CHAPTER4
815 Words
Lisa could not stop running. Her lungs were burnt, and her legs felt as if they would get out, but the shining footpath under her feet pushed her forward. The shadow was tireless, his rightful form was closing from every angle, his appearance was suffocating. He tightly grabbed the pieces of parchment, his fingers were trembling because he tried to make an understanding of the esoteric symbols scattered on his surface. Had to get out of this nightmare - if only she was too late, she could cut the map together. His twisted and distorted around him, his tree unnaturally bending, their skeletal branches weave in a knee canopy. The wind cools down, which makes Lisa's spine to be cold. He shook his head, tried to block the voices. She can no longer focus - not now. The flashing trails inspired him to take another clearing, which had already faced. It stood at its center, a huge stone obbilisk stood, its surface was engraved with complex symbols similar to the parchment. Obilisk pulsed unconscious, putting its light long shade into clearing. Lisa hesitated on the shore, her tendency warned her that it was another trap. The shadow moved forward, forcing him to step into clearing. He turned to face them, his fear changed with anger. "What do you want from me?" He shouted, his voice was breaking the oppressive silence. Shadow did not respond. Instead, they surrounded her, rotated their forms and wrote like smoke caught in a vortex. Lisa felt that the wind was getting heavy, pressing her chest. Her breath came in ripping, as she stumbled towards Obilisk, desperate to find a reply.As she used to contact, the obbilis was brightly erupted, shifting her symbols and regaining herself. The pieces of parchment in his hands were pulsed in response, his light merged with Obilisk. Lisa saw in fear that the symbols were formed in a harmonious pattern, which reveals the final piece of the map. The realization hit him like a thunderclap: the map was not a guide to escape - it was a ritual. Lisa's heart drowned as she studied symbols. The ritual required a sacrifice, the price paid to eliminate its connection from the forest. She did not know what that price was, but she knew that it would not be something that she could easily accept. The shadow around him felt his hesitation, his movements were growing more uncertain. Obilisk started vibrating, its light rapid. Lisa felt that the ground trembled under her feet, and realized that the ritual had already started. She retreated, nervousness was increasing through her. She did not want to be a part of it - she did not want to get trapped at any time in this twisted world. But the forest was not going to give him an option. Suddenly, he heard a voice- a familiar voice that bites through chaos like a blade. "Lisa!" He turned, his heart was jumping because he saw the figure of the man he had faced earlier, his glowing form was emerging from the shadow. As soon as he moved towards him, his hollow eyes were filled with urgency. "You have to finish the ritual," he said, his voice is stressful. "This is the only way to escape." Lisa shook her head, tears flowing on her face. "I don't even know what the ritual is! I don't know what it wants from me!"The man's expression became harsh. "The forest blooms over fear. It wants to break you. You have to be stronger than this." Lisa felt her resolve, but forced himself to remain calm. "What is the price? What does the ritual take?" The man hesitated, his gaze fell to the ground. "It matters the most." Lisa's breath stopped. His mind tried to understand his words. What does it matter to him the most? His freedom? her life? She could not pay attention to it - she had to work before consuming it completely. She moved forward, trembling her hands as she pressed the pieces of parchment against the obelisk. The symbols erupted brightly, their light to fill clearing and retreat the shadow. Lisa felt that the ground trembles under her feet, and energy has increased through her body. He shouted as the force threatened to separate him, but he refused to leave. The symbols rearranged themselves one last, created a word - a single word that was burnt in Lisa's mind: *"Choose." , The voice echoed in his head, both his voices obedient and mourned. Lisa looked at Obilisk, she had breathing hurdles because she realized what he was asking. He had to make an option - an option that would define his fate. Shadow began to shut down once again, their movements frantic. The man's voice echoed in his mind: * "You have to be stronger than this." He closed his eyes and whispered the word.
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