The four moved quickly through the forest. Their feet crunching against the damp undergrowth as they followed Coren's lead at a fast pace.
The bright sunlight that had bathed the trees and forest earlier was gone and replaced by a dim gray glow that barely filtered through the thick canopy.
The air grew heavier with each step they took, pressing down on them like a warning they could not ignore about the certainty that something unnatural was happening again.
"Keep moving," Coren said without turning his head. His tone was steady and sharp. "Don't look back and stay close."
Ryn jogged behind him, trying to keep his breathing quiet even though his nerves screamed otherwise.
"You don't have to tell me twice," he muttered, clutching the hilt of his sword. "If something jumps out now, I'm running before fighting."
"That's not funny," Lira said curtly, scanning the trees around them. Her bow was already in her hand and an arrow nocked loosely between her fingers.
