The grip on Sera's wrist tightened, and she winced, her pulse racing. The stranger's touch was cold, like ice seeping into her skin, but his silver eyes burned with an intensity that left her frozen in place. She tried to yank her hand free, but his strength was unyielding, far beyond anything human.
"Let me go," she demanded, her voice sharper than she felt. Fear coiled in her chest, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. She wouldn't show weakness, not now.
He raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "You've already crossed a line you shouldn't have. I'm not sure letting you go is an option."
Sera's stomach twisted at his words. "What do you mean? I didn't do anything wrong! I was just—" She hesitated, glancing at the glider still tangled in the treetops above. "I didn't mean to land here."
His lips curved into a humorless smile. "Intent doesn't matter. You've entered a place that belongs to us, and rules are rules."
"Us?" she echoed, her voice dropping to a whisper. Her eyes darted around the dark forest, searching for any signs of others. The trees loomed like silent witnesses, their branches reaching out like skeletal arms. The oppressive silence pressed down on her, amplifying every breath, every heartbeat.
The man released her wrist, and she stumbled back, rubbing the sore spot where his fingers had gripped her. "You should leave," he said, his tone softer now but no less commanding. "Before it's too late."
"Leave?" she repeated, a hint of disbelief in her voice. "I don't even know where I am! My phone's dead, my glider's stuck, and I have no idea how to get out of this forest. If you want me gone, you're going to have to help me."
He stared at her for a long moment, his silver eyes narrowing. "You don't understand what's at stake. This forest isn't just trees and shadows. It's alive in ways you can't imagine. And it doesn't take kindly to intruders."
Sera crossed her arms, trying to mask the unease crawling up her spine. "I don't believe in ghost stories, if that's what you're trying to scare me with."
A low chuckle escaped his lips, but there was no warmth in it. "Ghost stories? No. But you'll wish it were something as simple as that."
Before she could respond, a sudden rustling sound broke the stillness. It came from somewhere deep within the forest, growing louder with each passing second. Sera's head snapped toward the noise, her body tensing. Whatever was coming, it wasn't small.
The stranger's demeanor shifted instantly. His eyes darkened, the silver gleam replaced by a steely focus. "Stay behind me," he ordered, his voice a sharp command.
Sera hesitated. "Why should I trust you?"
"You don't have a choice," he shot back, stepping in front of her. His stance was poised, every muscle in his body coiled like a spring ready to snap. "If you want to survive, do as I say."
Survive? The word sent a chill through her, but the urgency in his tone left no room for argument. She edged closer to him, her heart hammering in her chest. The rustling grew louder, accompanied by a low, guttural growl that seemed to vibrate through the air.
Out of the shadows emerged a creature that defied logic. It was massive, its body covered in dark, matted fur that seemed to absorb the moonlight. Its eyes glowed an unnatural red, and its snarling maw revealed rows of jagged teeth. The creature moved with a predatory grace, its movements deliberate and menacing.
Sera's breath caught in her throat. "What the hell is that?" she whispered, barely able to form the words.
"A guardian," the stranger replied, his voice calm but edged with tension. "It protects the forest. And it doesn't like outsiders."
The creature's gaze locked onto Sera, its growl deepening as it took a step forward. She stumbled back, her mind racing. She had no weapon, no plan, and no way to defend herself. This wasn't a thrill-seeking adventure anymore—it was a fight for survival.
The stranger moved faster than she thought possible. One moment, he was standing still; the next, he was in front of the creature, his hand raised. A sharp, glowing sigil appeared in the air, crackling with energy. The creature hesitated, its growl faltering as it eyed the sigil warily.
"Leave," the stranger commanded, his voice reverberating with an authority that made the air around them hum. "She's under my protection."
The creature snarled but didn't advance. Instead, it circled them slowly, its glowing eyes never leaving Sera. She felt its gaze like a weight, pinning her in place. Her knees trembled, but she refused to let them buckle.
The standoff lasted for what felt like an eternity. Finally, the creature let out a low, guttural snort and retreated into the shadows, its glowing eyes disappearing into the darkness. The forest fell silent once more, but the tension lingered like an unspoken threat.
The stranger lowered his hand, the glowing sigil fading into nothingness. He turned to Sera, his expression unreadable. "You need to leave this forest. Now."
She swallowed hard, her voice shaky. "And how am I supposed to do that? I already told you, I don't know the way."
He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. For the first time, he looked almost... tired. "I'll guide you. But you have to promise me something."
Sera raised an eyebrow, her fear giving way to suspicion. "Promise you what?"
"That you'll never come back here. No matter what." His silver eyes locked onto hers, their intensity making her shiver. "This place isn't meant for people like you."
"People like me?" she repeated, her tone defensive. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You don't belong here," he said simply. "And if you stay, the forest will make sure you don't leave alive."
The weight of his words settled heavily on her shoulders. She wanted to argue, to demand answers, but the memory of the creature's glowing eyes was fresh in her mind. Whatever this place was, it wasn't safe. And neither was he.
"Fine," she said, her voice firm despite the fear still clawing at her. "I'll leave. But only because I don't plan on dying tonight."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Smart choice."
He motioned for her to follow, and she reluctantly fell into step behind him. The forest seemed to close in around them as they walked, the shadows deeper, the air heavier. Sera kept her eyes on the stranger's back, her mind racing with questions she wasn't sure she wanted answers to.
Who was he? What was this place? And why did she feel like she'd just stepped into a world that wasn't meant to exist?