After wandering around the area for quite some time, Yandi finally gave up. He found nothing suspicious except for the giant creature standing silently behind the old banyan tree. No strange noises, no other mysterious movements. Everything was so still, as if the entire world was holding its breath.
In his heart, Yandi concluded, "That creature must be the cause of all this strangeness." There was no other possibility. The towering being was the only oddity he could see clearly in this place.
Yandi began thinking hard about how to get rid of the creature.
"I have to find a way to end all of this, to escape from this foolish game it created," he thought desperately.
However, the more he thought about it, the more he realized that he was just an ordinary human being.
"What can I possibly do to fight it?" Yandi muttered under his breath, staring at the giant creature from afar.
As he pondered, a sudden vision flashed in his mind. He saw that the creature actually wanted to communicate with him directly. Unfortunately, Yandi couldn't fully understand its language or intentions. Nevertheless, he mustered his courage and spoke up.
"What do you really want to say to me? Speak now!" Yandi shouted boldly.
Unexpectedly, the creature replied in a language Yandi could understand.
"Amazing!" exclaimed the creature. "This is the first time I have met a human who can grasp what I wish to convey."
Yandi frowned but tried to remain calm.
"Yes, I can understand you. But... what exactly do you want from me?" he asked, struggling to suppress the fear rising in his heart.
The giant creature let out a heavy sigh and slowly began to explain its intentions.
"I shall tell you why I kept trapping you in a time loop in this place." it said.
The creature's expression changed drastically. Its face, which had been full of rage, now looked sorrowful. Slowly, it wiped its watery eyes.
"In truth... I only wished to preserve this place," it said in a heavy voice. "This place has been polluted by the careless hands of humans. Look around you, it's full of trash and filth."
Yandi was stunned. He looked around and finally noticed how dirty the forest had become. Plastic bags, food wrappers, and plastic bottles were scattered everywhere. The sight pierced his heart with sadness.
Determined, Yandi began picking up the trash around him.
"What are you doing?" asked the creature in confusion.
"Of course, I'm cleaning this place." Yandi answered while continuing to pick up the garbage. "You're right. Humans have been careless and neglectful."
The creature watched Yandi's actions closely, a flicker of emotion in its eyes.
"Such is the behavior of humans who lack care." it said softly. "They throw away their trash without considering the beings like us who dwell here."
Yandi nodded.
"You're right. But believe me, not all humans are like that. Some still believe in the existence of beings like you... and strive to protect places like this."
Yandi continued gathering the trash, putting everything into a plastic bag he carried, securing it in his backpack to dispose of properly once he left the forest.
Seeing Yandi's sincere heart, the giant creature smiled for the first time.
"You are a kind and noble human." it said. "May I know what your purpose was in coming to this place?"
Yandi gave a bitter smile before explaining.
"I actually came here for camping. Our school was holding an anniversary celebration, and we chose this forest as the site. But after we arrived, strange and frightening things started happening. We all got separated, and now... I just want to get out of here safely."
The creature nodded in understanding.
"I see...." it murmured. "As a token of my gratitude for cleaning this place, I shall give you something. May it help you find your way out."
The creature extended a small, shining pendant. Without hesitation, Yandi accepted it.
"There's one more thing that's been bothering me." said Yandi after receiving the pendant.
"What is it?" asked the creature, curious.
"I feel like... this forest is shrouded in a very strong aura of darkness. Ever since I first set foot here, that feeling has haunted me."
The giant creature looked slightly surprised but then nodded.
"You are indeed a very sensitive human." it praised. "Not many can perceive what you do."
"Could you tell me... what really happened in this forest?" Yandi asked earnestly.
The creature took a deep breath, as if gathering all the dark memories from the past.
"Very well." it said. "I will tell you the origin of this place..."
The creature began its tale. Long ago, about five hundred years in the past, this place was not a forest, but a small, peaceful village. The villagers lived harmoniously, helping one another.
But everything changed when a middle-aged man came to the village. He was a follower of a dark, heretical cult an adherent of demons. The man spread fear with his strange and sinister behavior. Every day, the villagers felt unease, as if darkness lurked around them.
Eventually, the villagers' anger boiled over. They captured the man and brought him to the village square to be judged. There, he was sentenced to death for his wicked deeds.
However, before the execution took place, the man swore an oath before everyone.
"I swear," he said, "this village shall become a dead land. No human shall live here again until the end of time!"
Everyone laughed at him. They thought it was just the desperate ramblings of a madman.
But after his execution, the curse began to manifest. Month after month, the villagers started dying from a mysterious illness. Strangely, every victim was found with faint slashes on their necks, as if something had slowly drained their life away.
The village grew desolate. The remaining survivors fled, abandoning the cursed land.
"Since then." the creature continued, "this place has turned into a forest cloaked in darkness. And we, the guardians of nature, strive to protect it from being further defiled by humans."
Yandi listened intently, feeling a lingering chill settle deep within his heart.
"That is the end of my story," the creature said, concluding.
Yandi bowed slightly in respect.
"Thank you for sharing this story with me. I shall take my leave now. I want to get out of here as soon as possible."
The giant creature smiled.
"You shall no longer be trapped in the time loop. I have lifted the curse's effect upon you. Go... and be careful on your journey," it said.
Feeling a great sense of relief, Yandi began to walk once more, tracing the forest path that now seemed a little friendlier. His goal was clear: to return to the old hut where he had first sought shelter and find his way out of the forbidden cursed forest.