Kael stumbled through the dense forest, muttering to himself. "This forest is out to get me. Literal killer trees, glowing birds, and now this artifact that won't stop buzzing like it's trying to give me a migraine. Great job, Kael. Hero of the year."
Behind him, the rustling sound returned. Kael spun around, gripping the artifact tighter. "If it's another glowing-eyed monster, I swear I'm going to—"
A boy about Kael's age popped out of the bushes, clutching a rusted sword far too big for his lanky frame. His brown hair was a mess of twigs, and his face was streaked with mud. He froze when he saw Kael.
"Uh... you're not the wolf," the boy said.
"Wow. Observant, aren't you?" Kael shot back.
The boy lowered the sword, looking sheepish. "Sorry. I thought you were... something else. I'm Finn. Who are you?"
"Kael. And unless you've got a plan for getting out of this cursed forest, I'm kind of in the middle of not dying right now."
Finn's face lit up. "Oh, you're stuck too? Perfect! We can team up."
Kael groaned. "Perfect? Yeah, nothing says 'perfect' like being chased by nightmare creatures."
Before Finn could reply, a sharp whistle echoed through the trees. A girl with dark skin and braided hair emerged from the shadows, a crossbow slung over her shoulder and a quiver full of mismatched bolts at her hip.
"Finn, you idiot," she snapped. "You ran off again?"
Finn winced. "Sorry, Tessa. I thought I heard something."
Tessa rolled her eyes and turned to Kael. "Who's this?"
"Just some guy who's also trying not to die," Finn offered helpfully.
Kael raised a hand. "Hi. I guess we're all in the same club, then."
Tessa studied him for a moment, her sharp eyes flicking to the artifact in his hand. "That thing. It's why the forest is acting up, isn't it?"
"Wow," Kael said. "Do you guys all have a secret class on cursed forest lore, or is this just common knowledge?"
Tessa didn't smile. "You've got no idea what you're holding, do you?"
Kael hesitated. "I know it's important and glowy and apparently makes me a monster magnet."
"That 'glowy thing,'" Tessa said, "is probably the Heart of the Forest. Or at least a piece of it. And if you activated it..."
Finn finished for her. "...everything wants it back."
Kael groaned again. "Of course. Why wouldn't it?"
A low growl interrupted them. The trees around them seemed to lean closer, their branches creaking ominously. Tessa drew her crossbow in one smooth motion, and Finn tightened his grip on his oversized sword.
A figure stepped into the clearing, tall and cloaked in dark, ragged robes. Their face was obscured by a mask carved from bone, and in their hand was a gnarled staff that glowed faintly with green light.
"Well, this just keeps getting better," Kael muttered.
The figure spoke, their voice low and distorted. "You should not be here."
"Yeah, we're getting that vibe," Kael said. "But funny thing—this forest doesn't exactly come with an exit map."
The figure tilted their head, as if considering him. "You carry the Heart."
Kael held up the artifact defensively. "Maybe. What's it to you?"
The figure raised their staff, and the ground trembled. Vines shot up around them, writhing like snakes. Tessa fired her crossbow, the bolt whizzing through the air, but the figure waved a hand, and the projectile disintegrated mid-flight.
"Okay, that's cheating," Tessa muttered, reloading.
Finn charged with a wild yell, swinging his sword. The figure dodged effortlessly, tapping the ground with their staff. A shockwave sent Finn flying into a bush.
"Finn, maybe less enthusiasm next time!" Kael called, ducking as a vine lashed toward him.
"Working on it!" Finn groaned, untangling himself from the leaves.
Kael gritted his teeth, the artifact glowing hotter in his hand. He raised it instinctively, and a burst of golden light erupted, severing the vines. The figure recoiled slightly, their head tilting again.
"Interesting," they murmured.
Before Kael could respond, the artifact pulsed violently, and the light engulfed the clearing. When it faded, the figure was gone, and the forest was silent.
Tessa lowered her crossbow. "What just happened?"
"I think I scared them off," Kael said, though he didn't sound convinced.
Finn stumbled over, rubbing his head. "Remind me to never try that again."
Kael glanced at the artifact, its glow dimmer now. "This thing's more trouble than it's worth."
"Then maybe don't wave it around like a beacon," Tessa said.
"Noted," Kael muttered.
From the shadows, another voice called out, smooth and mocking. "Well, isn't this a merry little band of misfits."
Everyone spun around to see a boy leaning against a tree, his mismatched eyes—one blue, one gold—gleaming with amusement.
"You again?" Kael groaned.
"Miss me already?" Aidan asked with a smirk.
Tessa frowned. "Who's this?"
"Some guy who likes showing up uninvited," Kael said.
Aidan chuckled. "Harsh. I prefer 'helpful stranger.' And I've got good news."
"Let me guess," Kael said. "The forest is trying to kill us."
"Close," Aidan said. "It's not just the forest. You've got bigger problems now."
Kael sighed. "Of course we do."