Lost in Circles

As Lucius, Bran, and Tala ventured deeper into the engkanto forest, the air thickened with an almost tangible magic, whispers of unseen presences rustling the leaves around them. The forest seemed alive, breathing and watching, its ancient guardians wary of the intruders who tread upon sacred ground.

In an attempt to navigate the labyrinthine paths that seemed to twist and turn upon themselves, Lucius began to cut small notches into the branches and mark the trees with his knife. Each slice was meant as a breadcrumb, a way to ensure that their path forward would not become a loop leading them back to where they began.