The further the group ventured into the Whispering Forest, the more the atmosphere changed. The air grew thicker, filled with an ethereal fog that seemed to seep from the very earth. The once quiet whispers of the forest turned into a cacophony of voices, each overlapping the other, creating a haunting melody that echoed through the trees.
Morgana led the way, her staff glowing with a soft light that barely penetrated the dense fog. Her every step was careful, as if she could feel the weight of the forest's watchful eyes upon them.
"Stay close," she warned the others. "This fog is no ordinary mist. It's infused with ancient magic. We must not lose each other in this maze."
Cedric, ever alert, kept his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready for any threat that might emerge from the shadows. Elias, his bow strung and an arrow at the ready, scanned the surroundings, his sharp eyes piercing through the haze as best as they could.
