Back at the edge of the woods, Harlan and Asher came to a halt the moment they realized their journey was almost over. The thick forest behind them had been their only shield for hours, but ahead lay a massive stretch of dark land that seemed to swallow even the horizon itself. The atmosphere alone was enough to make anyone uneasy. A strange heaviness lingered in the air, almost like the territory itself was warning outsiders to stay away.
Harlan stared ahead with visible discomfort written across his face. His shoulders had gone stiff, and even his breathing seemed uneven. The deeper they stepped into this mission, the more real it became.
"Are you sure this is okay?" Harlan finally asked, his voice low. "We barely even have a proper plan, and getting there could have us killed. We're talking about the Fallen Demons."
