Worlds Beneath the Shadows

Chapter Two: Welcome to Wyaninious

Trembling, Valenus took refuge behind a sturdy tree, his heart pounding in his chest. He cautiously peered around the trunk, desperate to identify the source of the roar. Through the thick foliage, he glimpsed movement—a dark shape emerging into the open space. His eyes widened in shock at seeing an enormous wolf-like creature, its body long and sleek, cloaked in pitch-black fur, and its eyes a piercing blue. The beast lifted its massive head, its nostrils flaring as it sniffed the air, ears twitching alertly.

As the wolf turned its gaze in Valenus's direction, Valenus quickly retreated behind the tree, his body quaking.

The wolf's gaze lingered, its ears flattening against its head, sensing something amiss.

The wolf barked sharply, locking its eyes in Valenus's direction.

Frozen with fear, Valenus couldn't move or think.

Another roar, distant yet mighty, rang out, causing the wolf to snarl and then dart off into the depths of the forest.

Valenus stood motionless, his gaze fixed northward. He knew he needed to find shelter or assistance soon, the thought of reencountering the wolf weighing heavily on his mind.

The urgency of his situation pressed upon him, urging him to proceed despite the dangers that lurked in the shadowy forest.

Relieved to spot a lake ahead, Valenus hurried towards it, his thirst overwhelming him. As he bent down to drink, he was startled to see tiny spiders emerging from the water, crawling over him.

Valenus frantically shook them off, but his gaze returned to the water, filled with despair.

Despite the unsettling encounter, his parched throat and weakening body compelled him to drink. He had no choice; dehydration was a more immediate threat than the spiders.

Once his thirst was quenched, Valenus sat down on the vibrant green grass, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He spotted a few apples near a tree. Hungry, he ate them eagerly and noticed another note written in the same hand as the first. It read:

"I don't know if you're from Wyaninious or another world, but food is scarce here. That's why many predators are hiding, waiting for an easy target—my advice: eat some of the food you find but not all, and keep heading north. You'll eventually find a place where people gather for safety, away from the predators. It's best to get there quickly, as predators always search.

Safe travels,

Val."

Valenus carefully tucked the note into his pocket, pondering the mysterious Val.

How did this person seem to know so much more than what was revealed in the first letter? It had only taken him a few hours to reach this point from the cave.

He shook his head, dismissing the swirling questions, and followed the advice in the note.

Placing one apple into his pocket, he continued northward, sticking to the shelter of the shadows.

As Valenus walked, he noticed crows circling overhead, their eyes fixed on him, their calls echoing ominously.

Valenus' hands grew clammy with nervousness, but he pressed on, even as the crows' unblinking stares followed him.

Suddenly, Valenus collided with something hard and massive.

At first, it seemed like a tree hidden in the shadows, but then it moved.

Two glowing white eyes pierced through the darkness and smoke, locking onto Valenus.

Before he could react, Valenus felt a powerful force strike his head, sending him tumbling into unconsciousness.

Valenus's limp body fell to the ground, and the shadowy figure grasped Valenus's leg and dragged him deeper into the dark forest.

Notes from the Author:

Thank you for reading this chapter, and I hope you are enjoying the story so far.

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