Heroes Rising Book 2: The Forbidden Forest

By Jacob Jones

Sara, Amanadine, and Kar return to the Kingdom of Evergreen as heroes from stopping the ritual occurring in the Wasteland. The evening they returned, they are visited by Desmond, who helps unlocked their hidden potential. After that night, they go their separate ways to train to harness their new abilities. After training, they met back a month later, stronger than before, and must venture out to the Forbidden Forest to stop the magical ritual. Sara, Amanadine, and Kar will have to use everything they learned from their training to survive.

Why is the place they are traveling to called the Forbidden Forest?

What new monsters or creatures will they discover during their travels? Will they meet new allies to help join on their quest?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 4, 2024
• ISBN: 9798887939766

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Heroes Rising Book 2

The Forbidden Forest

Jacob Jones

Copyright © 2023 Jacob Jones

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 979-8-88793-963-6 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88793-976-6 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

About the Author

Chapter 1

It was evening in the Kingdom of Evergreen. The kingdom was lively tonight for the return of the adventurers from their quest. A bright light resembling the sun itself shone in the upper rooms of Twinkle Star Inn. Three adventurers—a half elf, changeling, and dragonblood—resided in these rooms. Their names were Sara (half elf), Amanadine (changeling), and Kar (dragonblood).

Inside their rooms were their bags, a bed, a dresser, some eaten food, cup of water, and lastly, a scroll that was rolled up next to their bag. Sara, Amanadine, and Kar were drawn to their scrolls inside a golden vortex. After entering the vortex, they realized they were in their own separate vortices.

Inside the vortex with them was an old man looking downward in a blue robe. The old man lifted his head up and gave a gentle smile to all three of them. The old man extended his hand out as two chairs appeared in front of them.

Please have a seat, asked the old man.

Amanadine, Sara, and Kar all sat down in their chair across the old man. The old man walked to his chair and sat down. The old man then put his left index and thumb together and snapped them as an echo rang in the vortex.

Amanadine, Sara, and Kar were able to see each other now within their own vortices, though the people they saw were transparent. Amanadine, Sara, and Kar asked in unison, Who are you?

You already know my name, but I will remind you again since you do not recognize me. My name is Desmond, replied Desmond.

Amanadine, Sara, and Kar were in shock as they could not believe it was him. They thought Desmond would not be able to leave his place and wondered how he could be an old man.

Desmond raised his left hand and said, It really is me, and I can tell by the confused look on your faces that you do not believe me. But trust me when I say it is me.

What is the purpose of giving us the scrolls? asked Sara.

This is a safe location for me to speak to you, and I wanted to see if you were strong enough to survive against that mage in the tower, replied Desmond.

You knew there was a powerful mage in the tower, yet you did not help us, replied Sara as her eyes narrowed.

Desmond smiled slightly as he said, I am unable to help you, for I am stuck in this place I call home.

Why are you unable to leave your home? asked Amanadine.

Let's just say my life depends on it, replied Desmond as he turned and looked at Amanadine.

So tell us why you want to speak with us, said Kar.

Desmond closed his eyes as he took a deep breath and sat back in his chair. He opened his eyes and then clapped his hands together. A bright yellow or golden light shone in his hands. Five seconds passed by as Desmond extended his hands outward, showing them all the kingdoms in the land in a form of a map.

Each kingdom is gathering adventurers to figure out what is happening in the land. Each region has a magical surge, which you experience in the Wasteland. I assure you the danger is real, and every kingdom is at risk. I am telling you all this because you happened to stumble upon me at my home. You need to stop the magical rituals before they unleash a great evil throughout the land, said Desmond.

Do you know who is behind the rituals, and where are they located? asked Sara.

Desmond pointed to various locations on the map. He pointed to each region except the Wasteland and Meadowlands. Every location I pointed has some great magic ruminating from them. The Wasteland and Meadowlands, I cannot sense the same magic coming from them. I believe you and a different group stopped the ritual in the areas. It would be wise to visit the Meadowlands and the kingdom located in the area to gather information.

Desmond looked at each of them with a hard stare as he opened his mouth to speak. The fate of our world rests on the adventurers' shoulders. You all must stop the rituals before they can complete them. I have a feeling they are trying to open the rip in the sky to unleash the demon fiend that tried to take over our world long ago. I can offer some assistance by giving you each a pendant.

Desmond snapped his fingers, and silver pendants appeared in front of Amanadine, Sara, and Kar. They each slowly grasped the pendants and held it in their hands.

What you have there is a way to communicate to me through magical means. I will do all that I can to guide you when you need me. I have one more thing I want to give you before you leave, said Desmond.

Desmond stood up from his seat and stood in front of Sara. He extended his right hand over her head. Desmond's eyes grew wide as he let out a slight sigh. A green wave of magical energy left Desmond's hand and surrounded Sara. Sara's mind and body opened to various kinds of magic, magic she did not think she was capable of. Desmond removed his hand from over Sara's head and walked next to Amanadine and extended his right hand over her head.

Desmond's eyes grew wide again as he let out a slight sigh as a green wave of magic energy left his hand. Amanadine felt her body beginning to change as she felt magic flowing through her. This was the first time Amanadine felt any kind of magic flowing within her own body. Amanadine's eyes began to change to assorted colors as she sat in her chair.

Desmond removed his hand from over Amanadine's head and walked up to Kar as he extended his right hand over his head. Desmond's eyes again grew wide as he let out a slight sigh as a green wave of magic energy left his hand. Kar's eyes turned all gold in color, and his fingers grew into sharp claws as his nails turned copper in color. Kars's teeth became razor-sharp and felt like they could break a sword in half.

