Day turned to night without them realizing it, the bright sunlight slowly fading, replaced by the ominous darkness of the Death Forest. Ethan and Nyssa moved quickly, their pace increasing as they sensed the tension in the air. However, as they ventured deeper into the village, the silence around them grew heavier.
"Ethan, did you notice?" Nyssa asked, her voice trembling in the quiet of the night.
Ethan nodded, his gaze serious. "Yeah, they've all disappeared. Maybe they're in the Death Forest, waiting for us. Let's pick up the pace," he said, trying to calm both Nyssa and himself.
As they approached the border between the village and the Death Forest, they encountered Tof, the young boy they had helped earlier.
His face was anxious, and he was panting. "Sir, I saw two strangers earlier. One man carrying a bow and a woman with a staff. Are they your companions?"
Ethan and Nyssa exchanged glances, feeling both relieved and worried. "Yes, they're our comrades. Where did you see them, and where are they now?" Ethan asked, trying to suppress the growing unease in his mind.
"They were unconscious, and the villagers took them into the Death Forest," Tof replied quietly, his eyes filled with fear.
Ethan immediately felt a surge of helplessness. "Come on, Nyssa, we need to catch up to them. It'll be dangerous if we're too late," he said firmly, his voice laced with urgency.
But suddenly, Tof stepped in front of them. "No! I'm coming with you. They must pay the same price for killing my family," he declared, his eyes burning with vengeance, his voice echoing in the still night.
Ethan paused, remembering his own past when he first arrived in Arkhana, betrayed by those he had trusted. A pang of empathy tugged at his heart.
"Tof, it's dangerous. The Death Forest isn't a place for a kid like you. We don't want you to get involved in this," he said gently, trying to dissuade Tof from his revenge plan.
"But I won't just stand by! They have to pay!" Tof shouted, his voice now filled with passion, determined to seek justice for his family.
Nyssa glanced at Ethan, seeing the conflict in his expression. "Ethan, he's right. If we don't stop them now, more people will get hurt. We need him with us, maybe he can help."
Hearing Nyssa's words, Ethan knew he couldn't hold Tof back any longer. With a heavy sigh, he nodded. "Alright, Tof. If you're coming with us, you need to stay close and follow our lead. We'll protect you."
Tof's face lit up with newfound resolve, and without wasting any more time, the three of them set off towards the Death Forest. Darkness thickened around them, and the sound of the wind whistling through the trees reminded them of the dangers lurking within.
Each step brought them closer to the terrifying forest, and as they neared its edge, a foul stench filled the air, like something rotting and dead.
Ethan took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "We need to be careful. This forest is full of wild creatures and traps," he whispered.
Nyssa reached for Tof's hand, holding him back from straying too far. "Remember, if anything happens, hide behind us."
As they stepped into the forest, the tension grew even thicker. The trees seemed to close in, blocking out the moonlight.
Every sound around them felt like a threat, and the presence of sinister creatures likely wasn't far off. In the midst of the darkness, the determination of Ethan, Nyssa, and Tof strengthened each other.
"We'll find Draven and Lina," Ethan vowed, his heart resolute. "We won't let them become the next victims."
They pressed on, determined to face whatever awaited them in the Death Forest, their hope and fiery resolve burning brightly within them.