The journey to the Ironwood Forest was as treacherous as Eldric had warned. The roads grew narrower with each passing day, and the trees became thicker, their towering forms blotting out much of the sky. Alucard could feel the cold creeping deeper into his bones, the air becoming dense with the scent of pine and damp earth. The once well-trodden paths were now overgrown and obscured, making their way slow and hazardous.
The group moved in silence, their senses sharpened by the ever-present danger of ambush. The sorcerer's patrols were known to frequent the area, and though they hadn't encountered any yet, Alucard knew it was only a matter of time. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, always ready for the fight he knew would come.
Beside him, Seraphina walked quietly, her sharp eyes scanning the trees for any signs of movement. She was as alert as ever, her bow slung across her back, ready to be drawn at a moment's notice. Jasper and Garret led the way, their footsteps light but purposeful, while Eldric and Kael brought up the rear, their presence solid and reassuring.
"We're getting close," Garret said in a low voice, barely above a whisper. "The Ironwood hunters are somewhere in this region. We need to be cautious—they won't welcome strangers easily."
"They'll know we're hunters," Jasper added. "But they'll also be on edge. The sorcerer's forces have been closing in on their territory for months."
Alucard nodded, his gaze drifting to the dense shadows between the trees. The Ironwood Forest was a place of legends, known for its near-impenetrable foliage and the fierce hunters who called it home. Few dared venture this deep into its heart, but those who did rarely returned.
As they pushed further into the forest, the oppressive quiet began to weigh on them. Every crack of a branch or distant rustle of leaves sent their hands to their weapons. The Ironwood was alive, watching them, waiting for something.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle cut through the air, and Alucard's instincts kicked in. He drew his sword in a flash, his eyes darting around for the source. The others were just as fast, forming a tight circle, their weapons ready.
"We're not alone," Seraphina said, her voice tense but controlled.
From the shadows, figures began to emerge, their movements swift and deliberate. They were cloaked in dark, mottled green and brown, blending perfectly with the forest around them. Alucard counted at least a dozen, their bows drawn, arrows notched and aimed directly at them.
"Hunters," Jasper murmured. "Ironwood."
One of the figures stepped forward, lowering their bow but keeping it ready. A woman, tall and lean, with piercing eyes that seemed to cut through the gloom of the forest. Her face was hidden behind a mask of leaves and bark, but her presence was unmistakably commanding.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice as sharp as her arrows. "What business do you have in Ironwood?"
Garret stepped forward, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "We're hunters, like you. We've come to ask for your help. We're gathering the clans to fight the sorcerer."
The woman's eyes flicked over the group, assessing them with the cool precision of someone who had seen too much betrayal. "You think you can just walk into Ironwood and ask for help? You're either brave or foolish."
"We're desperate," Alucard said, stepping up beside Garret. "But we're also determined. If we don't unite now, there won't be anything left to fight for."
The woman's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, then she gestured for her companions to lower their bows. "Follow me. But know this—if you're lying, you won't leave this forest alive."
Without another word, she turned and disappeared into the thick trees, her hunters following her like shadows. Alucard exchanged a glance with the others, then they silently followed, the weight of their mission pressing heavily on their shoulders.
They had made contact with the Ironwood hunters—but the real challenge was just beginning.