After what felt like hours, the farmer finally stirred, shaking off the remnants of his exhaustion. Keal had kept watch, his eyes constantly darting to the entrance of the cave, but the boar had not returned. The night had begun to fall, and a sense of eerie quiet settled over the forest.

"We have to move," Keal said, his voice low and urgent as he helped the farmer to his feet. The boar might still be lurking below, but they couldn’t stay hidden forever. They needed to find a safer place, and soon.

The farmer nodded, albeit with a pained expression, still weak from his ordeal. "I… I know a way," he murmured. "My village... It's not far from here."

Keal raised an eyebrow. "Your village? How far?"

"About a day's journey on foot," the farmer replied. "But we’ll need to be careful. The woods are dangerous. It’s not just the boar—there are other things out there, too."

Keal didn’t hesitate. He helped the farmer out of the cave, leading him back down the rocky slope. They moved cautiously, aware of the stillness around them. The boar could return at any moment, but the farmer’s village offered a glimmer of hope. A place to rest. A place to regroup.

As they made their way through the woods, the forest began to open up, revealing the wider plains ahead. The air was cooler now, and the darkening sky seemed to weigh down on them, pressing in with a quiet sense of urgency. The path became more visible, a narrow trail through the tall grasses and shrubs. Keal led the way, his hand still gripping the hilt of his dagger, ever watchful.

By dusk, the village came into view. Small cottages with thatched roofs dotted the landscape, surrounded by fields that stretched out towards the horizon. There was a sense of peace in the air, but Keal’s instincts told him something was off. The silence that hung over the village was unnatural. No children playing, no livestock calling out. It was as though the place was waiting, holding its breath.

As they approached the first of the cottages, the farmer’s pace slowed. He looked hesitant, his gaze sweeping over the quiet village. Keal could feel his unease.

"This place... it’s not like it used to be," the farmer muttered, his voice tinged with sorrow. "The beasts… they've driven people away. We're the last ones here."

Keal stopped beside him, his gaze hardening. "Beasts?"

The farmer nodded grimly. "Wild creatures… aggressive ones. They started attacking the farmers, chasing them down. But it's not just the boar—there are rumors. Worse things… far worse things, stalking the plains."

Keal’s brow furrowed. He’d heard of strange happenings in the area, but nothing like this. People disappearing, animals growing increasingly hostile. It was a story that was whispered about but rarely spoken openly.

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The farmer led Keal toward the heart of the village, where the central square lay. The remains of a once-thriving market stood, with abandoned stalls and empty carts. In the distance, a small group of villagers had gathered around a fire, speaking in hushed tones. They looked up as the farmer and Keal approached, eyes wary but curious.

The farmer waved weakly as they neared. "This is Keal. He helped me escape the boar."

One of the villagers, an older man with graying hair, stood up slowly. His face was weathered and worn from years of hardship. "Aye," the man said gruffly, "the boar’s been a problem, but it’s not the worst of it. We’ve had more than just that creature to deal with."

Keal stepped forward, his interest piqued. "What do you mean?"

The man’s eyes darkened. "It started months ago. At first, it was just odd—animals acting strangely, people vanishing overnight. We thought it was just the wilds, but then..." He paused, as if searching for the right words. "Then, things began to change. The boar, the wolves, even the mountain lions... they're not just hunting for food anymore. It’s like they’re hunting us."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the gathered villagers.

"It wasn’t just the animals," the old man continued. "It’s as if something is driving them mad. They’ve started hunting us down, one by one, and we can’t figure out why. There are stories—tales of a curse, of a dark force in the woods. People are starting to believe it’s more than just hunger. It’s... something else. Something unnatural."

Keal’s mind raced as he listened. He had heard stories of strange occurrences in the wilderness, but never anything like this. The forest he had just traversed had always been considered dangerous, but it was nothing like this—nothing this persistent, this relentless.

"Is there any way to stop it?" Keal asked, his voice hard with determination. He had seen the fear in the farmer’s eyes, and now, seeing the same look in the villagers’ faces, he understood the gravity of the situation.

The older man shook his head. "We’ve tried everything. We’ve fortified the village, set traps, even gone to the local priest for help. But nothing works. Some say the creatures are being controlled by something—a dark force, maybe. They say the land’s cursed. Some of the older folks swear they’ve seen shadows moving through the trees, figures that aren't quite human. Whatever’s behind it… it’s powerful. And it’s spreading."

Keal glanced at the farmer, who was now looking even more unsettled than before. "What do you think it is?" Keal asked him.

The farmer hesitated, his gaze shifting nervously. "I don’t know. But I’ve heard rumors—strange ones. Some say there’s a figure, a man or a creature, who commands the beasts. He’s the one who’s been driving them to hunt us."

Keal’s mind spun. A figure, controlling the creatures? It sounded like madness, but there was a truth to the fear that lingered in the air. Something was happening in these woods, something that was far beyond normal wild animal behavior.

"We need to find out more," Keal said, his voice steady. "Whatever is happening here, it’s not going to stop unless we figure it out."

The villagers exchanged uneasy looks. "You’ll need to be careful," the old man warned. "The woods have changed. And whatever is behind this… it’s not something you can fight with a dagger alone."

Keal nodded grimly. "Then I’ll find another way."

As the night settled in and the villagers went back to their quiet, fearful routines, Keal couldn’t shake the feeling that the true danger had only just begun. Whatever was controlling the creatures in these woods, it was close. And Keal would find it—no matter the cost.