The rain had stopped, but the sky above Shadowroot Forest was still dark and heavy with clouds.
Arian, Elder Arkon, and the mysterious warrior Draven Blackthorn walked quickly along a narrow forest path. Behind them, their village Riverfall was disappearing into the distance.
Arian felt both nervous and excited. Just one day ago, his life had been simple. Now he was being chased by dark hunters and traveling with a wizard and a warrior.
"This forest feels strange," Arian said quietly.
Draven looked around carefully.
"It should," he replied. "Shadowroot Forest is filled with old magic. Many creatures live here that most people have never seen."
Elder Arkon held his staff tightly.
"Stay close," the wizard warned. "This forest hides many dangers."
They continued walking deeper into the forest.
Tall black trees blocked most of the sunlight. The air was cold and silent.
Suddenly, they heard footsteps ahead.
Draven quickly drew his sword.
"Who's there?" he called.
From behind a large tree stepped a young girl wearing a dark blue cloak. Her silver hair shined softly in the dim light.
She held a glowing crystal in her hand.
"Relax," she said calmly. "If I wanted to attack you, I would have done it already."
Arkon looked surprised.
"Lyra Moonshadow?" he said.
The girl smiled slightly.
"You still recognize me, Elder Arkon."
Arian looked confused.
"You know each other?"
Arkon nodded.
"Lyra is one of the most talented young sorceresses in Eldoria."
Lyra looked at Arian.
"And you must be the boy who found the map."
Arian blinked.
"How do you know about that?"
Lyra lifted the glowing crystal.
"This crystal reacts to ancient magic. When the map awakened, I felt it too."
Draven crossed his arms.
"So you came looking for it."
Lyra nodded.
"And I came to help."
She looked at Arian seriously.
"Malvyr will stop at nothing to get that map."
"If you want to survive this journey, you'll need someone who understands magic."
Arkon smiled.
"Then it seems our group has grown."
Arian looked around at his new companions.
A wizard, a warrior, and a sorceress.
His adventure was becoming bigger than he had ever imagined.