As he stood in the clearing, the portal behind him shimmering with the remnants of the enchantment, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled with unease as he scanned the surrounding forest, searching for any sign of movement.
A rustle in the underbrush caught his attention, and he tensed, readying himself for whatever might emerge. But to his surprise, a figure stepped into the clearing, cloaked in shadows and mystery.
"Who goes there?" he called out, his voice echoing through the stillness of the night.
The figure approached slowly, their features obscured by darkness. "Fear not, traveler," came the response, a voice like velvet and smoke. "I mean you no harm."
Despite his apprehension, something in the stranger's demeanor put him at ease. "What do you want?" he asked, though he already suspected the answer.
