Purple gas appears above a patch of green grass, as Akuji and Danya form from it, falling down.

  "Ugh!" Akuji groans as he hits the ground, Danya falling on top of him.

  "Damn—- so much for a soft landing—-"

  He lifts his arm and sees burn marks. "I barely escaped that."

  He thinks back to Tenko's Death Parade. "Tch—- him using my own technique like that."

  "I don't know if I should be angry or proud he did it so well."

  He looks up at the sky—it's a light green color, with grey clouds swirling through it.

  "Oh no—- Am I at the—-" He instantly turns his head to look at the nearby trees. They have detailed faces etched into the bark. His eyes widen as he sees the face of a man smiling.

  "NO! I DIDN'T WANT TO COME TO THE CURSED BACKWOODS!"

  He slams his fist on the grass. "Out of all places!"

  He then starts to hiss as his cheek begins to have a burning sensation. He holds onto it with his palm. "Damn—- he really got me good with.." The memory of Clyde's fist crashing into his face replays in his head.

  He sighs as he moves Danya off his body, sitting up. He picks her up, putting her on his back.

  "Teleporting won't work here—- this is exactly why I hate this biome—- all this damn cursed energy." He thinks to himself as he starts to walk forward.

  "I need to find a way out of here, without bringing too much attention to myself."

  He spots a pathway covered by vines and the trees with faces on them.

  "Egh—-" he says in disgust.

  "What other choice do I have though?" He sighs sharply as he begins to walk on the pathway.

  AKUJI'S POV

  Walking this is a pain in the ass—everything looks the god damn same! And these damn trees keep looking at me smiling—- it's unnerving—-.

  I wrap Danya's hands around my collar as I hold her up tighter. Yeah—- get me out of here.

  The trees start to whisper. I can't make out what they're saying. I try to ignore them, but it's just irritating.

  I continue to walk as one of the trees whispers, "Hey.."

  Okay, I heard that clear—- I look around at all the trees trying to see which one said it.

  Was it the one with the face of a child? Couldn't be—it's literally drooling sap. I then turn to look at the two trees with beautiful faces.

  "Not bad for some trees." I whisper.

  "Hey! Did you two just call out to me?"

  The two trees stare at me, not saying a word. Their mouths move as inaudible whispers come out.

  "Okay—- clearly not."

  "Hey—-" the whispers return.

  I can feel a vein pop on my head. I'm really not in the mood for this shit!

  I scoff as I start to walk away in the direction I was originally going.

  "Hey—-"

  "Hey—-"

  "Hey—-" The voice just keeps saying the same thing! "SHUT UP DAMN IT!"

  The surrounding trees' faces slowly contort into one of shock. "Ugh—-" This shit is disgusting.

  A green wisp then appears in front of me.

  "Hey—-" it whispers.

  "AH-HA! So it's you saying those annoying ass heys."

  "Hey—-" it whispers once more.

  I try to swat it out of the air as it evades my hands, swirling around. "Say that one more time and I'll squash you!"

  "Hey—-"

  My eyes twitch as I stick my palm out. "That's it! Bye-bye, you're getting turned to dust!"

  I try to gather magical power in my palm as I don't feel anything rushing to my palms. "Huh?"

  I turn my palm facing me. "Where's the tingle? Where's the glow? Where's the rush of power!?"

  I try again to summon magical energy as it fails. "Oh—- my—- stars—-"

  My magic! It's gone! I thought this biome only had the ability to take teleportation, not magic too!

  "Hey! What's going on! Why can't I use magic?!"

  "Hey—-" The wisp says back.

  I try to grab it as it phases through my hand. "You little—-" I start to chase it down the pathway.

  "WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME!" I chase it as the pathway ends, revealing a giant wooden wall blocking it.

  "Nowhere to go now, huh?" I snicker as I catch my breath.

  I then point at it. "Anything to say now?! You're cornered!"

  "Hè" It then says. (He)

  "Wha-" Did this thing just say 'He?'

  The leaves of the surrounding trees start to rustle as a breeze starts to blow. My hair is sticking to my face, damn it.

  I wipe my hair off my face as the green wisp floats in the same spot. I expected it to run away or something.

  "Hè" it says again. (He)

  I sigh. "First hey? Now you're saying he?"

  "Is your vocabulary that limited?"

  The trees start to whisper once more:

  "Hè"

  "Hè"

  "Hè"

  Okay, what the hell is going on?! This whole damn biome is repeating the same shit!

  "GHRRR-Hè" a loud voice shouts, ringing in my ears, giving me a tingling sensation.

  I turn around instantly. What the hell was that?!

  I look around at the faces of the trees.

  Okay, what the fuck—are they moving their mouths or not? Is this some type of illusion? They're opening but not opening?!

