147 The Forest Peak 1

This is it... The journey to the forest peak has finally come to an end. 

Well so she thought, but it had only just started, they still needed to find a way out of her without the soldiers cornering them. 

******

Avery and the soldiers continued tailing them; she couldn't risk losing Astrid anymore. It was now or never.

And as they got closer to where the saw the blast come from, a gentle rumble was heard from some distance away. 

When Avery and the soldiers looked up, they saw the boundary protecting the forest peak, as it glistened far into the sky, presenting itself to the gaze of the full forest. 

"No, it can't be."

"Princess Avery, it looks like they are about to cross over," Lieutenant Callum quickly informed her. Of course she knew what that meant, but that posed a dilemma for her.

They had no means whatsoever to gain passage through the boundary, how then were they going to get through it?

What do we do, Princess? At this rate we may not make it in time," Callum once again stated.

She seemed thoughtful for a while; her mind was working by the second, thinking of a possible and best solution to their problem. Her eyes lit up at an idea that popped into her head.

"Why bother killing ourselves when all we have to do is wait outside the boundary and she would come to us. For now, our goal would be to get to the boundary."

*****

As they walked further in through the boundary, Astrid's eyes couldn't help wandering around. In a short time, they could see the end of the boundary as they came closer to its opening.

It was really a different part of the forest entirely. Half of the forest peak was covered by a thick mist, enshrouding the everywhere in its cool atmosphere. The scenery was a sight to behold, the gentle rustling of the leaves from the cool evening breeze brought a sweet melody to everyone's ears. 

"Welcome to the forest peak," a voice said from a corner amongst the trees. 

All heads turned in the direction of the voice. 

A majestic looking big White Tiger Phoenix beast walked up to them in the most intriguing way possible. 

White-Fire and the little White cub ran forward to meet the beast, making it stop half way to snuggle them close. 

After some minutes they moved aside and let the bigger White Tiger Phoenix Beast through. 

"And who do we have here? The one who passed my test and an elf," The bigger beast asked. 

Astrid and Jareth stood side by side as they watched the bigger beast walk towards them. 

"Wait, hold up! It can talk?" Astrid half screamed, half whispered in her mind. She was more shocked than anything. 

"Of course I can speak child."

Her eyebrows irked upward when she noticed it just read her thoughts. 

"Did you just...?"

"Yes, young one. We mystical or celestial beasts as some would have us be called, can actually speak. 

"No, it can't be, but I thought–thought that White Tiger Phoenix beasts could only communicate through their mind," Astrid countered with a shaky voice. 

"That is if we have met the one whom are fated to be our masters, then the contract unlocks the bond and we can speak freely with who we want to," White-Fire explained.

"Also, I preferred speaking to you through your mind as it was the way you first reached out to me when you healed me," it added. 

This time around Jareth and Astrid were dumbfounded beyond measure. 

Their faces held different expressions. Disbelief, confusion, bewilderment, puzzled... 

They couldn't believe they had traveled with the beasts and got this treatment. 

As quickly as the expressions came, Jareth hid it. He had a look of indifference as he stared at the bigger beast. 

"That is why little White-Fire can't speak the  language yet. Meaning you have met your master?" 

"No."

"But you said... "

"When we get to a certain age, and our full powers unlock, we have that ability to speak with whoerlver or whomever we deem fit. Other than that, little beasts like my cub has to await the master-beast companion bond for that to take effect."

"I see, well I am glad we could bring you safely. Hey Jareth, you fulfilled your word."

Up till now Jareth had not uttered a single word from his mouth. He only watched everything unfold right before his eyes. 

"Not completely," he finally blurted out. 

His voice cold but yet warm at the same time. 

"What do you mean by that?"

"I still have you to take out of the forest, then would I have fulfilled my words."

"How noble of you. I offer my thanks for bringing them safely back home where they belong."

As it spoke, its voice sememd to echo and vibrate the surrounding trees, making Astrid wonder who its was and its status. 

She had seen them, but she had not seen the full strength of their powers 

Reading her mind it spoke, "My name is White Wing, guardian of the boundary and controller of the mist," it introduced himself. 

"As well as my mate," White-Gore spoke and walked up to its side. 

Looking at them this way, they looked like two white creatures from a painting. The scenery made it a very beautiful painting at that. 

"Then can you please help her with her nightmares?"Jareth gaze moved to her as he asked the bigger beast, stunning everyone present. 

Astrid had least expected him to say that, especially after everything that transpired since the time of the test. 

"It started after she passed the test. I do not know the details, but it made her lose control of her powers even while dreaming, causing her to give away our position," he briefly explained. 

"I can't have her go through those nightmares again, so please can you fix it?" He asked one more time. 

Astrid felt touched by his action. Even though she hurt him, he was still worried about her. 

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!