Their investigation led them to a nearby town where rumors of strange occurrences had surfaced. Residents spoke of shadows that moved independently and whispers that seemed to come from nowhere. One man claimed to have seen red eyes watching him from the forest at night.
Maya and Mr. Park visited the forest, armed with protective charms and the sacred dagger. The air grew colder as they ventured deeper, the trees closing in around them. The whispers began faintly, almost indistinguishable from the rustling leaves. But as they pressed on, the whispers grew louder, forming words that sent chills down Maya's spine.
"It's not over."
The voice was unmistakable. It was Felix.
Maya froze, her heart racing. "Felix?" she called out, her voice trembling.
The whispers stopped abruptly, leaving a heavy silence in their wake. Mr. Park placed a hand on her shoulder, guiding her forward. "Don't let it get to you," he said. "It's trying to manipulate you."
But Maya couldn't shake the feeling that Felix's voice had been real. She pressed on, her determination unwavering, even as the shadows around them deepened and the air grew colder. They reached the heart of the forest, where they found a circle of stones etched with ancient symbols. In the center lay a single black feather, its edges glowing faintly red.
"It's a marker," Mr. Park said, his voice grim. "Someone's keeping the curse alive."
Maya picked up the feather, its surface cold to the touch. As she held it, a vision flashed through her mind: Felix standing in the clearing, his eyes glowing red as he whispered, "The cycle continues."
She snapped back to reality, her breathing ragged. "We have to stop this," she said, her voice shaking but resolute. "No matter what it takes."