Chapter 63: Shadows of the Fores

The low, guttural growl seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once, reverberating through the trees. The team froze, their breaths held as they scanned the forest, eyes darting between the shadows. The natural sounds of the forest, birdsong, rustling leaves, seemed to have vanished, leaving only an oppressive silence broken by the ominous noise.

"Spread out," George ordered quietly, his voice steady but tense. "Stay within sight of each other. Akari, stay behind me."

The group moved cautiously, their weapons at the ready, forming a defensive semi-circle as they advanced. George led the way, his senses heightened, every instinct screaming that something was wrong. The sunlight filtering through the canopy did little to dispel the unease; the golden rays seemed almost muted, as if the forest itself was rejecting the light.