The path from the underwater caverns led the group to the Wailing Forest, a realm infamous in Lumoran lore for its ceaseless cries. Legend claimed that the souls of those lost to the Veil lingered here, bound to the trees that twisted unnaturally toward the sky.

The moment they crossed into the forest, the air grew thick with sorrow. A low, mournful wail drifted between the gnarled branches, raising the hairs on the back of Cassia’s neck. The light from the Oceanic Pearl flickered as if reacting to the oppressive energy, casting faint, wavering patterns on the forest floor.

“This place is cursed,” Asterion muttered, his voice low. His fur bristled as his sharp eyes darted between the shadows.

“It’s not cursed,” Kaelen corrected, their tone calm but edged with unease. “The Wailing Forest is a convergence point for fractured energy from the Veil. The cries are remnants of lives it couldn’t sustain.”

“Comforting,” Alaric said dryly, scanning their surroundings. His hand never left the hilt of his blade as he added, “Stay close and don’t stray from the path.”

Cassia gripped the Oceanic Pearl tightly, its steady glow a small comfort against the oppressive darkness. She tried to focus on the mission, but the forest’s wails seemed to press against her mind, dragging her thoughts into the past. The cries twisted and morphed, pulling at insecurities she had long buried.

Each step felt heavier than the last, as if the forest itself were trying to pull them under. The cries grew louder, more distinct, forming words that Cassia couldn’t block out.

“You’re not strong enough,” a voice whispered. “You’ll fail them all.”

Cassia stumbled, her breath hitching. Alaric was at her side in an instant, steadying her with a firm hand on her arm. “Don’t listen to it. The forest feeds on doubt.”

She nodded, forcing herself to take another step. “I’m fine. Let’s keep moving.”

As they ventured deeper, the wails began to shift, growing more personal. Each member of the group heard different voices—accusations, regrets, and fears that cut to the core. Asterion snarled, shaking his head as if to ward off the whispers. His tail lashed behind him, betraying his agitation.

Kaelen’s expression remained neutral, but their grip on their satchel tightened. “The forest is testing us. It seeks to fracture our resolve. We must not let it succeed.”

Easier said than done, Cassia thought. The voices seemed to know her deepest insecurities, echoing doubts she had fought to bury.

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“Alaric doesn’t trust you,” one voice sneered. “He thinks you’re weak. A liability.”

Another voice, softer but no less cruel, added, “You’ll fail Lumora. Just like you failed your family.”

Cassia clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. “You’re wrong,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I won’t fail.”

“Cassia,” Alaric called, his voice cutting through the haze. “We’re almost through. Stay with me.”

She focused on his voice, using it as an anchor to pull herself back from the brink. The glow of the Oceanic Pearl grew brighter, pushing back the shadows as they neared the edge of the forest. The cries seemed to waver in response, growing weaker as if the forest itself recoiled from the artifact’s light.

Finally, they emerged into a clearing bathed in faint moonlight. The wails faded, replaced by an eerie silence that was almost as unsettling. Cassia collapsed to her knees, the weight of the forest’s whispers leaving her breathless. The Oceanic Pearl’s light dimmed slightly, as if exhausted from the effort of shielding them.

Alaric knelt beside her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. “You did well,” he said softly. “The forest preys on the mind. It’s not easy to resist.”

Cassia looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Asterion paced the edge of the clearing, his tail lashing. “This place is worse than the Crimson River. At least there, you knew what you were fighting.” His voice was sharp, frustration masking his unease.

Kaelen, who had remained quiet, finally spoke. “The Wailing Forest is a reminder of what’s at stake. The Veil’s collapse doesn’t just threaten Lumora—it erodes everything connected to it. These remnants are only the beginning.”

Cassia stood, her legs shaky but determined. “Then we can’t stop now. The sooner we restore the Veil, the sooner we can put this behind us.”

Alaric nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before turning to the path ahead. “Let’s move. The next artifact won’t wait for us.”

As they left the clearing, the faint cries of the forest followed them, a haunting reminder of the Veil’s fragility. The trees loomed overhead like silent sentinels, their twisted branches clawing at the sky. Though they had survived the Wailing Forest, each member of the group carried its echoes within them, their resolve tested but unbroken.

The path ahead was no less treacherous. The ground shifted beneath their feet, as if the land itself was alive and restless. Asterion’s sharp senses kept him alert, his ears twitching at every subtle sound. Cassia kept the Oceanic Pearl close to her chest, its glow a reassuring presence in the growing darkness.

As they walked, Kaelen broke the silence. “This forest is a microcosm of what’s happening to Lumora. The Veil’s collapse isn’t just physical. It’s unraveling the very essence of what holds our world together.”

“We’ve seen what it’s done,” Alaric replied, his tone grim. “The Crimson River, the Shattered Spires, and now this. How much more can Lumora take?”

Cassia’s voice was quiet but resolute. “We’ll fix it. We have to.”

The group pressed on, the air growing colder as they left the forest behind. The cries faded entirely, replaced by an oppressive silence. Each step felt heavier, the weight of their journey pressing down on them. But despite the challenges, a spark of hope burned within Cassia. They had made it this far. Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.