The morning after the attack brought no peace. The camp was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of birds. But beneath this calm, unease simmered. Luna sat apart from the others, her gaze fixed on the ground as if searching for answers written in the dirt. She hadn't slept well—not since the spectral wolves appeared—and now strange visions plagued her mind.
You noticed her distraction and decided to approach. "Luna," you said softly, crouching beside her. "Are you okay?"
She looked up, her eyes clouded with worry. "I keep seeing things," she admitted. "Things I don't understand."
What kind of things?Could these visions be connected to the spectral wolves?
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. You encouraged her to explain further. Slowly, hesitantly, she described what she'd seen: flashes of an old house surrounded by dense forest, a woman standing at its door, and a book lying open on a wooden table. Each vision felt vivid, almost real, yet none made sense.
"It's my family," she finally confessed. "Or at least, I think it is. My grandmother always told me stories about our ancestors being witches. Maybe… maybe this has something to do with that."
Your stomach tightened. Witches? Spectral wolves? It sounded far-fetched, but given recent events, you couldn't afford to dismiss anything outright. "Do you have any idea where this house might be?" you asked.
Luna shook her head. "No. But I feel like I need to find it. Like it's calling to me."
A Discovery:
Later that day, while exploring the area near the camp, Luna stumbled upon an ancient oak tree with a hollow trunk. Inside, she found an old leather-bound book, its pages yellowed with age. When she opened it, symbols and drawings filled the margins—strange markings that seemed familiar yet alien.
"Look at this," she called out, showing you the book. "It talks about witches and spirits. And there's a section about spectral creatures."
You scanned the text, your heart racing. Some passages mentioned a ritual involving moonlight and blood, which supposedly bound certain spirits to specific families. Could this explain the spectral wolves? Were they tied to Luna's lineage somehow?
But before you could delve deeper, another discovery stopped you both in your tracks. Tucked between two pages was a folded piece of parchment. On it, written in faded ink, were coordinates pointing to a location deep within the forest.
"What do you think it means?" Luna asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm not sure," you replied honestly. "But we should investigate. This could hold the key to understanding what's happening."
Thoughts to Consider:
Should you leave the safety of the camp to follow the map?What risks come with venturing into unknown territory?Can you trust the information in the book?
These questions weighed heavily on your mind. Trusting the book meant taking a leap of faith—a dangerous proposition when so much remained uncertain. Yet ignoring it felt equally reckless. If the spectral wolves returned, unpreparedness could cost lives.
As night fell, the pack gathered around the fire once more. Most were unaware of Luna's findings, though some noticed her growing restlessness. You chose to share only part of the truth, explaining that Luna believed her visions might offer clues about the wolves. The group debated whether to pursue the lead, opinions split between caution and curiosity.
In the end, you decided to send a small team—including yourself, Luna, and two others—to scout the area indicated by the map. The rest would remain behind, fortifying the camp against potential threats.
Before setting out, you prepared supplies: food, water, weapons, and torches. Each item carried weight, both literal and symbolic. Failure wasn't an option. Too much depended on success.
The journey through the forest proved challenging. Thick underbrush slowed progress, and the darkness pressed close, making every shadow seem alive. Along the way, Luna shared more details about her visions, describing sensations beyond sight—cold breezes brushing her skin, whispers echoing in her ears.
"You hear them too?" she asked suddenly, stopping mid-stride.
"No," you admitted, glancing around warily. "Just tell me exactly what you're hearing."
She closed her eyes, concentrating. "Names… voices calling out names. Mine. Yours. Others I don't recognize."
This revelation sent a chill down your spine. If the spectral wolves communicate through sound, their reach extends farther than imagined. Did they know who you were? What you planned?
After hours of travel, the team reached the coordinates marked on the parchment. Before them stood the house from Luna's visions—an imposing structure shrouded in vines and decay. Its windows were dark, but faint light flickered from within.
"This is it," Luna whispered, gripping her bow tightly.
Stepping cautiously onto the porch, you pushed open the creaking door. Inside, dust motes danced in beams of pale moonlight streaming through broken panes. The air smelled musty, tinged with something sharper—iron, perhaps.
At the center of the room lay the same wooden table from Luna's vision. Upon it rested another book, larger and older than the one found earlier. As you approached, the pages turned of their own accord, stopping at a passage detailing a powerful curse.
"A curse…" Luna breathed. "That's why the wolves are here. They're bound to my family. To me."
Plot Twist:
Before anyone could react, the floorboards beneath you groaned, then gave way. The team plummeted into darkness, landing hard on cold stone. Torches sputtered, casting flickering light on walls lined with shelves full of jars containing preserved animals and herbs.
From the shadows emerged figures cloaked in black—the spectral wolves, their forms solidified and menacing. But among them stood someone unexpected: the stranger from before.
"You shouldn't have come here," they said, their tone colder than before. "Some secrets are better left buried."
Now it's your turn. Do you fight back, negotiate, or try to escape? Every choice carries consequences. Choose wisely.
End of Chapter 3.