The morning light filtered through the dense canopy of the forest as Alaric and his companions set out on their new quest. The hidden location mentioned by Lyra, rumored to be a site of secret society activities, lay in the northern wilderness. The journey promised to be arduous, but the urgency of their mission spurred them forward.
The forest was a labyrinth of towering trees and tangled underbrush, the air heavy with the scent of pine and damp earth. The sun barely penetrated the thick foliage, casting an ever-present twilight over their path. Every step was accompanied by the crunch of leaves and the distant calls of woodland creatures.
"Stay alert," Alaric instructed, his voice steady as he led the way. "We don't know what we might encounter in these woods."
