The air grew thick with tension as James and his crew ventured deeper into the forest, following the massive tracks that led them further into the unknown. The dense canopy overhead blocked out most of the sunlight, casting the forest floor in a dim, eerie twilight. The deeper they went, the more it felt like the woods were closing in around them, every rustle of leaves and snap of a twig heightening their sense of unease.
Sasha moved quietly beside James, her hand never leaving the hilt of her sword. "These tracks… they're leading us to something bigger. We need to be ready for anything," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the oppressive silence.
James nodded, his expression tense. "We have to find out what's causing this. We can't let it reach the village."
Emilia, her bow drawn and ready, scanned the surrounding trees. "This place feels wrong," she murmured. "Like we're being watched."
