THE SOUL HUNTERS
"Who are you?" the shadow growled, its voice echoing through the eerie jungle.
The group froze in terror, their hearts pounding. But Mason stepped forward, his eyes filled with determination. "We are searching for Manis so we can complete our first level," he declared confidently.
The shadow's expression darkened with anger. "Do you think it's easy to steal Manis from our domain?" it sneered.
Owen, who had not yet realized his hidden powers, trembled with fear. "Mason, what do we do now? I think I'll be the first to die because... I still haven't unlocked my abilities!" he stammered.
Mason placed a reassuring hand on Owen's shoulder. "Don't worry. You'll discover your power soon. Stay calm—we can fight him."
Luna, who had been standing silently at the back, suddenly stepped forward. "I can fight him," she declared.
The others turned to her in shock, speaking in unison. "You? But how?"
Luna closed her eyes, and almost instantly, the air around them stirred. The nearby insects began to rise into the air, drawn toward her as if under an invisible command.
Owen's eyes widened. "Luna! Be careful! The insects in this place might be as haunted as the mountain itself!"
Luna turned slightly, a smirk on her face. "Oh, Owen... I'm not being attacked by them—I'm controlling them. I just realized my power. I can command all insects smaller than a mosquito."
The shadow, which had been observing their conversation with cold amusement, suddenly lashed out—its dark tendrils striking toward Sophie and Lian, who had remained silent all this time.
Luna reacted instantly, summoning a swarm of insects to envelop the shadow. But it was futile. The dark entity merely shifted and dissolved through them, unaffected.
Mason stepped forward, determination flashing in his eyes. With a swift movement of his hands, he generated a burst of ether around the shadow. Channeling the air around them, he intensified the pressure, compressing the dark form until it burst apart like a shattered mist.
Owen gasped. "Mason is the only one who can save us! His powers are the strongest!"
Lian and Sophie, overwhelmed by fear, had fainted the moment the shadow lunged at them.
Mason shook them gently. "Lian, Sophie—wake up! We need you. We can't move forward without you!"
Owen rushed to their side, shaking them vigorously. At last, they stirred and opened their eyes.
Sophie took a deep breath and called the bird who was guiding them , speaking to it in hushed whispers. The bird flapped its wings and gave her the answer she sought. But its words carried a warning:
"Ahead lies the land of the Soul Hunters. When you pass through, they will call your names, trying to manipulate you into looking at them. They will whisper, they will beg, they will sound familiar—but you must never, under any condition, turn around. If you do, you will be lost to them forever. The only help I can offer is this warning."
Sophie processed the warning carefully and turned to the group. "We need to stay strong. No matter what we hear, we must not look back."
Everyone agreed, and they continued forward.
As they reached the Soul Hunters' domain, an unsettling sight greeted them—the sun had vanished, and night had already fallen without them realizing it. But that wasn't the most shocking part.
In the dark sky above, two moons gleamed ominously. Not a single star could be seen.
Owen's voice shook. "What...? There are two moons?!"
Lian swallowed hard. "Yes... and the sky is completely empty. No stars at all."
A wave of panic hit Owen. "That means... this isn't Earth! Mummy!" He broke down in tears.
Mason sighed, trying to steady his friend. "Yes... according to a book I read, this jungle is located 500 light-years away from Earth."
Owen trembled. "Please, God, give me a superpower too—I don't want to die!"
They moved cautiously, entering the Soul Hunters' land. As expected, voices began calling out to them from behind. Soft at first, then growing desperate.
Each of them heard their own names whispered in haunting, familiar voices.
But then—
"Owen... Owen, my son..."
Owen froze. His breath caught in his throat. It was his mother's voice.
His eyes welled with tears. "Mason! Did you hear that? My mom is calling me!"
Mason tensed, his instincts screaming. "No, Owen! I didn't hear anything!"
But Owen, overwhelmed by emotion, turned slightly, about to glance over his shoulder.
Mason's heart pounded. "Owen, NO! It's a trap!"
But he was too late.
To be continued...