Needing Help

Garnetta and Raphael ran through the woods, their breath coming in short, ragged gasps as they pushed their way through the thick undergrowth. The trees seemed to close in around them, their twisted branches reaching out like claws, trying to hold them back. The ground beneath their feet was uneven, the roots and rocks making every step treacherous, but they didn't dare slow down. They could still feel the tremors beneath them, the earth itself shaking as if something was trying to break free from deep within.

The light from the glowing symbol cast long, twisted shadows across the forest floor, distorting everything it touched. Garnetta's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with fear and confusion. She didn't know what they were running from, but she knew that they had to get away, had to put as much distance between themselves and whatever was coming as possible.

"Raphael!" she called out, her voice barely audible over the sound of their frantic footsteps. "What's happening? What's causing this?"

Raphael glanced back at her, his expression grim. "I don't know, ma chérie," he said, his voice tight with fear. "But we can't stop now. We have to keep moving!"

They continued to run, their lungs burning with the effort, their legs growing heavier with each step. The forest around them seemed to shift and warp, the trees bending and twisting in ways that defied logic. Garnetta could feel the presence of something watching them, something ancient and malevolent, lurking just beyond the edge of her vision.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they burst through the edge of the forest and into a clearing. The sudden change in scenery was disorienting, the bright sunlight blinding after the darkness of the woods. They stumbled to a stop, both of them gasping for breath as they looked around, trying to get their bearings.

The clearing was eerily silent, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and decay. In the center of the clearing stood a massive stone structure, partially hidden by overgrown vines and moss. It looked ancient, older than anything Garnetta had ever seen, its surface covered in strange symbols and carvings that sent a shiver down her spine.

Raphael approached the structure cautiously, his gaze fixed on the symbols that adorned its surface. "This... this is old," he muttered, more to himself than to Garnetta. "Older than the fort, older than the town. It's been here for a long time, hidden away from the world."

Garnetta followed him, her eyes wide as she took in the sight before her. The structure was unlike anything she had ever seen, its stone surface smooth and cold to the touch. The symbols carved into the stone seemed to pulse with an eerie light, the same glow that had surrounded the tree in the woods.

"What is this place?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of awe and fear.

Raphael shook his head, his expression troubled. "I don't know," he admitted. "But it's powerful. I can feel it, ma chérie. Whatever is buried here, it's not something that should be disturbed."

Garnetta felt a chill run down her spine at his words. The sense of being watched was stronger than ever, the air around them heavy with a palpable tension. She could feel the presence of something ancient and malevolent, lurking just beneath the surface of the stone structure, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"We need to leave," Raphael said suddenly, his voice urgent. "This place... it's dangerous. We need to get back to the fort and figure out what to do."

But even as he spoke, the ground beneath them began to tremble once again, the stone structure vibrating with a low, ominous hum. Garnetta stumbled, her heart racing as she tried to keep her balance. The symbols on the stone began to glow brighter, their light growing more intense until it was almost blinding.

"Raphael, what's happening?" Garnetta cried out, her voice filled with panic.

Before Raphael could answer, the stone structure began to crack, deep fissures spreading across its surface. The ground shook violently, the trees around them swaying wildly as the earth itself seemed to groan in protest. Garnetta could feel the air around her growing colder, the temperature dropping rapidly as the light from the symbols grew brighter.

"We have to go, ma chérie," Raphael shouted, grabbing her arm and pulling her away from the structure. "Now!"

They turned and ran, the ground shaking beneath their feet, the sound of cracking stone echoing in their ears. Garnetta's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with fear and confusion. She could feel the presence of something dark and ancient, something that had been buried for centuries, now waking up and reaching out for them.

As they fled the clearing, the stone structure behind them shattered, pieces of it flying through the air as the ground beneath it gave way. Garnetta glanced back over her shoulder, her breath catching in her throat as she saw a dark, swirling mist rising from the shattered remains of the structure. It twisted and writhed like a living thing, its tendrils reaching out in all directions, searching for something—or someone—to consume.

"Don't look back, Garnetta!" Raphael shouted, his voice filled with urgency. "Just keep running!"

Garnetta tore her gaze away from the mist and focused on the path ahead, her legs burning with the effort as they raced through the forest. The sound of the cracking earth and the howling wind filled her ears, drowning out everything else. She could feel the mist getting closer, its cold, suffocating presence pressing in on her from all sides.

Finally, after what felt like hours, they burst through the edge of the forest and into the open fields beyond. The bright sunlight was a stark contrast to the darkness of the woods, blinding them as they stumbled to a stop, gasping for breath. Garnetta collapsed to the ground, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath.

Raphael knelt beside her, his face pale and drawn. "Are you all right, ma chérie?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Garnetta nodded weakly, though she wasn't sure she was. Her heart was still racing, her mind spinning with the horror of what they had just experienced. She could still feel the cold, suffocating presence of the mist, even though they had left it far behind.

"What was that?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Raphael shook his head, his expression grim. "I don't know," he said quietly. "But whatever it is, it's not something we can face on our own."

Garnetta looked up at him, her eyes wide with fear. "What do we do?"

Raphael hesitated, his gaze distant as he considered their options. "We need help," he said finally. "We need to find someone who knows more about this—someone who can help us stop it before it's too late."

Garnetta nodded, though the thought of facing whatever was in those woods again filled her with dread. But she knew Raphael was right—they couldn't do this alone. They needed help, and they needed it fast.

As they sat there, catching their breath, the wind picked up, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and decay. Garnetta shivered, pulling her coat tighter around her as she glanced back at the forest. The trees swayed in the wind, their branches rustling like whispers in the distance.

"We need to move," Raphael said, his voice cutting through the silence. "We're not safe here."

Garnetta nodded, and together they stood, their legs still shaky from the run. They set off toward the town, their minds racing with fear and uncertainty. The forest loomed behind them, dark and foreboding, a constant reminder of the ancient evil they had unleashed.

As they walked, Garnetta couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that the mist was still out there, waiting for the right moment to strike. She glanced over her shoulder, but there was nothing—just the swaying trees and the distant sound of the wind.

But the sense of dread remained, a cold, suffocating presence that pressed down on her like a weight. She knew, deep down, that whatever they were facing, it was far from over.

And as they continued on their way, the sun dipping lower in the sky, Garnetta couldn't help but wonder if they would ever truly be safe again.