forest. The trees whispered with the wind, and the air felt thick with the weight of a decision Tomora had been avoiding. Tala, Patricia, Jer, and Yora moved quickly, their footsteps almost inaudible against the dense underbrush as they called for him.
"TOMORA!" Tala shouted, desperation lacing her voice. "Where are you? Please, come back!"
Patricia, ever the pillar of strength, quickened her pace. Her eyes, usually sharp and calculating, were now clouded with worry. "We can't leave him alone out here!" she added, her voice more strained than usual.
Yora, her usual quiet self, darted her gaze from side to side, scanning the trees as if expecting Tomora to appear at any moment. Her worry was palpable, even in the way her shoulders tensed with every step she took. Jer, walking slightly behind the others, kept his guard up, his eyes constantly flicking between the trail ahead and the dense forest around them.
The group moved with urgency, knowing that time was running out. Tomora had been distant lately—farther from the group than ever before. None of them knew exactly what he was thinking or what had caused this shift, but they were all scared to find out.
In the Forest Path
Tomora walked alone now, his feet sure but his mind a jumbled mess. The sun hung low in the sky, its fading light casting an eerie glow over the landscape. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, his expression unreadable, though the tension in his shoulders and the way his jaw tightened spoke volumes about the storm swirling inside of him.
He had been through so much—too much, maybe. Too many battles. Too many decisions that had to be made. Too many questions with no answers. And with each step he took, the weight of it all only grew heavier.
He had to leave. He had to be alone. But he couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't meant to be alone anymore. His role in all of this, in the world that seemed to be falling apart at the seams, was becoming too large for him to handle. And the people around him… they weren't ready to understand. They couldn't be.
Suddenly, a rustling from behind him. He stopped, his posture shifting. His gaze snapped to the side, muscles coiling in anticipation. A figure stepped out from behind a tree—tall, cloaked, and cloaked in shadow. The hood obscured their face, but the presence was undeniable.
The figure stepped into the clearing with calculated grace, standing tall in front of Tomora, blocking his path.
"Where do you think you're going?" The figure's voice was smooth, almost teasing, as if the encounter was nothing more than a casual conversation between old friends.
Tomora's heart skipped a beat, but his eyes hardened instantly. He didn't have time for games. Not now.
"None of your damn business," he snapped, his voice cold. "Move."
He didn't wait for an answer. He sidestepped, making to walk around the figure, determined to continue his path.
The Hooded figure didn't budge and stood there looking at him and Tomora's hands started to shake his jaw start to clench and his face going red he said look I don't even know you get out of my way!!
No the hooded figure said