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墨書 Inktalez
Aiven stood at the entrance of the cave, gazing at the silent forest before him. The thick fog hung like a heavy curtain, obscuring his view, allowing only a vague outline of distant trees and shadows deep within the woods. The air was thick with moisture and the scent of decaying soil, creating an oppressive atmosphere that made it hard to breathe. Instead of lending an air of mystery to the forest, the mist only intensified its sense of foreboding.
He glanced around, noticing that the Elf beside him remained steadfast, calm as if all of this were merely trivial. Yet Aiven knew that this forest was far from ordinary.
"Do we really have to go through here?" Aiven asked, furrowing his brow, his voice tinged with hesitation.
The Elf turned its head, a flicker of barely perceptible concern crossing its features. "Yes, Aiven. Only by traversing this forest can you approach the ‘Source Point’." It paused, lowering its voice. "That is where your power will awaken."
A chill ran down Aiven's spine; everything in the fog felt both hazy and dangerous. He glanced down at the rune in his hand, glowing faintly, and he could almost feel a call emanating from it. It reminded him that there was no turning back; he had to move forward.
"But this forest... it doesn't look very welcoming," Aiven remarked, his gaze drifting among the trees. The roots were tangled and chaotic, while moss covered the branches, creating an overwhelming sense of pressure.
The Elf's tail swayed gently as it spoke calmly, "Every forest has its secrets, and the mist is merely a disguise. If you dare to venture deeper, you will uncover its true nature."
Taking a deep breath, Aiven tightened his backpack straps, his heart racing. "Alright then, let's go."
The two of them cautiously stepped into the fog-laden forest, their footsteps swallowed by the thick mist. As they delved deeper, their surroundings grew increasingly indistinct; the fog thickened to the point where it was nearly impossible to see the ground beneath them. Aiven felt an invisible weight pressing down on him, as if the forest itself were trying to ensnare them.
"Don't stop; stay close," the Elf suddenly halted and whispered a warning.
Aiven paused briefly before continuing to follow it. He noticed that the atmosphere had turned eerily quiet; even the sound of falling leaves had vanished. All he could hear was his own breathing and the soft footsteps of the Elf.
"It seems like this forest doesn't want us to leave," Aiven said uneasily, his voice carrying a hint of suppression.
The Elf calmly said, "This is its nature. The mist is the guardian of this forest; it can lead people astray, but it also protects this land from outside interference. To escape this mist, one must remain clear-headed."
They walked for several minutes, and the air grew increasingly heavy. Suddenly, Aiven heard a low rumbling sound coming from a distance. It was like a growl, or perhaps the roar of some creature, echoing through the forest.
"What is that?" Aiven asked nervously.
The Elf stopped in his tracks, alertly scanning the surroundings with ears perked up. "I’m not sure, but we must be cautious. The monsters in the mist always hide in the most inconspicuous places."
At that moment, a shadow darted past, nearly catching Aiven off guard. He instinctively jumped back a step, gripping a nearby tree trunk tightly, his gaze fixed on the fleeting shadow.
"Did you see that?" Aiven asked anxiously.
The Elf replied softly, "Yes, that was just an illusion. The mist of the forest creates phantoms to confuse the mind. It wants you to believe you’ve seen danger when in fact everything is an illusion."
Aiven took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "So what do we do next?"
The Elf seemed to ponder for a moment before suddenly pulling a small golden bell from his waist. "This bell will help us discern reality from illusion within the mist." He gently shook the bell, and its chime rang clear and bright.
As the sound echoed, a wave rippled through the air as if some invisible force was being awakened. Aiven watched as the mist around them stirred slightly, and the illusions began to dissipate. He suddenly realized that in this forest, senses and judgment became exceptionally blurred; only with some external force could they part the heavy fog.
"Now we can continue forward." The Elf's expression remained tense and vigilant. "Remember, do not be deceived by what you see; the most dangerous thing in the mist is not those monsters but the wavering of human hearts."
The two resumed their journey. With the bell's influence, the mist gradually became clearer, and their surroundings regained their true appearance. Aiven noticed they were traversing through a dense thicket of ancient trees, their trunks thick and roots intertwined as if they had crossed millennia. The bark of these trees was covered in mottled moss, giving them an ancient and mysterious look.
As they ventured deeper, Aiven noticed that the shapes of the trees began to grow increasingly bizarre. Their branches twisted erratically, and roots jutted out from the ground like some distorted sculptures. The mist surged once more, thickening the air and making the atmosphere of the forest feel even more oppressive.
"What is that?" Aiven suddenly pointed ahead, where a vague shadow appeared between the trees, moving slowly.
Elf halted, fixing his gaze on the front. "Don't panic, keep walking."
"Are you sure?" Aiven's heart raced; the shadow drew closer, and he could see its fur glimmering faintly in the mist.
"Don't worry." Elf said softly, "This is their territory; we can't leave."
"No... I mean that." Aiven's voice trembled, "It's... it's coming towards us."
The shadow finally approached. It was an enormous creature, resembling a wolf but far larger than any wolf he had ever seen. Its eyes glowed an eerie red through the fog, and long fangs glinted in the air.
Elf suddenly lunged at Aiven, pushing him aside while charging forward with a deafening roar. The monster seemed startled by the sound, pausing for a moment before lunging again.
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