chapter 3: the stone that changed it all

**Chapter 3: The Stone That Changed It All**

The morning sun peeked through the trees, casting dappled light on the campsite as Blake and Yang stirred from their sleep. The crisp mountain air invigorated them, a welcome change from the stuffy dorm rooms they were used to.

"Morning," Blake said, stretching as he emerged from his tent. "Ready for another day of exploring?"

Yang nodded, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Yeah, I feel a lot better after a good night's sleep. What's the plan for today?"

Blake grinned. "Actually, I invited some friends to join us. I thought it would be fun to have more people along."

Yang raised an eyebrow. "Friends? Who?"

Blake started listing them off. "Nalu, Tommy, and Rhi Rhi. They should be arriving soon."

As if on cue, the sound of voices and footsteps approached the campsite. Nalu, Tommy, and Rhi Rhi appeared through the trees, each carrying backpacks and looking excited for the adventure ahead.

Nalu, with his tall and muscular frame, greeted them with a warm smile. "Hey guys! Ready for some fun in the forest?"

Tommy, a bit shorter but with a sturdy build, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's been a while since we've done something like this."

Rhi Rhi, the shortest of the group but with a spirited energy, grinned. "I can't wait! This place is beautiful."

Blake introduced everyone, and they quickly fell into an easy camaraderie. After a quick breakfast, they packed their gear and set off on a hike, following a different trail than the day before.

As they walked, the forest seemed to come alive around them. Birds chirped melodiously, and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze created a peaceful ambiance. The conversation flowed naturally among the group, with laughter and stories filling the air.

After a few hours of hiking, they reached a secluded area with a small, sparkling stream. They decided to take a break, sitting on the rocks by the water and dipping their feet in to cool off.

"This place is amazing," Nalu said, looking around appreciatively. "Thanks for inviting us, Blake."

Blake smiled. "I'm glad you all could make it. I figured we could use a little adventure."

As they relaxed by the stream, Yang noticed something glinting under the water. Curiosity piqued, he waded into the stream and picked up a smooth, dark stone with strange markings etched into its surface.

"Hey, check this out," Yang called out, holding the stone up for everyone to see.

Blake, Nalu, Tommy, and Rhi Rhi gathered around, examining the stone closely. The markings seemed to glow faintly in the sunlight, and an unexplainable energy emanated from it.

"That's... interesting," Blake said, his brow furrowing. "I've never seen anything like it."

Nalu leaned in, his eyes widening. "Those markings look ancient. Maybe it's some kind of artifact."

Tommy nodded. "Could be. But what's it doing out here?"

Rhi Rhi reached out to touch the stone, and as her fingers brushed against it, the markings glowed brighter. Suddenly, a soft hum filled the air, and the ground beneath their feet trembled.

"What's happening?" Yang exclaimed, gripping the stone tightly.

Before anyone could answer, a blinding light enveloped them, and the world around them seemed to dissolve. When the light faded, they found themselves standing in a different part of the forest, one that seemed untouched by time. The trees were taller, the air thicker with an ancient like feeling.

"Where are we?" Rhi Rhi asked, her voice trembling with fear.

Blake looked around, his eyes wide with shock. "I think... I think we've been transported somehow. That stone must be more than just a simple rock."

Yang held up the stone, which was now glowing steadily. "Whatever it is, it brought us here. We need to figure out why."

Nalu took a deep breath, his face pale. "This is... this is crazy. What if we can't get back?"

Tommy, usually calm, looked visibly shaken. "We should stick together and see where this leads. There has to be a reason we were brought here."