A terrifying night

A Haunting Night in Lostwood

Night fell faster than they expected, swallowing the forest in pitch darkness. The flickering campfire cast light only a few meters around them, creating eerie shadows among the trees. The leaves rustled softly, as if something was moving between them.

Zyra pulled her tattered cloak tighter, trying to chase away the cold that crept into her skin.

"Did you hear that?" she whispered.

Ziero didn't answer. He sat beside the fire with a stone knife in hand, his eyes sharp, scanning the darkness. From deep within the forest came the faint sound of footsteps. Heavy ones—unlike any small animal.

"This isn't the first time I've felt watched in here," Ziero murmured. "But it's the first time the sound's been this close."

Zyra swallowed hard. "Should we leave?"

"And run where? The forest's more dangerous at night," Ziero replied. "We're better off staying here. If something comes, we face it."

Zyra clenched her fists. She wanted to argue, to run as far as possible—but she knew he was right. This forest was full of dangers they didn't yet understand, and running blindly would only get them more lost.

They waited in silence. The fire crackled, offering a little warmth amidst the tension hanging in the air.

Then, suddenly—

CRACK.

A branch snapped in the darkness, not far from them.

Zyra's heart pounded.

"That... was too close."

Ziero rose slowly, eyes locked on the direction of the sound.

"I know."

They couldn't see anything within the forest's shadows, but they knew something was out there. Watching them.

Each second felt like an eternity.

Then, the sound began to fade.

Those heavy footsteps grew distant, vanishing into the dark.

Zyra let out a long breath, only then realizing she had been holding it.

"Whatever it was... it's gone now, I think."

Ziero remained silent for a while before finally sitting back down.

"For now."

They exchanged glances, then looked into the fire.

They knew this wasn't over.

Whatever had been watching them—it was still out there.

And next time, it might not walk away.

---

A New Morning, the Same Danger

The sun finally rose above the treetops, its light piercing through the morning mist that blanketed the forest. Dew still clung to the leaves, sparkling in the sunlight.

Ziero let out a small yawn as he rolled up the cloak he'd used as a blanket. All night he had slept with one hand gripping his stone knife, ready if anything appeared.

Beside him, Zyra was still fast asleep. Her breathing was calm, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

Ziero stood up slowly, stretching his stiff body after a night on the ground. He gazed into the quiet forest. There were no suspicious rustles.

At least, not yet.

"Are we still alive?" Zyra's sleepy voice broke the silence.

Ziero turned and saw her sitting up, rubbing her eyes.

"Looks like it," he replied.

Zyra sighed. "Which means... we have to get back to work, huh?"

"Yeah. This place still isn't strong enough to protect us from whatever's out there."

They spent a few minutes eating the fruit and mushrooms Zyra had gathered the day before. The fruit's sourness made Zyra wince a little, but she kept chewing.

"So, what's the plan for today?" she asked after swallowing.

"We reinforce this place," Ziero answered. "Yesterday we only built a simple wall. Today, we add fences and make better weapons."

---

Zyra nodded. "Alright. I'll gather more wood and maybe some sturdy roots to tie everything together."

"I'll try to find a stone I can sharpen into a better knife," Ziero added.

After regaining some energy, they got to work.

---

Reinforcing the Shelter

Ziero ventured deeper into the forest, searching for usable stones. Near a small stream, he found several hard black rocks. Using another stone, he began grinding one down, shaping it into a sharp edge.

After some time, he finally managed to craft something resembling a dagger—stronger and sharper than his previous stone blade.

When he returned, he found Zyra already back, carrying a bundle of thick branches and strong roots.

"Is this enough for a fence?" she asked, panting, clearly exhausted.

Ziero nodded. "Yeah, this should be good. Let's build a half-circle barricade in front of the shelter. That way, if something comes, it won't be able to rush in right away."

They worked diligently, driving thick branches into the ground to form a rough barrier. They tied some of the branches together using the roots, creating a simple trap that could slow down anything trying to break through.

By the time afternoon began fading into evening, they stepped back to assess their work.

"It's far from perfect," Zyra said, wiping sweat from her brow.

"But at least it's better than yesterday," Ziero replied. "If anything comes near, we'll have a bit more time to react before it gets in."

Zyra looked at their handiwork and gave a small smile. "I can't believe we did all this in just a few days."

"We didn't have a choice," said Ziero. "In a place like this, you either learn fast—or you die."

Zyra sighed. "Then I'd better start learning faster."

They sat down for a moment, taking a short break before night fell again.

---

A Quiet Dusk, A False Calm

The sky began to shift, from blue to golden-orange. Birds returned to their nests, and the sounds of the forest gradually changed—replaced by the stirring of nocturnal creatures.

Zyra sat by the campfire, holding a piece of wood and carving it with her stone knife. "How long do you think we can survive out here?"

Ziero, sharpening his new dagger, glanced at her briefly before turning back to his task. "I don't know. As long as we can, I guess."

Zyra sighed. "You never really think long-term, do you?"

Ziero gave a faint smile. "In a place like this, long-term means surviving today, then worrying about tomorrow when it comes."

