Ch 53: What's going on!!

The late afternoon sun was casting long shadows across the forest floor, painting everything in hues of amber and gold as Gray neared the camp. He was already feeling lighter after his training, a sense of accomplishment settling into his bones. That sense of ease, however, was shattered in an instant when a piercing scream rang through the trees.

"AHHHHHH!"

Gray's heart skipped a beat. "Vanisa?" He froze for a split second, recognizing her voice instantly, but then another sound followed—the deep, menacing growl of something vicious, something hungry.

Without thinking, Gray bolted into a full sprint, weaving through the trees. "Damn it! I hope I'm not too late!" His feet pounded against the forest floor, dodging tree trunks and leaping over fallen logs as adrenaline surged through his veins. Every second felt like an eternity, the growls and screams growing louder, urging him to push himself harder, faster.