The dawn arrived with a heavy mist clinging to the trees, shrouding the landscape in an eerie quiet. Alucard, Seraphina, and Jasper stood at the edge of the Blackwood Forest, the towering trees before them casting long shadows that seemed to writhe and whisper with each movement of the wind. The forest loomed like a dark, impenetrable fortress, and Alucard could feel the weight of ancient magic hanging in the air.
"This place is alive," Jasper muttered, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword as his eyes scanned the treeline. "Stay close. Blackwood doesn't forgive mistakes."
Seraphina nodded silently, her bow at the ready, her gaze unwavering. Alucard could feel the tension rising among them as they prepared to enter. This forest was unlike any other. Tales of twisted creatures and strange phenomena had made the Blackwood infamous, even among seasoned hunters. Alucard's heart raced, but he steeled himself. He had faced demons before; whatever lurked here, he was ready.
They ventured in, the dense foliage swallowing them almost immediately. The light of the sun struggled to penetrate the thick canopy, leaving the path before them dim and uncertain. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig felt amplified, as if the forest itself was watching them.
As they moved deeper, the trees grew more gnarled, their branches twisted in unnatural shapes. Moss clung to the trunks, and strange flowers bloomed at their roots, glowing faintly with a sickly green light. The air was thick, heavy with the scent of damp earth and something else—something foul and decaying.
Alucard's grip tightened around the hilt of his sword, his senses on high alert. His mind kept drifting back to the stories he had heard as a child, stories of hunters who had entered the Blackwood and never returned. But he pushed the fear aside. They were here for Garret, the legendary hunter, and nothing would stop them.
"Stay sharp," Seraphina whispered, her voice barely audible. "This place plays tricks on the mind."
They pressed on, navigating through dense undergrowth and over fallen logs, the path becoming less clear with every step. The further they traveled, the more the sense of unease grew. Shadows flickered in the corner of Alucard's vision, shapes that seemed to move just beyond the reach of his sight.
Suddenly, Jasper raised his hand, signaling for them to stop. He crouched low, his eyes scanning the forest floor.
"What is it?" Alucard asked, his voice tense.
Jasper pointed ahead, where faint footprints could be seen in the soft earth. "We're not alone. These tracks are fresh."
Seraphina stepped forward, examining the tracks. "Human," she confirmed. "But who?"
Alucard felt a shiver run down his spine. "Could it be Garret?"
"Possibly," Jasper said, standing up. "Or someone else. Either way, we're close to something."
They followed the trail, moving cautiously through the dense forest. The further they went, the more twisted the surroundings became. The trees seemed to close in on them, their branches stretching out like skeletal arms. The shadows grew darker, and an unnatural chill filled the air.
After several minutes, they came to a small clearing. In the center stood a crumbling stone structure, overgrown with vines and moss. It looked ancient, as if it had been there for centuries, forgotten by time.
"This must be it," Seraphina whispered. "Garret's hiding place."
Alucard's pulse quickened. He could feel the presence of something powerful nearby—whether it was Garret or something else, he wasn't sure. But the pull of the shadows was stronger here, more intense than ever before.
"We're close," Jasper muttered, his eyes fixed on the structure. "Stay ready. If Garret's here, he won't be alone."
Alucard nodded, stepping forward. His heart pounded in his chest as they approached the entrance. The forest was silent now, unnervingly still. Whatever awaited them inside, Alucard knew it would change the course of their mission—and possibly their lives.
With a deep breath, he pushed open the heavy wooden door, and they stepped into the darkness beyond.