The morning sun barely pierced the dense canopy of the Graywood, casting eerie shadows that danced along the path. The forest was thick with mist, and each step seemed to muffle the sound, as if the world held its breath.
Jace grunted, hacking at a particularly stubborn vine with his axe. "Why's it always creepy forests? Why not a nice open field for once?"
Mira chuckled softly. "Because evil cultists never pick scenic meadows for their dark rituals."
Kieran remained silent, eyes scanning the surroundings, while Rag sniffed the ground cautiously. Rolan moved with a quiet tension, his focus sharper than usual.
Bram glanced at him. "You seem uneasy."
Rolan hesitated before speaking. "The Graywood... it's ancient. The trees here remember old magic—some of it long forgotten. We're walking through stories buried centuries deep."
Jace snorted. "Great. More ghost stories."
As they moved deeper, a chill crept into the air. Mira shivered, pulling her cloak tighter. Suddenly, Rag halted, ears perked, a low growl rumbling from his throat.
Kieran signaled for silence, drawing his sword. "Something's watching us."
Before anyone could react, the ground trembled, and twisted roots erupted from the earth, snaking around their feet. Bram raised his staff, channeling light to sever the vines, but they regrew faster than he could cut them.
From the shadows emerged a figure, cloaked and hunched, eyes glowing a sickly green. Rolan cursed under his breath. "A forest warden—corrupted."
The warden raised a gnarled staff, and the roots tightened, squeezing the air from their lungs. Mira struggled to focus, casting a barrier that forced the roots to release Jace.
Jace wasted no time, charging forward and swinging his axe. The warden deflected the blow with unnatural speed, branches sprouting from his arm to block the strike.
Kieran darted in, aiming for the warden's legs, but the creature leapt backward with eerie grace, landing atop a twisted root. Bram chanted, summoning a radiant pulse that blasted the area with light. The warden screeched, recoiling as the corruption burned away from his form.
Seizing the moment, Rolan hurled a vial of alchemical fire, engulfing the warden in brilliant blue flames. The creature howled, staggering before collapsing, the corrupted energy dissipating like smoke.
Breathing heavily, Mira checked the others for injuries. "Everyone okay?"
Jace wiped sweat from his brow. "I swear, I'm done with haunted forests after this."
Kieran inspected the warden's remains, finding a carved amulet amid the ashes. "This symbol... it's the same as the one on the obelisk. They're using forest wardens to protect the conduits."
Rolan grimaced. "If they're turning nature itself against us, Valenhold might already be compromised."
Mira sighed. "We need to move faster."
As they pushed onward, the forest seemed to thicken, and strange whispers rustled through the branches. Despite the victory, unease lingered. Kieran gripped his blade tighter, knowing the worst was yet to come.