The Explorers of the Universe

Forest Guard Spirit Test

Saga had been in the Forbidden Forest for over a month. He scoured the forest in search of the Forest Guard Spirit that Rinn had told him about. All parts of the dark forest had been explored but he never found the existence of the Forest Guard Spirit.

Saga sat on a rock. He closed his eyes. Trying to communicate with any creature in this forest. Maybe someone can give him a clue.

A week had passed but Saga did not get the existence of any creature in the forest.just quiet and dark that accompanied him during the hermitage. Saga felt there was no way he would have to go for years like Ven and Rinn. He wants to return to Ghanda's palace.

Saga tried to think in his asceticism. How to summon the Forest Guard Spirit to ask for strength. He thought about how the Forest Guard Spirit could grant so many requests. And, did the Forest Guard Spirit not have any requests as long as he lived? It was impossible for there to be a creature that had no desire. Even the devil has a desire, which is to want humans to behave the same as demons.

At the end of that thought, Saga found a gap. What if he finds out the wishes of the Forest Guard Spirit and offers to grant it. Or he tried to offer himself to befriend the Forest Guard Spirit. Perhaps that way the Forest Guard Spirit would come quickly.

Saga opens her eyes. He assured himself that he could communicate with the Forest Guard Spirit. Saga watched every tree that only looked like a silhouette before him and sensed their existence. Through the trees in this forest Saga tried to convey his point that he had come not only to ask the Forest Guard Spirit. But he came willingly to help the Forest Guard Spirit get what he wanted.

Many times Saga conveyed that meaning. Every tree can feel and communicate. Saga patiently waited and continued to convey his desire.

The wind began to shake the branches and leaves. The leaves fell off and soon something radiant appeared in the distance. Make the trees more visible.

The light grew and approached. It was not far from Saga. That formless light floated between the trees.

“My best wishes to you Forest Guard Spirit,” Saga said. He sensed the presence of a creature he believed to be the Forest Guard Spirit.

Without any sound from the creature, Saga seemed to hear someone talking in her ear. The voice was quite raucous and was like being spoken by three or even four people simultaneously. “What do you want?” ask for a voice in Saga's ear.

Understanding by means of the communication of the Forest Guard Spirit, Saga opened her mouth. He spoke inwardly to the Forest Guard Spirit. “I want to know you, O Forest Guard Spirit,” Saga said.

“For what do you know me? In your blood flows the blood and soul of a King. Why do you want to know me,” The Spirit replied.

Saga replied, “I don't understand what you mean by the blood and soul of a King. I am just an ordinary creature with no abilities. I am not like you who have the ability to grant all the will of other creatures.”

The spirit laughed flatly. “So you don't know your origin. You should know about yourself. Because with your abilities you shouldn't have come to me. You can be stronger than those who come to me.”

Saga became more interested in this conversation. He didn't want to miss this opportunity. “So what you said. Obviously, I am nobody. I'm just a derelict human Gandha found in a forest, and she took care of me.”

The Forest Guard Spirit did not reply for long enough, until then he said again. “Alright, it's your life's business. So what's your business coming here?” ask Spirit.

“I came to recognize you. Have you had no desires all your life?” Saga asked back.

“Want? My whole life?” The spirit repeated the word from Saga with a tone of question. “I've forgotten my wish ever since I could grant someone else's wish. There's nothing I want more than to see a human begging me. Then I gave him a test to pass. My ability to impart miraculous abilities to humans has given me my own satisfaction.”

“Then should I beg you to please and accept me? I want to be your best friend. That's my wish. And should I pass the test from you so I can be friends with you?” ask Saga.

“Friendly? I don't need friends,” replied the Forest Guard Spirit.

“But I want to be your best friend. I willingly plead and pass the exam as long as you become my best friend.”

“This is a strange request,” said the Forest Guard Spirit.

“I will continue to beg. Until you become my friend. All this time I've been friendly with humans. They are all greedy and just want to be the strongest,” Saga said.

“Then, I will give you a great test. You should be able to get through it,” said the Forest Guard Spirit. “If you can pass it, I will grant your request to befriend you.”

“I'm ready to accept any risk as long as it can be your friend,” replied Saga with all hidden intentions.

Soon enough the Forest Guard Spirit presented many ferocious beasts with pointed fangs and flaming eyes. Some tigers roar loudly. Venomous snakes roam the ground and tree branches. Elephants with iron legs prepared and waited for orders. Vultures roost with their sharp, pointed hooves. The beasts were circling Saga at a distance of about 50 meters.

On the random ranks behind those beasts, there were beings with a flame light on their bodies. They have no face and are floating. They are ready to fight whatever is in front of them.

In the third row, the tall monsters from the boulders stood firm. Ready to beat and smash his opponent into pieces.

Saga tries to stay calm. Around him the starving beasts stared at him sharply, the creatures that looked to hate him, and the terrifying monsters. This is the test that Saga has to face.

“You must be able to defeat them to be able to clear the test from me. You can use all your abilities against them. And the stakes are your death if you lose,” said the Forest Guard Spirit.

Saga standing up straight. He pulled out the sword on his back which he had brought from the palace. He tried to convince himself that he was able to defeat all these creatures, although it seemed very impossible. He believed that each of these creatures had a weakness.

“Alright, if this is the path that I have to take, I am willing to sacrifice as long as it is your friend,” said Saga.

Sega stroked the surface of his sword. Trying to ascertain the sharpness of that sword. He grasped the sword tightly and prepared to draw out all the power he had.

The beasts stared at Saga sharply. As the Forest Guard Spirit commanded the beasts to attack, the beasts ran towards Saga.

Saga immediately jumped up and was ready to slash at every beast that attacked him.

[Next Part 21]