Berry ShortTale

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(text-colour:magenta)[//“The Verdant Forest… Tales says that a witch once lived in its depths. She made the forest’s leaves lush and fruitlets succulent luring people, making them fall in their demise because of their greedy hearts.”//] //[[“... ... such is the tale they tell.”]]//

LANDRY: “Is that really true? I mean, not to question the temple’s words but…” The young hunter asked. MAELYN: “Weeeell… I think they are just stories to refrain anyone from entering here whenever they want.” “I mean, just look at these berries. Their colors are so luster despite thriving in the wild! Don’t they?” [[“Wanna try?”]] [[Put it in the basket]]

I held up the raspberry and its color glistened in the sunlight. Landry stared at it with an understandable hesitation. I chuckled. MAELYN: “Heh. Just kidding–!!” I was about to retract my hand when Landry ate the berry. LANDRY: “Hm! It’s tart and sweet!” He said with a satisfied smile. LANDRY: “By the way, why are you foraging again? Isn't it prohibited once the first week of the month ends?” Foraging week. It is allowed every month in the Hallowmourn Forest. It is a rule established by the temple so people may not venture in the forest alone and prevent them from falling in the temptation of the witch. Through these seven days, the forage is purified in the temple so the witch’s spell may fade away. MAELYN: “Daisy wasn’t able to go because of her sprained ankle… so I’m here in her stead.” LANDRY: “Oh, Daisy. Wasn’t her father able to?” MAELYN: “Sir Gust is a hunter. He had to go hunting and make sure no people venture deeper in the forest.” LANDRY: “Oh, right. I had to help him that day.” MAELYN: “Seriously, you have to pay more attention around here. LANDRY: “Aye, aye, ma’am!” He gave a faint smile and did as told. And as said, I also focused on my task… LANDRY: “Say what. Would you like to go to the festival with me?” MAELYN: “Huh?” LANDRY: “The festival is in a few days, remember? If Daisy hasn’t recovered yet we could get her something nice!” MAELYN: “Oh… That would be nice.” LANDRY: “Great! It’s a plan then!” MAELYN: “Wait. I didn’t…” My voice fell into nothing as the young hunter hummed as he worked. Not wanting to talk further, I just shrugged at the one-sided decision. And without uttering another word [[I continued with my work]].

LANDRY: “By the way, why are you foraging again? Isn't it prohibited once the first week of the month ends?” Foraging week. It is allowed every month in the Hallowmourn Forest. It is a rule established by the temple so people may not venture in the forest alone and prevent them from falling in the temptation of the witch. Through these seven days, the forage is purified in the temple so the witch’s spell may fade away. MAELYN: “Daisy wasn’t able to go because of her sprained ankle… so I’m here in her stead.” LANDRY: “Oh, Daisy. Wasn’t her father able to?” MAELYN: “Sir Gust is a hunter. He had to go hunting and make sure no people venture deeper in the forest.” LANDRY: “Oh, right. I had to help him that day.” MAELYN: “Seriously, you have to pay more attention around here. LANDRY: “Aye, aye, ma’am!” He gave a faint smile and did as told. And as said, I also focused on my task… LANDRY: “Say what. Would you like to go to the festival with me?” MAELYN: “Huh?” LANDRY: “The festival is in a few days, remember? If Daisy hasn’t recovered yet we could get her something nice!” MAELYN: “Oh… That would be nice.” LANDRY: “Great! It’s a plan then!” MAELYN: “Wait. I didn’t…” My voice fell into nothing as the young hunter hummed as he worked. Not wanting to talk further, I just shrugged at the one-sided decision. And without uttering another word I continued with my work [[until I was satisfied with the forage]].

