Part I: (5) The Forest's Secrets

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Playlist

"Bleeding Out" by Imagine Dragons

"Run Boy Run" by Woodkid

"Wolves" by Selena Gomez, Marshmello

"Monster" by Paramore

"Fading" by Rihanna

"Dark Side" by Kelly Clarkson

"Battlefield" by Jordin Sparks

"My Demons" by Starset

"Shadows" by Red

"Lost in the Woods" by Weezer

"In the Dark" by Bring Me the Horizon

"Dark Paradise" by Lana Del Rey

"The Sound of Silence" by Disturbed

"Haunted" by Evanescence

"Hurt" by Johnny Cash



Aria's POV

As I stumbled deeper into the forest, the tangled undergrowth seemed to twist and coil around me, as if the very earth itself conspired to impede my progress. Shadows danced ominously amidst the dense foliage, casting eerie silhouettes that stirred primal fears within me.

My thoughts were consumed by the dilemma weighing heavily on my mind. Should I confide in Luke about my plans for tonight? I knew he would try to dissuade me, but Cleo deserved my presence. The guilt gnawed at me as I wrestled with the decision. Could I keep such a significant secret from my closest friend? Yet, the urgency of the situation with Cleo clouded my judgment.

As I ventured deeper into the heart of the forest, the distant echoes of campers' voices faded into a mere murmur, drowned out by the cacophony of my thoughts. Each step forward felt like a leap into the unknown, the path ahead obscured by a veil of uncertainty. Suddenly, a deafening roar shattered the tranquility of the forest, jolting me back to reality.

"Travis, Connor, cut it out! We're on the same team," I called out, hoping to quell the rising sense of dread that threatened to consume me. But the forest remained eerily silent, save for the ominous rustling of leaves that seemed to mock my futile attempts at reassurance.

Drawing my sword, I pressed onward, guided by instinct and a primal urge to confront whatever malevolent force lay in wait. Each step forward brought me closer to the source of the disturbance, yet the dread that coiled in the pit of my stomach only grew with each passing moment.

"Hey, watch your back," Luke's voice echoed behind me, sending a jolt of relief coursing through my veins. But before I could react, a monstrous form hurtled towards me, its colossal frame casting a menacing shadow over me.

With a swift blow, I was sent crashing to the ground, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs. As I struggled to regain my footing, a sense of foreboding washed over me, chilling me to the core.

Panic surged through me as I scrambled to my feet, desperately searching for my sword amidst the chaos that unfolded around me. But before I could react, the Cyclops loomed over me, wielding my own weapon with malicious intent.

"You dropped something, gold," it taunted, its voice was my father's. Fear clawed at my insides as I realized the gravity of the situation, my mind racing for a way to escape the clutches of the monstrous creature.

Castles Crumbling | The story of Luke Castellan and Ariadne DavisWhere stories live. Discover now