Undiscovered: The Forest of Devouring

At dusk, Mortis set out, driven by an insatiable desire for challenge and adventure. Memories of the passionate night with his wives slowly blurred as he left the familiar surroundings of the castle behind and plunged into the wilds of the forest.

The trees stretched high above him as the smell of moss and earth permeated his senses. The path beneath his feet was shrouded in impenetrable darkness, but Mortis' stride was sure and determined. His scythe was firmly in his hand, ready for any challenge that might await him.

In the forest, Mortis found the peace he needed to gather himself. The silence was broken only by the occasional calls of night birds. The King of Venice felt the presence of nature around him, the living pulsation of the forest that gave him a sense of connection.

The stars shone through the dense canopy, and the silvery moon seemed to kiss his face as he advanced deeper into the forest. His senses were heightened, and his instincts guided him as if he were one with the nature around him.

Suddenly, he heard a soft crackling behind him, followed by a quick rustling in the undergrowth. Mortis stopped and listened. His heart began to beat faster as he prepared himself for a possible threat. With a smooth grip, he swung his scythe around, ready to defend himself.

A low growl reached his ear, followed by red eyes that lit up in the darkness of the night. The danger was real, and Mortis knew he had to prove himself now. With a powerful swipe of his scythe, he bravely met the challenge, ready to face the unknown threat in the forest.

The morning was filled with battles and challenges that tested Mortis' abilities. But he felt an unexpected vitality, an adrenaline rush that captivated him. Hours passed like moments as Mortis found himself embroiled in a true struggle for survival that challenged not only his body, but his mind as well.

Mortis faced some fierce magical beasts, but he did not kill them. The battle he won and the sharpening of his instincts were reward enough. He did not look at the map or at the sun. He just kept walking, hoping that the wind would take him where he needed to go. Places that were new and unknown, that would demand everything of him. After a few kilometers, he reached a stream. A whistling sound reached his ears - it was the wind whistling through stones and holes. Curious and hopeful, Mortis followed the sound and the element he was connected to did not disappoint him. The stream seemed to spring from a small cave, and within that cave was a portal.

As Mortis approached the portal and crawled into the small cave, his system reported. 'This is a dungeon, it seems. It is close to breaking out, probably never discovered until now. You should clear it and report it, or seize the core and thus destroy the dungeon before monsters attack the forest and the surrounding area, whatever is behind the portal.'

Mortis almost laughed if the wind had taken a shape. He would have kissed the wind with gratitude. With firm steps and his scythe in hand, Mortis entered the portal and stepped inside.

Mortis found himself in a forest that looked threatening and devastated. The trees were entwined with dark vines whose leaves seemed black or red like blood. The forest looked like it was smothering everything and feasting on the blood of its victims. As Mortis carefully fought his way through the impenetrable thicket, he heard soft moans and whispers in the darkness.

Then he spotted a man, barely conscious, pressed against a tree by giant vines. The thorns dug deep into his flesh, and his face reflected desperate pain. Mortis wanted to help him, but the man, speaking with the last of his strength, begged him to run away. "Run away," he stammered with a frightening determination, "the forest will take us all. There is no escape now."

The man's words echoed in Mortis' ears as he felt the desperate tone in his voice. It was as if the forest itself had come alive, an ancient creature that devoured any intruder with sinister glee. Mortis' resolve was fueled, and he knew he would have to face not only the creatures of the forest, but also the darkness that dominated this dungeon.

With every move he made, he felt the presence of something ancient and evil lurking in the shadows. The air was filled with a musty smell as the ground gave way beneath his boots. He felt the tension in the air, as if the forest itself was reacting to his presence.

Mortis sighed and reached out for his scythe. It was time to rise to the challenge and unravel the mystery of this cursed forest. Fighting the dark creatures and discovering the dark history behind this dungeon would test Mortis' courage and determination. The forest may be dark, but Mortis was determined to be the light in the midst of the darkness and avenge the man who had sacrificed his life in a desperate attempt to warn Mortis.