  "DON'T PISS ME OFF! I CAN'T STAND MIND GAMES!"

  I stick my arm out, trying to fire a blast. My arm tingles as nothing but smoke appears from my palm.

  "Ugh."

  I forgot my magic didn't work—- I was about to blow this place to splinters.

  I fasten Danya's arms around me, holding her tighter. I have to get out of here.

  "GHRRR-Hè!!!" The voice screams again.

  The same damn tingling rings in my ear. God damn it!

  I hear bush rustling as a figure jumps out.

  "Uh?" I hum in confusion as I watch its silhouette drop to the ground.

  I blink as the wind continues to push my hair back.

  Now what is this—-.

  "BONJOUR MON AMI!" (Hello my friend!) It yells.

  I stare at this thing completely dumbfounded—whatever language it's speaking, small green-skinned, pointy-eared, tub of lard.

  What is this thing—-

  "Bonjour! Tu ne m'as pas entendu?" (Hello! Didn't you hear me?)

  I huff. "Listen buddy. I don't know what you're saying, so either speak English or Spanish."

  I can't even summon my reaper book to translate what it's saying—- this is a pain.

  "Je ne comprends pas ce que vous dites." (I don't understand what you're saying.) It scratches its head. The sound of its nails scraping its skin irks me.

  "I don't know what you're saying!"

  It then points to something behind me. I turn my head and see nothing.

  "Cette belle fille aux cheveux roux sur votre dos. Combien co?te-t-elle?" (That beautiful red-haired girl on your back. How much does she cost?)

  I turn back to it, looking down. It's pissing me off. The wind slows down.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  "I don't have time for this. Honestly, you're wasting my time."

  "Combien co?te la fille!" (How much does the girl cost!) It says more aggressively.

  Tch- who the hell is this thing mouthing off to? I may not have my magic, but I can kill this thing with my bare hands if I have to.

  I grit my teeth. "Speak out of line again and I'll kill you—-" I say in a low voice.

  "Oh, let me say it in another language so maybe you'll understand this."

  "Te mataré—-" (I will kill you—-)

  It stands there pinching its nose, tapping its foot. Tch, it thinks it has any right to be irritated? I just got done fighting a cosmic battle with demons! Now trapped in this bullshit forest!

  "FILLE, PRIX, QUEL EST SON PRIX?!" (GIRL, PRICE, WHAT IS HER PRICE?!) It yells.

  I'm done—- I'm done here! I turn, facing my back towards it, walking away.

  "HEY, NE PARTEZ PAS, JE VOUS PARLE!" (HEY, DON'T LEAVE, I'M TALKING TO YOU!)

  I raise my hand as I walk away. "Hablas demasiado, nos vemos." (You talk too much, see you later.) Annoying bastard.

  I can hear its little footsteps approach me as it runs in front of me.

  Now what—-

  It continues to point at me.

  "Je demanderai encore une fois avant de la prendre de force." (I'll ask one more time before taking her by force.)

  What the hell is he pointing at—- "Get your damn finger out of my face."

  It then clicks. Wait—- is he pointing at—-

  "Danya—-" I whisper.

  "Aye! No deal! Whatever you're planning, she's not involved!" I shake my head.

  The creature's face turns sour as he stomps his foot.

  "Très bien ! Si tu es comme ?a!" (Very well! If you're like that!) Its voice deepens.

  "You have four seconds to get out of my face."

  It starts to grunt as its brown garments start to rip.

  I start to count down. "Cuatro segundos." (Four seconds.)

  The creature's garments continue to rip as the sounds of bones cracking fill the air. I ignore it.

  "Tres segundos." (Three seconds.)

  I clench my fist, preparing to attack. I could give a damn less what it's doing.. I'll put this thing in the dirt.

  It starts to scream "GHRRRR!!!" as its eyes glow red.

  "Intimidating—- Dos segundos." (Two seconds.)

  It starts to grow in size as muscles erupt from it, its green skin turning into scales, fangs sticking out of its mouth, as the remaining garment covers its lower area.

  I clap. "Un segundo—-" (One second—-)

  "Je l'emmène, que tu le veuilles ou non!" (I'm taking her, whether you want it or not!)

  "Témoin de ma vraie forme, de la vraie force de Leonardo!" (Witness my true form, the true strength of Leonardo!)

  "Time's up! Time to die!" I crack my knuckles.

  Wait—- how is he using magic? Wait a damn minute—-

  "?MENTIRA!" (LIE!) I kick the ground.

  He throws a punch my way as I sidestep out of the way.

  "?MENTIRA!, ?MENTIRA!, ?MENTIRAAAA'" (LIE!, LIE!, LIIIIE!)

  "HOW CAN HE USE IT BUT NOT ME!"

  Leonardo grunts "Gwah!" as he throws another punch. I step out of the way of that one too.

