Cold winds blow in from the eastern sea, transforming the once temperate, bluish hue of the Hollow Forest into a chilling, icy blue. The air grows sharper, biting at their skin as Ethan, Ferox, and the Bone Guard rush deeper into the forest.
Tree trunks and boulders hurtle toward them from the shadows, launched by some unseen force.
"Shit, shit, shit, shit!"
Ethan curses, ducking just as a massive boulder crashes into the ground behind him.
Ferox grunts, his shovel swinging with brutal precision as he smashes the incoming projectiles into rubble. The Bone Guard moves swiftly, its sword cutting through the dense vegetation as it clears a path.
CLICK CLICK CLICK
Its jaw rattles with urgency, its purple eyes scanning the forest for threats.
Ethan quickly notices something strange. By now, they should have encountered hordes of undead, but the forest is eerily empty. It's as if the undead never existed here.
"BOY, YOU BETTER THINK OF A PLAN BEFORE WE ALL GET CRUSHED!"
Ferox roars, slamming his shovel into another boulder. His breathing grows heavier, the strain of the relentless attacks starting to show.
"...Fuck me,"
Ethan mutters, his mind racing. He tries to recall everything he knows about the Hollow Forest. It was supposed to be teeming with undead and shamans, but they're nowhere to be seen. Then, it hits him—there's one place they might find safety, but reaching it won't be easy.
"FOLLOW ME!"
surging ahead and taking the lead, he activates his ability
"LIGHTNING LIBERTY"
his movements becoming a blur of green and red energy as he cuts through the mist and thick undergrowth. Each step accelerates his speed, the wind itself seeming to aid his flight.
The forest blurs around him as he races forward, the muddy swamp coming into view. Its surface is a sickly brown, bubbling with black ooze and reeking of decay. On the other side, a faint glimmer catches his eye—a fountain, its waters shimmering faintly in the dim light.
"Across that swamp, NOW!"
leaping onto Ferox's back. The Minotaur grunts in annoyance but doesn't argue. With a powerful leap, he clears the swamp, the Bone Guard following close behind.
Ferox feels a sudden tug at his leg, the murky water rippling ominously.
BANG
Without hesitation, he slams his shovel into the swamp, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through the water. He knows this swamp—it's not just a pit of mud and decay. It has occupants.
GRRRRR
An octopus-like creature erupts from the depths, its slimy, mud-covered body writhing as it lunges toward them. Despite the filth clinging to its form, its eyes glow a piercing crystal blue, filled with a predatory hunger.
The creature's tentacles whip out, aiming to ensnare both Ferox and the Bone Guard. Ferox reacts instantly, his shovel slamming down with enough force to create a shockwave that sends the creature flying to the far side of the swamp.
"Not today,"
Ferox growls. He grabs the Bone Guard by its skeletal arm and leaps toward the fountain, his powerful legs propelling them through the air.
The creature lets out a guttural screech as it crashes into the muddy bank, its tentacles flailing in frustration. But Ferox and the Bone Guard are already out of reach, landing safely near the shimmering fountain.
Ethan watches from the other side, his katana still in hand.
"Nice moves,"
Ferox grunts, setting the Bone Guard down.
"Let's not stick around to see what else is in there," he says, his eyes narrowing as he glances back at the swamp.
The Bone Guard's jaw clicks softly, its purple eyes glowing with a mix of curiosity and caution. It seems even the undead can appreciate a narrow escape.
As they reach the fountain, a blood-curdling screech
REEEHHHHHHHHHH
echoes from behind them. The sound is filled with terror, as if the octopus-like creature had been caught in the jaws of something far worse. Ethan freezes, his expression darkening.
Whatever has happened to the Hollow Forest... it's far worse than any undead.
The Bone Guard glances back towards the swamp, its purple eyes flickering with unease. Even as a skeleton, it feels a chill—a primal instinct warning it of the dangers lurking beyond the safety of the fountain.
"Boy,"
Ferox rumbles. The Minotaur sets the coffin down with a heavy thud, his shovel resting beside him. He looks at Ethan, his piercing gaze demanding answers.
"What are your plans?"
Ferox asks
Ethan is momentarily stunned. A Minotaur as old and battle-hardened as Ferox is looking to *him* for direction. He takes a deep breath, his mind racing as he weighs their options.
"...We rest for now then we'll plan out on where to go the following morning"
Ferox nods, his expression unreadable.
"Good. We'll need it"
Ferox Walks over yo prepare a fire place for the group while the Bone Guard stands watch, its shield raised and its sword at the ready. The eerie glow of the fountain casts long shadows across the ground, its waters shimmering faintly in the dim light.It didn't need any rest for it had a duty to fulfill
Ethan sits down, his katana resting across his lap. He glances at the coffin, then at Ferox, and finally at the Bone Guard. For now, they are safe. But the Hollow Forest holds secrets far darker than they imagined, and rest is only a temporary reprieve.
"Hollow Forest what have you become"
_____________________________________________
The Hollow Forest:
"Beneath the twisted branches, even the dead tread lightly."
Lore:
Once a vibrant, mystical land teeming with life. It was home to ancient human tribes, elusive forest spirits, and the enigmatic elves who guarded its secrets. The forest was a place of balance, where the natural and supernatural coexisted in harmony. The trees were said to whisper ancient wisdom, and the rivers carried the blessings of the old gods.
But the fall of the old gods shattered this balance. Without their divine protection, the forest became vulnerable to the encroaching darkness. The Undead, rising from the afterlife swept through the Hollow Forest like a plague. The living were driven out or slaughtered, and the forest spirits were corrupted or silenced. The elves, once proud guardians, either fled or fell to the corruption.
For centuries, the Hollow Forest became a stronghold of the Undead. The trees withered, the rivers ran black, and the air grew thick with the stench of decay.