The two moons were still shining in the sky, casting their light on the ancient stone where the magical plant was growing. The group held their breath, waiting for the big moment.
Faera, her eyes sparkling with excitement, stepped forward carefully. She ran her fingers over the plant's glowing stem and felt the raw magic pulsing inside it.
"This is it…!" She grinned and grabbed the stem tightly. "Now I just need to—"
Before she could finish her sentence, a sudden wave of energy burst out from the plant! A strong wind whipped through the air, making the moonlight on the stone flicker. Everyone felt something shift… and then, all of a sudden—
"AAAHH!!"
A massive, glowing blue spirit shot out of the plant!
Its hollow, shining eyes stared right at them, and a deep, echoing voice rumbled through the air:
"Ruuuuuuuuun… They are coming… Death awaits you… Ruuuuuuuun…!"
Elise, frozen in fear, suddenly let out a bloodcurdling scream and jumped back. "OH MY GOD! I KNEW something bad was gonna happen!"
Ethan, just as freaked out, yelled, "Why are you standing there?! RUN!!"
Faera, still in shock, clutched the glowing plant tightly—but then a terrifying sound echoed from the nearby lake, making her blood run cold.
"Grrrrrrr…."
The waves of the lake grew wilder, and suddenly, terrifying figures emerged from the water. They were cursed mermaids—skin dark and wrinkled, eyes pitch black and lifeless, mouths filled with long, razor-sharp teeth. Their long, bony claws scraped across the water's surface, making a horrible screeching sound.
"Oh no… Oh no no no no no!! I'm scared of ghosts, but these things are even worse!!" Elise, still in shock, clung to Ethan's arm.
Ethan, his face as pale as a ghost, tried to stay calm. "Don't worry, they're just a bunch of—"
The cursed mermaids let out a deafening shriek, a sound straight from the depths of hell. And then, out of nowhere, one of them launched itself from the water at an insane speed!
"RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!" Faera screamed, her hair standing on end as she bolted.
The others didn't hesitate—they ran as fast as they could, while the cursed mermaids glided unnaturally across the water, chasing them down!
"They're running ON WATER! Does physics not exist in this forest?!" Selena shouted in disbelief.
"Not the time for science class, JUST RUN!" Ethan panted.
Luna risked a glance back and saw one of the mermaids suddenly lunge straight at them!
"WATCH OUT!!" she screamed.
Ethan's heart pounded as he realized—they were running straight toward a cliff!
"Uh, guys?! What now?!" Elise cried, staring in horror at the edge.
The cursed mermaids were getting closer.
"It's time to take off!" Faera yelled excitedly.
Suddenly, she, Selena, and Luna transformed into massive dragons! Their shining scales reflected the moonlight as they spread their wings, ready to fly.
Without hesitation, Ethan and Alice jumped onto Faera's back while Selena and Luna flapped their wings powerfully.
"Let's go!" Faera roared, and with a strong beat of her wings, they all dove off the cliff!
The cursed mermaids screeched in fury, but it was too late.
The group soared through the dark night, weaving between the towering trees, finally escaping those nightmare creatures…
But in a forest where two moons shine in the sky, there's always another danger lurking in the shadows…
Calm Before the Storm? Never!
After flying for a while, the dragons finally reached a dense, dark forest. Still catching her breath from the intense chase, Faera slowly landed, letting Ethan and Alice hop off. Selena and Luna followed, smoothly touching down beside them.
"Oh my God… I think my lungs just rearranged themselves!" Alice collapsed onto the ground, clutching her chest.
"Forget your lungs. The important thing is—those things aren't chasing us anymore." Ethan took a deep breath, scanning the area.
The forest was silent. Too silent. The only sound was their own heavy breathing.
"Well, at least we're rid of those crazy mermaids." Faera sighed and shifted back into her human form. Selena and Luna did the same.
But just then, a sound came from the trees—a soft, whispering noise.
"Did I say this place was safe? Nope, definitely didn't!" Alice's eyes widened as she quickly hid behind Ethan.
Ethan tightened his grip on his sword. "Whatever it is, we need to be ready."
And at that exact moment, something stepped out of the darkness.
No… not something. Someone.
A man in a long, black cloak emerged from between the trees, his face completely hidden in the shadows. His eyes had an eerie glow, and a faint light pulsed from his body.
"You… should not be here." His voice was quiet, yet threatening.
Everyone froze in place.
"Wait, wait! Hold up—who the hell are you?" Ethan stared at the man.
The stranger paused for a moment. Then, his glowing eyes locked directly onto Faera.
"You… seek a potion to make you stronger. But do you know the price?"
Faera frowned. "I don't care what it costs. I'll pay it."
The man smirked. "Then… let me guide you. But promise me—you won't regret it."
The air grew heavy.
Ethan muttered under his breath, "Why is this getting way too creepy!!"
The cloaked man didn't wait for an answer. He raised his hand and traced glowing symbols in the air. Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath them, and the trees around them swayed violently. From the shadows, a stone staircase leading downward appeared.
"Go down this path. Your answers lie below."
Faera stepped forward eagerly, but Ethan grabbed her arm. "Hold on! None of us know what's down there!"
"But this could be it! This could be exactly what I need!" Faera's eyes sparkled as she stared at the staircase.
"Or it could be a death trap!" Alice, still shaken from earlier, clung closer to Ethan. "I swear, if I have to run again, my knees are gonna give out!"
The cloaked man smirked faintly. "It's your choice. But if you hesitate too long, the twin moons will pass, and the plant you seek… will wither away."
That was all Faera needed to hear. Without a second thought, she stepped onto the staircase. "What are you guys waiting for?!"
Ethan let out a deep breath and glanced at Selena and Luna. "So, we all agree this is a terrible idea, right?"
Luna shrugged. "We've survived plenty of bad ideas before. One more won't kill us."
"Oh god, I've officially lost my mind." Ethan groaned and reluctantly followed the others.
The staircase was cold and damp. The air smelled old, and with each step they took, the light around them faded more and more.
"Okay, this officially feels like walking into a mass grave," Alice shivered, moving closer to Selena.
"Shut up. I don't even wanna think about what's lurking in here." Selena's ears twitched as she scanned their surroundings. "But… I don't think we're alone."
At that moment, soft whispers echoed through the tunnel. They were faint at first… but slowly grew louder.
"This is so not good…" Ethan tightened his grip on his sword and glanced at the others. "Faera, you're sure this potion is worth all this trouble?"
"Of course it is! Don't you get it?! With this potion, I'll become the greatest dragon in history! This is my dream, Ethan!"
"This is a nightmare that won't end!" Alice yelped, glancing over her shoulder. "I think something's following us…"
Before anyone could respond, the tunnel walls started to shake. Shapeless shadows emerged from the stone, twisting and curling around them.
"RUN!" Faera screamed, immediately sprinting toward the tunnel's end. The others didn't hesitate to follow, the whispers behind them growing louder and more menacing.
But just as they reached the exit, the passage suddenly sealed shut!
A deep voice rumbled through the darkness:
"All who enter this place… shall never return."