As they continued, the markings on the trees grew more frequent and more elaborate, the ancient symbols becoming more complex and convoluted. The wisps of blue light also seemed to increase in frequency, dancing and darting among the trees.
The mages were both fascinated and unnerved by what they were seeing. The air was getting even colder, and they could feel a sense of magic in the air. It was as if the woods were coming alive, the spirits stirring within its depths.
The mages pushed on, the symbols and the flickering blue lights growing ever more intense. They began to hear strange whispers on the wind, too faint to make out the words but just loud enough to make them feel even more uneasy.
The mages could feel their heartbeats quickening as they continued deeper into the woods. The air was now almost freezing, and the whispers seemed to be coming from all around them. Suddenly, a voice, deep and echoing, cut through the silence.
"Turn back," the voice said, the sound booming through the trees. The mages froze, their bodies rigid with fear and surprise as they tried to pinpoint the source of the voice.
The voice echoed again, growing louder and more insistent. "Turn back! You do not belong here!"
The mages looked at each other, a mixture of fear and curiosity in their eyes. They had clearly crossed some invisible boundary, and the ice spirits were now aware of their presence.
The mages slowly began to backtrack, their bodies trembling with fear and cold. The voice continued to echo around them, repeating the command to turn back. They could feel the presence of the ice spirits all around them, the air thick with the hum of magic.
The mages quickened their pace, trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the agitated ice spirits. As they moved, more voices joined the first, each one echoing through the woods, a chorus of warning and caution.
The mages were now running as fast as they could, the voices of the spirits following them, the sound of their movement like a thousand whispers. They felt as if they were being hunted by the very woods they had entered.
The mages finally burst out of the woods, collapsing in a panting heap at the edge of the clearing. They had escaped the woods, but the experience had left them shaken and breathless. The sky above them was growing darker as night approached.
The mages took a few moments to catch their breath and collect themselves. They exchanged glances, their eyes wide with fear and adrenaline. It was clear that the experience had been intense and terrifying.