A cold wind swept through the forest as the group finally moved deeper into unfamiliar terrain.
It wasn't just cold.
It was biting.
Like something sharp was cutting through their skin with every gust.
Johann wrapped his arms around himself slightly, trembling as he walked.
His injured leg made every step worse.
„Johann: S-s-shit… it's so c-cold here…"
His voice was shaky, teeth lightly clattering.
Even the others weren't unaffected.
Anna kept her arms close to her chest, trying to preserve warmth.
Heinrich exhaled into his hands.
Noah stayed focused, but even he couldn't ignore the temperature drop.
„Johann: W-when are we g-getting there?"
Noah pulled out the worn map from his book.
His eyes scanned it carefully.
„Noah: We should arrive in a few minutes."
His tone was calm—but slightly tense.
The forest around them grew denser.
The trees thicker.
The air heavier.
Unknown to them—
something was watching.
Four hell beetles stood silently between the trees.
Low to the ground.
Hidden in shadows.
Their glowing eyes followed every movement of the group.
Silent.
Patient.
But the group kept moving.
Unaware.
Heinrich suddenly slowed slightly.
His eyes narrowed.
„Heinrich: I've got a bad feeling… like we're being watched."
Anna nodded immediately.
„Anna: Yeah… me too."
Noah didn't respond—but his hand moved closer to his sword.
The forest gave no answers.
Only silence.
After a long walk—
the trees finally began to open.
A massive valley stretched before them.
Deep.
Wide.
Surrounded by cliffs and broken stone.
Fog drifted slowly across the ground like a living thing.
„Noah: We're here…"
His voice lowered slightly.
„Noah: The Valley of Echoing Cries."
Johann let out a long breath of relief.
„Johann: Finally… can we sleep now?"
Noah nodded.
„Noah: Yes. We can rest here."
For the first time in hours—
tension eased slightly.
They quickly began setting up small wooden shelters.
Temporary resting points.
Nothing permanent.
Just survival.
Anna exhaled softly while tying fabric.
„Anna: Finally… sleep…"
Her voice was tired—but relieved.
One by one, they settled in.
The exhaustion of the journey finally catching up.
Night slowly covered the valley.
The wind grew quieter.
Almost peaceful.
But not for long.
A sound shattered the silence.
A voice.
Distant.
Weak.
„??? : Help…"
Everyone instantly opened their eyes.
Heinrich sat up immediately.
„Heinrich: What was that?!"
Again—
„??? : Help…"
Anna turned quickly.
„Anna: It's coming from somewhere…!"
Noah stood up slowly.
Listening carefully.
„Noah: I don't know…"
„??? : Help…"
Johann frowned.
„Johann: Why does it keep repeating?!"
The call echoed through the valley.
But never clear.
It felt wrong.
Artificial.
„??? : Help…"
Heinrich pointed suddenly.
„Heinrich: Over there!"
Anna stepped forward immediately.
„Anna: Someone needs help! Let's go!"
Without hesitation—
they ran.
Deeper into the valley.
The cries became louder.
More desperate.
More frequent.
But Karoschi slowed slightly.
His expression changed.
Something felt off.
Very off.
His hand tightened around his sword.
The final cry echoed loudly.
Right in front of them.
„??? : Help…"
Then—
silence.
Instant.
Absolute.
No sound.
No wind.
Nothing.
Karoschi stopped completely.
„Karoschi: …Shit."
He slowly drew his sword.
„Anna: What is it?!"
Karoschi didn't look at her.
„Karoschi: Everyone… weapons out."
A pause.
„Karoschi: Barry get ready too!
Heinrich frowned.
„Heinrich: Why?! What's going on?!"
Karoschi's voice dropped.
„Karoschi: No questions. Just do it."
Reluctantly, everyone drew their weapons.
Barry tensed behind them.
Then—
a sound.
CRACK.
Like bone breaking.
Somewhere nearby.
Karoschi's eyes narrowed instantly.
„Karoschi: I know that sound…"
A pause.
„Karoschi: That's a Help Screamer."
Johann blinked.
„Johann: A what?!"
Before anyone could react—
Anna turned slightly.
And froze.
A hand.
Clinging to the tree beside her.
Then—
a head slowly appeared.
Its eyes glowed bright yellow.
Unnaturally bright.
Staring directly at her.
Anna screamed.
„Anna: AAH!!"
The creature moved instantly.
Dropping from the tree—
lunging directly at her.
Anna raised her sword—
and stabbed it into its torso.
The creature screamed.
Not in pain.
But in the same distorted voice.
„Help…!!"
It struck Anna hard—
throwing her backward.
Barry rushed in immediately—
trying to hit it—
but it dodged effortlessly—
and leapt toward Noah instead.
„Help Screamer: HEEEEELP!!"
Noah reacted instantly—
and struck its head clean off.
The body fell.
Silence.
Then—
it stood back up.
Johann froze.
„Johann: WHAT?! Why is it still moving?!
The creature turned slowly toward him.
And lunged.
Johann tried to attack—
but his injured leg slowed him.
It grabbed him instantly.
„Johann: Get OFF me!!"
He struggled violently.
„Anna: JOHANN!!"
The creature tightened its grip.
Then suddenly—
ran.
Straight into the forest.
Carrying him away.
„Johann: HELP!! GUYS!!"
His voice faded quickly.
„Heinrich: JOHANN—NO!!"
Silence returned.
Only breathing.
Only shock.
Heinrich looked at the empty forest.
„Heinrich: Can we talk about how it's STILL ALIVE?! Its head is literally back there!!"
Karoschi stepped forward slightly.
Calm—but serious.
„Karoschi: They don't die from that."
A pause.
„Karoschi: You need more than that to kill them."
Heinrich swallowed hard.
„Heinrich: So what now?! That bastard took Johann!!"
Karoschi tightened his grip on his sword.
„Karoschi: Help Screamers don't kill immediately."
His eyes narrowed.
„Karoschi: They take their prey… and bring them to the nest."
A pause.
„Karoschi: We still have time."
Noah stepped forward.
His expression hardened.
„Noah: Then we go."
A short silence followed.
Then—
he continued.
„Noah: We bring him back."
The group turned toward the forest.
And stepped forward.
Deeper into the Valley of Echoing Cries.
Where something was waiting.