The Forest of Death lived up to its name.
The trees stretched endlessly toward the sky, their twisted branches blocking out most of the sunlight. The air felt heavy, almost suffocating, as if the forest itself was watching every movement.
A strange silence filled the woods.
No birds.
No insects.
Only the sound of footsteps.
Ashley moved through the forest as quickly as she could, but every step became harder.
Her breathing was uneven.
Her body screamed at her to stop.
Yet she kept moving.
Because the person on her back mattered more than her own pain.
Ash's arm hung over her shoulder as she carried him through the dangerous forest. His face was pale, his breathing weak. The injuries from their last battle had taken a heavy toll.
Ashley looked back at him.
"Come on, Ash…"
Her voice was quiet.
"Stay awake."
No answer.
Only the sound of his breathing.
She tightened her grip.
"You better not leave me now."
The forest gave no response.
Then—
A sudden explosion of red flames tore through the trees.
Ashley's eyes widened.
A wall of fire erupted nearby, sending heat rushing toward them.
"!"
The force threw both of them forward.
Ashley hit the ground hard, rolling across the dirt.
Ash slipped from her grasp.
"Ash!"
She immediately pushed herself up, ignoring the pain.
She reached toward him.
But before she could move—
The ground shook.
A terrifying roar echoed through the forest.
The Wraith emerged from the trees.
It was unlike anything they had faced before.
Its massive body towered above them, its twisted form covered in thick vines and roots. Multiple eyes watched their every movement.
It had no blind spots.
It saw everything.
Ashley froze.
The creature lowered itself.
The vines on its body moved.
Then shot forward.
Ashley tried to dodge.
Too slow.
The vines wrapped around her arms and legs, lifting her from the ground.
"Agh!"
The vines tightened.
"Ash!"
Her voice echoed through the forest.
The Wraith pulled her closer, preparing to crush her.
Then—
A small movement.
Ash's fingers twitched.
His eyes opened.
Barely.
But enough.
He saw his sister trapped.
His expression changed.
Fear.
Not for himself.
For her.
The earth beneath him cracked.
"Ashley…"
His voice was weak.
The Wraith tightened its grip.
Ash forced himself up.
His body shook.
Blood ran from his mouth.
But he raised his hand.
The ground responded.
Rock burst upward, striking the vines and weakening their hold.
Ashley dropped slightly.
The Wraith growled.
Ash didn't stop.
The earth beneath his feet exploded.
A pillar of stone launched him forward like a weapon.
He flew through the air.
Straight toward his sister.
"Ash!"
He grabbed her.
The two of them fell.
Ash twisted his body.
Making sure Ashley landed safely.
His back hit the ground.
A painful cough escaped him.
Then blood spilled from his mouth.
Ashley's eyes widened.
"Ash!"
She quickly sat up.
"What were you thinking?!"
Ash tried to answer.
But his breathing was too weak.
A voice suddenly cut through the chaos.
"Hey! Girl!"
Ashley looked around.
She couldn't see anyone.
The voice came again.
"Leave him I will save him."
Ashley's eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?"
No answer.
Only the sound of fighting.
The Wraith roared again.
Ashley looked toward Ash.
Then back toward the monster.
"Why should I trust you?"
The voice sounded frustrated.
"I'm trying to help you!"
Ashley held Ash tighter.
"I'm not leaving him!"
A pause.
Then the stranger responded.
"You're stubborn."
Before Ashley could reply, the earth around them began moving.
Walls of stone rose from the ground.
Vines wrapped around the outside.
A massive dome formed around Ashley and Ash.
She looked around in shock.
"What is this?"
The stranger's voice came from outside.
"Stay in there until I give the signal!"
The Wraith slammed into the dome.
The entire structure shook.
Ashley placed a hand against the wall.
"Ash…"
Her brother barely opened his eyes.
"...Ashley?"
"I'm here."
Outside, the battle continued.
The Wraith attacked again and again.
Its vines shot through the air like spears.
The mysterious fighter moved between them.
Fast.
Precise.
Every strike barely missed him.
He jumped over one vine.
Another came from behind.
He turned instantly.
Flames exploded from his hand.
The fire struck the Wraith's eyes.
Five of them disappeared in a single attack.
The creature screamed.
The stranger landed on the ground.
Breathing heavily.
"You're strong…"
He looked at the Wraith.
"But I'm ending this."
The flames around his body changed.
The red fire became something different.
A deeper color.
A stronger flame.
The forest lit up.
The Wraith charged.
The stranger moved.
One strike.
That was all.
The flames consumed the creature.
Its massive body disappeared into the fire.
The forest went silent.
The dome cracked.
Ashley stepped out carefully.
Ash was still on her back.
She searched for the person who saved them.
Then she found him.
A boy stood in the middle of the destroyed battlefield.
His breathing was heavy.
His clothes were damaged.
He didn't notice the blood running down his arm.
A vine had pierced him during the fight.
Ashley approached slowly.
"Hey…"
The boy looked over.
A tired smile appeared.
"My name is Connor Malvarine."
He looked at them.
"Nice to meet you."
Then his body gave out.
He collapsed.
---
Ashley didn't waste time.
She carried both Connor and Ash away from the battlefield.
She found a safer area and quickly built a small shelter.
Using herbs, cloth, and whatever resources she could find, she treated their injuries.
Night passed.
Then morning arrived.
The sunlight slowly reached the shelter.
Ashley sat outside, holding a weapon she had crafted from what she found in the forest.
She had stayed awake all night.
Protecting them.
Watching.
Waiting.
But exhaustion eventually won.
Her eyes closed.
---
"Hey."
A voice woke her.
Ashley opened her eyes.
Connor sat nearby.
Alive.
Awake.
She immediately looked relieved.
"Oh."
She rubbed her eyes.
"You're alive."
Connor smiled slightly.
"Yeah. Sorry for waking you."
Ashley shook her head.
"Thanks for helping us yesterday."
Connor looked away.
"It was nothing."
A small silence followed.
Then Connor asked:
"I never got your name."
Ashley blinked.
"Oh. Right."
She smiled slightly.
"I'm Ashley."
Connor nodded.
"Ashley."
He looked toward the shelter.
"Is your brother going to be okay?"
Ashley glanced at Ash.
"He's strong. He just needs rest."
Connor smiled.
Then tilted his head.
"Wait… how did you know he is my brother?"
Ashley looked confused.
Connor shrugged.
"It's hard not to notice."
A small smile appeared.
"Twins?"
Ashley looked away slightly.
"Yeah."
Connor noticed something.
Her eyes.
One was brown.
The other blue.
He smiled.
"You have really beautiful eyes."
Ashley froze.
A faint blush appeared.
"Really?"
Connor nodded.
"Yeah."
"Thank you."
Before Connor could respond—
A voice came from the shelter.
"...Sis?"
Ash opened his eyes.
His expression immediately changed when he saw Connor.
"Who is this?"
Ashley sighed.
"Oh, Ash…"
She looked between them.
"Looks like you're awake."
END OF CHAPTER