Chapter 80: Realm of Shadows

As the eerie silence enveloped us, I exchanged a wary glance with Sophia, her eyes reflecting the same unease that gnawed at my insides. The dark forest seemed to hold its breath as if waiting for something to happen.

"We should keep moving," Alex suggested his voice barely above a whisper. "Staying in one place for too long isn't safe."

I nodded in agreement, my heart pounding in my chest as we ventured deeper into the shadowy woods. Every rustle of leaves and crack of twigs made me jump, my senses heightened by the palpable tension in the air.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the darkness, freezing us in our tracks. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I strained to locate the source of the sound.

"What was that?" Sophia whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I don't know," Alex replied, his grip tightening on his weapon. "But we need to be ready for anything."

With bated breath, we pressed on, our footsteps echoing softly against the forest floor. But no matter how f