hair is crimson. This female removed from Hareta''s gut would arise, and Hareta felt as is she had lost a part of her soul. This creatures full body hadn''t been shown, as it stopped emerging leaving its lower body under her waist a mystery. This creature''s mouth expanded into an unbelievable size, as sharp fangs dangled from its mouth and it devoured Dove whole. Hareta''s eyes couldn''t turn away from the sight, as the beast would sink back inside her, and her stomach was restored to its normal form. Hareta placed her hand on her gut, falling to her knees with her mouth over her hand, tears would begin to fall from her face -- and the only one who wasn''t suspended in animation, was Hareta and this foul creature.


    ???: Your new destination is the Shrine Of Redemption. If you care about any of these children, you''d go there. I''ll spare Ben, he hasn''t been distorted as of yet. Now. . .this is where I''ll take my leave.


    The beast would then lift up Hareta''s chin and place its hand on Hareta''s cheek, as a chill was spiralled down right to her core, and he rested his forehead on hers; its jaw dropped and it would explode into thousands of dark particles that would all float towards the sky, but dropped down and faded away. Then, Ben would run forward, and stopped again.


    Ben: I CAN''T SE...Oh. Wait nevermind. Where...where did Madam Iris go?


    Ben would then look around, as the cries coming from Hareta would turn him in her direction, he ran to her -- placing his hand on her head and standing on a single knee.


    Ben: Hareta? Are you alright? What happened!?


    Hareta: I. . .


    She wasn''t able to get a word out, Ben would simply nod, lightly pushing Hareta''s head to his chest and wrapping his arms around her. She would push herself closer to him and she wrapped her arms around Ben as well -- as she continued to cry.


    Ben: I''m sorry, Hareta. . .I''m sorry I had you go through all of this.