Kafka appeared right in front of the door just as Fiona was about to go to him. They quickly headed to Eisenhauer.
Kafka: "Hahh… faster…"
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Kafka: "Hhhh…"
Fiona: "This is really strange…"
Kafka: "By the way… Fiona…"
Fiona: "Hm?"
Kafka: "I'm warning you about Dark Umbrella. Don't forget they play a role in Weimar too, and they even have a station."
Fiona: "I know, but if I'm not mistaken, it's in Heidelberger."
Kafka: "That's true… still, they could come here. Heidelberger isn't that far, and a rift like this could grab their attention…"
Fiona: "Mhm… I understand…"
Kafka: "Hold still!"
The car stopped. They were already standing in front of the Black Forest.
Kafka: "Here we are."
Fiona: "Mhm…"
They looked at the rift.
Whoosh
Kafka: "It's really huge."
Fiona: "I've never seen one this big…"
Kafka: "We should be careful. If we go in, stay with me. The two of us are safer…"
Fiona: "Okay…"
They went inside.
Fiona: "Ugh… it's my first time visiting… Kafka?… Kafka?"
She turned around, but he was gone.
Fiona: "Kafka? What… where did he go… wait…"
She took her book about Weimar and flipped to the page about the Black Forest.
Fiona: "Hmm… here… The Black Forest, a magical forest. When you enter, if there are multiple people, it can happen that you end up in different places in the forest… great…"
She put the book away again.
Fiona: "As bad as it is… I could go back… but…"
She saw that the path behind her was suddenly closed.
Fiona: "But it looks like we're stuck here… Why didn't Kafka say anything? Or did he not know either?"
Meanwhile
Kafka: "Damn… I forgot that the moment you enter the forest, you get split onto different paths… Now I'm here alone… and Fiona is somewhere in the forest without a partner… alone… that can be dangerous… for both of us… Maybe I can go back."
He turned around, but it was closed.
Kafka: "Well, that's just great…"
He kept walking.
Kafka: "Hmm?"
Meanwhile
Cossette: "Ugh… hahhhh… huh?…"
Naomi: "Hahhh…"
Cossette got up and opened the door.
Cossette: "Oh… Fiona isn't here. Maybe she went to work…"
Naomi: "Mmm… (opens her eyes)… (yawns)… Is it already morning evening?"
Cossette: "Yes…"
Naomi: "Then I have to go to work…"
Cossette: "But Fiona isn't here, and it's still early…"
Naomi: "Hmm…"
The clock showed 6 o'clock.
Naomi: "You're right, but I still have to go to the shop. If you want, you can come with me. You can stay there."
Cossette: "Oh… okay…"
Meanwhile
Kafka: "Ugh… hmm?… huh?… what?"
Kafka was sure he was being watched. He kept turning around, but saw no one.
Kafka: "I'm sure I'm being watched…"
Meanwhile
Fiona: "Ughhh… I keep walking and walking, and this feeling won't go away that I'm being watched… huh?"
She heard something… something was climbing the tree…
Fiona: "Ugh… hahhh…"
Fiona fell to the ground from fear, because it was a huge spider.
Fiona: "What… what is that… that's a spider… but so big…"
In the Black Forest, it's not only Nemesis appearances or werewolves. It's known for many dangerous animals and monsters, which is why humans have avoided it for centuries.
Fiona: "Hahhhh…"
Ssssssss
Fiona: "Ugh!!… aaaargh…"
A huge butterfly.
Fiona: "Hahhh… I… I hate insects!!!"
Yep. Fiona is afraid of insects. No matter how much Dark Umbrella tried to make sure she felt no fear, it simply didn't work with insects… even a small spider… though to be fair, she isn't usually afraid of butterflies or flies… but in the Black Forest they're huge… that's a nightmare for Fiona.
Fiona: "Ghhh…"
She stood up.
Fiona: "(cough)… cool… stay… cool… stay cool…"
Crash
Fiona: "Ugh… um… (sweating a lot)… mmm…"
The spider was right behind her.
Fiona: "Let me guess… I turn around, see a huge spider, run, and scream… right?"
She turned around.
Spider: "Hhhhh."
