Moonlight Forest Hazards 

"Get behind me, now," Luca said in a low, forceful voice that sliced across the spooky quiet of the moonlight clearing. The dark man facing us exuded a terrible atmosphere, its predatory intent focused on us via flaming eyes.

 

My instincts screaming to go, I paused; the mark on my wrist burned with a force that anchored me to the ground. "Luca, it's not attacking," I said, shaking.

 

He murmured, "Not yet," and stepped in front of me. His body was tight, his muscles coiled as if he were ready to attack at the least provocation.

 

The dark figure moved almost curiously, tilting its head. Its voice then was low and resonant. "The relationship gives strength, only if you endure. The jungle does not pardon weakness.

 

"You are what? "I found my voice and demanded.

 

"A messenger," it read, plain enough. "The Moon Goddess created these challenges to evaluate your value. Should you fail, the bond—along with your pack—will break.

 

And in case we are successful? Luca asked with a harsh tone.

 

The shining eyes of the shadow closed. You will have to confront reality. But truth is not usually redemption.

 

The figure disappeared into the shadows before we could question anything more, leaving the area strangely quiet once again.

Under the icy light of the crescent moon, the road ahead spun and whirled, the trees seemed bigger and more threatening. Every leaf rustling and every branch snap set my nerves whirling.

 

Luca whispered, "Stay close," his voice quieter now but still tinged with anxiety.

 

Though my pulse raced with every step, I said, "I'm not planning on wandering off."

 

The following test arrived without notice. The ground underneath changed, and we found ourselves sinking into it. The spongy ground yielded thick, sticky sludge that drew us down like quicksand.

 

"Don't rush! "Luca yelled, his hands digging for leverage at the nearby roots.

 

"That's simple for you to say! I snapped, the muck nearly up to my knees.

 

The necklace hanging around my neck started to glimmer weakly, its light piercing the shadows. Once again, the mark on my wrist burned. I felt a strange draw towards the big, gnarled tree on our left.

 

"Take hold of the tree! I yelled and stretched for the closest branch.

 

Luca followed my lead, his powerful arms dragging himself away from the earth. Turning back, he grabbed my hand and pulled me out just before the earth dropped totally, burying the road behind us.

 

We lay on the ground momentarily, panting for air. "You alright? Grey eyes searching me for injuries, he questioned.

 

Though my hands still shook, I replied, "I'm fine." What the devil was that? \\"

"The forest," he stated just now. It is alive and intends for us to fail. We persisted, the strain between us becoming more weight with every stride. The jungle appeared to be closing in all around us, the trees murmuring in a language I cannot grasp.

 

"We are under observation," Luca replied, his voice low.

 

I nodded, feeling as if something was buzzing. "I know."

 

The road divided ahead in two, each covered in dense mist. Once again the pendant flashed, its light wavering between the two directions as if unsure.

 

"Which way? "I looked at Luca and asked.

 

He scowled, staring alternately between the two choices. "Right, the pendant should be our guidance. And what is it doing? \\"

 

"I'm not sure," I answered, annoyance taping into my voice. "It seems unable to make decisions."

 

"We will have to make decisions," he continued, his tone austere.

 

I paused then gestured to the left. "That one finds... greener.

 

Luca brow-raised. "Since when would you rely more on your instincts than on shining magical objects? „

 

"Since glowing magical objects started getting confused," I remarked, attempting to keep my tone light despite the anxiety.

 

He grinned slightly, but his demeanor soon become austere. "Excellent. Left it thus. But keep near.

 

The left road was smaller; the trees pressed closer together till the moonlight hardly passed through. The air became colder, every breath clearly felt in the coldness.

 

"Do you Hear that? "I stammered, pausing in my steps.

Luca stopped with his body stiff. "No." What is that? \\"

 

Indeed, I responded, my voice shaking. "There's nothing." nor wind, nor animals, nothing at all.

 

The quiet was stifling, suddenly it broke without abruptly. The sound of something big crashed towards us after a loud boom emanated from the woods.

 

"Run! "Luca yelled, grabbed my hand, then dragged me along.

 

As the invisible beast pursued us, the earth shook underneath and we shot down the road. Though my legs screamed in protest and my lungs burned, I refused to stop.

 

"here! "Luca yelled, dragging me into a recess within the trunk of a big tree. Just as the thing barrelled by, its massive shadow created a terrible figure against the dim moonlight. We dove inside.

 

"What was that? "I gasped as my heart hammered.

 

"I'm not sure," Luca answered, his voice low. But it is not done with us.

 

We hid till the woodland calmed once again. The road had altered as we exited; the trees had rearranged themselves as if parading our development.

 

I said, wiping dirt off my hands, "This place is a nightmare."

 

"Yeah," Luca answered, his voice oddly light. At least the company is good.

 

I looked at him startled, and he grinned, the conflict between us just slightly relaxing.

 

The necklace started to shine more as we went along the road, its light pointing a fresh clearing ahead. The air warmed and the stifling intensity eased, but I couldn't get rid of the impression that we were headed right for another trap.

 

Luca remarked, his voice firm, "We're almost there."

 

But the pendant blazed furiously as we entered the clearing, and my wrist bore a scorching mark. Low and threatening, a voice emerged in the air.

 

"The last trial rests ahead."

 

I looked at Luca, terror and will fighting in my chest. Prepare?""

 

He nodded with a steady eye. "Let's wrap up this."