Gabby crouched low behind a thick tree; his back pressed against the cold bark. The forest was dark and quiet—but not peaceful. Every sound—every snap of a twig or rustle of leaves
He wasn't scared of goblins. They were usually weak—loud, clumsy, and easy to kill. But Darius? Darius was different. Just thinking about him made Gabby's chest tighten. His hands trembled. His breathing was fast and shallow.
Then he heard it.
"HISS", A slithering sound, like something dragging across dry leaves.
The Blood Serpent.
He thought to himself, "It was close. Too close."
Gabby's eyes darted between the trees. He couldn't see it, but he could feel it. The air had changed—colder now, thick like fog pressing against his skin. Every sound was sharper. Every shadow looked like it might move.
His breath caught in his throat.
He crouched lower, trying to see through the darkness, but it was useless. The forest was pitch black, the cresent moon hidden behind thick clouds.