Fiona: "Yep… aaaaarghhhh!"
She started running.
Fiona: "Why… of all people… me!!…"
It spit its threads.
Fiona: "Ugh… disgusting!!! Help… Bob!!!"
Bob appeared and sliced the spider into two parts.
Splash
Spider: "Ghhhhhhh…"
Fiona: "Ugh…"
It fell dead to the ground.
Fiona: "Phew… thanks…"
Bob: "Mmmm…"
He vanished again.
Fiona: "Buh… huh?"
Jorinde: "I just heard something…"
Joringel: "Me too…"
Fiona: "Ugh… what…"
Fiona heard them and hid behind a tree. She saw Jorinde and Joringel.
Fiona: "Are those monsters… no, wait…"
Crane: "Nemesis…"
Fiona: "What?… but they can speak…"
Crane: "I know… those must be very intelligent Nemesis…"
Fiona: "But they can talk?"
Crane: "There was a case like that once… about a hundred years ago… Dark Umbrella never taught it because it only happened once… A talking Nemesis appeared in the Slavic Kingdom… The official who examined it said it was smart and strangely didn't resist… He said the Nemesis told him there are multiple talking Nemesis, called Phantom Nemesis…"
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Crane: "But these two don't look peaceful… we should leave…"
Fiona: "Hmm… ghhhh…"
Crane: "What… ugh…"
An insect moved toward Fiona.
Crane: "Hold on…"
Fiona: "Mmm…"
Over here! they suddenly heard.
Fiona and Crane looked down… it was a talking rabbit, but not Mr. Herold.
Fiona: "Mm?"
Crane: "We should follow him…"
They followed him. He hid behind a tree.
Fiona: "Ugh… hahhh… who are you?"
Crane: "And why did you help us?"
Rabbit: "Rico is my name… I helped you because those beings are dangerous…"
Fiona: "I thought only in Wonderland animals can talk…"
Rico: "What? Wonderland?… we're in the Black Forest… of course there are talking animals… do you want to come to our city?"
Fiona: "Wait… city?"
Rico: "Yes… The Black Forest is big… it's so big… so biiig… I mean almost as big as Roselande and Dehl together. Of course there are cities…"
Fiona: "So you're not cut off from the world either, if you know other kingdoms…"
Rico: "Mhm… we know things… do you want to come?"
Fiona: "I mean… uh…"
Crane: "It's safer than here…"
Fiona: "Okay…"
She followed him.
Fiona: "Can you explain what's going on here?"
Rico: "It's like this: this rift appeared so suddenly, and then these strange beings came out. I think Nemesis is what you call them, right?"
Fiona: "How do you know this, if you're here all the time?"
Rico: "Oh, we got that information from the city. As strange as it sounds, in Weimar there are places where we can talk to humans normally. You just have to go to Heidelberger, for example, or to Weimar am Main, the capital of Weimar. We're actually in Eichenwald sometimes too…"
Fiona: "But I haven't seen you there…"
Rico: "Hehehe… it's winter…"
Fiona: "Oh… right… winter only ended less than a week ago… wait… but you're in the Black Forest?"
Rico: "There's a place. It's forbidden, but we protect it."
Fiona: "You protect it?"
Rico: "With magic… have you ever heard of Fable?"
Fiona: "You mean the witch Fable?"
Rico: "Exactly… where did she live?"
Fiona: "Ugh… in the Black Forest… right…"
Rico: "And four hundred years ago she made sure that a certain area of the Black Forest is safe. That area isn't small well, small compared to the Black Forest, but like I said, the Black Forest is almost as big as two kingdoms… and the area Fable protected, and still protects with her magic, is about as big as Eichenwald and Heidelberger together…"
Fiona: "Oh… okay… I understand…"
They stopped.
Rico: "This is it."
Fiona: "Ugh…"
Crane: "Wooow…"
It was a huge city, full of talking animals: rabbits, donkeys, horses, deer. There were even half human half animal people, like a half deer half human woman… Those beings are called Demis.
Fiona: "Crazy… even Demis are here… I've never seen them… they look wonderful…"
Rico: "Wow… most people get scared when they see Emily…"
Fiona: "What? She's really pretty…."
