Heart of the Forest

The Heart of the Forest

The forest thickened as they ventured deeper, the air growing heavier with the weight of ancient magic. Every step felt harder, the ground beneath their feet shifting and uneven, as if the very earth resisted their presence. The trees, once merely twisted and eerie, now seemed to pulse with life, their roots curling like serpents, and their branches stretching toward the group as if reaching for them. Rebecca could feel the magic intensifying, a strange hum that resonated in her bones, making her pulse quicken with every breath.

"We’re close," Tarek said, his voice a low murmur. He led the way with his sword drawn, his eyes scanning the dense undergrowth ahead. The shadows of the forest seemed to deepen around them, the light of the sky barely penetrating the canopy above.