Chapter 7: The Whispering Forest
"We have to go in there, don't we?" Evelyn asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lucian nodded. "The ledger mentioned an artifact hidden in the forest," he said. "Something tied to the original ritual. If we can find it, we might be able to sever the connection between Eliza and the curse."
Evelyn swallowed hard, her heart pounding as she took a hesitant step forward. The forest seemed alive, its branches creaking and swaying even though there was no wind. The air was thick and heavy, pressing down on her like a physical weight.
"Stay close to me," Lucian said, his voice low but steady. "The forest doesn't like intruders."
"What does that mean?" Evelyn asked, glancing at him nervously.
"It means we're not welcome here," Lucian said simply. "And we should move quickly."
They stepped into the forest, the lantern's glow casting eerie shadows on the ground. The air grew colder with every step, and Evelyn couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The trees seemed to close in around them, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal hands.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Evelyn asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
"There's a clearing deeper in the forest," Lucian said. "The artifact should be there. But the ledger warned about… guardians."
"Guardians?" Evelyn repeated, her stomach sinking.
Lucian nodded grimly. "Spirits bound to protect the artifact. They won't let us take it without a fight."
Evelyn felt a shiver run down her spine. She tightened her grip on the small knife Lucian had given her before they left the manor. It felt useless against whatever they might face, but it was better than nothing.
The forest grew darker as they moved deeper, the trees crowding closer together. The whispers started softly at first, barely audible over the crunch of leaves beneath their feet. But they grew louder, more insistent, until Evelyn could almost make out words.
"Do you hear that?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Lucian nodded. "Don't listen to them," he said. "They'll try to confuse you. To lead you astray."
Evelyn nodded, forcing herself to focus on Lucian's steady presence ahead of her. But the whispers were relentless, curling around her like smoke and seeping into her thoughts. She shook her head, trying to push them away, but they only grew louder.
They came to a halt in a small clearing, the moonlight shining down on a raised stone pedestal in the center. On the pedestal sat a small mirror, its surface cracked and worn but still reflecting the faint light.
"That's it," Lucian said, his voice tense. "The artifact."
Evelyn took a step forward, but Lucian held out an arm to stop her. "Wait," he said. "The guardians—"
Before he could finish, the shadows around the clearing began to move. Figures emerged from the darkness, their forms twisted and unnatural. Their eyes glowed faintly, and their movements were jerky, as though they were being controlled by invisible strings.
Evelyn's breath caught in her throat as the figures advanced, their whispers turning into guttural growls. Lucian stepped in front of her, holding the lantern high. The light flared, pushing the shadows back slightly, but it wasn't enough to stop them.
"Stay behind me," Lucian said, his voice calm but firm. "And whatever happens, don't let them touch you."
Evelyn nodded, clutching the knife tightly as the shadows closed in. The air was thick with their presence, and she could feel their hatred like a physical force pressing against her. She watched as Lucian stepped forward, his movements confident and controlled.
"Evelyn," he said without looking back. "When I give the signal, grab the mirror and run. Don't wait for me. Just go."
"What?" Evelyn said, her voice rising in panic. "I'm not leaving you!"
"You have to," Lucian said sharply. "The artifact is the only way to break the curse. If we lose it, this is all for nothing."
Evelyn's heart pounded as she nodded reluctantly, her eyes never leaving the mirror. The shadows lunged, and Lucian swung the lantern, its light flaring brightly and forcing them