Morning mist clung to the trees like spiderwebs as Ethan shouldered the Goblin Pro, its surprisingly professional lens a stark contrast to its toy-like exterior. The battery indicator read 90%—plenty of juice for today's journey, thanks to the portable solar charger he'd been using each night. After recharging the camera under the wilderness sun, the solar panel had proven invaluable in this remote area where power outlets were nonexistent.
"Ready?" Seraphine asked, adjusting the strap of her backpack. Her threshold-mark pulsed with a faint violet light, barely visible in the daylight.
Ethan powered on the stream, the red light blinking steadily. "As ready as I'll ever be. Today's adventure: crossing the valley. Should be a nice, peaceful walk through the woods."
[Chat]
ValleyBound: be careful out there
CamSurvivor: will Nyx protect them??
GoblinFan99: watch for the river crossing
NyxSavior: the cat is on duty
Nyx, who had been inspecting a particularly interesting leaf, looked up and gave a dignified nod. Then he padded ahead, tail held high like a furry antenna.
"See?" Ethan said. "Nyx approves."
---
The valley opened before them like a green cathedral, sunlight filtering through the canopy in golden shafts. The forest floor was carpeted with moss and fallen leaves, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp earth.
Ethan panned the Goblin Pro across the landscape, its special lens revealing faint energy trails that hadn't been visible to the naked eye. "Whoa," he breathed. "Look at this."
Seraphine leaned closer to examine the camera's display. "The Algorithm's Shadow's trail is stronger here. Whatever's chasing us... it's been through this valley."
[Chat]
TrailSeeker: what is that??
CamSurvivor: is that the Algorithm's Shadow??
TechWitch: the Goblin Pro reveals supernatural energy
Ethan adjusted the lens, following the energy trail as it wound through the trees. "It's like a supernatural breadcrumb trail."
Seraphine's threshold-mark began to glow more intensely. "And we're following it right into whatever left these."
She pointed to a massive serpentine trail pressed into the soft earth—the S-shaped impression was wider than Ethan was tall, with vegetation crushed in its wake. The trail stretched impossibly far, as if whatever made it had traveled fifty feet in a single movement.
[Chat]
TrailFear: WHAT MADE THAT??
CamSurvivor: that's not normal
GoblinFan99: goblin traders avoid this valley
Ethan knelt beside the trail, the Goblin Pro revealing faint energy signatures around it. "This isn't just some big animal. Look at the energy pattern—it's partially supernatural."
Seraphine nodded grimly. "A guardian creature. One that protects the valley."
"Protects it from what?" Ethan asked, though he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.
"From intruders," Seraphine said, her voice low. "Like us."
Nyx suddenly hissed and backed away from the direction of the trail, his fur standing on end. The cat didn't speak—none of them expected him to—but his presence was a quiet comfort. He arched his back and let out a low growl that seemed to vibrate at a frequency that made the air around them shimmer.
[Chat]
NyxSavior: the cat senses something
CamSurvivor: please don't let them get caught
ShadowSeeker: is that static behind them??
Seraphine's eyes widened. "We need to move. Now."
Ethan powered down the stream as the battery hit 88%. "Ten minutes today," he muttered to himself, tucking the camera away. "Can't afford to drain the battery when we're running for our lives."
---
They moved quickly but quietly through the valley, Nyx leading the way with unusual urgency. Ethan kept glancing over his shoulder, half-expecting to see something massive and terrifying crashing through the trees behind them.
After about an hour of walking, they reached a clearing where the valley opened up, revealing a river cutting through the center. On the other side, the forest continued, leading toward the distant mountains.
"Almost there," Seraphine said, checking her map. "The trail continues on the other side."
Ethan powered on the stream again—battery at 85%. "Alright, chat. We've reached the river crossing. Should be smooth sailing from here."
[Chat]
RiverCrossing: be careful
CamSurvivor: why do I feel like this is a trap
GoblinFan99: watch the water
As if on cue, the ground began to tremble. The river's surface rippled unnaturally, and the trees around the clearing shook as if caught in a sudden storm.
"What the hell?" Ethan whispered, raising the camera.
From the river emerged a creature that made his blood run cold—a giant anaconda, its scales glistening with supernatural energy visible through the Goblin Pro's lens. The serpent's eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and its body was easily as thick as a tree trunk.
[Chat]
AnacondaAlert: HOLY SHIT
CamSurvivor: THAT'S NOT NATURAL
TechWitch: it's partially supernatural