Chapter 73: Into the Valley

The storm's fury intensified as George, Raven, Akari, Stephanie, and Jackie made their way down the steep path into Pleasant Valley. Each step felt heavier as the rain turned the ground into a muddy quagmire. Lightning illuminated the eerie landscape, revealing shifting shadows that seemed to dance just out of reach.

"Keep your eyes open," George said, his voice barely audible over the howling wind. "This isn't just weather. They're out there."

The team moved in a tight formation, weapons at the ready. Akari carried a satchel filled with warding materials and crystals, her hands glowing faintly as she muttered protective incantations. Raven's katana gleamed in the intermittent flashes of lightning, and Jackie's rifle was primed for immediate use.

"Do you feel it?" Akari asked, her voice tense. "The air is... wrong. It's like something's watching us."