Atlas set his foot firmly on the island, and at once, darkness surrounded him on every side. Not that he could not see, he was long since accustomed to the shadows. But the atmosphere here was heavy, oppressive.
They had arrived in a forest where tall, skeletal trees loomed overhead, their trunks thin and half-dead, stretching upward like brittle fingers clawing at the sky.
He glanced around. The others had already appeared nearby. Edrik, Serenith, Luna, Thryssia, and Katriel.
"Phew!" Katriel, or Kate, let out a sharp squeak, shivering as a chill ran down her spine.
"What kind of island is this?" she asked, hugging herself tightly.
Luna, dressed in her plain attire rather than her magical form, gave a small giggle.
"Kate, did you not listen when Tessa explained where we were headed?" she said lightly. "This is the Shadowveil Grove. Most of the monsters here are of the dark type. Ghosts, undead, and similar creatures."