  "Like really! This place has its favorites or something?! This ugly piece of shit can use his magic but oh no! When it comes to me, magic is negated!"

  I watch as Leonardo then flexes both of his arms, instantly trying to clap, catching me in the middle. I jump in the air at the last moment, dodging it.

  "NE BOUGEZ PAS, BON SANG!" (DON'T MOVE, DAMN IT!)

  "Tch." I cock my foot back as I swirl in the air, landing a kick on his face, sending him rolling back.

  "I'm done here! I'm not even in the mood to kill anymore!"

  I walk away in the direction the path led me from before.

  I hear him standing up. I look back and see him covering his nose—blue blood leaks through his hand.

  I shrug. I told this guy to move; that's on him.

  He starts to charge at me, screaming.

  I'm not even going to bother attacking—- maybe he'll lead me out of here.

  I start to run away. This chase might help me. I hold onto Danya tighter as I run.

  "GWAHHH! Ne vous enfuyez pas!" (Don't run away!)

  I run down the path as it chases. I look behind, smiling. "Arriba! Vamos, Vamos!" (Come on! Let's go, let's go!)

  "You can do it, big guy!" I stick up the middle finger as I continue to run.

  "GWAHHHHH!" He yells as his footsteps grow heavier. Each step makes the ground vibrate. It's like I'm jumping. Haha! This is kinda fun.

  The soul trees start to whisper once more. The wind returns as leaves start to fall and blow past me.

  I wonder—- if there's anything past these trees—-

  I then jump to the left as I run in between the soul trees. Their faces stare at me—each one I pass, a feeling of disgust washes over me.

  Okay, bad idea—-

  Leonardo starts to bend the trees to try to get to me. I can hear the soul trees scream in pain as he's rushing through them.

  "Damn, how cruel. What did they do to you?" I whisper, chuckling under my breath.

  As I'm running, I hear Danya's voice grunt and moan a bit. My eyes widen. "Danya, you're awake?"

  No answer—- damn. The weeps and cries of the Soul Trees grow louder as the angry goblin continues to chase me.

  There has to be a dead end here—- there's no way there's nothing but trees-

  Before I could finish, I fall as the sensation of the ground pulling me down hits my feet. "WHA-"

  The wind blows my hair upwards as the sound of it blows in my ear. I look down as I'm falling. "Holy shit—-" I mutter.

  The land is massive—all these architectures, all these giant pathways connecting like a spider web. A colossal cathedral of living stone and vines, the sunlight floods in through the massive circular arches.

  This is insane—- I then look over to see the swamps next to it as I continue to fall.

  I try to steer myself in the air so I don't hit the ground too hard. Shit, if there was only a body of water below me—-

  Leonardo's screams echo: "Tu ne m'échapperas pas aussi facilement!" (You won't escape me so easily!)

  Tch- this guy again. I look up and see he's falling, still chasing me.

  I turn to put my focus on the landing. Okay, this is going to hurt!

  In that moment, a gust of wind hits me, instantly swirling me in it. "Huh?!"

  It then spits me out as I'm sent flying to the ground. Before I hit the ground, I take Danya off my back as I hold her tightly around my chest.

  I land on a pile of leaves as I hear screaming from them. "Damn!" I hiss in pain. It didn't soften the impact at all!

  I open my eyes and see faces on the green leaves. "UGH- EW!" I instantly adjust Danya back on my back.

  "A?e, ?a fait mal!" (Ouch, that hurts!) I hear a soft voice groan.

  I look around to try to see where the voice came from. I see the pile of leaves as they're crying.

  "No, not this again—-"

  Leonardo's screams can still be heard: "Vous pouvez courir mais vous ne pouvez pas vous cacher!" (You can run but you can't hide!)

  Ugh—- I'll just kill this guy already—he's getting on my nerves.

  "P-please let me out. S'il vous pla?t." (Please.) A soft voice with an accent says out loud.

  "Who said that? That's the first English thing I've heard since I've gotten to this place!"

  "S'il vous pla?t—- let me go—-" (Please—- let me go—-)

  I continue to look around. "Then show yourself—- let you go from where?"

  "S'il vous pla?t." (Please.)

  I'm not dealing with this again—- another thing repeating that damned language!

  I pinch my nose. "WHERE?!"

  "Behind you—- trapped—- space—- need—- space."

  I turn around and see nothing but leaves scattered, and little white spirits that look like puffballs hopping along in a line.

  "Behind me where? I'm about to leave you!"

  "Behind—-you—-trapped—-girl—-on—-me."

  Girl on you? Wait—- I grab Danya and put her over my shoulder. I hear something fall to the ground.

  I turn to look and see a small plant-like creature with big white eyes, crying on the ground.

  "Merci! Merci! Malika bless you!" (Thank you! Thank you!)

