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I move forward.

"Stay close."

We continue deeper. The silence is unnatural. No insects. No birds. No distant sounds from town. Only our footsteps. Except sometimes…

There are four sets.

I stop again. Carys notices.

"What?"

I listen. Nothing. Then⁠—

A branch snaps somewhere to our left. Sayer flinches.

"It's not real."

"What?"

"The sound."

He swallows.

"It's trying to make us look."

Smart. The entity isn't just physical. It's psychological. It's learning. I nod once.

"Good."

Sayer frowns.

"Good?"

"You recognized the trick."

His shoulders straighten slightly.

"I'm getting better."

"You are."

Carys watches him carefully. Pride flashes across her face. Then concern. A mother seeing her child grow stronger while wishing he never had to. I understand that better than I want to.

The temperature drops again. The mist thickens. My wolf pushes forward. Not in panic. Recognition. We're close.

I raise my hand. Everyone stops.

Ahead, between the trees…

The air bends. Not moves. Bends. Like reality itself has become something flexible. The entity begins forming. First the distortion. Then the darkness. Then the shape.

It is larger than before. Stronger. More complete. It has spent the last day gathering itself.

Preparing.

Carys steps slightly forward. I immediately move in front of her.

"No."