As the last echoes of celebration faded in the village, Marcus stood alone at the edge of the Whispering Woods, the familiar scents of earth and foliage swirling around him. The night was still, yet charged with an energy that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. The golden orb pulsed gently in his pocket, its warmth reassuring yet insistent, as if whispering secrets of adventures yet to come.
"Where do I even start?" he murmured to himself, gazing into the depths of the forest. The trees loomed like ancient guardians, their trunks thick and gnarled, their leaves rustling softly as if sharing long-held secrets. The thought of exploring the unknown filled him with both excitement and trepidation.
Beside him, the brown rabbit looked up, its eyes bright with curiosity. It nudged his leg, encouraging him. "You're right," he chuckled, feeling the comforting presence of his small companion. "I can't stand here forever."
