The moonlight filtered through the dense forest canopy, casting ghostly shadows on the ground. Tay and New had returned to the village, but the weight of the old man’s warning still lingered in the air. The night was quiet, too quiet, as if the forest itself held its breath in anticipation of the danger to come.
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Tay lay awake, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts racing. His mind replayed every word the old man had spoken, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming, something darker than they had faced before. He glanced over at New, who was sleeping peacefully beside him, unaware of the storm brewing just outside their reach.
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Determined to protect New, Tay silently slipped out of bed and headed to the edge of the village. The mist swirled lazily around him, but something felt off. The air was thick with tension, and the shadows in the mist seemed to move, creeping closer with every step he took.
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Suddenly, a figure emerged from the mist—tall, cloaked in darkness, with eyes that glowed like embers. Tay’s heart raced as he reached for the dagger strapped to his waist. The figure stepped closer, but stopped just at the edge of the light.
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“Who are you?” Tay demanded, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him.
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The figure didn’t respond at first. Instead, it raised a hand, and the mist swirled violently around them. “You’re not ready,” the figure finally spoke, its voice low and menacing.
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“Ready for what?” Tay asked, gripping his dagger tighter.
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The figure chuckled darkly, its eyes narrowing. “The shadows are rising, and your bond with the forest will be tested. If you fail, the mist will consume everything.”
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Tay took a step forward, his protective instincts flaring. “We won’t fail. I won’t let anything happen to New.”
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The figure tilted its head, almost amused. “We’ll see.” And with that, it dissolved into the mist, leaving Tay standing alone in the darkness.
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Back in the village, New woke with a start, sensing something wrong. He looked around the room and noticed Tay was gone. Panic surged through him as he quickly dressed and ran outside. The mist was thicker than before, and the village was eerily quiet.
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“Where is he?” New muttered under his breath, scanning the area. His heart raced as he headed toward the forest, hoping to find Tay before anything happened.
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As he reached the edge of the forest, he saw Tay standing there, staring into the mist. “Tay!” New called out, rushing toward him.
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Tay turned to face him, his expression serious. “New, something’s coming. We need to be ready.”
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New nodded, his determination matching Tay’s. “We’ll face it together, no matter what.”
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They stood side by side, watching as the shadows in the mist began to stir, knowing that the real test of their strength and bond was just beginning.
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