Emily looked at her and smiled. Fiona smiled back.
Rico: "Hehehe… she's happy to hear that…"
Emily: "Thank you for the kind words… really. Usually I only hear other words, like creepy or freak…"
Fiona: "Oh… no. I think you're totally pretty…"
Rico: "Pet her cheeks…"
Fiona: "What?"
Rico: "Do it…"
Fiona: "Oh… okay…"
Rico: "Then her head…"
Emily: "Ugh… wait…"
Fiona stroked her cheek. Emily started giggling.
Emily: "Mmmm…"
Then Fiona stroked Emily's head and ears. Emily started making sounds.
Emily: "Mmmmm… hhhhehehehe…"
Fiona: "How cute… your ears are so warm…"
Emily: "Hahhh… you're so warm…"
Rico: "I have a feeling you two could really become friends…"
Fiona: "I'd be happy to…"
Emily: "Me too…"
Fiona: "But it's a big city… it looks peaceful…"
People talked and ate and laughed and worked.
Fiona: "So how do you go to cities like Eichenwald, Heidelberger, and Weimar am Main?"
Emily: "For that we have to use this road here… this road leads to Bremer. That's where the Bremen Town Musicians are?"
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Rico: "Those animals made sure we're welcome in Weimar… You didn't see us because Eichenwald only recently actually allowed us to come there. Not because they dislike us, but because we come from the Black Forest, and of course there's some fear…"
Fiona: "Hmm… I just remembered that recently in Eichenwald, with something about Eisenhauer, I heard about a talking dog… it was a rumor… I thought…"
A few days ago
Remy: "Have you ever heard of a talking dog, Fiona?"
Fiona: "What? No…"
Remy: "There's one in Weimar. Supposedly it's a husky who talks normally, and he's even a teacher at the Elizabeth Herbert School."
Fiona: "What? That's the first time I've heard that."
Remy: "Probably just a rumor…"
End of memory
Emily: "Ah, that must be Fredy… He's the first animal teacher in Eichenwald… You have to know, in the past we were only allowed in certain areas, but that changed and now we're much more welcome. Eichenwald is more open toward us now…"
Rico: "Well… unfortunately, in some cities we still aren't welcome. Like you know, there are also Weimar cities that are a bit different…"
Fiona: "You mean the Weinhauer area?"
Rico: "Exactly… The reason we don't visit Eichenwald that often, and you haven't really seen us there, is simple: we usually go more to Heidelberger, Bremer City, and Weimar am Main."
Fiona: "I understand…"
Emily: "Hehehe… tell me, Fiona, are you married?"
Fiona: "What?… (blushes)… no… why?"
Emily: "Oh… me neither… I always wanted to marry… hmm… isn't that nice…"
Fiona: "Sorry, honestly I'm not interested in romance. I don't think I care about that. Relationships are overrated…"
Emily: "Oh come on…"
Rico: "Hmm… Emily, you were in love with a human once, weren't you?"
Emily: "Oh yes… hehehe… his name was Duke… hehehe… but sadly… he had no interest in… a Demi…"
Fiona: "But you're cute…"
Emily: "Hehehe… you're really kind, truly… I don't know if I can blame humans. I mean, it's hard to be in a relationship with a Demi like me…"
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Finrow: "Remy would totally have pulled her…"
Fiona: "(sweats) (Finrow!) Sorry, that was my rabbit…"
Emily: "Who is Remy?"
Fiona: "Ugh… um… uh… (sweating)… a business partner, yeah, exactly… I don't like him or anything… he's just someone I know, nothing more…"
Finrow: "Liar."
Fiona: "Wait a second…"
She went behind a tree.
Emily: "Hmm?"
Rico: "Huh?"
Crash crash
Finrow: "Ow!! Hahh… help!! help!"
Dong
Fiona: "Just shut up!"
Dong
Finrow: "You're a monster… you're killing me."
Fiona: "Just shut up."
Emily: "(sweats)"
Rico: "(sweats)… Seems like she doesn't like every animal…"
Emily: "Well… that rabbit really seems weird…"
Fiona came back.
Fiona: "Sorry… I had to handle something."
Finrow: "She tried to kill me…"
Fiona: "(forehead vein)… mm."
