Chapter 81: Guardian of the Enchanted Forest

The shadows seemed to stretch and twist around us, their tendrils reaching out like grasping hands. A sense of foreboding settled over us like a suffocating blanket, and I couldn't help but wonder if we had made a grave mistake in venturing into this mysterious realm.

Sophia's grip on my arm tightened, her eyes darting nervously from side to side. "I don't like this," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the rustling of the trees.

Alex's jaw clenched as he scanned the surrounding darkness, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon. "We need to keep moving," he said, his tone urgent. "The longer we stay here, the greater the danger."

But even as we pressed forward, the feeling of being watched persisted, like unseen eyes were following our every move. Every shadow seemed to hold hidden threats, and the silence was deafening, broken only by the occasional eerie rustle of leaves.

Suddenly, a figure stepped out from the darkness, its form shrouded in shadow. "Welcome, travel