The gray sky loomed overhead, heavy with the threat of rain, and the chill in the air felt like a constant reminder that we were not meant to be here. The oppressive silence of the forest pressed in on us as we made our way through the dense underbrush, the forest around us still and foreboding. Every branch and rustle of leaves sent a chill down my spine, and the thought of the riddle kept gnawing at the back of my mind.
“Be careful of the darkness, mind your teeth, and know that each step will become increasingly difficult forever.”
The words, mysterious and cryptic, seemed to echo through the trees, a constant reminder of the danger we were in. I glanced sideways at Elara, who was trailing behind me. Her steps were slow, her shoulders slumped in exhaustion, but she kept going, one foo