She hit the hat.
Finrow: "Ow…"
Fiona: "(cough)…"
Emily: "Hehehe… I think you should talk to our village elders…"
Fiona: "Excuse me?… you have…?"
Rico: "Yes… we have two, a dwarf couple… Lady Sendell and Sir Carteva…"
Fiona: "(sweats)… okay…"
Rico: "Sir Carteva is the dwarf with the red hat…"
Emily: "And Lady Sendell is the dwarf woman with the calm voice… and the orange hat…"
Fiona: "I understand. But I have to find someone who's probably still out in the forest. I don't know if it's good that he's still out there… I'd rather search for him…"
Rico: "No wait, that's dangerous… let me think… um…"
Emily: "Wait Rico, you don't have to… if I'm not mistaken… Mailo is out there…"
Fiona: "Mailo?"
Rico: "Mailo is a dog, and he's looking for some fruit for us… and he went to the other side of the forest… maybe he found your partner."
Fiona: "Hmm… I see…"
Meanwhile
Kafka: "Alright, that's enough. Whoever is watching me… come out now, or there'll be trouble…"
He came out. It was a dog.
Kafka: "A dog?"
Mailo: "Woof… what are you doing here?"
Kafka: "Oh, it's just a dog…"
He walked on, then stopped.
Kafka: "Wait… I think I'm dreaming too much… forget it…"
Mailo: "Woof, wait…"
Kafka: "Huh?… You can speak!!! The dog can speak… help! I drank too much paint…"
Mailo: "(sweats)… No you didn't… you don't even smell like it…"
Kafka: "True… I don't drink paint… but… but… how is this possible?"
Mailo: "You should leave. Especially standing behind that tree while one of those beings is behind you is not a good idea…"
Kafka: "What?!"
Jorinde: "I just heard something… again…"
Kafka hid.
Kafka: "What… a Nemesis… they can talk? How can that be… wait… I heard about this… there was a story from a hundred years ago about a talking Nemesis… they call themselves Phantom Nemesis…"
Mailo: "You should come with us first… to the city…"
Mailo whispered.
Kafka: "City?… okay…"
Kafka whispered back.
He followed him.
Mailo: "I was on my way to collect fruit."
Kafka: "I heard talking animals exist, but I didn't expect to meet you here."
Mailo: "Woof… we've lived here for centuries… hehehe… Thanks to the witch Fable, it isn't dangerous for us. For you humans, it's only dangerous if we don't let you in…"
Kafka: "I understand…"
Mailo: "Fable Land… that's the name of our city… It's a very big city…"
Kafka: "Does the witch Fable still live?"
Mailo: "Yes… but only in a coma… she has been sleeping for centuries… Fable sacrificed herself for this forest and has to keep sleeping… when exactly she'll wake up, nobody knows… some think 100 years, some 200, some 300, some say she'll never wake up… still, we take care of her…"
Kafka: "I see… My great grandfather met her once… how long ago was that… hmm…"
Mailo: "You're a Kafka. I knew it…"
Kafka: "How?"
Mailo: "Well… the dark hair, the outfit, the height… you're like your grandfather. Fable has been asleep for 200 years. Your grandfather knew her since he was little, and the last time he met her was shortly before her coma… your grandfather was 34 years old then…"
Kafka: "Hmm… if I'm not mistaken, my grandfather died at 84… and that even though he wasn't cursed…"
Mailo: "Hmm…"
Kafka: "I'd like to know more about Fable… and the connection to my grandfather… My grandfather died before I was even born… so I'm curious…"
Mailo: "You will. We're here…"
Kafka: "What… ugh…"
He saw the city.
Kafka: "Woow…"
Mailo: "Hmm…"
Meanwhile
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Rico: "What is it, Tina?"
Tina: "Mailo is back…"
Emily: "Oh…"
Rico: "And he brought someone with him…"
Mailo: "Woof, yay…"
Fiona: "Ugh… Kafka…"
Kafka: "Oh Fiona… I thought you'd gone back."
Fiona: "How? The path was blocked…"
Kafka: "It's like that in this forest, I guess. It happened to me too."
Mailo: "You have to find the right path for your exit…"
Fiona: "Path?"
