Descent - Mattheo Riddle

Chapter twenty-four

As the day wore on, we moved through the forest with a growing sense of urgency. The path became steeper and more challenging, but we pressed on, driven by the need to stay ahead of our pursuers. The sunlight shifted, the shadows grewing longer as the hours passed. We took fewer breaks, our pace quickening as we grew more accustomed to the demands of our journey.

By nightfall, we were still moving, the forest now shrouded in darkness. The moonlight provided just enough illumination to guide our steps, casting an ethereal glow on the path ahead. We were getting better at this; running faster, taking fewer breaks, and navigating the terrain with increasing confidence.

Early the next morning, we reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest. The air here felt different, charged with an ancient magic that seemed to pulse beneath the surface. The trees were denser, their trunks twisted and gnarled, and the forest floor was carpeted with a thick layer of leaves.

"We're getting close," Mattheo said, his voice a low whisper. "This is where the real challenge begins."

I nodded, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The Forbidden Forest was notorious for its dangers, but it was also a place where we could lose our pursuers and find a way to continue our journey undetected. We made it one time through the forbidden forrest, and I was sure that we'd make it a second time.

As we stood at the threshold of the Forbidden Forest, I couldn't help but feel a sense of determination. The past few days had been a test of our resilience and resourcefulness, and we had come through stronger. Now, whenever we faced a new set of challenges, but I knew we would face them together.

We stepped into the Forbidden Forest once more, but this time it was a different part of its vast, enigmatic expanse. The towering trees loomed above us, their twisted branches forming a thick canopy that blocked out the morning sun, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. The air was cool and damp, carrying the scent of earth and decay. Each step seemed to echo in the stillness, amplifying the oppressive atmosphere that enveloped us.

As we walked for a while, the memories of the dream I'd had earlier resurfaced. The vividness of it had left a lingering unease in my mind. I had dreamt that Mattheo was still working for his father, gaining my trust only to betray me in the end. The feelings of betrayal and fear from the dream intertwined with the dark, foreboding surroundings of the Forbidden Forest, making it difficult to shake off the sense of mistrust that had suddenly gripped me.

I found myself instinctively keeping a distance from Mattheo, the doubt gnawing at me despite the rational part of my mind telling me it was just a dream. He noticed my behavior almost immediately. His sharp eyes were quick to pick up on any change in demeanor, especially mine.

"Lucia," he said, his voice cutting through the silence. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," I replied too quickly, my voice strained. "I'm fine."

He stopped walking and turned to face me, his expression hardening. "Don't lie to me. Something's different. You've been distant ever since we entered the forest."

I shook my head, avoiding his gaze. "It's nothing. Just... the forest. It's oppressive, that's all."

Mattheo's impatience was palpable. He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. "I don't believe you. Tell me what's really going on."

The tension between us was mounting, the silence heavy with unspoken words. I could feel my heart pounding, the weight of the dream pressing down on me. Finally, I couldn't hold it in any longer. "I had a dream," I admitted, my voice sharp. "It felt so real... I dreamt that you were still working for your father, that you were gaining my trust just to betray me."