Alex, Kira, Vile, Ethan, Liam, Lyra, and Kaelor finally stood before the Shadow Syndicate's base.
The structure loomed out of the fog like a scar in the land long, jagged, and built from dark stone that seemed to swallow the torchlight. Iron spikes lined the roof, and the air around it felt unnaturally still, as if the forest itself refused to breathe near the place.
"This is it," Alex said, tightening his grip on his sword. "Stay sharp."
Kaelor cracked his neck, forcing a grin. "Great. Creepy fortress, evil fog, definitely a trap. My favorite."
"Quiet," Kira said, though there was tension in her voice. "Let's not split up."
They pushed open the heavy iron doors and stepped inside.
The corridors were narrow, lit only by flickering torches. Every step echoed too loudly. The air was cold, damp, and wrong.
Vile's eyes narrowed. "Something's off. Where are the guards?"
That was when the floor gave way.
Panels snapped open beneath their feet, and before anyone could react, the entire group dropped into darkness.
They hit stone hard.
Groans echoed through the chamber as they struggled to sit up but before they could recover, shadows poured in from every direction.
The Shadow Syndicate.
Figures emerged from the darkness, surrounding them. Their leader stepped forward, hood shadowing his face.
"Welcome," he said calmly. "We've been expecting you."
"It was a trap…" Lyra whispered.
Shadows moved like living chains, wrapping around their arms and legs. The harder they struggled, the tighter they became, draining their strength.
Kaelor growled. "Yeah, okay definitely a trap."
They were dragged through the corridors and thrown into a cold, damp cell. The metal door slammed shut with finality.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then—
"…Alex?"
Alex turned sharply.
"Mya?" He rushed toward the corner of the cell, where she sat, shaken but unharmed.
"You came," she said softly. "But now you're stuck too."
"We'll get out," Alex said, though his jaw tightened.
Before anyone could respond, the air shifted.
The cell door creaked open.
A figure stood there.
Cloaked. Silent. Unfamiliar.
Vines slid across the stone floor, winding around the shadow chains not crushing them, but gently unraveling them, like roots reclaiming cracked earth. Leaves formed where there should have been nothing, glowing faintly with imagined light.
The chains fell away.
"What the " Ethan stared. "Since when does prison decor come with plants?"
The figure gestured urgently. "Move. Now."
They didn't argue.
She guided them through hidden paths, roots pulling walls aside, branches forming cover as Syndicate members shouted in confusion behind them. Every movement was precise, creative like the forest itself was responding to her thoughts.
At the exit, Ben appeared, blocking their path, surrounded by soldiers.
"Running already?" he sneered.
The figure stepped forward without hesitation.
"I'll hold him," she said. "Go."
Alex hesitated. "Who are you"
"No time."
Mya touched Alex's arm. "Go."
They ran.
Behind them, vines erupted from stone, roots cracking the floor as the battle ignited but they didn't look back.
They burst into the forest, lungs burning, hearts racing.
Only once they were far enough did they stop.
The forest was quiet again.
Then the figure stepped out from between the trees.
No hood this time.
The group tensed immediately.
"Okay," Kaelor said slowly, pointing. "Friendly mystery forest ninja explain."
Before she could speak, Mya stepped forward.
"This is Rose," she said. "She saved me before… and she came back for us."
Rose inclined her head gently. "I'm here to help you on your journey."
Silence followed.
Alex studied her carefully. "Then we'll talk later. For now we move."
They continued through the forest until lantern lights appeared ahead.
A small town.
As they entered, villagers whispered nervously. Two men near a well spoke in hushed tones.
"…Wolfgang…" "…near the ridge…"
Kira froze.
Her face drained of color.
They didn't stay.
As they left the town behind, the night seemed heavier, the path ahead uncertain—but now, they weren't alone.
Somewhere behind them, the Shadow Syndicate regrouped.
And somewhere ahead, far greater dangers waited.
But for the first time in a while, hope walked beside them quiet, unseen, and growing like roots beneath the soil.