Chapter 4, Burden: Part 13

The air itself seems to hold its breath in the wake of Nina's conviction as she takes her first steps into the heart. As if acknowledging the sheer audacity of her statement. The only response is the rustling of the leaves and the persistent whispers of the Shadowfen. All that she knows is that Ronan needs her, and that is all she needs.

With renewed determination, Nina and Rex step into the darkness. The path they are supposed to follow is less of a path and more of a tear in the fabric of reality, a dark ribbon unfurling into the heart of the 'Fen. The air grows even colder, and the whispers intensify, weaving themselves into a symphony of dread. The trees seem to press in closer, their gnarled branches skeletal fingers reaching out like grasping claws. The ground beneath their feet is uneven, treacherous, littered with the decaying remains of what were once living things. The scent of decay is overwhelming, a suffocating blend of damp earth and something indescribably foul.

Suddenly, a guttural growl rips through the stillness. From the dense shadows surrounding them, a creature emerges. It's humanoid in form, but twisted and corrupted, its skin a patchwork of rotting flesh and shadow, its eyes burning with an infernal light. Its limbs are elongated and unnatural, ending in razor-sharp claws. It advances with a horrifying grace, its movements fluid and predatory. Rex, his fur bristling, growls a warning, his body tense and ready to spring. The creature is unlike anything Nina has encountered before, a horrifying manifestation of the Shadowfen's corruption. the whispers intensify, seeming to urge the creature on, feeding its hunger. The battle for survival begins.