Blood

Chapter Forty Six: The Forest's Whisper

The room was dimly lit, the soft glow from floating orbs of light giving the space a surreal ambiance. A large wooden table dominated the center, its surface covered with an intricately detailed map of the Elven forest and surrounding areas. Small carved figures representing the elves, monsters, and terrain features were carefully arranged. Ethan leaned over the table, his eyes scanning the map of the forest the guards provided him. Eliza stood beside him, her arms crossed and her expression grim.

“This is where the monsters are,” she said, pointing to a dense patch of forest near the northern edge of the kingdom. “Our scouts have reported strange sounds and movement in this area. We never went further inside to see but we're sure they're there.”

Ethan studied the markings on the map, the faint lines indicating narrow trails weaving through the forest. “How many soldiers do we have stationed near this area?”

“About a dozen,” Eliza replied. “But none have gotten close enough to gather meaningful information.”

Ethan straightened, his expression firm. “We’re not going to fight them, not yet. We need information first. What kind of creatures are we dealing with? What are their weaknesses? And most importantly, why are they here? If we know that, we can plan our next move intelligently.”

Eliza nodded, her silver hair catching the light. “What do you suggest?”

Ethan glanced at the gathered soldiers, a mix of elves in shimmering silver armor and scouts clad in forest-green cloaks. “We infiltrate their camp,” he said. “Quietly. No weapons drawn unless absolutely necessary. We need to understand what we’re up against before we can even think about an attack.”

One of the soldiers, a tall elf with a sharp gaze, stepped forward. “Infiltration is risky. If we’re discovered…”

“We won’t be,” Ethan interrupted, his tone firm. “Not if we plan this right. I have a plan on how we’ll do it.”

Ethan pointed to the map, tracing the safest route toward the monsters’ camp. “We’ll split into three teams. Team One will create a distraction to draw attention away from the main camp. Nothing loud—just enough to lure a few guards away. Use natural sounds, mimic wildlife. Keep it subtle.”

He shifted his focus to another area of the map, closer to the camp. “Team Two will remain on the outskirts, acting as a lookout. Your job is to ensure Team Three has a safe path in and out. If anything looks suspicious, signal us with this.” He held up a small crystal that pulsed faintly with blue light.

Finally, Ethan tapped the center of the camp. “Team Three will enter the camp. That’s us. Eliza and I will lead this group. We’ll move silently, stick to the shadows, and observe. Our goal is to gather as much information as possible without engaging. Look for signs of their numbers, organization, and any weaknesses. Knowing what species of what they are will help us a lot.”

The soldiers nodded, their faces grim but determined.

---

The forest was eerily silent as the three teams moved into position. Ethan’s heartbeat thundered in his ears as he crouched behind a thick tree, Eliza at his side. The cool night air carried a faint, acrid scent that made him uneasy.

Ahead, the faint glow of the monsters’ campfire flickered through the trees. Shadows danced against the trunks, twisted and unnatural.

Team One’s distraction began—a series of rustling noises, birdcalls, and the crack of branches breaking. Ethan watched as several monstrous figures moved away from the campfire, their silhouettes hulking and grotesque.

“Let’s move,” he whispered, signaling to Eliza and the other members of Team Three.

They slipped through the underbrush, their movements silent and deliberate. The camp came into view—a crude arrangement of tents and makeshift barriers, with monstrous creatures gathered around a central fire. Ethan’s breath caught as he got his first clear look at them.

The monsters were a grotesque amalgamation of forms: one had the body of a hulking bear with glowing red eyes and spines jutting from its back, while another resembled a spider, its eight legs tipped with jagged claws. Others were harder to describe, their shapes shifting as though they couldn’t settle on a single form.

Ethan gestured for the group to spread out, each member taking a position around the camp. He and Eliza moved closer to the fire, crouching low as they observed.

“Look at that,” Eliza whispered, pointing to a crude wooden table near the largest tent. On it lay several objects—pieces of broken armor, maps scribbled with symbols, and what appeared to be a glowing orb.

“That’s our target,” Ethan murmured. “We need to see what’s on those maps.”

One of the soldiers crept toward the table, moving with practiced stealth. He reached it without incident and began studying the maps. After a moment, he signaled to Ethan, holding up three fingers.

Three groups. Ethan’s mind raced as he pieced it together. These monsters weren’t just attacking randomly—they were coordinating.

Suddenly, a low growl rumbled from one of the tents. Ethan froze as a creature emerged—a massive wolf-like being with glowing yellow eyes. Its nose twitched as it sniffed the air, and its gaze locked onto their position.

“Back,” Ethan whispered urgently, motioning for the others to retreat. The group moved slowly, every step deliberate.

The wolf prowled closer, its growl growing louder, but before it could sound an alarm, one of the soldiers from Team One let out a sharp whistle in the distance. The wolf’s head snapped toward the sound, and it bolted into the trees.

“Go,” Ethan said, and the group slipped away, their hearts pounding.

---

Once they were a safe distance from the camp, the group regrouped. Ethan held up the map they’d taken, his eyes scanning the symbols.

“These aren’t random attacks,” he said grimly. “They’re planning an assault. Three groups, targeting key areas in the kingdom.”

Eliza frowned. “And the creatures?”

“Shifters,” Ethan said, his voice heavy. “They’re not just monsters—they’re shapeshifters. That’s why no one could get a good look at them. They’re constantly changing.”

Eliza’s face paled. “Shifters… I’ve heard of them. But they haven’t been seen in centuries. Why would they come back now? And how did they get past our boundary?”

Ethan shook his head. “We need to get back to the castle. If they’re planning an attack, we don’t have much time.”

The group began their trek back, their movements swift but cautious. The forest seemed darker now, the air heavier.

---

Unbeknownst to them, a tiny creature, no larger than a cat, slipped from the shadows. Its body was an amorphous mass, shifting between forms as it crept toward Ethan. With a flick of its tail, it leapt into his bag, nestling deep among his supplies.

As they moved farther from the camp, the creature’s glowing red eyes glinted faintly, its form pulsing with ominous energy.