The road to Eldoria stretched long and silent, as if the world itself had chosen to hold its breath. Rein noticed the shift the moment they crossed into the forest's outer reaches. The wind no longer carried the lively whispers of leaves or the distant cries of beasts that once ruled these lands. Instead, a suffocating stillness settled over everything, pressing down on each step they took. Even the sunlight filtering through the towering canopy seemed dimmer, as though the forest's spirit was being slowly devoured by something unseen.
Behind him, his forces moved with cautious precision. Warriors kept their weapons close, their grips firm and ready. Scouts remained low, eyes scanning every shadow between the ancient trees. Even the summoned units, which normally advanced without hesitation, showed subtle signs of tension. The deeper they ventured, the heavier the air became, as if the forest itself was warning them of what lay ahead.
