Story 274: Shadows of the Blackwood

The morning fog lifted as Damien and Mira ventured deeper into the Blackwood Caverns. The twisted trees and damp air suffused the forest with an almost unnatural silence. Each step forward echoed, bouncing off walls that seemed to close in with every breath. They knew the relic was close—its pull felt like an invisible thread guiding them through the maze.

“Damien, wait!” Mira hissed, holding up a hand.

Ahead, a faint glow shimmered through the gloom. Shapes moved in the shadows—loyal undead guardians, bound by the Zombie King’s curse. These weren’t the mindless zombies he’d fought before; they moved with intention, their milky, soulless eyes scanning the area like those of trained sentries.

“Looks like he left his best soldiers to keep this place locked,” Damien murmured, gripping his weapon.