Nobody knows why. But whoever entered that forest never left it. Neither the government nor logging companies set foot in this deserted place. Which made it an ideal place to grow a rare tree.
There was only one man who made it in and out alive. This was Edenshaw. He went there as a kid and came out with a big jar full of sap.
"It's been fifty-five years since I last came here, when I was your age."
"And do you still remember the way to the tree, Master?"
"This body may not be young, and these eyes may not see. But I will never forget a place I visited."
"How do you know they didn't already cut down the tree?"
"No one here dares to come. I even heard one of the greediest businessmen in the world say, Not even for all the money in the world multiplied by infinity would I set foot inside that forest."
"Why is everyone afraid of this forest, Master?"
"Many say that there is a series of underground sinkholes that swallow people up. Others say that the forest is so dense that you get lost. But I know the truth."
"There is a monster in this forest. Faster than a deer and stronger than a bear. A spirit that devours everyone who enters here. Contrary to the name, it is not a demon roaming here. It is a waheela."
"What?"
"A big wolf. When I was a kid and my eyes were still working, I saw it."
"Larger and stronger than any monster ever hunted before. My weapons couldn't pierce its skin, and its claws and jaws snapped logs like branches."
"They are equally powerful and dangerous monsters."
"And... that waheela... is it still hanging around here?" Lincoln asked, a little nervous.
"It's possible, Lincoln. That's why you need to be alert."
Lincoln and Edenshaw walked for an hour. They actually consumed chicken to regain their strength. When they suddenly felt something different in the environment.
"Do you feel it, Lincoln?"
"Yes... it feels like warm air."
"Yes. That means..."
"The tree is close!" Lincoln ran to where the heat was getting stronger, but Edenshaw's scream alerted him.
"Lincoln, wait!"
Lincoln didn't hear Edenshaw scream until a large, unknown mass landed in front of him, causing a shock wave that sent him rolling several meters into the snow.
"What? What was that?" Lincoln wondered what could have had such a strong impact that had thrown him off balance and pushed him to the other side of his path. "What the hell is this? Is the tree going to fall? No, it's smaller. Falling rocks? No way. There are no mountains nearby. I can hear breathing. It's an animal! But what kind of animal can weigh so much? Would it be a bear? If it were, I'd better not move." Lincoln had not fully developed echolocation, so the mental images were somewhat distorted but still distinguishable. Little by little, an image began to form in Lincoln's mind, until he was able to identify what was in front of him. It was a four-legged monster with large muscles. "Is it a fucking wolf!?"
The monster lunged at Lincoln. The boy was paralyzed with fear when he heard a voice calling him.
"Lincoln, get down." Edenshaw suddenly appeared and threw a rock at the wolf's face, then grabbed Lincoln by his coat collar and pulled him away from the wolf before the wolf bit him. Lincoln was in shock at the situation. "I told you to wait. This monster is protecting the tree we're looking for."
Edenshaw uses his cane to keep his distance with Lincoln from the wolf. But the monster jumped and landed behind them. "What? How long have you been able to do that?" Edenshaw didn't have time to react when the wolf managed to bite his leg. "Ahhh! Damn!" The old man attacked the monster with his cane until he finally let it go. Edenshaw's right leg was paralyzed, and he could no longer stand. "Lincoln, run. Run away from here." Just as the wolf was attacking Edenshaw, he received a blow to his snout, wounding him. Lincoln was in front of the old man, holding his staff like a samurai's katana.
"Lincoln, what are you doing? Run away."
"Not yet, Master. I will not abandon you."
"Don't be a fool, boy. I told you to run. You won't be able to fight him alone."
"No! I won't run away. I won't let anyone else down. I couldn't protect my sister from herself, and that's why she fell into a coma. I came here to help my grandfather, and now, because of me, you're getting hurt. If I had listened to you, we would have avoided falling in with this monster. And now you're telling me to run while it eats you. No, I won't let him. I've already failed with my little sister. I won't fail with my grandfather and even less so with you, Master." Lincoln's legs trembled, but he still didn't let himself be overcome by fear. "I'll distract him. Treat your leg and go get the sap."
Edenshaw took his cane and used it as a crutch to head towards the tree.