Chapter 1: Nicoterel Woods/A Beginning
There are stories about that forest. That forest that appears in your novels and horror movies. A forest you feel weird about walking by, and the one that everyone talks about what might be dwelling beyond the visible tree line. Perhaps your feelings about the strange aura the forest emits aren't that far off, for within the Nicoterel Woods, strange things continue to dwell, hiding away under the spying eyes and destructive hands of humans.
The stories surrounding Nicoterel Woods are endless. Don't go into Nicoterel Woods! You won't come back, and if you do, you won't be right in the head. You'll be taken by the fae, and replaced with a changeling. You'll be killed by a satyr, or lycanthrope at night. You'll be taken by the harpies and won't be seen again. Creatures of myth and legends have always existed, and lore and legend always stem from some form of truth.
Perhaps the stories were true, but there was no way to prove any of it. If something was still out there, it would be in hiding. Maybe that was why you don't see dragons or centaurs out in the open anymore but there are so many stories surrounding them. They see what humans are doing and decided they don't want any part of us anymore and went into hiding leaving only their stories behind.
Then there was the story that could be proven. The Forest wasn't used much for hunting anymore, and because there were no actual maps of the forest, it was deemed dangerous to enter and explore until paths were made and it was properly mapped out. The authorities couldn't keep everyone out, and so it was only a matter of time before someone actually discovered something on their illegal trip.
Ignoring the signs, the hunter, camper who wishes to remain unnamed, ventured into Nicoterel forest four days ago. Come the second night, and then the third morning, everyone who knew where he was going wrote him off as dead, adding into the haunting stories surrounding the woods. Others began to worry they hadn't heard from him in a while. He always calls, and texts to brag about the time he had to just fish, hunt, and enjoy his time in forests and mountains.
Come day five however, he emerged, but was confused. That's how he was found. Lost and confused, talking nonsense about the forest.
He first talked about the things he might have seen. There might be a colony of stray cats living in that forest, they're the right size, and quick enough to be cats. He never caught more than glimpses, and at night could swear things were watching him. there were eyes in the dark illuminated by lights. First it was brushed aside as firefly lights and stray cats.
Then he found the statue.
Somewhere in the center of Nicoterel Woods, in a clearing where the grass is long and springy. The wind blows through it, making it ripple like water. Just past a pond, there stood a huge stone statue depicting a winged deer creature that carried a lantern, glowing dimly in the dark. Despite it's age, the stone was perfectly intact, no cracks, or breaks. Just a heavy covering of moss and leaves.
At this point, he decided he was hopefully lost in this forest, despite his discovery, he was certain nobody else knew of. He took the time to examine the statue. what was it made of? how old was it? who put this here? what was it depicting? Pondering the questions, the same lights he'd been seeing the previous nights slowly lit up the area surrounding the clearing. Every way he turned, there were only lights. a ring of lights all around him and the clearing with the statue. Was this the famed fae come after him for entering their territory? was he about to be abducted by aliens? this was his end. this was it. He'd discovered something amazing in this cursed forest, and it would be the last thing he would know.
Slowly however, the lights faded until only one remained. He heard chirping. Staring at the faintly bobbing light in the dark he felt strange. there was something about it. something warm. something inviting. the longer he stared directly into the light, the stronger the feeling was, until he had to get closer. Once he neared, the light bobbed off, and waited. He stared, felt the pulling of the inviting light and followed again. In the end, he followed the light until it was gone, and the distant lights of the city came into view.
Finally out of the forest, the man was left lost, and confused. How did he get here? he followed a light and it led him back out. There was that statue. Was he delusional? Was he so far gone that a guardian angel came to help him on his way? guardian angel. a guardian.
That's what it was. The winged creature the statue depicted. it helped him find his way back out. it saved him. This forest wasn't cursed. This forest was guarded It was protected, and it had protected him. The Guardian, those cat creatures. They all helped him. Before turning to completely leave on his way back to town where he'd be found walking along the road and questioned by police incase he was planning on entering the forest, he turned one last time to the woods and spied the creature that had led him safely out. it stood, carrying a lantern that swayed lightly in it's mouth. It stared up at him, four large ears erect and attentive. It's entirety was illuminated softly by the warm light it carried. After a long moment had passed with the two just staring at eachother, the little beast turned and leapt at the nearest tree, nimbly scrambling it's way up, dropping leaves as it jumped from branch to branch, it's light slowly fading back into Nicoterel Woods.