The moment that strange voice faded away, silence fell across the forest—but it wasn't a peaceful silence. It was heavy, suffocating… like something was watching them.
Daniel stood frozen.
His breathing was uneven, his fists clenched tightly. That voice—it wasn't just in the air. It had been inside his head.
"Daniel…?" Mary stepped closer, her voice soft but trembling. "What happened? Why were you shouting?"
Everyone gathered around him. Their expressions were filled with concern—and fear.
Felix spoke first, trying to stay calm. "You said someone is watching us. What do you mean by that?"
Daniel hesitated.
For a moment, he looked at all of them—Mary, David, Zoya, Lily, Noah, Lucy, Felix. His team. His friends.
He took a deep breath.
"I… didn't want to say this before," he finally spoke, his voice low. "But now I don't think I have a choice."
Everyone grew still.
"There is someone… a 'Master'," Daniel continued. "The ghosts… they're not acting randomly anymore. Someone is controlling them. Planning everything."
A wave of shock passed through the group.
"What?" Lucy whispered.
"That's impossible…" Noah said, frowning.
But David didn't look surprised—just serious.
Daniel continued, "That voice you heard… or maybe didn't hear… it was him. He knows me. He's watching us. And… he wants me dead."
Mary's eyes widened.
"Daniel… why didn't you tell us before?" she asked, her voice hurt.
Daniel looked down. "Because I wasn't sure. And I didn't want to drag you all into something bigger."
Zoya crossed her arms, a little annoyed but concerned. "We're already in it. You don't get to decide that alone."
Felix nodded. "We're a team. If something's after you, it's after all of us."
For a second, Daniel said nothing.
Then slowly… he nodded.
"Okay. I get it."
David stepped forward. "Actually… something strange happened to me too."
Everyone looked at him.
"Before we entered this area," David said, "I saw someone standing near a tree. In the shadows. I tried to read his mind…"
He paused.
"…but there was nothing."
"What do you mean 'nothing'?" Lily asked.
"I mean exactly that," David replied. "No thoughts. No presence. Like… he wasn't even human."
A chill ran through everyone.
"That has to be connected," Zoya said.
Daniel shook his head slightly. "Maybe… but I don't think the Master himself would show up like that. If he wanted me dead, he'd send something else."
Almost as if the forest heard him—
A sudden pressure filled the air.
Everyone froze.
"…Do you feel that?" Mary whispered.
Daniel's expression turned serious. "Yeah."
A dark presence.
Heavy. Stronger than anything they had felt before.
"Get ready," Felix said immediately.
And then—
From the shadows ahead, something moved.
A figure slowly stepped forward.
It wasn't like the ghosts they had fought before. This one felt… different. Stronger. Smarter.
No one got time to react.
In a flash—it attacked.
"Watch out!" Daniel shouted.
The team scattered instantly, barely dodging the sudden strike.
Even though they avoided a direct hit, the impact of the attack alone sent them sliding back.
"That was fast…" Lucy said, trying to steady herself.
The ghost stood still, observing them.
Then it spoke.
"So… you are Daniel."
Its voice was cold.
Daniel stepped forward, gripping his weapon. "Yeah. What do you want?"
The ghost let out a faint laugh.
"The Master was right… you are interesting."
Everyone tensed.
"Perfect," the ghost continued. "If I kill you… I'll earn his recognition."
Mary immediately moved beside Daniel. "You're not touching him."
The ghost ignored her.
"I'll start with you," it said, pointing at Daniel. "Then I'll deal with the rest of these… insects."
That was enough.
"Team formation!" Felix shouted.
Everyone moved instantly.
Zoya and David took the sides. Lucy and Lily moved to support. Noah stayed alert behind. Mary stood close to Daniel.
Their coordination was better than before—but the pressure was real.
The fight began.
They attacked together—fast, precise, controlled.
But the ghost was stronger.
Every move they made, it countered.
Every attack—it blocked or dodged.
"Stay together!" Felix yelled.
They adjusted quickly, improving their rhythm.
For a moment—it worked.
They managed to push the ghost back slightly.
But then—
It disappeared.
"Where did it go?!" Noah shouted.
"Behind—!" Mary tried to warn—
Too late.
The ghost reappeared and struck again.
This time, the impact threw Lily backward.
"Lily!" Lucy screamed, rushing toward her.
Lily tried to get up, but she was clearly hurt.
"I'm okay…" she said, though she wasn't.
Daniel clenched his fists.
This wasn't working.
They were improving—but not fast enough.
The ghost looked amused.
"Is that all?" it said. "I expected more."
Felix stepped forward again. "We're not done."
The team regrouped.
This time—more focused.
More serious.
Even if they were struggling… they weren't giving up.
Daniel took a deep breath.
Inside his mind… something stirred.
That voice again.
Faint.
Watching.
Waiting.
But this time—
Daniel didn't panic.
He steadied himself.
"Not now," he whispered under his breath.
The fight continued.
Stronger.
Faster.
More intense.
But the gap was still there.
And deep down—
They all knew this was only the beginning.