Zyra was quiet for a moment, then chuckled softly. "That... makes sense."

They sat in silence, listening to the crackle of the fire and the whisper of the wind through the trees.

Then, something broke that silence.

A rustle.

Zyra tensed immediately. "Not again..."

Ziero stood slowly, gripping his new dagger. His eyes scanned the forest ahead.

This time, the sound didn't fade.

A dark shadow moved between the trees. It wasn't large—but it was enough to raise the hairs on their necks.

Ziero tightened his grip. "This time, we don't just wait."

Zyra swallowed. "What do you mean?"

"This time... we find out what's out there."

With that, Ziero stepped forward, past the firelight, into the darkness of Lostwood.

Zyra stared at his back, muttered a curse under her breath, then stood and followed him.

Whatever was out there—they had to face it.

Before it was too late.

The night air in Lostwood felt colder than usual. A slow fog began to settle, blanketing the ground and making the forest seem like it was closing in, swallowing everything within. In the darkness, only the faint glow of their small fire remained, desperately fighting off the emptiness of night.

Ziero crept toward the sound among the trees, his right hand clutching the newly sharpened dagger, his eyes tracking every tiny movement. Zyra followed behind, clearly reluctant, but unwavering.

"I can't believe we're actually doing this," she whispered, barely audible.

"We can't hide forever," Ziero replied quietly.

The hanging fog made it even harder to see. The rustling grew clearer—multiple sources now. Something was moving among the bushes, light-footed but deliberate.

Zyra swallowed hard. "That's not a normal animal."

Ziero gave a slight nod. "Yeah... I feel it too."

They kept moving, careful not to step on dry twigs that could give them away.

Then—

CRACK!

A loud snap echoed through the woods.

Zyra immediately pressed close to Ziero, eyes wide. They both held their breath.

From behind the trees, a small shadow emerged.

Zyra exhaled in relief. "It's just—"

Before she could finish, the creature bolted toward them with terrifying speed.

Ziero reacted instantly. In one swift motion, he shoved Zyra aside and raised his blade.

The creature leapt—

And Ziero slashed it.

Black blood sprayed, staining the forest floor.

The creature collapsed, its body twitching, letting out a sound that didn't belong to any normal animal.

Zyra crawled backward, gasping. "What was that?"

Ziero stared at the dying creature at his feet. It looked like a wolf, but its fur was as dark as fog, and its eyes glowed blood-red.

"I don't know," he said softly. "But it's definitely not normal."

From deeper in the woods, more rustling echoed.

Ziero cursed. "We need to get back."

Zyra didn't need to be told twice. They sprinted back to their shelter, leaving the creature behind as it finally stopped moving.

---

They were almost there when a long, haunting howl echoed from deep within the forest. The sound reverberated through the trees, sending chills down their spines.

Zyra turned pale, glancing over her shoulder. "They know we're here."

Ziero clenched his jaw. "Then we need to be ready for them."

---

They reached the shelter just as the sound of rapid footsteps began to close in. Wasting no time, Ziero grabbed several sharpened wooden stakes they had prepared earlier and handed one to Zyra.

"Use this if they get close," he said quickly.

Zyra took the stake with trembling hands. "I don't know how to fight like you."

Ziero glanced at her. "Fight or die. Those are the only options."

Zyra took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Alright."

They stood behind the wooden barrier they had built earlier that day. It was crude, but it offered at least a bit of protection.

The fog grew thicker, nearly swallowing the entire area around them.

Then, a pair of glowing red eyes emerged from the mist.

Followed by more.

Zyra held her breath. "There's so many…"

Ziero tightened his grip on his dagger. "They're hunting us."

One of the creatures stepped out of the fog, baring its long fangs. It looked like a wolf, but larger—more monstrous.

It growled low, and the others followed suit.

Then, without warning, they charged.

Ziero moved first, slashing his dagger at the creature leaping over the barrier. His strike landed cleanly at the neck, sending the beast crashing to the ground, writhing in pain.

Zyra screamed as one of the mist wolves lunged at the fence in front of her. In a panic, she thrust the sharpened stake at it.

Black blood sprayed, splattering across her face.

The creature let out a gurgled whimper before collapsing.

Zyra gasped, her body shaking. "I… I did it?"

"Don't stop now!" Ziero shouted, cutting down another beast trying to break through.

The attacks kept coming. They fought with everything they had, fending off every creature that dared approach.

Then, suddenly, it stopped.

The creatures backed away, disappearing into the fog, their red eyes still watching.

And then, without a sound, they were gone.

Zyra still held her stake tightly, her breathing ragged. "Did they… leave?"

Ziero didn't answer right away. He kept staring into the mist, making sure nothing remained.

Several seconds passed.

Then he exhaled deeply. "Seems like it."

Zyra dropped to the ground, her strength finally giving out. "Oh god…"

Ziero looked at her, then crouched beside her. "Are you alright?"

Zyra let out a shaky laugh. "I don't know. I'm alive, so… maybe?"

Ziero just nodded. "You fought well."

Zyra gave him a disbelieving look. "That wasn't fighting. That was panic."

"Panic that managed to kill one of them."

