A while later, the group was seen traveling through the thick of the forest. The air was cool, the damp earth beneath their feet giving way softly with every step they took. The sun filtered weakly through the dense canopy above, casting fragmented beams of light onto the path ahead. There was nothing out of the ordinary in the forest—just trees, more trees, and the occasional small creature skittering away from their presence. For all intents and purposes, it seemed like an ordinary forest, but there was an undercurrent of unease that hung in the air.
Sera led the group, her senses heightened as she kept an eye on their surroundings. Her steps were firm and steady, but her mind raced with thoughts that nagged at the edges of her confidence. It's nothing special, just another day in this cursed world, she told herself, though part of her couldn't shake the strange feeling that something was watching them.
Zyra walked beside her, scanning the path ahead. Behind them, Ava occasionally stumbled over roots and uneven ground, muttering under her breath as she adjusted her pack. The engineers they had rescued from the convoy trailed in a loose formation behind them, looking exhausted but grateful to still be alive.
"So, what now?" Ava asked, breaking the relative silence. She brushed a hand through her messy blonde hair, clearly still adjusting to the nomadic life they were now forced into. "I mean, where are we even headed?"
Sera didn't answer right away. She knew Ava was asking a legitimate question, but the truth was, Sera herself wasn't entirely sure where they were going. Their current goal was simply to survive—day by day, hour by hour. She cast a quick glance over at Zyra, who seemed to be lost in thought.
"We'll keep heading in this direction for now," Sera finally said, her voice calm and authoritative. "We need to find some sort of shelter before nightfall. If we're lucky, we might come across a clearing or an old structure."
Ava nodded but didn't seem convinced. "And what about food? Water? We're running low on supplies, and this forest isn't exactly full of resources."
Sera frowned. "We'll scavenge along the way. There has to be something out here. We'll keep an eye out for anything edible—fruits, plants, maybe even game."
The group continued in silence for a few moments longer, the crunch of leaves underfoot the only sound accompanying them. But after a while, strange noises began to filter through the trees, just faint enough to be barely noticeable.
Zyra stopped in her tracks first, her head tilting slightly as she listened. "Do you hear that?" she asked, her voice low.
Sera narrowed her eyes, straining to listen. There it was again—a distant metallic sound, swinging back and forth, almost like metal clashing against metal. But the noise was muffled, like it was being carried through the forest on the wind, echoing off the trees and making it impossible to tell where it was coming from.
"Yeah, I hear it," Sera murmured, her body tensing. "What is that?"
"I don't know," Zyra replied, her eyes scanning the surrounding area with growing suspicion. "But it doesn't sound normal."
Ava shifted nervously, her eyes darting between Sera and Zyra. "Should we... check it out? Or avoid it?"
Sera paused, weighing the options in her mind. On one hand, whatever was making that sound could be dangerous, but on the other, it could be worth investigating. If it was some kind of machinery, it could be useful. And if it was a threat, better to deal with it now than to be ambushed later.
"We'll move cautiously," Sera decided, her voice firm. "Keep your eyes and ears open. If things look suspicious, we retreat. No need to take unnecessary risks."
The group continued onward, moving slower now, their senses on high alert. Every crack of a twig, every rustle of leaves had them on edge. The tension was palpable, like a coiled spring ready to snap.
As they walked, Sera found herself lost in thought once more. She glanced over at Zyra, who seemed more focused than ever. There was something on her mind, something she hadn't shared yet. Sera had noticed it back when they were fighting the mercenaries with Ava. Zyra had started to say something, but the chaos of battle had interrupted them.
"Zyra," Sera said quietly, her voice low enough so that only Zyra could hear. "What was it you wanted to say earlier? Before everything with the mercenaries?"
Zyra hesitated, her steps faltering slightly as she seemed to weigh her words. "Now's not the time, Sera," she replied, her tone evasive.
Sera frowned. "You've been holding back ever since we got out of that mess. What is it? You can tell me."
Zyra shot her a sideways glance, her expression hard to read. "It's complicated. I'll explain later. Just... focus on getting us through this forest first."
Sera wanted to press further, but something in Zyra's tone made her stop. Now wasn't the time to push. They had bigger things to worry about. Still, the unanswered question gnawed at her, a nagging feeling of uncertainty growing stronger by the minute.
They continued moving, the strange metallic sound still faintly echoing through the trees, but never close enough to pinpoint. The forest felt oppressive, as if it were closing in around them, but Sera kept pushing forward, determined to find a way through.
"Hey, Ava," Zyra called out suddenly, breaking the silence. "What do you think about all this?"
Ava blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting to be addressed. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Zyra gestured vaguely around them. "This forest, the sounds we keep hearing. What's your take?"
Ava bit her lip, glancing around at the trees. "Honestly? I don't like it. It feels like we're being watched, like something's out there waiting for us. And those sounds... they don't feel natural."
Sera nodded in agreement. "It's too consistent to be random. It sounds like metal swinging, but there's nothing around here that could make that noise. At least, nothing we can see."
"Maybe we're walking into a trap," Ava suggested, her voice low. "Whoever—or whatever—is out here could be setting us up for something."
Sera considered her words carefully. It wasn't out of the question. They had no idea what—or who—was in this forest. For all they knew, they were being watched by hostile forces.
"Stay close," Sera instructed, her voice firm. "And keep your weapons ready. If anything happens, we're moving fast."
The group moved cautiously, the atmosphere tense as the mysterious sounds grew louder, but still distant. They hadn't seen anything unusual yet, but the sense of being followed, of being hunted, was undeniable.
As they neared a small clearing, Sera gestured for the group to stop. "Let's take a quick break here. Keep your guard up."
Ava sat down heavily on a fallen log, her face pale from the strain of keeping up. Zyra scanned the area, her sharp eyes never staying in one place for long. And Sera... she remained standing, her hand resting lightly on Ling, her eyes narrowed as she listened to the distant metallic echo.