Chapter 52

Chapter 52: The Whispering Woods

The forest swallows us whole.

There's no real path—just a suggestion of one. The ground beneath my feet feels unstable, like it's shifting ever so slightly, second-guessing whether it wants to let us through.

The air is thick, carrying a damp, earthy scent mixed with something... off. Not quite rot, not quite decay—just wrong.

I don't let it slow me down. I walk forward.

The Mad Hatter stays close behind, adjusting his hat every few steps like a nervous tick. The rabbit sticks to the dragon's side, eyes darting around at every tiny sound. The dragon herself moves with measured caution, scanning the surroundings with those piercing golden eyes.

She senses something.

"This place is alive," she murmurs. "And it's watching us."

I don't need to ask what she means. I can feel it too.

---

The Whispers Begin

It starts as a soft hum in the air. A faint murmur, like wind brushing against leaves—except there's no wind.

Then, voices.

"Who walks this path?"

"What secrets do you bring, Defaulger Trice?"

"Why do you seek what is hidden?"

The words slither through the air, coming from everywhere and nowhere at once.

The rabbit stiffens, his ears twitching violently. "I don't like this," he whimpers. "Not one bit."

The Mad Hatter lets out a dry chuckle, though it lacks any real amusement. "Ah yes, the trees do love their riddles. Just ignore them, dear rabbit. They only whisper to those who listen."

The dragon doesn't speak, but I notice her grip tighten slightly—clawed fingers flexing, ready for anything.

I stop walking.

The forest stops too.

The whispers go silent.

That's when I realize—it's not just the trees speaking.

Something deeper. Older.

Waiting.

---

The Carved Tree

A flicker of movement draws my eye to a massive, gnarled tree just ahead. Unlike the others, its bark is scarred—deep runes carved into the wood, glowing with a sickly green light.

The Mad Hatter steps forward, his usual grin replaced by a troubled frown. "Oh dear. That's… new."

The rabbit stares. "What—what does it say?"

The dragon narrows her eyes, studying the markings. "A warning."

I take a closer look. The symbols shift as I stare, twisting into words I can almost understand.

Almost.

"TURN BACK."

"THE FOREST REMEMBERS."

"HE AWAITS."

A chill runs down my spine—not fear, but recognition.

Who is he?

And why does the forest remember?

---

Decision Time

We stand at the edge of something.

The trees feel closer. The air is heavier. The whispers, though silent, press against my mind.

I have two choices.

1. Ignore the warning. Keep moving forward.

2. Attempt to decipher the runes. Find out what the forest "remembers."

The Mad Hatter clears his throat, glancing at me. "So, fearless leader… what's the plan?"

I don't answer right away.

Because for the first time since stepping into these woods… I feel like something is watching back.

And it's waiting for me to decide.