It had been three days since they entered the forest. The hallucinations were getting worse. And water was not to be found anywhere. Poor little Susan had been struggling to keep up. As the hours went by she went slower and slower. Escavars muscles burned and his lungs cried out for air. The forest was oppressive, it bore down on them with a fierce weight. After a while Escavar slowed to a stop and leaned on a tree, panting. His brow was slick with sweat and his hands were shaking uncontrollably. He turned towards the diminishing path they were following, only to see that Susan was swaying and her eyes were closed. Escavar pushed himself off the tree, stumbling over to her. As soon as he reached out she collapsed into his arms. Her skin turned pale and her eyes were growing dim. “No, please, you can’t leave! Come on Susie, stay with me,” he pleaded, as he tried to gently pick her up. He closed his eyes. “Please help us!” He cried desperately. He voice cracked and he felt hot tears roll down his cheeks. He wasn’t sure exactly to who, but he felt sure that someone would listen. Someone would see them. “I have to keep going,” He thought, “step by step.” Their progress was slow and the extra weight made it hard to even move. It seemed everything had turned against them. The sun instead of being inviting had turned into a stifling heat. It seemed to be always in his eyes. His boots were so worn and tattered they hardly did anything to protect his feet. The cool breeze they had felt before entering the horrid forest had died. he felt a presence about them. He couldn’t see anyone, it was more that he could feel them. Like eyes were always on him. He was constantly looking behind him to make sure he wasn’t being followed. The worst feeling had come over him. When this was all over, who would they go back to? Even if they survived. What family did they have left besides each other? They were utterly alone. But he had to save Susan. It was no longer for the sake of himself that he kept moving but for the sake of her. “I don’t care if I have to move a mountain, I have to save her!” “I already lost my aunt, and probably my brother, I can’t lose my sister. Not now. She’s too young!” He thought in distress. “We’re running out of time Susie. I promise I’ll find us water no matter what.” He said urgently. He only received a pained groan in response. Suddenly, and for the first time since they arrived, Escavar saw an animal. The world seemed to stop. His head swam and all he could hear was his heart beating. Everything grew fuzzy except the animal. It seemed to draw to him. Its eyes seemed ancient, and it had a fire in them. Escavar hobbled blindly towards it. Not exactly sure why at first. Then sudden clarity came over him. “Water! I’ll bet it knows where water is. Just a little longer Susie!” He exclaimed. Though he felt sure that he could pass out at any moment he ran. He felt a sudden hope well up inside of him that he couldn’t explain. He watched with a keen eye every movement the animal made as it bounded through the forest. The ground flew by underneath him. He passed tree after tree Until suddenly, the animal stopped. It tilted its head and looked at him like it had a question. Escavar watched it come closer, and closer, until it stood directly in front of him. “What could it possibly be doing?” He wondered. He could feel its warm breath. Its large beady eyes looked in his and he shivered. Then it did the most unexpected thing. It spoke. It was a deep voice almost rumbling. “Do not be afraid, I am a friend.” “Ah!” Escavar was so surprised he nearly dropped Susen. Escavar staggered back. “How, how did you just…?”

“This is the forest of magic,” He said. “But it’s true name is Dough-elsteln. Here, every living thing that dwells in this place long enough will turn into something they are not. The effects of the magic work on each one in a different way. Those that manage to escape before it takes them over still never leave unscathed.” Escavar shook his head. “No, this isn’t… you can’t be real. That’s impossible!” Escavar said pointing his finger at the deer. “It is, and you must believe me for the sake of your sister.” The deer responded. “How… how do you know she’s my sister?” Escavar asked through squinted eyes. “You need not worry about that now, if you want to live, follow me.” Then the deer turned and jogged off. “This is crazy, I don’t care what he is, it’s not natural, and I don’t like it.” Escavar thought. But even still, he had too. He had to save Susan. So he followed. The deer made strange zigzagging lines through that woods that would bewilder even the smartest. Escavar payed close attention to the deer, still not sure of its intentions. But something caught his eye and he stopped short in his tracks. “The ground,” he whispered, “it’s wet… there must be a water near by!” He then looked up. The trees around him became thin and opened up to a large, clear watered lake. Sweet relief coursed through him. He could finally see the sky It was a brilliant blue with little puffs of clouds popping out. And in the distance he saw what they had sought for so long. The mountains of Caliaris. They loomed high above them and its peaks were covered with a layer of snow. It sparkled like a beacon of promise. “You see? I told you if you followed I could help you.” The deer said with what looked like a sly smile. “Thank you for your kindness,” Escavar said, “but I don’t think we will be needing any help from here.” “I think I’ll stay,” replied the deer, “I would like to see how your sisters recovery goes.” “Hmph,” Escavar grunted. “I don’t have time to think about him. For now I need to help Susan.” Escavar thought. He carefully set her on the ground by the lake. He then cupped his hands under the cool water and splashed his face. The soothing cool pushed away his pains for a moment. He took a deep relieving breath and reapeated the process for Susan. Her eyes popped open the second it hit her face. “Water!” She cried as she scrambled to the lake and took a long drink. When she was satisfied she sat back up and looked around. Escavar sat next to her and hugged her for a long while. “Please don’t do that again.” He whispered. She chuckled, “I dont plan on it,” she replied softly. “Well isn’t this a wonderful family reunion,” the deep voice of the deer rumbled behind them. Escavar jumped up and planted his feet firmly on the ground. “I think it’s time for you to go,” Escavar said as Susen slowly rose and looked out from behind him. “Oh no dear boy, it’s far too late for that. “N-“ whatever he was going to say was cut off by a sudden lurch under him. “What are you doing?!” Escavar shouted. Right then the shape of the animal shifted. The four legs became to long slender legs. The the body shifted, then the face, until suddenly it wasn’t an animal at all. It was a creepy, smirking, black haired woman. “Your trust will be your dimise.” She said. And then the mouth of the land was opened and they fell. Then the world went black.