Zyra fell silent, then let out a long breath. "I still can't believe I did that."

Ziero looked around. "We'll need to fix the barrier tomorrow. And make better weapons."

Zyra could only nod, exhausted.

Tonight, they survived.

But the real question was—

How long could they keep surviving?

---

When dawn finally broke, the aftermath of the night's attack became clear.

Most of their barrier was destroyed. The ground around their shelter was stained with the black blood of the beasts.

Zyra hugged her knees, staring blankly at the scene. "We were really attacked."

Ziero stood beside her, eyes scanning the battlefield. "And we made it through."

Zyra shook her head. "But for how much longer?"

Ziero didn't answer. He didn't know either.

One thing was certain—

This forest wasn't going to let them live easily.

And they had to be more prepared for the next battle.

The sky above Lostwood began to shift, from pitch black to a dusky violet. The night fog slowly lifted, revealing towering trees in full view. Traces of last night's battle were still visible—dried black blood on the ground, their wooden barrier in ruins, and parts of their shelter shattered from the night creatures' assault.

Zyra sat on a fallen log, hugging her knees tightly. Her body was still heavy with fatigue—not just from the fight, but from the lingering fear that hadn't left her since. She stared at the hand she had used to stab the creature, still feeling the ghost of its blood on her skin, even after washing it again and again.

Ziero stood not far from her, quietly surveying their surroundings with a focused look. His eyes traced every mark of the battle, already thinking about what needed fixing first.

"We need to rebuild this place," Ziero said at last.

Zyra lifted her head, eyes heavy with exhaustion. "Are you sure? What if they come back tonight?"

Ziero let out a breath. "They will come back."

His answer silenced her.

"We can't keep surviving like this without better preparation. This fence is too weak. Our shelter's too exposed. We need to reinforce everything, or—" he looked her straight in the eyes, "—we won't last much longer."

Zyra bit her lip, then finally nodded. "Alright... what do we need to do?"

Ziero glanced toward the trees surrounding them. "First, we need more wood. Not just for the fence, but to build something sturdier. We can't keep sleeping on the ground like this."

Zyra let out a heavy sigh, then stood. "Alright. Let's start."

---

Gathering to Survive

Armed with only a dagger and a wooden staff, they ventured deeper into the forest, searching for wood strong enough to build a proper shelter. The morning air in Lostwood was slightly calmer, though the oppressive silence still clung to the trees like a curse.

Zyra walked behind Ziero, casting occasional glances at the shifting shadows among the trees. The events of the previous night still haunted her.

"You don't think they'll attack during the day, do you?" she asked, trying to shake the unease.

Ziero shook his head. "Unlikely. They're creatures of the night. But we still have to be careful. Lostwood has plenty of other things that can kill us."

That answer didn't help Zyra feel any better.

They went deeper, eyes scanning the trunks for trees they could cut down. Ziero found a few smaller ones he could work with using his dagger, but it wasn't enough.

"We need an axe," he muttered in frustration.

Zyra raised an eyebrow. "And where exactly are we supposed to find one?"

Ziero didn't respond. They both knew finding proper tools in a place like this was a fantasy. They had to work with what they had.

Zyra approached a large tree and ran her fingers along its rough bark. "Maybe we can find fallen branches—big ones, still strong?"

Ziero considered it, then nodded. "That could work. Let's look."

They split up slightly, keeping within earshot as they searched for solid, usable wood.

Moments later, Zyra called out, "Ziero! Over here!"

He rushed over to find her standing beside a large fallen tree. Its trunk was thick, aged, and sturdy—clearly down for some time, but still usable.

"This is perfect," Ziero said, unsheathing his dagger. "We'll cut off the limbs and take what we can carry."

They worked together, hacking away at the dead branches. With every piece they collected, their confidence grew—this time, they might actually stand a chance.

After hours of work, they had gathered enough wood to reinforce their barricade and shelter.

---

Rebuilding

By the time they returned to their shelter, the sun had climbed high overhead. They dropped the wood they'd collected and began laying out a plan.

"We need stronger walls—high enough so they can't just leap over," Ziero said as he sorted the logs.

Zyra nodded. "How do we hold it all together?"

Ziero paused, then pulled out a bundle of makeshift rope—plant fibers they'd twisted together over time—and showed her how to lash the wood tightly.

They got to work. Ziero drove the logs into the ground with all his strength while Zyra helped tie and brace the structure.

Sweat dripped down their faces. Their hands ached. But they kept going.

As the sun began to dip, casting longer shadows through the trees, they finally stepped back to take in their progress.

Zyra sank to the ground, exhausted. "We've come a long way, haven't we?"

Ziero looked over the new wall. Taller. Stronger. Still imperfect—but a vast improvement.

"We've done what we can," he said, then glanced at Zyra. "Tomorrow, we'll make it even better."

Zyra nodded, watching the sky slowly fade into hues of dusk. "But tonight… we prepare again."

Ziero turned toward the forest, his eyes narrowing.

"Yes," he murmured. "Tonight, we'll see if it's enough to keep them out."

Nightfall came—along with the dread that never left Lostwood.