CHAPTER 3 : THE KEEPERS CURSE

The old woman, who introduced herself as Maren, stood before Nadia with an air of authority, her frail frame cloaked in layers of weathered fabric. Despite her age and cloudy eyes, Maren's voice was steady and commanding, each word dripping with significance. She gestured for Nadia to sit by the fireplace, the warmth of the flames doing little to dispel the chill that had settled over her.

 "This forest isn't what it seems," Maren began, her voice carrying a weight that made Nadia lean closer. "It's alive, child, and it has rules. rules that cannot be broken without consequence."

 Maren's words hung heavy in the air as she explained the origins of the woods. Long ago, the forest had been cursed, bound to protect something ancient and powerful hidden deep within. Over time, it became a living entity, a maze of shifting trees and unseen eyes that guarded its secrets fiercely.

 "Why me?" Nadia asked, her voice trembling as she clutched the journal she had taken from the table.

 "You are marked," Maren said simply, her gnarled finger pointing to Nadia's wrist.

 Nadia glanced down, confused, until her eyes fell on the faint crescent-shaped scar she had always thought of as a birthmark. It had been with her for as long as she could remember, yet now it seemed to pulse faintly under Maren's gaze.

 "Your presence here isn't an accident," Maren continued. "The forest brought you back. You're tied to this place, whether you remember it or not."

 The words sent a jolt through Nadia. She shook her head, trying to make sense of it. "I don't understand. I've never been here before. How can I be tied to this forest?"

 Maren didn't answer right away. Instead, she moved to a shelf and pulled down a small vial filled with what looked like shimmering blue liquid. "There are things even the marked don't remember. The forest has its way of hiding what it wants." She handed the vial to Nadia, who hesitated before taking it.

 "What's this?"

 "Protection. Drink it if you must go beyond the clearing," Maren said. "The forest is beautiful, yes, but it's not kind. It has guardians,the Keepers, entities bound to protect its secrets. They do not distinguish between friend or foe. To them, you're an intruder unless proven otherwise."

 The mention of the Keepers sent a shiver down Nadia's spine. Maren described them in hushed tones: shadowy figures with glowing eyes, part of the forest itself. They moved silently, blending into the trees, their presence felt rather than seen until it was too late.

 "You'll need to follow the clues in that journal," Maren continued, nodding toward the leather bound book in Nadia's lap. "It holds the key to your survival. Learn the symbols, understand the paths, and uncover your connection to the curse. Only then will you stand a chance of making it through."

 That night, despite the warmth of the fire and the security of the cottage, Nadia couldn't sleep. The journal lay open on her lap, its pages illuminated by the flickering firelight. She traced the intricate symbols with her fingers, her mind racing with questions. Who had written this? Why was she marked?

 As the hours crept by, the forest outside grew restless. The once gentle rustling of leaves turned into a cacophony of whispers that grew louder with each passing moment.

 "Nadia…"

 The voice was unmistakable now, insistent and urgent. It seemed to come from every direction at once, pulling at her like invisible hands. She covered her ears, trying to block it out, but the whispers only grew louder.

 She glanced toward Maren, who was asleep in a rocking chair by the fire. The old woman's warning echoed in her mind: "Do not stray too far."

 But the whispers wouldn't stop. They called her name over and over, pulling her to the edge of the clearing. Through the small window, she saw it, a flickering blue light deep within the forest, glowing softly like a beacon.

 Despite herself, Nadia rose from her seat, her heart pounding in her chest. The forest seemed to be calling her, begging her to follow. She opened the door quietly, the cold night air biting at her skin as she stepped outside.

 The light was mesmerizing, its glow piercing the darkness and illuminating the path ahead. With each step she took, the whispers softened, turning almost soothing. The forest no longer felt threatening but strangely welcoming, as though it were guiding her.

 Yet something in the back of her mind screamed for her to stop, to turn back before it was too late. She hesitated, glancing over her shoulder at the cottage. Maren had warned her not to stray, but the light was too alluring, the whispers too compelling.

 Nadia took a deep breath and continued forward, each step taking her further into the unknown. She had no idea what awaited her, but one thing was clear, the forest wasn't done with her yet.