In the village of Brindlemark, huntress Lyra Flynn sharpened her blades under dim lantern light. Her eyes gleamed like stars as she tracked a shadowy figure through woods shrouded in mist and ancient secrets. The villagers whispered of strange happenings – livestock gone, eerie sounds at night. Lyra didn't heed warnings; she hunted truth.
She'd followed the shadowy figure hours. It moved silent as death through trees twisted by moonlight. Suddenly, it vanished into thin air. Lyra gasped as a low voice whispered behind her: "You shouldn't have come here, huntress..."
Lyra spun, dagger drawn. A figure stepped from shadows – tall, eyes like night. He wore dark leather, a sword hung at his hip. "Kael," he said, voice low like forest wind. "And you are...?"
"Lyra Flynn," she said, not lowering dagger. "Tracking something. It vanished."
Kael's gaze narrowed. "Demons play tricks. Woods aren't safe. What did you see?"
Lyra told him – shadowy figure, vanishing. Kael's expression turned grim. "Demons return to Brindlemark. We need to hunt."
"Hunt?" Lyra asked. "Villagers say nothing about demons."
"Villagers don't know," Kael said. "Or they ignore. I've tracked demons months. They hunt humans now."
Lyra's grip on dagger tightened. Her sister Aria had vanished months ago in these woods. "My sister disappeared here," Lyra said, voice cracking.
Kael's gaze lingered. "Demons take humans. If Aria crossed them..."
Lyra felt a sting. "Find out what happened to her."
Kael nodded. "Together. Demons leave marks. I'll show you."
In twilight they walked woods' edge. Kael showed Lyra symbols carved on trees – twisted marks like claws. "Demon signs. Territory claims."
Lyra recognized one symbol. "Like this was on a tree near... where Aria vanished."
Kael's jaw tightened. "Demons hunt. You might be target now."
Night fell thick. Shadows moved wrong. Lyra felt watched.
"We need plan," Lyra said.
"Tomorrow night," Kael said. "Demon node in woods. We scout."
Lyra nodded. Dangers waited but she'd hunt for Aria.
Back in village Lyra checked Aria's journal. Last entry hinted at secrets. Symbol like Kael's was drawn there in red ink.
Next night Lyra met Kael. "Ready?" he asked.
Lyra nodded. Into woods they went, shadows thick around.
They crept toward the node – a clearing where power pulsed dark. Lyra felt air thicken.
"Demons gather here," Kael whispered. "Watch."
Shadows swirled. Figures coalesced – twisted bodies, eyes burning red.
"Attack?" Lyra whispered.
Kael gripped sword. "Wait. Watch their ritual."
Demons danced twisted waltz. Symbols flared. Lyra saw – a summoning.
"We leave," Kael said. "Now."
But Lyra hesitated. Something pulled her closer...