Six - Allure

"Stay close and keep your senses sharp" Ryuu instructed as they stepped into the dense greenery that contrasted heavily with the wilderness they had been, minutes ago.The sun had disappeared a few minutes ago, giving the darkness a chance to engulf the world. The warriors, aside from Ren all wowed in amazement, the moment they had stepped into the forest. The forest gave the illusion that it was still daylight, already playing with thier senses. Despite the dazzling beauty of the scene, the air was thick with magical essence that hummed with potential danger.With every step, Jiro imposing figure brushed past the vegetation while Miko kept a watchful eye on thier surrounding ready to detect any lurking threat. Hana moved silently ahead, her keen gaze scanning the landscape for any sign of peril. Masaya and Ryuu, unfazed by the illusion, having passed by the forest a few times walked without any fear.

"Do you know where the ramaining hunters are?" his voice was steady but urgent.

The beastmaster nodded grimly,

"A hunch only. They're spread across the lands as l have heard, searching for more to capture. I've only heard tiny parts... they made sure l was drugged all the way. I didn't even know where l was." he paused for a moment "Areas with rich magical energy, if we track thier movements we might be able to catch them"

Ryuu had made a decision, a huge one, to divert from thier original plan. The path to kage mountains had been altered, the new direction was one that held greater urgency.

" we'll track the remaining hunters and find out if they are connected with the black scorpions"

Masaya, the beastmaster nodded. Ryuu had been skeptical when the man, after being rescued, had begged to join them. He was reluctant to let a stranger join thier team, Ryuu couldn't trust just anyone.The beastmaster had however narrated his story, how his son had also been kidnapped and how he needed to rescue him. Ryuu had allowed him, even if the other members had initially opposed it.He didn't believe in Masaya stories but he needed someone with a bit of senses of where they would be headed. If the beastmaster had truly been captured against his will,he might hold crucial information and he was sure that he could at least point them to a less stray direction. His companions had agreed , understanding the gravity of the situation when he had explained it to them but nevertheless they didn't treat Masaya with any kindness.

As they ventured deeper, the forest enveloped them in a blend of beauty and terror. Lush trees twisted into grotesque shapes, thier branches resembling claws. Vivid flowers emitted a luminescent glow, illuminating the path in peculiar colors, while the scent of damp earth mingled with something dark and unsettling.

Suddenly, the tranquility of thier surroundings shattered as illusions materialized around. Disfigured people carved from wood emerged from the trees, swirling forms that twisted and contorted, whispering incoherently into the air. The ground around them seemed to pulse with black, unnerving water that bubbled like a cauldron, suggesting the presence of something more sinister beneath.

"It's just an illusion" Ryuu shouted, "Don't let them get into your head"

"Focus is the key" the beastmaster added.

However, Hana,ignored and flickered her wrist senting an arrow flying into one grotesque two headed demon but it vanished into thin air upon impact leaving her momentarily stunned. Everyone turned thier heads to her,

"Why did you do that for? " Miko asked, rolling her eyes.

"Did you not see it, that demon was charging towards us?"

Miko shrugged her shoulders,

"You're messed up already?the only thing I'm seeing are these wooden flying ghosts. This isn't called the enchanted forest for nothing, Hana."

"These are not mere illusions. There might be real danger mixed with in with them." she warned, "Let's us not forget the tales of the drowned spirits"

"Damn Hana, that is a children bedtime story, there is no lurking danger. It's all in your mind, see" she moved forward to grab the carved figures but her arms went through the figure. Her eye brows rose, as if to say, see.

Meanwhile, Jiro stumbled back,his breath catching as he encounter the ghostly vision of dark waters swirling at his feet. The waves rised ominously, pulling him towards a watery grave. Within the depth , he saw the haunting faces of his deceased parents reaching out to him with sorrowful gazes.Memories flooded to his mind, twisting his heart. He felt the urge to dive in.

"Jiro?, Jiro!" Ren's voice broke through the haunted whispers. With a jolt, Jiro shook his head, fighting against the illusion and found himself laying flat on the ground in a water puddle, his hands clawing the earth. Miko amused, hid her smile with her hand, trying her hardest not to burst out laughing. Hana shot her a warning glare. Ren knelt besides Jiro and offered him a hand.Ren, although he had never been in the forest, stood apart from the turmoil, his dark powers grounded him in reality. The illusions have no allure for him, he was well acquainted with shadows and there was a natural shield around his thoughts.

"Remember, it's not real" Ren assurred him.

Jiro yawned, he was tired, sleepy and also embrassed that he had allowed himself to fall for the illusion.

Despite the daylight illusion, thier bodies knew that it was night time in the real world.

"Let's find a safe place to set up a camp for the night. We need to rest and regain our strength" Ryuu suggested, scanning thier surroundings for a more secure location.

Hana spotted a cluster of ancient trees whose gnarled trunks formed a natural clearing, protected from'prying eyes' but not from wavering illusions. As they settled down, Miko built a fire whilst Jiro stood, watching and listening for anything.Even though the forest illusion showed a bright sunshine day there was a coldness that contrasted with the weather. Hana sat close to the flame, her body tense and alert, fingers still ready to nock an arrow at a moment notice.

"what do we know about the black scorpions" Hana said, trying to seek comfort and familiarity in thier mission.

Masaya took a deep breath by the fire,

"Legends speak of thier powerful magic that was almost invincible. Some mages texts say that, Yakima was first approached by a demon in the form of a black scorpion. It stung him with the black venom, permanently corrupting his being. He started knowing all the forbidden spells and curses to open different worlds and even summon the deadliest beasts.One of the most deadliest beasts that he could summon was literally the black scorpions.The venom was said to be too powerful for anyone to survive, l've heard,those who survive it by the hands of powerful healers eventually succumbed into madness"

As the night descended, the forest seemed to come alive with strange sounds - the rustling of leaves, distant whispers and the echoing howls of unknown creatures. Ryuu sat, a distance from the heath, leaning on the tree trunk, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, he knew that he would not be able to sleep.