The forest erupted into life as the Feylings darted ahead, their shimmering wings leaving trails of light in the air. Aeron's pulse quickened as he and his companions rushed after them, the path beneath their feet shifting and changing with every step.
"Stick together!" Aeron called out, his voice firm amidst the chaotic surroundings. The Feywild was notorious for playing tricks on outsiders, and he wasn't about to let anyone get separated.
Kael sprinted alongside him, his excitement barely contained. "I've always wanted to run through a magical forest! Let's catch these little tricksters."
Mira kept her eyes focused, her staff glowing faintly as she tried to detect any distortions in the magic around them. "Be careful! This race isn't just about speed. The Feylings will use their magic to make it difficult for us."
Aeron knew she was right. Already, the trees seemed to stretch and twist, forming barriers in their path. Branches swayed low, forcing them to duck, and the ground became uneven, as though the forest itself was testing them.
Suddenly, one of the Feylings appeared ahead of them, giggling as she waved her hand. A patch of the forest floor collapsed, turning into a pit of swirling mist. Without hesitation, Aeron leaped over it, his reflexes sharp. Behind him, Selene and Mira jumped in perfect unison, while Kael barely made it across with a laugh.
"These Feylings are playing dirty," Kael muttered.
Aeron smirked. "Did you expect anything less?"
Thorin, who was bringing up the rear, growled as he slammed his hammer into the ground, creating a small shockwave to clear a path through some thick roots that had sprung up in his way. "Bah, I'll crush any tricks they throw at us!"
As they pressed forward, the landscape continued to shift. Aeron could feel the Feywild's magic warping reality, making it hard to predict what would come next. But he kept his focus sharp, pushing through the illusions and distractions. His training, combined with his instincts, helped him navigate the ever-changing terrain.
A glimmer of light caught his eye as they emerged from a particularly dense thicket. Ahead, the Feylings were still giggling and taunting them, zipping between the trees with ease. Aeron gritted his teeth. They were fast, but he knew they had to rely on their magic to maintain their lead.
"We're catching up!" Selene said breathlessly. Her eyes gleamed with determination as she drew her bow, sending a well-aimed arrow into the trees ahead. The arrow hit its mark, triggering a branch to fall and block one of the Feylings momentarily.
The Feyling shot her a mischievous glance. "Clever! But you'll need more than that to win."
Suddenly, the air around them began to thicken, shimmering with magical energy. Aeron realized the Feylings were casting illusions—making it harder to see the real path. The trees began to blur, and strange whispers filled the air, trying to throw off their concentration.
Mira gripped her staff, her voice steady as she muttered an incantation. "Dispello!" The magic around them flickered for a moment, revealing the true path ahead. Mira's spell wasn't strong enough to dispel all the illusions, but it gave them just enough clarity to keep moving forward.
"Good work, Mira!" Aeron called out, leading the charge.
As they continued, the forest opened up into a vast clearing, and in the distance, Aeron could see a shimmering portal—the heart of the Feywild. The Feylings hovered near it, laughing as they danced through the air.
"We're almost there!" Selene shouted, her pace quickening.
Aeron felt a surge of determination. The Feylings were still ahead, but the portal was in sight. They had a chance to win if they pushed harder.
But just as they neared the clearing, the ground beneath them shifted once more. This time, the trees twisted unnaturally, forming a wall of branches and vines that blocked their path. It was a final obstacle, one the Feylings had set to ensure their victory.
"We're not going through that!" Kael yelled, pulling out his blades. "We're going over it!"
Without waiting for a response, Aeron and Kael launched themselves toward the barrier, using their swords to cut through the vines and branches as they climbed. Selene and Mira followed close behind, their agility allowing them to navigate the tangled mess with ease.
Thorin, not one for finesse, simply charged through the barrier with brute force, smashing the vines apart with his hammer. "Ain't no forest gonna stop me!" he bellowed.
As they broke free of the barrier, Aeron could see the Feylings had already reached the portal, hovering just before it, their faces smug with victory.
But Aeron wasn't done yet.
With a burst of speed, he activated one of his skills—Phantom Edge. His afterimages split off, confusing the Feylings as he darted forward, his real self moving faster than they could track.
The Feylings blinked in surprise as Aeron surged past them, his hand outstretched toward the portal. In a flash of light, he crossed through it just ahead of the Feylings, his companions following right behind.
The Feylings stared in disbelief, their mischievous grins fading into shock. "They… they actually did it!"
The silver-winged Feyling fluttered forward, her smile returning, though it was less arrogant now. "Well, well. It seems you're faster than we thought."
Aeron caught his breath, his heart still racing from the intensity of the chase. "We won. Now, tell us what you know."
The Feyling's expression turned serious as the other Feylings gathered around. "As promised, we will share what we know. But be warned—what lies ahead is far darker than even the Abyssal Prince you faced."
Selene stepped forward, her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
The Feyling's voice dropped, her playful tone completely gone. "The Abyssal forces are only part of the threat. There is something much older, much more dangerous stirring. It is known as the Dread Serpent, an ancient being that was sealed away long ago. If the Abyssal forces manage to break that seal, this world and all others will be consumed."
A chill ran down Aeron's spine as the Feyling's words sank in. The Dread Serpent—an entity powerful enough to devour worlds. This was far worse than they had imagined.
"Where is this seal?" Aeron asked, his voice steady despite the growing sense of dread.
The Feyling pointed toward the distant horizon, where dark clouds were gathering. "In the deepest part of the Netherrealm. That's where you'll find the seal... and your next battle."