The air in the clearing was heavy with the acrid scent of sweat and fear. Arak's lungs burned from the frantic sprint, his heart pounding in his chest as if trying to break free. For a long moment, the four of them stood motionless, their ears straining to catch any sound from the dark forest that surrounded them. The wolves' snarls had faded, but the oppressive sense of danger still clung to them like a shadow.
Mari, hands on her knees, tried to catch her breath. "We barely made it," she whispered, glancing around nervously. "I've never seen wolves like that before. They weren't… normal."
Niko nodded grimly, wiping the blood from his blade with a rag he carried in his belt. "These lands are twisted," he said. "Corrupted, perhaps. Animals aren't supposed to behave that way."
Joran was already scanning the area, his keen eyes darting over every shadow and movement. "We can't stay here," he said, his voice low and urgent. "The wolves may have backed off for now, but they'll return. And who knows what else is lurking out there?"
Arak sheathed his blade, his mind racing as he tried to think of their next move. They couldn't afford another encounter like the one they'd just survived. The forest had already proved more dangerous than he had expected, and their mission to reach the Ember Tribe was far from over.
"We move at first light," Arak said, his voice steady despite the lingering fear. "We'll need to find a safer route around the wolves' territory. The sooner we reach the river, the better."
Mari shot him a glance, her eyes reflecting a flicker of doubt. "Are we sure we're heading in the right direction? The forest feels like it's shifting around us."
"It's the only path we have," Joran said, his tone practical. "The Ember Tribe is beyond the river, and that's where we're headed. We just have to be careful. The forest plays tricks on people who don't know it."
They huddled together in the center of the clearing, too wary to rest fully but too exhausted to keep moving through the night. The fire had long since died, and none of them dared to light another, not with the wolves—and perhaps worse—still nearby.
As the hours stretched on, Arak found himself staring up at the treetops, the thick canopy blotting out the stars. His mind wandered, replaying the fight with the wolves and the eerie silence that had followed. Something about this forest felt unnatural, as if the very land itself was watching them, waiting for them to make a mistake.
"We should have brought more people," Mari muttered, her voice low but sharp. "Four of us against an entire forest full of gods-know-what? This feels like madness."
"We couldn't risk drawing more attention," Joran replied quietly. "The outsiders are watching. If they saw a larger group leaving the village, they'd know something was up. Four of us is all we can spare."
Arak stayed silent, listening to their exchange but saying nothing. He understood Mari's frustration, but the reality was that they didn't have a choice. The village needed reinforcements, and they needed the Ember Tribe's help. There was no other way.
As the first light of dawn began to break through the trees, casting long shadows across the clearing, Arak stood and motioned for the others to get ready. "We move now," he said. "Stay close, and stay alert. The wolves may have given up the chase, but there's no telling what else we'll face."
The group nodded, their faces grim but determined. They gathered their supplies and set out once more, moving cautiously through the thick underbrush. The forest was dense and unyielding, every step a struggle through tangled roots and low-hanging branches. The ground beneath their feet was soft, the damp earth sucking at their boots as they trudged forward.
For hours, they moved in near silence, speaking only when necessary. The tension was palpable, every sound of snapping twigs or rustling leaves sending a jolt of adrenaline through them. The forest was alive with unseen dangers, and every moment felt like a test of their endurance and resolve.
Finally, as the sun reached its zenith, they came upon a break in the trees. Ahead of them, the forest opened up into a wide river, its waters rushing past with alarming speed. The sound of the current was deafening after the quiet of the woods, but to Arak, it was a welcome change. The river marked the halfway point of their journey—the final barrier between them and the Ember Tribe's lands.
"We made it," Mari said, her voice tinged with relief. "Now we just have to get across."
Joran stepped forward, eyeing the river warily. "The current's stronger than I expected," he muttered, his brow furrowed in thought. "Crossing will be dangerous. We'll need to be careful, or we'll get swept away."
Niko nodded. "We should find a narrow point, somewhere the water isn't as fast. There's no telling how deep it is."
They walked along the riverbank, searching for a place where the current might ease enough for them to cross. The water rushed by in frothing torrents, the force of it sending cold spray into the air. Arak couldn't shake the feeling that the river was more than just a natural obstacle—it felt like another test, another piece of the land trying to keep them from reaching their goal.
"Here," Joran called out, pointing to a section of the river where the banks narrowed, and a series of large rocks jutted out from the water. "We can use the rocks to cross. It's risky, but it's the best option we have."
They approached the spot, and Arak could see what Joran meant. The rocks formed a rough path across the river, though the gaps between them were wide, and the water surged violently around them. One misstep could easily send someone tumbling into the current.
"We go one at a time," Arak said, his voice firm. "Slow and steady. Don't rush, and watch your footing."
Joran went first, his movements swift and sure as he hopped from one rock to the next. Mari followed, her lighter frame making the crossing easier. Niko went third, his bulk making the rocks shift slightly beneath his weight, but he moved with deliberate care, never faltering.
When it was Arak's turn, he took a deep breath and stepped onto the first rock. The water rushed by just inches from his feet, the roar of the current filling his ears. He moved carefully, testing each step before committing to it, his heart pounding in his chest.
Halfway across, his foot slipped on a wet stone, and for a terrifying moment, he felt himself lurch sideways, the pull of the river tugging at him. But before he could fall, Niko's strong hand shot out, grabbing his arm and pulling him back to safety.
"Careful," Niko said, his voice calm but urgent. "We're almost there."
Arak nodded, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he steadied himself. He continued across, moving more cautiously now, until at last he reached the other side. As his boots touched the solid ground of the opposite bank, he let out a sigh of relief.
They had crossed the river. But as Arak looked ahead, he knew their journey was far from over.