Chapter Text
THE WOODS
PROLOGUE
| In the coldest times, where winter meets the land of [CENSORED],
As silence falls heavier than hunger and storm,
Steel shall rise with trembling hands.
—
When the moon and sun align as one -
The Prince of terror shall then be reborn.
—
And as soon as calamity rains in blood,
The stars aligned shall light the shore -
Where a Chosen one shall rise once more.
—
And as the sky and earth meet in horror,
Shall the Chosen one seal the Prince of Terror.|
Two beings of light were born as the stars aligned.
As the moon and sun drew close, the so-called prophecy was long beheld.
Yet, when chaos reached its turning point,
Both were cast beyond the weave of fate.
Ruins cracked in despair,
The sky and earth shook until silence fell heavier than any storm.
Beneath a sky sealed by cloud and ash,
No souls were ever found.
[CENSORED] 2PM
— CUPHEAD!– Yelled out a fourteen year old.
Cuphead, who was standing by the entrance of the woods, a few feet away from the village he grew up in, turned his head to the boy who ran towards him. His expression was blank as the boy reached.
Resting his hands on his knees, the boy pants breathlessly. Looking up at Cuphead with expectant eyes.
— Is it true you'll go to the woods again? You promised to take me with you!– The boy soon whines out, pouting at Cuphead's lame try of leaving without him.
— Mugsy, I already told you it's too dangerous for you.– Cuphead sighs out, looking at the boy. The wind brushed past them.
The woods were massive and anyone could get lost without guidance or a map. Besides, in a part of the woods the passage has been closed off. The villagers called it The Forbidden Path.
— Not cool, Cuphead…– He mutters, crossing his arms stubbornly. Each chance he got to wander through the forest being rejected by his own brother.
— Did you even tell mom?– The boy mutters, gaining a small frown from Cuphead. Of course he did not, why would he anyway? Their mother didn't take it lightly when he went to the woods.
— Sure sure– Cuphead said in a sarcastic manner, rolling his eyes as he turned to the entry of the woods. Nothing was better than the smell of nature, he didn't care it was "haunted". After all, all the ink demons were gone, right?
— Mom is going to kill you.– The fourteen year old warned. He was exaggerating, but Cuphead would surely hear from her after it all.
— Don't be a pussy, Mugman.– Cuphead taunted, smirking.
— Cruel.– Mugman replied.
Cuphead started to walk into the woods, followed by Mugman soon after.
— I thought I said for you to not?– Cuphead says, shooting him a glance but doesn't stop walking. The forest was dense, that's for sure. The sunlight barely passed through the leaves, yet the path was clear.
— I thought you promised me yesterday I could go this time?– Mugman pressure. Cuphead knew he was right, that's what annoyed him the most. Grumbling quietly as he reluctantly let it slide.
As they followed the path, new surroundings came into view. An open space, with trees all around and a single giant tree in the middle. Red leaves falling off the tree, however it looks as gorgeous as when in any other season. — The Red Tree.– Mugman mutters.
— Cool right? I pass the time here.– Cuphead says nonchalantly, walking over to the Red Tree, their surroundings were a closed forest, no signs nor paths could be seen.
Sitting under the tree, over the small hill, the red leaves continued to gently and slowly fall down to the ground. The light breeze brushes the leaves away, making a small path of red leaves.
— Isn't...The Forbidden Path nearby?– Mugman mutters nervously, walking quickly over to Cuphead, who had his arms crossed behind his head and closed eyes, and sitting besides him under the tree. The view was breathtaking, to say the least.
— Yeah, so what?– Cuphead asks, opening an eye and glancing at Mugman.
— Shouldn't we be away from it?– Mugman whispers, clear signs of unease in his eyes. Troubled.
— All we have to do is not go there. It's not that hard.– Cuphead mutters, sounding almost annoyed, earning an apprehensive look from Mugman who could feel a chill go down his spine at the thought of anyone finding out they were near such a path.
Yet, Cuphead's thoughts were interrupted as a faint sound of a melody took place in his ears. A humming.Turning his head towards where he thought he heard the sound, his eyes searching restlessly to whatever might be causing it, a contrast of his earlier mood.
— Do you hear that?– He whispers out. Mugman turns his head to him, looking confused,
— Hear what?– He asks, with a tilting head. The humming only grew, it sounded sweet and quiet. Alluring. The sound was omnipresent, he couldn't tell where it came from, only that it was near.
Curious, Cuphead stood up from under the tree. Mugman nervously watched as Cuphead approached where neither of them should even be close to.
— Cuphead– I don't think that's a good idea!– He said rushedly, getting up and following soon behind. Almost begging. Cuphead gave no mind to it whatsoever. He walked through the bushes, no path ahead but trees and more trees. It was dangerous to walk without knowing where you went, but Cuphead knew exactly where he was going.
He reached his hand, pushing back some bushes ahead only to reach The Gates Itself. The Gates was the only thing keeping anyone from reaching The Forbidden Path, meant to keep children and explorers out of its way.
The Gates were locked with a chain and a wide lock that only one key could fit in. Veins and spines grew around its holes, making it look older than it actually was. It was beautiful, yet as a big red sign of "do not cross".
Mugman gasped, seeing how close they've gotten to The Gates. — Oh no.. – he whispers, already imagining the trouble they would get in if they were seen. Or mostly, the one Cuphead would get in.
— Come on, don't tell me you'll piss your pants. – Cuphead taunted, smirking as he looked at how cowardly Mugman was, yet he paused as he noticed the sweet melody was gone. Furrowing his eyebrows, he reached forward. His hand slowly made its way to reach The Gates.
— We should probably go…– Mugman speaks up nervously, taking Cuphead by the wrist and tugging him back from The Gates. Gaining a huff from Cuphead who rolled his eyes,
—If you want to go then go. – He says annoyed, which in return met with Mugman's agitated mood.
— Cuphead! It's forbidden for a reason! Besides- it's getting late...mom will notice our departure…– he whispers the last part.
Cuphead, besides being reluctant, finally agreed on letting it go. But before leaving the forest, he gave The Gates one last look. He didn't admit it out loud, but something about that melody gave him the chills.