After successfully defeating the tusked bear, Lucas, Finn, and Evelyn continued their journey. They were now in an open meadow where a gentle breeze blew, carrying the scent of blooming wildflowers. Although the atmosphere was calm, they remained vigilant, considering what had just happened.Evelyn, walking in front, held her magic staff more tightly."We need to stay alert. The road is still long, and I don't want to be ambushed again," she said, turning to Lucas and Finn.Finn nodded, although his smile remained bright."You're right. But hey, isn't that part of the adventure? A little action to spice up the journey."Lucas, who was walking in the middle, agreed with Evelyn."True, we can't be too relaxed. Besides, we still have to find out what happened to the missing villagers."They continued walking at a brisk pace. About an hour later, they arrived at a crossroads that branched into two directions. On one side, the road looked wider and busier, looking like the main route often used by merchants and adventurers. On the other side, a smaller and narrower path seemed to lead to a dense forest with tall trees that formed a dark natural roof."Which route should we take?" Finn asked, looking at both roads. "The big road that's safe but might be longer, or the forest path that's faster but riskier?"Evelyn raised her staff, pointing it at the forest path."This forest path is faster, but it could be dangerous. If we want to get to Ardenia quickly, this is the way."Lucas weighed the options. He knew they might face danger in the forest, but they couldn't waste time either."Let's take the forest path," he decided. "We'll stay alert and move quickly."Finn chuckled."Good choice, Buddy! Come on, let's show this forest who's boss."They stepped into the dark and silent forest. The sky, which had been bright earlier, was covered by thick leaves, creating moving shadows around them. The path they followed was filled with tree roots protruding from the ground, making the journey more difficult.Suddenly, Lucas felt something strange. The air around him changed, feeling colder and tenser. There was an uncomfortable feeling creeping into him, as if something was watching them."Be careful," he whispered to the others. "I feel something... something unusual."Evelyn nodded, her eyes constantly scanning her surroundings."I feel it too," she said in a serious tone. "There's something here, something strange."Finn bent closer to the ground, examining the traces on the damp soil."Hey guys," he said softly. "Look at this." He pointed to a large footprint, larger than a human, left on the ground. "Looks like we're not alone."Lucas felt his heart beat faster."We have to be careful. Whatever it is, I don't want to be caught here unprepared."They continued their journey more cautiously, their steps slower and measured. Every slightest sound made them on guard. When they reached a narrow gap between two rocky cliffs, a strange whisper could be heard. The whisper hissed, like the wind speaking."Did you hear that?" Evelyn asked, her voice low but tense.Finn nodded, his eyes narrowed trying to understand the sound."Yes, but I don't understand what they're saying."Lucas focused himself, trying to catch the words. He could hear the voice more clearly now, a whisper in a foreign language but with a familiar magical tone."It's... some kind of spell," he muttered. "But I don't know what it means."Suddenly, from the darkness of the forest, emerged figures with glowing red eyes. They were humanoid in shape, but their bodies appeared black and smoky, like living shadows. They moved slowly but steadily towards Lucas and his friends."They're not ordinary humans!" Finn exclaimed, immediately backing away and taking out his throwing knives.Evelyn raised her staff high."These are Forest Wraiths, dark spirits trapped in this world. We have to destroy them or they will suck the life out of us!"Lucas immediately raised his sword and activated Blazing Slash. Flames ignited around the blade of his sword, illuminating the darkness around him. He jumped forward and slashed at one of the wraiths. The flames engulfed the shadowy figure, causing it to howl with a piercing sound. However, the attack didn't completely destroy the wraith. Only part of its body disappeared before quickly solidifying again."They're tougher than they look!" Lucas shouted, returning to a defensive position. "Evelyn, any suggestions?"Evelyn quickly chanted a spell, her energy gathering at the tip of her staff."Aether Blast!" she shouted.Emitting a bright blue light that exploded and hit several wraiths at once. The wraiths screamed and began to fade, but they didn't disappear completely.Finn moved quickly, attacking from behind with his throwing knives, trying to disrupt the wraiths' focus."They're like living shadows, Buddy! I'm not even sure physical attacks will work!"Lucas nodded, thinking hard."I have an idea." He opened the System Window in his mind and quickly selected the Cloak of Shadows. In an instant, he disappeared into the dark mist, confusing the wraiths."Finn, Evelyn! Distract them!" Lucas shouted from the shadows.Evelyn immediately used a wind magic spell to create a small storm, causing leaves and dust to fly around. Finn, with quick reflexes, threw several glowing knives at the wraiths, forcing them to stay in place and keep their distance.With quick and silent movements, Lucas sneaked among the wraiths, looking for the one that seemed like the leader. In the middle of the group, there was one wraith that was larger and smokier than the others. Lucas aimed his sword, charging Blazing Slash with all his remaining strength, and just before his mist faded, he reappeared behind the leader wraith."Here it is!" Lucas swung his sword with full force. The flames ignited brightly, stronger than before, cutting the leader wraith in two. The light of the flames exploded, and the leader wraith let out a final terrifying roar before finally disappearing into vanishing smoke.Seeing their leader destroyed, the other wraiths began to lose energy. They howled in pain before one by one fading and disappearing from sight.Lucas panted, his body wet with sweat."We... we did it," he said softly as he lowered his sword.Evelyn smiled thinly, although she was also panting."That was a good idea, Lucas. Targeting their leader was the right move."Finn patted Lucas on the shoulder. "You kept them busy, Buddy. That was so cool!"The three of them stood there for a moment, feeling victory and relief. However, Lucas couldn't ignore the feeling that something bigger and darker was happening."We should continue," he said finally. "We need to find out what's going on around here."