The Great Desolate Forest did not rest. It was living.
The rustling of leaves, the howls of far-off beasts, and the periodic screams of secret monsters were a symphony of the wild. A bitter wind cut through the trees, carrying the scent of moist earth and green wood.
There was a flickering campfire in the middle of the outpost, its glow throwing long shadows on the ground. The flames danced, crackling softly, giving heat from the seeping chilliness of the night.
Su Vaen sat facing Princess Mei and Prince Xian, his muscles relaxed but his senses on edge.
He was always aware of his environment, even when seemingly immobile. The prince was as usual mute, his features unreadable.
But the princess…he wondered.
"You have lived here for more than a year alone, right?" Mei asked, stirring the embers with a stick.
Her tone was casual, but Su Vaen could tell—she was truly interested.
"Yes," Su Vaen replied simply.
"What is it like?"
He thought for a moment. "Quiet and lonely."
The princess chuckled. "That much is obvious."
She sat a little inclined. "I want to learn something about here. Something only the folk who live around here would know."
Su Vaen hesitated. Most guests of noble rank did not care about the history of the forest or traditions of the land.
They visited only to hunt or to boast of their bravery. But Mei was different—she listened.
Finally, he spoke.
"There is a tale," Su Vaen started, his tone low but distinct. "One that the hunters of this place tell their children. They refer to it as The Tale of the Whispering Trees."
Mei leaned forward, curious. "Whispering Trees?"
He nodded. "Deep within this forest, there are trees that speak."
The flames snapped as a gust of wind went by, as if the woods themselves were attentive.
Word has it that these trees are the remnants of ancient beasts, the ones that had ruled the world long, long ago before humans built their empires.
They were not ordinary beasts—but Origin Beasts, creatures who wielded the power of Origin Qi with unmatched mastery. They did not just exist in the world. They ruled it.
Prince Xian finally lifted his head, curiosity ignited.
"What happened then didn't they die?" Mei asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes! They became too powerful," Su Vaen continued. "And when the balance of the world shifted, so did the energy of the world. Origin Qi reduced. And without it, the Origin Beasts were unable to sustain their control. Each of them, one by one ,some fell asleep and some died."
A wind swept through the trees, rustling their leaves. The princess shivered.
"But even when they were asleep, they left their imprint. Their wills did not entirely disappear. Some say that their souls merged with the trees, and now, whenever the wind is blowing through the forest, the trees whisper their forgotten anger and grief."
Silence hung in the air for a moment. Then Mei smiled.
"That's… beautiful," she admitted. "And a little terrifying."
Su Vaen merely shrugged. "Truth and fear often walk the same path."
After a brief pause, Mei , leaned forward again. "What about hunting?"
"What about it?"
"I wish to learn the proper way of hunting here. Not the chivalrous way, in which a dozen guards do it all for one. How do your people hunt?"
Su Vaen raised an eyebrow. "You wish to learn the native method?"
The princess nodded eagerly. Even Prince Xian seemed to be paying attention now.
Su Vaen released a soft breath before speaking.
"While the nobles rely on power and numbers, locals hunt patiently and with knowledge. Power in this forest does not mean a thing if you do not have knowledge of the rules of the land."
Mei , rested her chin on her hand. "What rules?"
Su Vaen pushed the fire softly with a stick, watching the sparks rise.
"Rule number one: Never remain in one location hunting for more than a day. The creatures here are not dumb. They learn. If you kill one today, others will avoid that location tomorrow."
Prince Xian nodded in approval. "Clever."
Mei waved for him to continue.
"Rule two: You must hear more than you see. Animals give warning of their approach long before they appear. The sound of crawling grass, moving leaves, distant yells—these will give you more warning than your own eyes."
The princess's eyes flashed. "And that's how you hunt your prey?"
Su Vaen's lips curled into a thin smile. "I don't hunt. But that's how I stay alive, Your Highness."
Mei gazed at him. Perhaps, pondering on the foolish sight of a blind man.
Finally, the princess relaxed back with a contented sigh.
"I like these stories," she said to him. "You should tell more of them."
Su Vaen said nothing. He did not realize that these two royals will actually listen these little interesting folk stories.
Then Princess Mei sat upright abruptly. "We must go for a walk tomorrow."
Su Vaen made a slight frown. "A walk?"
"Yes," the princess replied. "You know this forest like no one else, don't you? Show us something interesting."
Su Vaen hesitated.
It was dangerous. Even in the outer region, there were still threats. And yet… something led him to believe that denying them would only make them more resolved.
Prince Xian cut in. "A short walk wouldn't hurt."
Su Vaen sighed. "Okay. But only along the safer paths."
Mei grinned. "Alright."
As the conversation drew to a close, the fire smoldered lower, casting only soft glows among the trees that ringed it.
Su Vaen sat in silence, hearing the fire crackle in the embers and the wind weaving through the branches.
He had been alone for two years. Now, for the first time, he is not alone.