The village of Grennwald lay quiet and somber underneath the light light of a waxing moon. It became a small village, almost swallowed via the endless wooded area that surrounded it on all sides. Stories about the forest had been advised to every baby who lived there—stories of strange lights, shadowy figures, and the whispers that sometimes filled the night.

But this night, none of those tales were on Adolf's mind. He sat at the edge of the forest, where the familiar course led into the trees, his gaze piercing the shadows. Adolf turned into seventeen, tall and lanky, with a shock of messy brown hair and eyes that held a glint of something cussed, almost defiant.

He'd constantly felt interested in the wooded area, in spite of the warnings and tales that saved all people else in the village some distance away. But tonight was unique. Tonight, he could sense some thing pulling him in—a silent name, like a whisper in the lower back of his mind.

He took a leap forward, then another, and soon located himself surrounded by means of towering trees. The forest became quiet, with only the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Shadows performed hints on his imaginative and prescient, and he couldn't tell if his footsteps echoed again at him or if some thing else become strolling beside him.

As he walked deeper, he noticed a ordinary mild flickering inside the distance. It changed into tender, nearly like a will-o'-the-wisp, and it moved, beckoning him to follow.

Adolf hesitated. He remembered the village stories about ordinary lights leading people astray. But some thing deep interior him—an unshakable interest—entreated him onward. He took a breath, steadied himself, and observed the light.

It led him to a small clearing, surrounded by ancient trees twisted and gnarled as if they'd grown there since time began. In the center of the clearing stood a stone pillar, half-buried in the earth and covered in strange, faded symbols.

Adolf's eyes widened. He'd never seen anything like it before. His hand trembled as he reached out, fingers grazing the cool stone surface. The air felt thick with energy, and a low hum filled the clearing, growing louder the longer he touched the stone.

And then, a voice—a whisper, barely audible yet strangely familiar—echoed in his mind.

"Welcome, young one."

Adolf spun around, but no one was there. He felt his heartbeat quicken as the voice continued.

"Many years I have waited. Few are those brave enough to walk into the heart of the forest. And even fewer make it here."

"Who are you?" Adolf asked, his voice wavering.

Silence.

He took a step back, his courage beginning to falter, when the trees around him started to sway. Leaves fell, swirling through the air as if caught in an invisible whirlwind. The voice returned, louder this time, filling the clearing.

"You seek answers, young Adolf. But answers come with a price."

Before he could react, the stone beneath his hand began to glow, and the light enveloped him in a blinding flash. When he opened his eyes, he found himself somewhere else entirely.

The forest had changed. The trees were taller, darker, and filled with glowing eyes watching him from the shadows. The air felt colder, heavier, and a strange fog blanketed the ground. Adolf felt his heart pound, but he swallowed his fear, his fists clenched.

Whatever was waiting for him in this forest, he knew one thing: there was no turning back now.