Rico: "Yeah… the paths change over and over. Fable did that so nobody knows exactly how to get in or out, so it doesn't become too dangerous…"
Fiona: "I understand…"
Mailo: "The Kafka boy wants to know more about the connection between his grandfather Franz Kafka and Fable…"
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Rico: "Well, Fable has been asleep for centuries because of the spell that protects our forest…"
Kafka: "Mhm…"
Fiona: "What? Wait, she's still alive?"
Rico: "Of course she's alive. She's half witch, half elf… what did you think…"
Fiona: "I understand…"
Emily: "If you want to leave from here… you have to use that path… the black and white marked path…"
Finrow: "Oh… like in Wonderland…"
Fiona: "I understand…"
Kafka: "And what about the Nemesis…"
Rico: "I advise you to not interfere with them right now… she isn't that far, so you can leave the forest that way… you think it will take long, but don't worry: you'll meet another black and white marked path. There are four. One leads to Weimar am Main. For that you have to walk further ahead. To the right is Heidelberger. To the left is Eichenwald. For Bremer City, you have to take two paths: first keep walking like for Weimar am Main, and then you'll find a path that turns to the right. That will lead you to Bremer City…"
Kafka: "Thanks…"
Fiona: "Thanks…"
Rico: "No problem… How about you stay here for today…"
Fiona: "I'm worried about Cossette… a girl I have to take care of…"
Kafka: "Hmm… well Naomi is there…"
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Kafka: "But I don't know… We should tell Mr. Eisenhauer quickly about the rift…"
Fiona: "Mhm… I agree…"
Kafka: "Then we should get going…"
Fiona: "Wait, wait. Did you forget what's lurking outside? Those Nemesis could be dangerous… There has to be a way to avoid them…"
Emily: "Ask our village elder Carteva… he might be able to come up with something…"
Rico: "I'll take you to him…"
Kafka: "Okay…"
Fiona: "That would be nice…"
They followed Rico. The buildings looked very human like. There were even windmills and several small lakes…
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Kafka: "(cough)… "
Fiona looked around, and a child looked at her… he waved at her… Fiona got a bit nervous and didn't know what to do, so she waved back with a small smile…
Fiona: "Oh man… I'm not used to waving at people…"
Kafka: "Mhm…"
Rico: "Here we are…"
Fiona: "Huh?"
Kafka: "Huh?"
The house was round and even looked kind of crooked.
Fiona: "Weird but cool house… what…"
Rico: "Please don't be weird… please…"
The door opened.
Carteva: "Hmm… Rico…"
Rico: "Hello, Master… we rescued these humans from the Nemesis, and they wanted your help… You should maybe close the door, it's cold…"
Carteva: "I understand. What do you want?"
Fiona: "We have to go back to Eichenwald, but those Nemesis are in the way… Is there another way?"
Carteva: "No, only the black and white marked path… but I know another idea…"
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Kafka: "Hmm?"
They looked at each other.
Carteva: "A drink that makes you very small… then you can slip past them."
Fiona: "Um…"
Kafka: "The idea is good… but we should be careful…"
Carteva: "It will make you small, and then you go on. By the way, you only have 20 minutes in that form… here."
He gave it to them.
Carteva: "Drink it, please…"
Kafka: "Okay."
Fiona: "Okay…"
They drank it.
Fiona: "Ngh…"
Kafka: "Um…"
They became very small.
Fiona: "Oh no…"
Kafka: "Doesn't feel cool…"
Carteva: "Go now…"
Fiona: "Thank you, village elder…"
Kafka: "Thank you for the help…"
They left.
Emily: "Hmm…"
Carteva: "Alright, and I'm going back to work…"
A few minutes later
Fiona: "Hahh… hahh…"
Kafka: "Oh… today really isn't my day…"
Fiona: "Couldn't he warn us… that we have 20 minutes… but we get tired so fast…"
Kafka: "Just keep following the path…"
Fiona: "Ohhh… okay… I hope Cossette is okay… ugh…"
Kafka: "Ugh…"
Patch
They hid. It was Jorinde and Joringel.
Jorinde: "Hahhhhh…"
Fiona: "Mmm…"
Kafka: "Mmm…"
They moved on.
