Whispers of the Forgotten Realm

chapter 1

As Summer walked through the dense forest, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over her. The tangled branches above cast eerie shadows on the forest floor, and the silence seemed to press in around her like a suffocating blanket. She called out for Hana, her voice trembling slightly as it echoed through the trees, but there was no response except for the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she quickened her pace, searching frantically for any sign of her friend. Every shadow seemed to conceal a lurking danger, and every rustle of leaves made her jump. Panic clawed at the edges of her mind, threatening to overwhelm her as she realized just how lost she was in this strange and sinister forest.

But despite her fear, Summer pressed on, determination fueling her steps as she refused to give up hope of finding Hana. She called out her friend's name again and again, her voice growing hoarse with each cry. And then, just when she thought all hope was lost, she heard a faint sound in the distance—a whispered reply, barely audible above the rustling of leaves.

Heart pounding with relief, Summer followed the sound, pushing her way through the thick underbrush until she stumbled into a small clearing. And there, sitting on a fallen log, was Hana, her face pale and drawn

"Summer," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I thought I was all alone."

As Summer's eyes met Hana's, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was different, that there was a strange glint lurking behind her friend's familiar gaze. But in that moment of overwhelming relief at finding her, all doubts and suspicions melted away, replaced by a fierce need to hold Hana close and reassure herself that she was real.

Without a second thought, Summer sprinted forward, her heart pounding in her chest as she closed the distance between them in a matter of seconds. Ignoring the nagging voice of caution in the back of her mind, she threw her arms around Hana, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Hana's arms wrapped around her in return, holding her just as tightly, and for a moment, all was right in the world. The eerie whispers of the forest faded into the background, replaced by the steady rhythm of their breathing and the comforting warmth of each other's presence.

"I'm so glad I found you," Summer whispered, her voice trembling with emotion as she pressed her cheek against Hana's shoulder. "I don't know what I would have done if..."

As Summer learned into the embrace, a sudden searing pain shot through her shoulder, causing her to cry out in agony. With a gasp, she stumbled backward, her strength failing her,  she collapsed to the ground, the pain in her shoulder overwhelming her senses. With each ragged breath, she felt her heart pounding in her chest, her vision swimming with dark spots as the world spun dizzyingly around her. Finding herself face to face with a grotesque creature that wore Hana's likeness like a twisted mask.

Desperation clawed at her mind as she watched the monstrous creature, its blood-stained jaws gaping hungrily as it loomed closer, heedless of her pleas for mercy. Terror clenched at her throat, choking off her words.

As the monstrous creature lunged forward, time seemed to stretch into eternity for Summer. In that suspended moment, memories flashed before her eyes like fragments of a shattered mirror, each one a poignant reminder of the life she had left behind.

She saw her mother's gentle smile, the nights with her dog watching She-ra in her room till sunrise, her little sister's laughter echoing through the halls of their childhood home. She remembered the day she first met Hana, the instant connection that bound them together in a bond stronger than steel.

As the monstrous creature lunged forward, its twisted form casting a menacing shadow over Summer, she remained transfixed by the memories swirling in her mind.

But just as the creature's jagged claws were about to close around her, a sudden blur of movement caught her peripheral vision. A figure, shrouded in darkness, emerged from the depths of the surrounding gloom.

The sound of metal meeting flesh echoed through the air. The monster's head was cleanly severed from its grotesque body, its limbs convulsing briefly before falling still. Blood oozed from the severed stump, staining the ground in dark rivulets.

Summer watched in stunned silence as the creature's lifeless form crumpled to the ground. Summer's gaze the grotesque remains of the monster, its severed head lying grotesquely next to its lifeless body, she felt a shiver run down her spine as her gaze lingered on the monstrous creature's lifeless form, she couldn't help but notice that its eyes remained open, staring vacantly ahead. But it wasn't the vacant stare that caught her attention—it was the striking resemblance those eyes bore to Hana's.

Despite knowing deep down that the monstrous creature before her wasn't her Hana, the resemblance between its eyes and Hana's filled Summer with a sense of unease and nausea that she couldn't shake. The mere sight of those eyes, so similar yet devoid of the warmth and humanity she associated with her friend, sent a chill coursing through her veins.

Struggling to push aside the unsettling feeling gnawing at her, Summer forced herself to avert her gaze, unable to bear the sight any longer. But the image of those eyes lingered in her mind

As Summer's gaze lifted to meet the eyes of the figure who had intervened, she found herself staring into the depths of darkness shrouded by the hood concealing their features.
But before she could muster the courage to speak, a sharp pang of pain shot through her wounded shoulder.

The adrenaline that had fueled her during the encounter with the monster was now dissipating, leaving behind a throbbing ache that radiated through her body. With trembling a hand, she reached up to touch the source of the pain, her fingers coming away slick with her own blood.

The shock of the realization sent a wave of dizziness crashing over her.
The world seemed to spin around her,
her vision blurring at the edges.
Her consciousness slipping away like grains of sand through her fingers. The last thing she saw before darkness claimed her once more was the enigmatic figure standing over her.

\___/ ... \___/ ... \___/ ... \___/ ... \___/ ...

As Summer gradually regained consciousness, the dull ache in her shoulder persisted, though to her surprise, it felt strangely more manageable than before. With a groan, she slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the dim light filtering through the room.

Her surroundings came into focus, and she found herself staring up at an old, weathered ceiling, the faded paint and cracks telling stories of years gone by. Confusion washed over her as she struggled to piece together the events that had led her here.

Memories of the monstrous creature, the mysterious figure, and the searing pain in her shoulder flooded back, and Summer winced as she tentatively moved her injured arm. To her relief, the pain was indeed less intense than before, though still present enough to remind her of the ordeal she had endured.

Rubbing her eyes, she sat up, Summer took in her surroundings more fully. The room was sparsely furnished, with little more than a simple bed and a small table nearby.

As Summer glanced down at her body, she noticed a change in her attire. Gone were the clothes she had been wearing before, replaced now by a simple t-shirt and shorts. Her gaze drifted to her injured shoulder, where she saw the telltale signs of bandages wrapped around the wound.

With a sigh, Summer pushed herself to her feet, wincing slightly as she tested her injured shoulder. Despite the pain and the uncertainty that lay ahead, she knew that she needed to gather her strength.

With trembling legs, she stood up and approached the door, each step heavy with uncertainty. Every creak of the floorboards seemed to echo in the silence, amplifying her growing sense of dread. She reached out a trembling hand, hesitating for a moment before finally grasping the doorknob.

Summer leaned in, her ear pressed against the cool wood of the door, hearing 2 people's talking. With a quick inhale, she pushed the door open. The sight that met her eyes was beyond belief, causing her to let out a startled scream.

"What the fuck?!"

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1429 mots
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