Thud!
A shadowy figure dropped down from the sky, landing deep within the heart of the forest.
Trees and plants were smouldering crisps, the animals gone silent. The air carried a heavy stench—a mixture of ash and fresh blood—that drifted slowly with the breeze.
The figure stepped forward, its form cloaked in an old, tattered robe that fluttered slightly with its movements. The fabric, aged and worn, concealed every part of its body. No skin, no features—nothing could be seen beyond the shadow of the hood and the folds of the cloak.
"Tsk... don't tell me I arrived late?"
A low, womanly voice flowed out from beneath the cloak—seductive and confident, yet tinged with irritation. She scanned the area with sharp eyes hidden in the shadows, clearly searching for someone... someone she had come here to protect.
And then she saw him.