Fiona: "Hahhh…"
Kafka: "My God, that was close… come on…"
Meanwhile
Naomi: "Ohhh… you look cute…"
Cossette: "(blushes)… mmm… the clothes are too big…"
Naomi: "You look so cute… you're just adorable…"
Jingle
Naomi: "Oh hello… how can I help you…"
Someone in mysterious clothing entered… it was… the Fool…
The Fool: "Hello, my pretty… Do you maybe have some time… to be honest… I'd like a good outfit… for a meeting… with a woman…"
Naomi: "Oh… gladly… I have something for you. Please wait a moment…"
She went inside. Cossette looked at him.
The Fool: "Well, little one?"
Cossette: "Hey… I saw you on the airship… you're the guy Fiona got scared of…"
The Fool: "Hmm?… oh yes, I remember you… You're the little one with the pretty woman escort… Fiona… the pretty woman… and you are?"
Cossette: "Cossette…"
The Fool: "Hmm…"
Naomi: "Here you go…"
Naomi returned with a suit.
The Fool: "Oh… very good… that's exactly what I wanted… you know your craft…"
Naomi: "Hehehe, sure…"
The Fool: "Well then, my dear… I have to go… here's the money…"
Naomi: "Oh… that's too much…"
The Fool: "No problem… and as for you, my little one… look… there!!"
He pulled out cotton candy.
Cossette: "Wooow…"
The Fool: "For you…"
Cossette: "Thank you… thank you so much… hehehe…"
The Fool: "Well then, goodbye…"
The Fool left the shop.
Cossette: "Mmm… (smack)… mmmm… do you want one too… (smack)"
Naomi: "No thanks, my little one… eat it…"
Cossette: "Mmmm…"
A few minutes later
Kafka: "Phew…"
Fiona: "Hahhh… just in time…"
Bloob
They returned to Eichenwald and were no longer small.
Fiona: "About time…"
Kafka: "Ugh… quickly… we have to go to Mr. Eisenhauer…"
They hurried… but… it was so dark… at the Elizabeth Herbert School.
Kafka: "Hmm?"
Fiona: "Wait… something's wrong… it's morning evening…"
Kafka: "I know. That's why I'm confused why it's dark… hmm?"
They heard trembling and a howl…
Fiona: "Huh?"
Kafka: "Hey, do you hear that?"
Fiona: "Hey… hey…"
Kafka: "Hmm."
She pulled at his suit.
Fiona: "Please tell me I'm just dreaming… what the hell is that in front of us!"
Kafka: "Huh… ugh…"
A figure slowly walked through the paths…
Kafka: "A Nemesis?"
Fiona: "No… that can't be… there's no rift…"
Kafka: "Hahh… I don't know…"
The howling could be heard…
Fiona: "Ugh…"
Kafka: "Hmm… someone is in the closet…"
They quietly opened the door… it was Rosalie…
Rosalie: "Hahh… please help…"
Kafka: "Rosalie…"
Fiona: "What happened…?"
Rosalie: "That… creature… suddenly appeared…"
Kafka: "What about Eisenhauer…"
Rosalie: "He… he's in his room… don't go in there…"
Kafka: "Huh?"
He opened the door.
Kafka: "Mr. Eisenhauer… ugh huh!"
Fiona: "Huh!!!!"
Splop… splop…
Mr. Eisenhauer lay dead on the floor, in two pieces. One part on the floor, and one part hung on the coat hook.
Kafka: "Ugh…"
Fiona: "Don't look."
Rosalie: "Mmmm…"
Kafka: "No… Mr. Eisenhauer…"
Fiona: "We have to get out of here…"
Patch patch
Splash
Kafka: "Ugh…"
Fiona: "Ngh!!"
Rosalie: "Urk… ughhh…"
Rosalie's blood, organs, and body parts were crushed. Something went through her…
Splash
Kafka: "Ughh… hahh…"
Fiona: "Hahhh…"
They slowly turned around…
Kafka: "What… what kind of monster is that…"
Fiona: "A… monster…"
Kafka: "Wait… a… a mutant…"
Mutant: "Rrrrrrrrrrr…"