Night had already fallen. All four stood clad in battle gear, swords strapped at their sides, extra weapons carefully chosen for the dangers ahead.
Naya carried a bow with a quiver full of arrows.
Lirvana had her heavy axe strapped across her back.
Serena, though trembling, had daggers fastened against her thighs.
The Forbidden Forest loomed before them, a wall of dark mist curling and shifting ,moving slowly just against the entrance but it seemed a shield stopped it from breaking free and pouring into the kingdom.
Serena’s stomach twisted. She stepped back instinctively, her eyes darting to the shadows inside.
They paused.
Lirvana’s blue eyes burned with determination.
Naya, noticing Serena’s fear, reached for her hand and squeezed gently.
“Please… can’t I just stay out here and
