The Forest's Secret

Act 7 | The Forest's Rune | Part 3

The creature's snarls echoed through the forest, and Ash could hear its footsteps getting closer. He dashed towards the edge of the grove. The forest seemed to close in around him, the trees whispering and shifting as if they were alive and aware of his presence.

As he ran, he remembered the map and the markings he had made. He had to return to the clearing where he found the rune and use his knowledge to find a way out. Ash tried to stay calm and focused, navigating through the dense underbrush with the help of his flashlight.

The creature was relentless. Its growls grew louder, and Ash could see glimpses of it through the trees. He pushed himself harder, his legs burning with exertion. Finally, he reached the clearing with the rune, the familiar symbols on the stone altar offering a small sense of comfort amid his terror.

Ash's feet slapped against the ground as he dashed through the woodland, his heart racing, and his breathing rapid.

"Next time Ash- go during the day!" Ash said to himself as he jumped over a fallen log covered in moss and wildflowers. The smell of Sagebrush wafted around him it was a somewhat spicy, bitter smell. Ash always hated the smell of Sagebrush it always gave him a headache, but he kept powering through the forest as the growls grew louder.

Ash used to do track. The number one rule to running is never to look back and focus forward. But like the idiot he is he turns his head to glance back.

As Ash glanced back, he saw the creature lunging through the underbrush, its glowing eyes piercing through the darkness. Panic surged through him, threatening to overwhelm his senses. He stumbled over a tangle of roots, but the adrenaline propelling him forward kept him from falling. His breath came in ragged gasps, and the harsh crunch of twigs underfoot sounded like the creature's menacing footsteps were right behind him.

He could see just the edge of the forest. As he ran the sharp claws of the ravening beast slashed at Ash's face cutting off one side of his hair and leaving a slightly reddish mark that was slightly raised against his tan skin. Ash slightly gasped and grabbed the side of his face. He looks around for that horrid beast to see...

Nothing.

Ash glanced down at the floor to see a lump of his sandy hair on the floor. He grew his side bangs just to hide his elfish ears. Ash touched the side of his face the mark was slightly raised more and just stinging his face. He sighed.

"Ash. This is not the main problem! We need to get out!!"

He sprinted through the forest past the wildflowers, past the burrows, past the fallen tree logs. He ran and ran till he finally reached the edge. With one big jump, he landed outside the forest. God, he hates that forest now.