The six sisters journeyed further, each route they took got them closer to their destination.
Ammit held the map closer scanning through, "We need to head east and pass through a thick forest" she looked up to her sisters.
"We need to be attentive when passing this forest, it's only a few hours walk before we get out of it" She notified walking further.
Aifey quietly stroked her hair gently, "Is there another route we can take that won't take us hours?" She asked looking up at Ammit.
"That's ridiculous, this is the only route we can pass through" Ammit replied adjusting her clothes. She handed the map to Allocen and carefully placed her sword by her side.
The sisters walked on, a few minutes later, they got to a signboard deep in the woods. Ammit walked closer to it, her eyes scanning the words, "Nemo memoriam habebit (NO GOING BACK)" Ammit read aloud in Latin, she turned her gaze to her sisters and they nodded in union except Maria who looked at her sternly.
Bringing out her sword, Ammit cut down some woods and coarse leaves blocking the entrance, she shoved the sword back to her side and walked through it into the forest. Her sisters did the same and they found themselves in a very thick jungle. The trees here were tall and strange, leaves grew all around the trees along with thick woods that made it difficult for the sisters to pass through. Ammit brought out her sword again and began to cut the woods creating a passage for them. There was no sign of any animal or birds, everywhere was so quiet except the noises their feet made when they step on the dry leaves.
Suddenly, they heard footsteps approaching them. The sisters looked at one another puzzled but ready to face whatever is coming their way. Ammit held tightly to her sword, she looked around, her eyes scanning the area but she saw nothing.
The footsteps approached them closely, slowly behind some thick leaves, a man appeared looking vigorously at them. He was tall and huge with no clothing on his chest only a worn-out dirty rag that was tied around his waist. His chest was large and filled with hairs as his large muscles were visible to the sisters.
His beards were long, black, and dirty as he stood in front of them. His hair looked dry, unkempt, and filled with dirt. He held an arrow in his hand and a bow across his shoulder. Below his left eye was a mark that indicated strength and supremacy.
He glanced at the sisters one after the other and rested his gaze on Ammit who stood at the front with her sword pointing towards him.
"Trespassers!" he suddenly let out. His voice was as loud as a thunderbolt bringing a harsh feeling to the atmosphere. He walked forward towards Ammit who looked at him fiercely,
"Don't come closer" She warned, her red eyes flickering in anger.
The man stopped but stared at her, his expression was so mean that his breath echoed around the forest.
"How dare you?!" He spoke, his voice filled with anger as he stared at Ammit.
"You are walking through my forest and giving me orders, how dare you?!" He asked again roaring violently, his missing teeth showed as he spoke loudly.
Allocen walked closer and stood before Ammit. Her white hair glowing in radiant beauty. Her eyes were fixed on the strange man but she had a smile on her lips, "We are sorry we trespassed, we are the daughters of darkness and we need to pass through" she said gently to the figure standing before her.
Immediately, the man's expression changed to a one of surprise or fear, "The daughters of darkness?" He asked, his eyes flickering.
Noticing his expression, Ammit placed her sword back beside her. With a smirk on her face wondering how a lion suddenly became a scared lamb about to be slaughter only because he heard who they are.
"Yes, we are the daughters of darkness," Ammit said glaring at him.
To their surprise, the man bowed before them slightly, "I am sorry, come with me, I will show you an easy way out of this forest in no time" he said gesturing them.
Allocen glanced at Ammit with a smile on her face. Quietly, the sisters followed the man who stood beside them.
They walked for a few minutes, the deeper they went, the more the forest became thicker and darker.
"This forest came into existence to protect my people and me against our enemies" The tall man explained as they walked further.
"Your people?" Maria inquired as her sisters glanced at her. The tall man glared at Maria as he wondered who spoke, "Yes, I and my people live here, but we stay far away from human reach" he replied.
Maria scanned around and back at the Man, "At the entrance of this forest, there is a signboard which states no going back, what does it mean?" She asked raising an eyebrow. She needs to know in case she finally succeeds in her mission and wants to go back to the convent.
The strange man glared at her and returned his gaze as they walked further, "This forest is enchanted, you can never find your way out of it once you step foot into it. It's a curse that can never be broken, this is opened to trespassers who tries to evade our home" he narrated.
Maria didn't say a word but looked down at her hand, rubbing them together, she assured herself that everything will be fine.
An hour later, they got to an end, there was no route to pass through anymore which left the sisters confused. Ammit looked up at the man, "This is an end, how can we get past here?" She asked looking around.
The man walked forward, carefully, he stepped his feet at a spot, cleared the leaves away revealing a secret hideout. Gently, he opened the lid revealing a tunnel. He looked up at the sisters, "This is where I have to stop, go through this tunnel, it will lead you out of this forest" he notified.
Ammit walked closer to him, she nods her head, turned her gaze to her sisters, and stepped into the tunnel. The sisters took turns, Maria entered lastly as she followed them. The tunnel was so dark that she couldn't see a thing but she was rest assured that she is following her sisters rightly.
After the sisters have walked through it, the strange man closed the lid and laid grasses on it, making sure it was well secured, he turned around wandering back into the forest.
The sisters sauntered quietly into the tunnel, it was long and had an awful smell filled with rotten animal flesh and bones. This made Maria puzzled because, during their walk in the forest, they never came in contact with an animal.
Minutes passed, getting to the end, the sisters saw a light and crawled faster towards it. Finally, they got out of the tunnel one after the other breathing out a fresh air of relief.
Allocen handed the map to Ammit. Glaring at the map in her hands, Ammit looked up at the sky and a smile appeared on her face. She turned back to her sisters with a reassuring look.
"Come on sisters, we are closer to the underworld".