The dense canopy of Darkwood Forest seemed to close in around them as Leon, Selene, and Elias pressed forward. The encounter with the shadowy creature had left them shaken, but there was no time to dwell on it. The deeper they went, the more the air thickened with a strange, suffocating tension.
"Do you feel that?" Elias whispered, his eyes darting around.
Leon nodded. It wasn't just fear. The forest itself felt… alive.
Selene tightened her grip on her daggers. "Something is watching us."
Ahead, the path forked into two directions, one leading down a steep slope covered in twisted roots, the other through a narrow passage between looming rock formations.
"Which way?" Elias asked.
Leon studied both paths. The slope was dangerous, but it provided cover. The rock passage was narrow, an ambush waiting to happen.
Selene pointed toward the slope. "We take the left path. We'll be harder to track."
Elias groaned. "Great. More climbing."
Leon smirked. "Better than walking into a trap."
They descended carefully, using the roots for support. The ground was damp, and the air smelled of moss and decay. Every step felt uncertain.
Then, just as Leon set his foot on a particularly large root, it moved.
The root twisted like a living snake and wrapped around his ankle.
"Leon!" Selene shouted.
Before he could react, the root yanked him off his feet and pulled him down the slope.
Leon tumbled down, barely able to grab onto a thick vine to stop his fall. He dangled over a pit filled with jagged rocks, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
Above him, Selene and Elias scrambled down.
"Hold on!" Selene called out.
Leon clenched his jaw. Like I have a choice.
Elias reached him first, gripping his wrist. "Gotcha!"
Together, they pulled Leon up. He collapsed onto solid ground, his heart pounding.
"What was that?" he gasped.
Selene nudged the root that had grabbed him. "It's alive."
Leon stared at it. "This forest isn't just dangerous. It's cursed."
Elias exhaled. "Fantastic. As if monsters weren't enough."
Selene stood, scanning the surroundings. "We need to move before something else decides to grab us."
Leon nodded. His ankle throbbed, but he pushed the pain aside. They had a mission to complete.
Continuing deeper, the trio came across a stream that cut through the forest like a silver ribbon.
"We need to cross," Selene said.
Elias glanced at the water. "Doesn't look too deep."
Leon knelt, touching the surface. It was icy cold.
"Be careful," he warned. "Something about this water feels off."
As they stepped in, the current was stronger than it looked. The water pulled at their legs, forcing them to steady themselves with each step.
Halfway across, a low growl rumbled through the trees.
Selene froze. "We're not alone."
Leon turned just in time to see dark shapes moving along the riverbank.
Eyes gleamed in the darkness.
And then they attacked.
The moment the creatures leaped from the shadows, Leon barely had time to react. Dark, wolf-like beasts with glowing red eyes lunged at them from both sides of the riverbank. Their fur was matted, their snarls feral, and their teeth gleamed under the moonlight.
Selene moved first, flipping her daggers in her hands before slashing at the closest beast. It yelped as her blade cut deep into its shoulder, but it didn't stop.
Elias muttered a curse and raised his staff. With a flick of his wrist, a surge of fire erupted from the tip, engulfing two of the creatures in flames. They screeched, writhing in pain before collapsing into the water with a hiss.
Leon reached for his sword just as a Nightstalker pounced on him. He barely managed to dodge before slashing at its side. The blade connected, but the creature was fast, it twisted midair, avoiding a fatal blow.
"We have to move!" Selene shouted, cutting down another attacker.
More shadows stirred in the trees. They were surrounded.
Leon gritted his teeth. Fighting in the middle of a rushing river was not ideal. The cold water was slowing them down, making it harder to keep their footing.
A deep growl made him turn. A larger Nightstalker, twice the size of the others, emerged from the trees. Its red eyes locked onto Leon, and a low, rumbling snarl escaped its throat.
Selene glanced at it. "That's the alpha."
Elias cursed. "Fantastic. As if this wasn't hard enough."
The alpha didn't wait. It lunged.
Leon barely had time to raise his sword before the massive beast slammed into him, knocking him back into the water. The impact sent a shock through his body as he was submerged for a brief moment.
When he surfaced, the alpha was already on him. It snapped its jaws inches from his face.
Leon struggled, holding the creature's throat back with his sword. His muscles burned as the beast pushed down with sheer strength.
"Leon!" Selene shouted.
Before the alpha could bite, an arrow whizzed through the air, embedding itself deep into the beast's side.
It howled in pain and staggered back.
Leon gasped for breath and turned to see a hooded figure standing on the opposite riverbank, bow in hand.
Another arrow flew, striking another Nightstalker. The pack hesitated, their red eyes shifting toward the new threat.
Then, just as quickly as they had attacked, the creatures vanished into the darkness.
Silence fell over the river.
Leon coughed and pushed himself up. His sword was still clenched in his hand, his heart pounding.
Selene and Elias waded to his side, both panting from the fight.
Elias wiped his wet face. "Well… that was fun."
Leon ignored him and looked toward their mysterious savior.
"Who are you?" he called.
The hooded figure hesitated before lowering their bow. Then, in a smooth, deliberate motion, they removed their hood.
The firelight flickered against a woman's face, sharp and calculating, with piercing green eyes.
Selene stiffened. "You..."
Leon frowned. "You know her?"
The woman smirked. "It's been a long time, Selene."
Selene's expression hardened. "Not long enough."
Leon kept his grip on his sword as the mysterious woman stepped closer. The firelight flickered across her sharp features, revealing a confident smirk that sent a wave of tension through the air.
Selene's posture remained rigid, her hand still gripping her dagger. It was clear she didn't trust this woman.
"You didn't answer my question," Leon said, his voice firm. "Who are you?"
The woman crossed her arms, amusement dancing in her green eyes. "Is that really how you greet an old friend, Selene?"
Selene let out a cold laugh. "Friend? That's a joke."
Elias looked between the two women, sensing the weight of history between them. "Alright, clearly there's some bad blood here. Mind filling us in?"
The woman exhaled and finally introduced herself. "My name is Raven."
Leon studied her carefully. Her stance, the way she held herself, she was a fighter, just like them.
Selene scoffed. "Raven was part of my old guild… before she betrayed us."
Leon and Elias exchanged glances.
"Betrayed you?" Leon asked.
Raven raised an eyebrow. "That's one way to put it."
Selene took a step forward, her voice laced with venom. "You left us to die, Raven."
Silence fell over the group.
Leon tightened his grip on his sword. If Raven was truly a traitor, why was she helping them now?
Raven sighed, glancing toward the trees. "This isn't the place to discuss old wounds. More Nightstalkers could return any minute."
"Then we leave," Elias said, eager to end the tension. "But first, why did you save us?"
Raven hesitated before answering. "Because you're walking into something far worse than Nightstalkers."
Leon narrowed his eyes. "Explain."
Raven took a slow breath. "The academy is in danger. The trials you're facing? They aren't what they seem."
Selene folded her arms. "And we're supposed to trust you?"
"You don't have to trust me," Raven said smoothly. "But you do need me."
Leon exchanged another glance with Elias. They had no reason to trust Raven, but they couldn't ignore her warning either.
"Fine," Leon said at last. "You can come with us. But one wrong move, and we won't hesitate to cut you down."
Raven smirked. "Fair enough."
As they prepared to leave the river, Leon couldn't shake the feeling that this night was just the beginning of something far darker.