  "Uh—- you're welcome?"

  The creature hugs my legs as it pulls on my cloak.

  "Merci, Merci!!!" (Thank you, Thank you!!!)

  Ugh—- I get it—- can this thing leave me alone already?

  I look up and see—is that a damn bubble? Is someone blowing bubbles nearby? In a place like this?

  I then let out a sigh. Why am I even surprised? Not the weirdest thing I've encountered today—- this week has been a bust—-

  First the entire Clyde shit, then that whole battle in heaven, now this. This really must be my karma or something. I rub the back of my head.

  The creature continues to pull on my leg, hugging it.

  "Aye. Can you let me go? Get on with your life and go away."

  "Monsieur, I have to show you my gratitude!" (Sir, I have to show you my gratitude!)

  Gratitude? Gratitude for what? I simply just moved Danya.

  "Listen, I don't want anything from you, just leave me alone." I say sternly.

  Wait—- no, scratch that.

  "No, wait—never mind, I do need you. Tell me how to get out of here."

  The creature smiles. "Monsieur, gladly! The stone monument you see up there—Pierre pour les maudits."

  "If you go past there, you will reach Forêt sans ame!" (Forest without soul!)

  "Okay, but that doesn't explain how I can get out of this biome. I want out of the backwoods, not just to be in another part of it."

  The thing steps back and lets go of my leg. "Monsieur, I don't know what you mean—why would you want to leave Bois Maudits?" (Sir, I don't know what you mean—why would you want to leave Cursed Woods?)

  Bois what? Is that what they call the Cursed Backwoods here? Whatever.

  "I want to leave it because I don't belong here. Do you understand?"

  "Or should I make it more simple?" I lean in as my voice grows sharper. "THIS.IS.NOT.MY.HOME!"

  The plant-like creature laughs. My eye twitches—does this thing think this is a game?

  "Monsieur, this is a place that can be your home. Bois Maudits has everything you need." (Sir, this is a place that can be your home. Cursed Woods has everything you need.)

  "Ha, everything I need? Sorry, but I'm content with what I have. Why would I stay in a place where I can't use a simple magic blast?"

  "No, no." The creature shakes its head.

  "Bois Maudits—to find your magic power, you must embrace the love of Garde royale Malika. Only then will you be free."

  "Garde Royale?" (Royal Guard?) What? This place has a Royal Guard now? Who knew the slums would ever appoint someone to that status.

  I'm interested a bit. "Hey, tell me more about your 'Garde Royale'. And this love you speak of." (Royal Guard)

  The creature jumps with joy, clapping its little stumps. "Bien s?r!" (Of course!)

  "Garde Royale Malika—her love makes us love! We go to her for salvation! To remove any negative emotion from us! So we always feel love!"

  My face contorts with disgust. "Ugh.." Talk about weird—basically just emotional manipulation. What is this, a cult?

  "She is our savior! Before her, Bois Maudits was in ruins before she came, nothing but bad guys. But with her love, she changed the entire biome!"

  I chuckle. "Right, and I'm supposed to believe that? This place is known for holding the most dangerous spirits and criminals. A Royal Guard wouldn't last here—no one would follow one."

  "No! I'm telling the truth! Malika's love is the way."

  "Well, even if it is or not, I'm not staying to find out." I turn to the direction of the stone monument. Tall blades of green grass stand in my way, but whatever.

  "Monsieur, the woman on your shoulder." (Sir, the woman on your shoulder.)

  Hm? I turn my head back to it. "What about her?"

  "She reminds me of a verse from the Livre de révérence: Les lois de Malika pour les méchants." (She reminds me of a verse from the Book of Reverence: Malika's laws for the wicked.)

  I facepalm. "I have no idea what that is or what you just said—I don't speak your language!"

  "Livre de révérence—the rules we must follow in order to obtain and retain our love." (Book of reverence—the rules we must follow in order to obtain and retain our love.)

  "There was a certain scripture in the writing. I remember the words describing a woman."

  I face my body towards it. "Go on, tell me the verse then."

  "Méfiez-vous de la femme vêtue d'écarlate, avec des cornes sur le front, vêtue de l'étoffe du ciel de minuit. De sa chair sort un éclat cramoisi," (Beware the woman clad in scarlet, with horns upon her brow, robed in the cloth of the midnight sky. From her flesh goeth forth a crimson radiance)

  It just had to be in that language, huh? "Do you mind saying it in English?"

  "Of course!" It says with glee. "Beware the woman clad in scarlet, with horns upon her brow, robed in the cloth of the midnight sky. From her flesh goeth forth a crimson radiance'"

  My eyes widen as a sinking feeling appears in my gut. D-Danya—- was that about Danya? That was her to the bone—-

  (TO BE CONTINUED)