He continued to venture deeper into the forest with cautious steps, careful not to alter his direction. He knew that even the slightest deviation could mean getting lost in this natural labyrinth, where every corner looked the same and every path appeared to be a mirror image of the last. The small shrubs that suddenly appeared in his way added a new layer of challenge; they were scattered haphazardly and irregularly, requiring him to cut through their branches and vines—not just to make room for his body to pass, but enough space for him and his large backpack.
As he kept walking, the sounds within the forest grew more complex and unfamiliar. He began to hear rhythmic rustling echoing among the branches, as if something was moving lightly through them, and sharp buzzing sounds occasionally pierced the silence. At one point, his ears caught a faint purring noise, as though it came from a creature silently observing him—followed by a louder, more forceful sound that resembled a warning or a threat. Amid these enigmatic noises came the distant crackling of branches, accompanied by heavy, far-off footsteps with a steady rhythm that echoed throughout the area.
The young man analyzed every sound carefully, trying to interpret it and connect it to its possible source. Perhaps the branches were cracking under the weight of time—or under the movement of a large creature hidden in the dark. Relying on his sharpened vision, honed under the pressure of total darkness, and aided by the beam of his flashlight, he finally managed—though with some difficulty—to catch glimpses of life forms moving in the shadows.
Seeing those creatures was like trying to capture the details of a fast-paced scene in a movie; nothing was clear enough due to their swift movements across the area. Some of them slipped lightly across the damp earth, their tiny feet leaving barely visible prints in the wet mud. Others were more daring and animated, leaping and swinging around tree vines with astonishing agility and grace.
The creatures moved as though they were part of the forest itself, belonging to this strange space in a way that made them inseparable from it—as if they knew every corner and curve of this enormous plant-based structure. What stirred the young man's curiosity more than anything else were their eyes. All the creatures, regardless of their shapes and sizes, shared one common trait: a glow that reflected from their eyes even in the pitch-black darkness. Some glowed a deep green, others radiated a cool blue, while the most prevalent and dominant color was a smoldering crimson red, glowing like embers.
These creatures didn't just have a pair of eyes—some of them appeared to have three, even four pairs—or at least that's how it seemed in the deceptive darkness. Their eyes watched him from every angle, as if measuring his steps and analyzing his intentions. The sensation was like walking through a maze of mirrors that reflected faint rays of light—appearing for a moment, then vanishing—playing tricks on his mind and making him question whether these creatures were real or simply hallucinations conjured by the forest itself.
Despite the strange scene, the young man did not feel fear or panic. This wasn't due to excessive bravery or recklessness, but because the scene, with all its oddities and contradictions, felt familiar to him. He understood that nature, no matter how mysterious it appeared, didn't carry direct hostility as much as it carried a constant warning to respect its boundaries.
Nonetheless, that awareness was enough to bring back to his mind a thought he had been trying to avoid since he first set foot on this land. The real concern wasn't the small, glowing-eyed creatures—it was something else, something larger and more powerful. Ferocious beings could be lurking in the shadows, silently watching and waiting for the right moment to strike. This anxiety grew with every step he took. He knew his physical strength wasn't at its peak; the fatigue accumulated since the beginning of the journey had clearly taken its toll.
Even so, he mocked his own logical fears. After all, here he was, in a forest on another planet, and yet he knew the real danger wasn't in this place—it lay in the goal he was pursuing. As he continued walking, he reached a lone tree in an open space, free of tall grass or rocks that might hinder movement—making it an ideal spot for camping. This space was critical, especially in an environment that demanded constant alertness. Early detection of danger was the best way to stay alive.
The air in this clearing was less humid, though not entirely free from chill. He realized that lighting a fire would offer him warmth, but he also knew it would act as an open invitation for the creatures of the forest to come closer. Nonetheless, he decided that his need for heat to warm and dry his exhausted body outweighed the possible risks. He gathered a small amount of dry branches and lit a small fire.
The flames broke through the surrounding darkness, offering just enough light to bring a comforting sense of warmth. He pulled out a container from his backpack—different, smaller than the previous ones—placed it in the fire for a few moments, then quickly retrieved it. When he opened its lid, a delicious aroma wafted out—a blend of roasted grains and fragrant spices. It was a rich soup made of various grains that brought deep comfort to his stomach.
As he slowly consumed his meal, he could hear his stomach gurgling, working hard to digest the food, as if thanking him for the small gift. During this time, he sensed eyes watching him from afar. The glowing eyes he had seen earlier became more visible, and although his instincts didn't warn him of any imminent danger, he didn't allow himself to fully relax.
When he finished his meal and had absorbed enough warmth, he extinguished the fire, plunging the place back into near-total darkness. He remained alert throughout the night, his eyes scanning for any movement—until the sky gradually began to change.
The following day, as the echo of a distant rumble lingered, rays of light began to pierce through the forest slowly, granting the young man a clearer view of his surroundings. At last, he could distinguish the shapes of some creatures that had been hiding in the darkness. Though strange, they seemed oddly familiar—some bore resemblance to animals he had known, yet differed in certain details, as if the result of an alternate evolutionary path. He saw creatures covered in thick fur of unusual colors, with additional limbs or elongated arms.
One creature in particular caught his attention—a small being that resembled a tree squirrel, yet it had three eyes. The creature watched him with marked curiosity. Its two front-facing eyes stared directly at him, as if trying to read his expression, while the third eye, located in the center of its forehead, moved freely, scanning the surroundings without losing track of him. It stood on its hind legs, holding what looked like a small fruit in its hands. However, it did not eat it; instead, it kept staring at the young man, as though trying to decide whether this strange being was a threat or not.
"Three eyes..."
he whispered, then added, "Truly strange."