As the flickering campfire cast warm light across the immortals, Nyssa settled back against a log, her expression shifting to one of serious contemplation. The laughter from Thalos's story faded, replaced by an expectant hush.
"Alright, let me tell you about the haunted lake near my childhood home," Nyssa began, her voice steady yet laced with a sense of urgency. "It was said to be one of the most beautiful places in the realm, with shimmering waters reflecting the sky and surrounded by lush greenery. But beneath that beauty lay a darkness that the villagers tried to ignore."
"What kind of darkness?" Aurelia asked, her curiosity piqued.
"It was rumored that long ago, a young woman fell in love with a fisherman," Nyssa explained, her gaze drifting into the distance. "They were to be married, but on the eve of their wedding, a terrible storm struck. The fisherman set out to sea, promising he would return by dawn. But the storm took him, and he drowned, leaving the woman heartbroken. In her grief, she threw herself into the lake, calling for him to return."
The immortals shifted closer, enraptured by Nyssa's storytelling. "Ever since, the lake has been said to be cursed," she continued. "On moonlit nights, the villagers claimed they could hear the woman's wails echoing across the water, searching for her lost love. They say that if you approach the lake after sunset, she'll appear, beckoning you to join her in the depths."
"Sounds like the classic tale of lost love," Eirik remarked, a teasing grin on his face. "What happened to the villagers who dared to approach?"
Nyssa's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Many who ventured too close reported feeling an overwhelming sense of despair, as if the weight of the woman's sorrow was pressing down on their hearts. Some said they saw her ghostly figure standing at the water's edge, her long hair flowing like tendrils of mist, reaching out to them with a look of longing."
"What a terrifying sight," Cassian said, shivering slightly. "Did anyone ever disappear?"
"Actually, yes," Nyssa replied, her tone sobering. "One night, a group of young men from the village decided to test their bravery. They laughed off the warnings, determined to prove that there was nothing to fear. They dared each other to approach the lake, and as they did, the air grew thick and cold. The water, usually calm, began to ripple as if stirred by unseen hands."
"Sounds like a recipe for disaster," Lucius interjected, his brow furrowing.
"Exactly," Nyssa said, nodding. "When the men reached the shore, they claimed they heard whispers, soft and haunting, calling their names. Just as they began to panic, one of them, consumed by curiosity, stepped forward and looked into the water. That's when they saw her—a shimmering figure with sorrowful eyes, reaching out as if to pull him in."
The group fell silent, the crackling fire the only sound breaking the stillness of the night. "What did he do?" Zahara asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"He tried to flee, but it was too late," Nyssa continued, her voice low. "In his panic, he stumbled and fell into the lake. His friends screamed, but as they reached for him, he vanished beneath the surface, as if the water had swallowed him whole. They searched for days, but he was never found."
"Did the others escape?" Elara asked, wide-eyed.
"Yes, but they were forever changed," Nyssa replied, her expression somber. "Haunted by what they'd seen, they never spoke of that night again. The villagers started to take the curse seriously, warning anyone who might be tempted to go near the lake."
"What about the ghost? Did she ever find peace?" Kael asked, his brow furrowing in concern.
"I don't know," Nyssa said, her voice heavy with thought. "Some say that she still wanders the shores, eternally searching for her lost love. Others believe that she's trapped in the lake, her sorrow binding her to that place. Occasionally, on stormy nights, you can still hear her cries echoing through the forest."
The group sat in silence, contemplating Nyssa's story. The warmth of the fire contrasted sharply with the chilling tale, and each immortal was left with a lingering sense of unease.
"That's quite a harrowing tale, Nyssa," Lucius said finally, breaking the silence. "It really makes you think about the consequences of grief and loss."
"Indeed," Aurelia added, her tone thoughtful. "It's a reminder of how powerful emotions can bind us to places or memories. We must be careful not to let our sorrows consume us."
"Especially in a place like this," Elara murmured, glancing around at the darkening forest. "It's easy to get lost in our thoughts here."
As the fire crackled, a sudden gust of wind swept through the campsite, causing the flames to flicker wildly. The immortals instinctively leaned closer to each other, feeling an unsettling chill in the air.
"Maybe we should move the firewood closer," Cassian suggested, trying to break the tension. "I don't want to end up like that fisherman."
"Or the young man," Eirik added, attempting to lighten the mood. "I'd rather keep my shadow intact."
The group laughed, though the sound felt strained, and they worked together to gather more wood, determined to keep the fire burning bright against the encroaching darkness.
As the night wore on, the stories continued to flow, each tale weaving a web of shadows and echoes that danced between the trees. And while the laughter and camaraderie warmed them, the haunting whispers of the Evergreen Forest lingered in the air, a reminder of the mysteries that lay hidden in the darkness.