a gentle glow. The destruction from the night before lay stark against the quaint beauty of the town, but spirits

wnspeople was palpable. "Thank you, my dear," an old man said, his eyes wet with relief as the

he owner of which, a stout woman named Mrs. Darrow, kept up a steady stream of

Mrs. Darrow muttered as she handed us a tray of freshly bak

y the venerable Elder Hammond, were waiting. The elders, a group of time-worn faces marked by

help has given us a brief respite, but we fear this is only the beginning. The darkness in the woo

pped forward. "You speak of legends. What exactly are these

fore speaking. "Long ago, it was said that a witch—cursed with a wrathful spirit—was sealed away in

among the trees speak of a heart beating anew. If these tales hold

chill through the air, and even the

ested, "We should see this map you mentioned. It might h

ered table. The map was detailed, showing the thick forests and hidden glades, but one area was m

th strategies. "We'll need to approach carefully. This area is kn

ver the map and notes. The air was thick with the scent of pine and the undercu

of my teammates. "We’ll need supplies for extended travel, protective charms against dark

l work on gathering the protective charms and preparing some defensive spells.

e the physical might to back up those spells. Weapons, armor checks

k on their roles with a seriousness borne of the knowledge that what lay ahead was

red our resolve, darkening with the promise of a

e Wode. The townspeople gathered to see them off, their faces lined with worry but also tinged with hop

eclaiming what was once tamed. Clint pointed out the less visible trails and markers he knew as a child

air around us chilled noticeably. A thin mist began to curl around our ankles, creeping with an almost se

ut from the ground, aiming directly at Boyd. Reacting quickly, Boyd swung his mace with a

staff causing the vines to recoil and wither. "These woods are ind

beyond the reach of Claire's light, and the ground beneath our feet seemed to soften, attempting to trip

ood an ancient stone, runes faintly visible on its surface. Clint approached it first, his hand hesitating just inch

at this place was a focal point of magical energy. The air thrummed with power, and t

aven said, her gaze locked on the surround

into the forms of wolves, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light. "

I handling the front line, while Raven provided support, her lance piercing through shadow after shadow. As the last w

"This was a test," Boyd panted, wiping his bro

under a nearby bush. Carefully, she retrieved a small, intricately carved box. Opening it

ritual. "This might be a way to strengthen the seal—or b

cademy," I suggested. "We need mor

plan our next steps, armed with the new clues and wary of the

but the sense of unease lingered. Whatever lay at the heart of