Through the dense forest, the masked man led the group.
Behind him, the rest followed silently, their feet sinking into the mud.
Beside Oliver walked Lemur, occasionally lifting his head to gaze at the tangled branches above.
Despite the forest's eerie atmosphere, the group's eyes weren't focused on the surroundings as much as they were fixed on the small gray creature.
Even Tell, from within the masked man's coat, couldn't hide her unwelcoming look.
She tilted her head slightly toward him.
"What's that little monster doing with us?"
The masked man replied without turning, as he checked his bag and the weapon at his waist.
"Maybe you should ask your soft-hearted friend over there."
Tell glanced at Oliver with clear annoyance before retreating back inside the coat.
They kept walking, the darkness around them deepening the further they went into the forest.
The deeper they went, the less sunlight managed to pierce through the thick canopy.
