Would it really be alright? The following day, the two set off to the Bone Vanishing Forest immediately inside a custom made carriage pulled by two unicorns. Gifts from Madame-Ting's In-Laws.
Hongyi saw them off at the Forest Entrance, a forest veiled in mist sandwiched in between a valley of the Twin Fang Mountains.
"Here." Madame Ting passed Qing Anna a beaded bracelet that glowed upon exposure to the fog.
"If we're ever separated the bead will draw a line connecting me to you. When we reach the princess, it should have a similar reaction creating a flower."
Qing Anna slipped it onto her list without question.
"So... what exactly does this person look like?" She had heard the story from Madame Ting during the carriage ride.
The mission was to rescue the crown princess or future wife of the next village head since this city-village refused such titles, she was the fiancee of the first son, Wei Bao.
"I get that it's normal for a man to be impatient when his beloved is in mortal peril, but Madame doesn't it seem as if this Wei Bao... doesn't trust his family?" Qing Anna asked.
Madame Ting hummed.
"Whatever makes you think that?"
"Well, everyone was sort of calm... I get they probably don't know this fiancee and the family is already so big but... yesterday... one would think they'd be in more of a hurry. We eat and slept and everything..."
"An astute one aren't you? Indeed the Bai family are against this fiancee. She has a terrible reputation and is known for being a trouble maker, for the secluded and secretive Hidden Jade Mist Village, they don't like gathering attention to themselves. But as this person is the future wife of the next village head, they have no choice to support Wei Bao's wishes, though they are in no particular rush to let her die due to her own folly."
"Ahhhh..." A vague picture was beginning to form in Qing Anna's mind as they proceeded through the forest. To begin with, if this forest was so dangerous what was such a person doing here by herself? No matter how capable she may have been with her abilities that was a bit much... though not that she could talk. She and Madame Ting literally entered the forest by themselves. It would seem Madame Ting was powerful from everyone's reactions to go to and fro by herself though...
"So... is there anything else I should know?" Qing Anna asked Madame Ting who seemed preoccupied as she scanned their surroundings.
"Something is off."
Indeed this place gave off the creeps but Qing Anna was sure that's why it was given such an eerie name.
Qing Anna's lips twitched she was trying so hard not to be sarcastic.
"I'm assuming it you mean it feels more off than it normally does." She finally responded.
"Indeed. The spirits aren't here."
Qing Anna raised her eyebrows.
"Sp-spirits? Did you just say spirits?"
"Normally there are a few of them lurking within the trees but it's empty."
"Huh. Well...good."
"It's good," Madame Ting agreed with a curt nod. "For us, but for someone else, it may be hell as we know it."
Qing Anna glanced at Madame Ting. "Does this mean we came all for nothing and I won't be able to kick any ghostie butt?"
"So this is what he was afraid of," Madame Ting was muttering.
Qing Anna was at her limit of patience, they were enshrouded in wet fog, one would think that if you were traveling with a companion in such a creepy place they'd at least try to be more transparent in communication.
"I'm guessing the spirits being gone is really really bad?" Qing Anna tried again.
"The Spirits under normal conditions should never be able to leave here. The fact that they're gone means that someone must've dug up the remains of the Forest King."
"And... what would that mean?"
"To keep a long story short a very powerful monk died here, he was a very holy person but during his lifetime the betrayal and deceit of humans corrupted him. When he died here at the hand of his beloved, he couldn't pass on in peace. This energy soaked itself into the soil, and trees. Corrupting the animals and any soul that hunted here. Those that died would also be stuck here forever."
"But doesn't that mean removing the remains of the forest king wouldn't do anything if removed? If his energy really has soaked itself inside everything."
"That's right but if one performed a reversal spell that had all the energy return into the remains upon its extraction..."
Qing Anna's eyes sparkled with clarity.
"Do you think perhaps this Princess is like you and well versed in magick?"
Madame Ting raised her brows and hummed while thinking.
"If she was truly this fog would disappear. The remains have not been removed completely... That person right now... they might very well be facing off against the Fallen Monk's ghost right now. I can't say I have half the mind to pity such a fool who would even think of unearthing such a demon. What were they hoping to achieve?"
As they ventured deeper into the woods, the earth began to rumble.
"Ah, I nearly forgot this fog is known for creating illusions, so try to be mindful of this at all times." Madame Ting felt the need to tell her this now.
"Okay..." Qing Anna didn't know what to think now. Should she feel relieved, disappointed, or scared out of her wits?
The earth rumbled again, it was as if something was getting closer and closer.
"Stay alert." Madame Ting reminded her.
"Right-
Qing Anna said, she glanced to her right only to realize a tear in the earth.
Madame Ting was gone.