Chapter 21: Through the Haunted Forest
The morning air was sharp and cold, slicing through the heavy silence of the wilderness. Tara pulled her cloak closer, the fabric offering little warmth as she trudged along the uneven forest path. The gurgling of a nearby stream was the only sound punctuating the oppressive quiet, a fleeting reminder of the world's serenity beyond their peril.
"Keep up," Samudra called over his shoulder, his voice firm but unhurried. The prince led the group with an air of quiet authority, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. His strides were long and purposeful, but the occasional glance back betrayed his unease. The muscles in his shoulders were taut, every step a calculated move forward.
Behind her, Aryan hummed a jaunty tune that grated against the tense atmosphere. "Why the rush, Sam?" he teased, his tone light but his eyes sharp as they scanned the forest. "The Eclipse Sect can't be that close. Surely we deserve a leisurely stroll through nature before they catch up."
"They're closer than you think," Samudra replied, not sparing him a glance. His voice carried an edge that made Tara's stomach twist. "The Eclipse Sect doesn't stop until their prey is dead. If we slow down, we'll be making it easier for them."
Tara's fingers brushed against the satchel at her side, where the pendant lay hidden. Its weight seemed to grow heavier with every mention of their pursuers. She kept her head down, but her mind raced. Was it because of her? Had the pendant drawn them into this deadly chase?
The stream came into view, its icy water rushing over smooth stones. One by one, they crossed, the freezing cold seeping into their boots. Tara's steps faltered slightly as the chill numbed her toes, but she pressed on. Ahead, the jagged peaks of the mountains loomed like the teeth of a slumbering beast, their shadows stretching ominously across the forest floor.
---
The forest itself felt alive, its dense canopy casting shifting shadows over their path. The trees whispered in a language only the wind could understand, their branches clawing at the sky like twisted fingers. Tara stayed close to Samudra and Aryan, her instincts screaming with every rustling leaf and snapping twig.
"Relax, Tara," Aryan said with a mischievous grin, falling into step beside her. His voice carried a playful lilt, but his eyes betrayed his wariness. "It's just a forest. No ghosts here... yet."
She shot him a glare, refusing to rise to his bait. Her senses were too honed from years of surviving in her world to dismiss the creeping unease. Every shadow seemed alive, every sound a potential threat.
"Enough," Samudra said, his voice low but commanding. He glanced at Tara, his piercing gaze softening for a fraction of a second. "Stay close. This forest has its own rules, and they're not in our favor."
Aryan gave a mock shiver, but his grin remained. "Stick to the prince, Tara. He'll save you from all the big, bad monsters."
Tara didn't respond. She didn't need saving, but she wasn't about to argue. Samudra's quiet confidence was a steadying presence, even if she wouldn't admit it aloud.
---
By midday, the climb had grown steeper, the air thinner. Tara's legs burned with the effort, sweat matting her hair despite the cool breeze. The forest's oppressive presence didn't waver, the whispers growing louder and more insistent as if the trees themselves were mocking their struggle.
Aryan bounded ahead with infuriating ease, his steps light and unburdened. He turned back to flash her a smug grin. "Need a break, Tara? Or maybe a ride on my back?"
"I'm fine," she snapped, brushing past him.
He raised an eyebrow, his grin softening into something almost genuine. "Don't push yourself too hard," he said, his voice quieter. "We'll need all our strength soon enough."
Ahead, Samudra paused, his posture tense as he scanned the forest with a hunter's precision. "There's a clearing up ahead," he said. "We'll stop briefly to regroup, but keep your guard up. They're closer than I'd like."
Tara nodded, grateful for the reprieve. As they reached the clearing, the unease in the air seemed to thicken. Shadows danced between the trees, their movements too deliberate to be mere tricks of the light.
---
The clearing was bathed in weak sunlight, the open space offering a false sense of security. Samudra unsheathed his blade, the steel glinting in the pale light as he checked its edge. Tara watched him, noting the way his hands moved with practiced ease. Despite his eccentricities, there was no denying his skill.
Aryan busied himself with a pouch of dried fruit, tossing a piece into his mouth before offering one to Tara. "Eat. You'll need the energy."
She hesitated before accepting, the sweetness a brief comfort against the gnawing tension. "Why does the Eclipse Sect want you dead so badly?" she asked, breaking the silence.
Samudra didn't look up. "The Eclipse Sect doesn't need a reason," he said, his tone flat. "But if I had to guess, it's because I'm in the way of their master's plans."
Aryan smirked. "And now, by association, so are you. Welcome to the hit list, Tara."
She frowned, her fingers tightening around the strap of her satchel. "I didn't ask for this."
"None of us did," Samudra said, his voice steady but firm. "But running won't solve anything. The only way out is forward."
---
As the day wore on, the forest grew darker, the trees closing in like a living cage. The whispers had turned to faint, mocking laughter, and every step felt heavier, as though the ground itself was resisting their progress.
They found him at dusk—a man slumped against a tree, his breathing shallow. Blood stained his tattered clothes, pooling beneath him in dark rivulets.
"Help... please..." he rasped, his voice barely audible.
Aryan crouched beside him, his usual cheer replaced by a rare seriousness. "Eclipse Sect?"
The man nodded weakly. "They... attacked... everyone else... gone..."
Tara hesitated. Healing wasn't beyond her, but it carried risks—risks she wasn't sure she could afford. Still, she couldn't leave him to die.
"Move aside," she said, kneeling beside the man.
Samudra and Aryan exchanged a glance but didn't stop her. Tara placed her hands over the wound, channeling a faint green energy. The glow was weak, but it was enough. The man's breathing steadied, his eyes widening in gratitude.
"Thank you..." he whispered.
Tara stood, avoiding their gazes as she wiped her hands on her cloak.
"You're full of surprises," Aryan said, his tone light but his eyes calculating. "Our healer has a few tricks up her sleeve."
Tara ignored him, her attention snapping to the forest. The laughter had returned, louder and closer, accompanied by low, guttural growls.
"What was that?" she whispered.
Samudra's hand went to his blade, his stance shifting. "Not friendly," he said grimly.
Aryan stood, his usual playfulness replaced by sharp focus. "Stay close. This could get messy."
The growls grew louder, and the shadows around them seemed to deepen, pressing in like a living force. Tara's heart pounded as she tightened her grip on the satchel. Whatever was coming, it was already too late to run.