Chapter 74: The Path of Light
The bioluminescent plants lining the path pulsed faintly, casting an ethereal glow over the dense foliage. Natasha and Alison moved cautiously, their senses heightened. The jungle, though quieter now, seemed to watch their every step.
Natasha leaned against Alison for support, her legs still shaky. "The boy… do you think he was real?"
Alison glanced around, his hand resting on the machete at his side. "Real enough to lead us deeper into this madness. But we don't have a choice. If what he said is true, your memories are buried somewhere ahead."
Her fingers brushed the necklace around her neck—a keepsake she couldn't remember obtaining. "What if I'm not the same person when we're done?"
"You will be," Alison said firmly, his voice cutting through the uncertainty. "The memories don't define you, Natasha. You do."
A Sudden Storm
As they continued along the glowing path, the air grew heavier. Dark clouds rolled in above, blotting out the moonlight. A low rumble of thunder echoed through the jungle, followed by a sudden downpour.
The glowing plants dimmed under the rain, and the path ahead began to fade.
"We're losing the trail!" Natasha shouted over the storm.
Alison grabbed her hand. "Stay close to me. We'll find shelter."
The rain turned the ground into slippery mud, and the wind howled like a living thing. Trees swayed dangerously, their branches creaking as if ready to snap.
Through the chaos, Alison spotted a hollowed-out tree trunk big enough for them to take refuge in. He pulled Natasha inside, shielding her from the wind.
The storm raged on outside, but the tree provided a small pocket of safety. Natasha shivered, her clothes soaked through. Alison removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
"Thanks," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the storm.
He nodded, his eyes scanning the jungle beyond the hollow. "This storm feels wrong. Like the jungle's testing us again."
A Voice in the Rain
As the rain pounded against the earth, a faint voice reached their ears. It was soft, almost melodic, and seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
"Alison…" the voice called, stretching his name into a haunting melody.
His eyes widened. "Did you hear that?"
Natasha nodded, her face pale. "It knows your name."
The voice came again, louder this time. "Alison… Natasha… come closer…"
Alison tightened his grip on the machete. "It's trying to lure us out."
Natasha hesitated, her gaze darting to the storm outside. "What if it's the jungle trying to guide us again? Like the boy?"
"And what if it's a trap?" Alison countered.
The voice grew more insistent, and Natasha clutched her necklace, her eyes narrowing. "We can't stay here forever. If the jungle is testing us, we have to face it."
Reluctantly, Alison nodded. "Stay behind me. We move together."
The Source Revealed
They stepped out into the storm, the voice guiding them through the chaos. It grew louder and more distinct, forming words that seemed to bypass their ears and echo directly in their minds.
"You seek the heart… but only the brave may find it."
The rain began to let up as they approached a massive stone structure covered in vines. It was a pyramid-like temple, its peak shrouded in mist. Faint light seeped from cracks in the stone, pulsating in time with the voice.
Natasha gasped. "This must be it. The source of the jungle's power."
Alison stared at the temple, his jaw clenched. "It's inviting us in, but I don't think it'll let us leave easily."
Natasha stepped forward, her determination unwavering. "We didn't come this far to turn back."
Together, they approached the temple's entrance—a dark, gaping maw that seemed to swallow the light. With one last glance at each other, they stepped inside, the voice guiding them deeper into the unknown.
The jungle's final test awaited.