Chapter 100: The Path to the Threshold

The group moved along a path covered in thick fog that barely allowed them to see more than a few meters ahead. The air was heavy with humidity, and the crunch of dry leaves under their feet was the only sound that broke the eerie silence of the forest. Each step seemed to take them further from the sunlight, as if nature itself were closing in around them.

—Loryn, are you sure this is the right path? —Kael asked, with one hand firmly resting on the hilt of his sword.

The elf nodded, though his face did not reflect the same confidence as his answer. —Yes, the map indicates this is the shortest route. But… this place wasn’t marked as so inhospitable. Something has changed.

Vaiolet, walking silently behind them, couldn’t take her eyes off the trees. Their twisted trunks seemed to form grotesque faces that watched every one of their movements. There was something oppressive in the atmosphere, something that seemed to feed off their unease.

—This forest isn’t natural —muttered Arlen, who was bringing up the rear. He held his bow with an arrow already notched, ready for anything.

—Nothing on this journey has been natural —Vaiolet replied, her tone darker than usual.

Kael glanced at her, noticing the tension in her jaw and the way she clenched her fists. Since leaving the fortress, she had been more reserved, as if something were tormenting her. He didn’t want to push her, but he couldn’t help but worry.

Suddenly, a strange sound broke the silence: a low, guttural growl that seemed to come from all directions at once. The group halted immediately, instinctively forming a circle.

—What was that? —Loryn asked, pulling out his daggers.

Vaiolet closed her eyes and extended her senses, trying to locate the source of the sound. The vibration in the air felt different, denser, almost tangible.

—We’re not alone —she said finally, opening her eyes with determination.

Not even a few seconds passed before shadows between the trees began to move. Humanoid figures emerged from the fog, their bodies distorted and covered in a viscous substance that seemed to glow with a dark hue. Their eyes, if they could be called eyes, were empty orbs that radiated a palpable evil.

—Get ready! —Kael shouted, unsheathing his sword.

The creatures didn’t wait for an invitation. They charged toward the group with surprising speed, their movements erratic and unnatural. The battle began in the blink of an eye.

Kael blocked one of the creature’s attacks, feeling the brute force behind its strike. He countered with a clean cut, but the creature barely staggered, as if pain meant nothing to it.

Arlen shot an arrow that pierced another creature’s skull, but instead of falling, the being kept advancing as if nothing had happened. —These things don’t die easily! —he shouted, retreating while firing another arrow.

Vaiolet raised a hand, invoking the energy of the fragment within her. A burst of bluish light shot out toward one of the creatures, disintegrating it instantly. However, for every creature they destroyed, it seemed that two more took its place.

—We can’t stay here! —Loryn yelled, dodging an attack and counterattacking with his daggers—. We’re outnumbered!

Vaiolet nodded, realizing they needed to leave the forest before the creatures overwhelmed them. —Follow me!

They ran through the forest, dodging roots and branches as the creatures relentlessly pursued them. The growls and shrieks filled the air, mixing with the sound of their hurried footsteps.

Finally, they reached a clearing where the fog was less dense. In the center stood a stone arch covered in moss, with ancient symbols carved into its surface. The energy emanating from it was unmistakable: it was a portal.

—That’s our way! —Vaiolet shouted, running toward the arch.

Loryn was the first to reach it, quickly examining the symbols. —It’s active, but we need a catalyst to fully open it.

Vaiolet raised the fragment she carried, feeling it react to the portal. She placed the piece into a slot on the arch, and it began to glow with a blinding light.

—Hurry, get in! —she ordered, turning to face the approaching creatures.

Kael and Arlen passed through first, followed by Loryn. Vaiolet was last, sending one final burst of energy to keep the creatures at bay before crossing the portal.

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When they emerged on the other side, the contrast was overwhelming. They had gone from a dark, oppressive forest to a landscape lit by a purple sky with three moons shining overhead. The ground was covered in crystals that reflected the light from the moons, creating a nearly unreal spectacle.

—Where are we? —Arlen asked, looking around in awe.

Loryn examined the terrain, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. —This isn’t an ordinary place. We’re in another plane.

—Another plane? —Kael repeated, with an expression of disbelief.

Loryn nodded. —Yes, this portal took us outside our world. It’s a place between dimensions.

Vaiolet felt a chill run through her body. She had heard of places like this, but never thought she’d visit one. The energy here was different, purer but also more dangerous.

—We need to move —she said, taking the lead once again.

The group began walking through the crystalline landscape, their footsteps resonating in the silence. Every so often, they saw shadows move in the distance, but they didn’t seem interested in them.

After what seemed like an eternity, they reached a structure on the horizon. It was a tall tower made of crystal, vibrating with energy.

—That must be our next stop —Vaiolet said, feeling the fragment inside her react to the tower’s presence.

As they drew closer, the feeling of being watched intensified. Finally, they reached the entrance of the tower, where another portal, similar to the one they had crossed, awaited them.

—Ready? —Vaiolet asked, looking at her companions.

Kael nodded, positioning himself beside her. —Always.

With one last look at the strange landscape, they crossed the threshold together, prepared to face whatever came next.