The farther they walked, the more unsettling their surroundings became. The once-damp ground turned into patches of shallow puddles, then into small pools.
By the time they reached a low valley, the water was rising alarmingly fast, swirling around their ankles.
Athena stopped in her tracks, staring at the water creeping higher with each passing moment. "It's not draining," she said, her voice tense. "It's like the forest is flooding."
Mors stepped ahead, his sharp eyes scanning the terrain. "This isn't a natural flood. The water level is too consistent," he said grimly. "Something is feeding it."
Athena tightened her grip on her sword, her senses on high alert. The rain fell harder now, its relentless rhythm pounding against the canopy above.
Visibility was worsening, the downpour creating a misty haze that obscured their path.
"Look," Mors said suddenly, pointing to a tree ahead.
