Chapter 64: Forest of Spirits

"So where is the Alpha Ruins? It's got to be hidden well."

Ash was walking at the front of the group with Rusty, Quake, Raven, Eclipse, Nightgale, Windfur and Kodi. They were discussing the Alpha Ruins, how to find it and what they'd do once they got there (except Raven - he was grumbling to himself). 

"Not really. It's through the Forest of Spirits," Quake replied. "All the spirits lurk there. And the Alpha Ruins is a tomb blocked by an unmovable boulder. A spirit guards that tomb, and only if you're given permission may you pass. Sometimes they let you bring in some animals to accompany you."

"Where's the Forest of Spirits?" Eclipse asked.

"Right there, looks like," nodded Nightgale.

Ash looked ahead; indeed, a dark-looking forest had come into view. The front animals all stopped, and the animals in the back immediately started murmuring.

"What's going on?"

"Why'd they stop?"

"What's ahead?"
Ash looked at Quake. "What do we do? Do we travel alone now, just us?"
"I think only you can go, Ash," Quake replied.

"But, who am I supposed to--" Ash began.

"They'll tell you. Just walk up to the forest," Quake said.

Ash sighed and looked at the forest. Here I go. He walked slowly up to the forest, flinching as a crow flew up from the trees in there, calling out. Ash could hear the murmur and muttering of the animals behind him as he looked at the forest. "H-Hello?" he called into the forest.

No answer.

Ash stood as close to the forest as possible until he was just a pawstep away from it. "Um--"

Just then, a blue spirit whisked in front of Ash. Ash flinched and looked back at the animals behind them, expecting them to gasp and yell out, but they didn't seem to notice; in fact, Ash was pretty sure he was the only one seeing this spirit.

"Bring Airia," the spirit whispered, "and Windfur..." the spirit then blew away.

Ash turned around and trotted back to the group. May as well get this over with, he thought. "Um...Airia and Windfur? Can you come here?" he called.

Windfur immediately bounded forward. "Ooh! What's up?"
Airia walked forward, looking uncertain. "...Yes?"

"I'm supposed to bring you two into the Alpha Ruins with me," Ash said.

"What do the spirits want with me?" Airia asked, looking scared.

"Hey sister, no need to be scared," Windfur said, jumping up and down in excitement, "these spirits are awesome!"
"You've been here before?" Ash asked.

"'Course! Great place," Windfur grinned.

Ash sighed. "Let's go, then."
As soon as Ash stepped into the forest, he could no longer hear the animals talking from behind him. Airia followed him in, and Windfur bounded after, looking absolutely happy about this. 

The forest was dark with lots of fog. Ash perked his ears, looking around; it seemed to not have any living creatures in it except for the trees. Ash shivered. How big is this forest? he wondered, hoping to be able to get into the Alpha Ruins quickly.

Ash could hear Windfur humming. He turned to her. "You don't feel nervous at all?"
"Look, Ash," Windfur said, giving him a look, "if you're so scared, just breathe. It's not like you're going to be murdered, not here, okay? It's protected by the Peace--well, kind of."
"What?" Ash asked.

"Oh. Well, the Alpha Ruins is divided - Peacebenders' side, and Darkbenders' side. Depending on what side you're on, you can only enter the side you belong to. We can only go in the Peacebenders' side, so if the Firebenders are here, they'd never reach us," Windfur explained. "I can't wait to see Spirittiger again. He's so cool!"

"You met Spirittiger?" Ash said. Ash had met Spirittiger during the journey to the Water Tribe, where Spirittiger met him and told him about the prophecy about Ash having to defeat Ironfang - apparently, Ash was called 'Fallen Fire' in the prophecy.

"Of course!" Windfur grinned.

"Um, guys? We're here," said Airia.

And it appeared Airia was right; in front of them was a tomb, and a blue-like fog was sitting in front of it.

Ash stepped forward. "Hi...?"

Just then, a shape rose from the blue fog that looked like a tiger's head. "Ah, Fallen Fire!" it exclaimed.

"Actually, it's just Ash..." Ash muttered.

"Hi Spirittiger!" Windfur beamed.

"You're here for the meeting?" Spirittiger asked.

"Uh...yeah," Ash nodded.

"Enter," said Spirittiger.

The boulder rolled away, revealing the entrance.

Author's Note:
Cliffhanger~