Collision.

Rain poured in relentless sheets, turning the cobblestone path into a glistening, treacherous ribbon that snaked through the village's outskirts. The path was bordered by dense woods, where tall pines and gnarled oaks swayed violently, their branches creaking under the storm's fury, scattering wet needles and leaves across the muddy ground. Puddles reflected the gray, churning sky, and the air carried the sharp scent of wet earth and pine sap. The village's last few cottages, with their thatched roofs and shuttered windows, faded into the distance, giving way to the wild, untamed forest.