The others snapped out of their thoughts and nodded in agreement. Ethan gently lifted Maya onto his back, her fragile frame feeling lighter than ever. Larry, Garvin and Louise flanked him on either side, their presence offering silent support. Scarlett and Kato led the way, their steps steady as they left the forest and its haunting memories behind.
As they journeyed onward, the group maintained a somber mood, each member lost in their own thoughts. The events of the past few days had taken a toll on them. The towering trees seemed to close in around them. The faint moonlight filtering through the canopy cast long, ominous shadows that danced on the damp earth.
Soon, the sky began to shift, the once-clear expanse becoming overcast with thick, dark clouds that seemed to swallow the moon. The rain began to pour, heavy and relentless, drumming against the earth with a rhythm like war drums.