Desmond removed his right hand and walked back to his chair. Desmond sat down and said, I unlocked your hidden potential, a gift very few receive. You all should be able to control your new abilities in time. I recommend you all practice on controlling your new abilities.

Sara, Amanadine, and Kar could not believe they received such a gift from someone. As they turned their gaze toward Desmond, they saw him raise his right hand with his index finger and thumb pressed together.

Desmond smiled and said, I will tell you all in the future. With the snap of his fingers, Amanadine, Sara, and Kar all returned to their rooms in the same spot where they teleported from.

Chapter 2

Amanadine, Sara, and Kar stood in the middle of their rooms as they looked around. They saw their belongings with the scroll rolled up near it. People talked loudly while they walked in the hallway. Their eyes became heavy from the long day they endured. Each of them picked up their belongings and placed them on top of the dresser.

Each of them slowly lay on their beds and stared up at the ceiling as they reflected on what Desmond did to them. The noise slowly died down as the night passed. Amanadine, Sara, and Kar closed their eyes and drifted away in their sleep. The night passed by in a blink of an eye before they woke up from the sun's light piercing through the window.

Amanadine, Sara, and Kar made their beds and gathered their belongings. Each of them exited their rooms and stood by in the hallway, waiting for each other. They smiled gently toward one another as they turned and walked down the stairs. The Twinkle Star Inn was empty with no one in sight except Twinkle himself in the bar. Twinkle smiled at them as they walked up to the bar.

How may I help you adventurers? I hope your evening was enjoyable, said Twinkle.

The evening was good. It has been a while since we last slept on a nice bed, replied Kar as he leaned up against the bar.

I slept like a newborn child, said Amanadine as she smiled toward Twinkle.

I feel well rested and ready to take on whatever is thrown our way, replied Sara as she smiled gently at Twinkle.

Twinkle smiled at the three adventurers and said, My inn is always open, so feel free to stop by when you need a place to rest. As Twinkle finished what he said, Amanadine, Sara, and Kar said their goodbyes and exited the Twinkle Star Inn. Amanadine, Sara, and Kar stood in the empty street of the kingdom. It was incredibly early in the day as most of the shops were still closed.

Condensation formed along the outside windows of the inn and shops around them. The sun's light was warm to the touch as it shined on their bodies. Amanadine, Sara, and Kar started to walk slowly through the empty streets. Half an hour passed by as they stumbled upon a water fountain.

In the middle of the water fountain stood a king holding its sword at the hilt with the blade pointing downward by his feet. Along the edge at the bottom of the water fountain were riders galloping along a road. Amanadine removed her bag and placed it on the water fountain where one could sit. She turned and faced Kar and Sara with a look in her eyes as if she has something on her mind.

I have something to say and not sure how you both will react, said Amanadine.

Speak your mind. I, too, have something to say, replied Kar.

I also have something I want to say too, but I will wait until your both finished, quickly said Sara.

Well, I was thinking about traveling alone for a bit. Maybe meet up with my family so I can learn how to control my new abilities from Desmond, said Amanadine nervously. Amanadine stared at Kar and Sara as she waited to hear their response. Both Kar and Sara looked at each other and smiled.

I was thinking the same thing, Amanadine, replied Kar.

I feel the same way. It's a chance for us to get stronger without the chance of us harming one another, said Sara.

Amanadine took a deep breath as relief flowed through her heart. Amanadine thought they would be upset with her wanting to part ways now after what they had been through.

How are you going to find your family, Amanadine? asked Kar.

I will most likely ask around the kingdom if they heard anything from the circus. What is your plan, Kar? asked Amanadine.

I plan on traveling north to train. I'm hoping to control this new ability, replied Kar. Kar looked at Sara and asked, What do you plan on doing?

I plan on doing research in the library here in the kingdom and then meet up with my mother to figure out the magical power flowing through me. Something in the books or scrolls can give me clues on the magical power. I also plan on reading the books about any kind of rituals which could have been lost and try to use this new magical power somehow, replied Sara.

Should we use this day to relax and spend time together before we depart? said Amanadine.

I like the idea, but I am departing midday. I want to get a good start on my training, replied Kar.

If you plan on leaving midday, then I will also leave at that time too, said Amanadine.

I believe we all agree to go our separate ways at midday then. Since we have the morning together, let us eat breakfast and shop for supplies before leaving. I would also like to discuss where and when we will meet up, said Sara.

Let's talk it over breakfast then. I'm hungry for some tasty food, replied Kar.

Kar, Amanadine, and Sara walked east from the water fountain toward the market street. The sun rose higher in the sky as they walked through the street. From a distance, a bell rang with a high-pitched tune. As the bell rang, all the different shops and restaurants opened.

The owners from the shops and restaurants walked outside with smiles on their faces. Each one of them greeted Kar, Amanadine, and Sara as they walked past. The street started to become livelier as more people walked the streets. The people from the kingdom walked the streets with bags around their arms and coin pouches around their waist.

In half an hour, the streets were full of the residents of the kingdom. Kar, Amanadine, and Sara walked into a restaurant named Boar's Head. The aroma of the food and drinks filled the restaurant to capacity. Kar, Amanadine, and Sara sat at a small table and waited to be served. A young lady walked up to the table and gave each of them a cup of water and asked for their orders. The young lady