Once satisfied with the forage, I wiped the forming sweat on my forehead. MAELYN: “Okay! This seems to be enough!” I turned around expecting Landry to reply but all there’s left is the basket with the hunter nowhere to be found. So I started calling his name and then, having still no reply, I hesitantly checked around. a MAELYN: “Landry!?” I called but with no avail. Maybe… he went to the river? I deduced [[following the sound of the nearby stream—]]

**THUD** It took a second and everything flipped upside down and I found myself at the bottom of a steep hill. My ringing ears processed the sound of the stream nearby. I opened my eyes, vision blurry and saw a figure from a top staring at me. MAELYN: “L-Landry…?” I tried to reach, to call for help, but the hunter turned his back and walked away [[while I fell unconscious]].

???: "...lyn!.... Ma…lyn! Please, wake up!” A voice called. The person tapped my cheeks so fast that I woke up. I didn’t have time to admire her amber eyes as she turned away in haste grabbing a similar cloak she’s wearing. MAELYN: “Daisy…? What’s…?” DAISY: “Q-Quick! We have to m-move!” she stuttered, putting the cloak on me with her trembling hands. I did not question her further and took her urgency seriously. I got out of bed despite my aching body… With her help, [[Daisy and I made our way in the back door]].

The cloaks we wore weren't enough for the cold night but we still made our way in the dark field. From the other side of the cabin, the voices of angry people howled along the wind. DAISY: “They f-found Landry’s body in the Hallowmourn Forest…” My eyes widened at Daisy’s words. She didn’t continue on with her words and I didn’t ask further. DAISY: “T-They believe it is you who to blame…” “I told f-father that m-maybe if we explain to them, then maybe they w-would understand but… he insisted for us to escape…” Shoulder by shoulder, me and Daisy limped to the forest’s entrance. We didn’t hesitate to [[step in the dark forest]] with only the moonlight illuminating what is there to see.

MAELYN: “Are you supposed to be coming with me?” DAISY: “It’s f-fine. Father will unders-stand.” She said with a reassuring but doubtful smile. “Besides… I w-won’t be able to go there without s-suspicion, sprained ankle and the towns-sfolk probably ransacked our home by now…” MAELYN: “Daisy… I’m so sorry…” But Daisy still gave me a smile. DAISY: “It’s alright… better than s-seing my friend on fire… hah…” “But I don’t know w-where we are going though…” MAELYN: “I do… I visited this forest many times… That bush near the tree right there is familiar.” I pointed out, making us both let a little laughter. “Did your father tell you where we should go?” Daisy looked in front of her DAISY: “D-Deep in the forest, he said…” I nodded at Daisy’s words and [[took the lead]] while we walked side by side.

(text-colour:magenta)[//But the Hallowmourn Forest welcomes those who are greedy in their hearts. Those who fall for its temptation.//] DAISY: “It’s in the middle of n-night but the forest is so… w-warm…” (text-colour:magenta)[//And those who welcome its darkest desire.//] MAELYN: “It is, right? Maybe we will be able to get through the night.” I smiled at her briefly illuminated by the moonlight while I kept her close. MAELYN: “It will be alright. Just stay by my side, my friend.” [[END...?]]

(text-colour:magenta)[//Embraced By The Forest//] <html> <body> <h1 style="font-size:15px;"> //Made In Twine// //For Yandere Game Jam 2025// //Written By: sweeteaapond//</h1> </body> </html> (click-goto:?page,"MENU")

I wiped the forming sweat on my forehead. MAELYN: “Okay! This are enough!” We decided to call it for the day without uttering another word on our way back to the town. Houses and stalls are decorated with garlands and bouquet stands which give the town an apple or floral scent. Familiar faces greeted us and Landry waved back with a friendly smile in return. The following days, I helped Daisy to sort and preserve the berries, mushrooms and herbs. Unfortunately, her sprained ankle didn't recover yet so it was me and Landry who made it in the festival althought we didn't take long. We preferred staying with Daisy through the passing days and bought her souvernirs and delicacies from the festival, enjoying the company of each others. [[THE END.]]

(text-colour:magenta)[//An Ordinary Day//] <html> <body> <h1 style="font-size:15px;"> //Made In Twine// //For Yandere Game Jam 2025// //Written By: sweeteaapond//</h1> </body> </html> (click-goto:?page,"MENU")