The trio gathered their belongings and prepared to leave the clearing. The weight of their task hung in the air, a mixture of hope and apprehension settling over them.
Suddenly, the tranquil silence of the forest was shattered by a distant howl. Astrid's heart skipped a beat, and she exchanged worried glances with Liam and Nova.
"We need to move," Liam urged, his voice tense. "We can't afford another encounter with that werewolf."
They hurried through the forest, the path barely visible in the fading light. The trees seemed to close in around them, casting long, sinister shadows. Just as they thought they were safe, a figure stepped out from behind a tree, blocking their path.
It was a tall, hooded woman, cloaked in dark, flowing robes. Her face was partially hidden by shadows, but her
