The voice echoed through the forest.
"Alexandra..."
Alexandra stopped walking.
Dargan also stopped.
Both of them looked ahead.
The forest was dark.
Nothing moved.
No footsteps.
No animals.
No wind.
Only that voice remained.
Alexandra tightened her grip on her sword.
"Maximus?"
There was no answer.
She took a step forward.
"Maximus!"
Still nothing.
Dargan looked at her.
"That wasn't him."
Alexandra turned toward him.
"How do you know?"
"I don't."
"Then don't speak."
Dargan sighed.
"You really don't like talking, do you?"
Alexandra ignored him.
She continued walking.
The deeper they went into the forest, the darker it became.
The trees were taller here.
Their branches covered the sky, blocking almost all light.
Dargan looked around.
"How far is this Black Valley?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"No."
"Then how are we supposed to find it?"
Alexandra stopped.
She closed her eyes.
For a moment, she stood completely still.
Then she opened them.
"That way."
She pointed toward the north.
Dargan looked in that direction.
"There is nothing there."
"There is."
"What?"
"Something is pulling me there."
Dargan stared at her.
"That sounds like a trap."
"It probably is."
"And you're still going?"
"Yes."
Dargan shook his head.
"You are crazy."
Alexandra started walking again.
"Maybe."
Dargan followed.
---
After several hours, they finally left the forest.
A huge open land stretched before them.
The grass was dry.
The sky was gray.
Far in the distance stood a line of black mountains.
Dargan stopped.
"There."
Alexandra looked at the mountains.
One of them was different.
A deep valley cut through its center.
Black mist covered the ground around it.
"Black Valley," Alexandra said.
Dargan nodded.
"It looks welcoming."
Alexandra started walking.
Dargan followed.
But after only a few steps, he stopped.
"Wait."
Alexandra looked back.
"What?"
Dargan pointed toward the ground.
There were footprints.
Many footprints.
Some were human.
Others were much larger.
Some looked like the tracks of animals.
But there was something strange.
All of them were going in the same direction.
Toward Black Valley.
Dargan's face became serious.
"Many people have gone there."
Alexandra looked at the footprints.
"Then we are going the right way."
Dargan frowned.
"That is not what I meant."
Alexandra continued walking.
Dargan quickly followed.
---
The closer they came to the valley, the colder the air became.
Alexandra could feel something watching them.
She looked toward the mountains.
Nothing.
She looked behind them.
Nothing.
Then she looked at Dargan.
"Do you feel it?"
Dargan nodded.
"Yes."
"What?"
"Someone is watching us."
Alexandra smiled faintly.
"Good."
Dargan looked at her.
"Good?"
"That means we're close."
Suddenly, something moved behind them.
Dargan turned.
His weapon was already in his hands.
"Who's there?"
Silence.
Then a small stone rolled down the hill.
Dargan's eyes narrowed.
He rushed toward it.
He swung his weapon.
BOOM!
The ground broke apart.
Nothing was there.
Dargan looked around.
"Show yourself!"
A small laugh came from behind him.
Dargan quickly turned.
A young boy stood on a rock.
He looked no older than fifteen.
He wore a dirty brown shirt and carried a small bag.
Alexandra looked at him.
The boy smiled.
"You're going to Black Valley."
Dargan pointed his weapon at him.
"Who are you?"
The boy raised both hands.
"Relax."
Dargan did not lower his weapon.
"Answer me."
The boy looked at Alexandra.
"My name is Kian."
Alexandra asked, "Why were you following us?"
"I wasn't following you."
"Then why are you here?"
Kian looked toward Black Valley.
"I live near there."
Dargan looked surprised.
"You live near Black Valley?"
Kian nodded.
"Yes."
"People live there?"
"Some."
Alexandra stepped closer.
"Do you know Maximus?"
Kian's expression changed.
He became quiet.
Dargan noticed.
"You know the name."
Kian looked at Alexandra.
"Everyone near Black Valley knows that name."
Alexandra's eyes became sharp.
"Why?"
Kian looked toward the mountains again.
"Because he has been there."
Alexandra froze.
"Where?"
"In Black Valley."
Dargan looked at Alexandra.
Her expression had changed.
For the first time since leaving Crystalden, there was something close to hope in her eyes.
"Take me there."
Kian shook his head.
"I can't."
Alexandra stepped closer.
"Why?"
"Because nobody enters Black Valley and comes back the same."
Alexandra's face became cold.
"I didn't ask what happens to people."
She pointed toward the mountains.
"Take me there."
Kian swallowed.
"You don't understand."
"Then explain."
Kian looked at Dargan.
Then back at Alexandra.
"There is something inside that valley."
"What?"
"I don't know."
"Have you seen it?"
"No."
"Then how do you know it exists?"
Kian pointed toward the mountain.
"Because people disappear there."
Dargan lowered his weapon slightly.
"How many?"
Kian looked down.
"Too many."
Alexandra was silent.
Then she asked:
"Did Maximus disappear?"
Kian shook his head.
"No."
Alexandra's eyes narrowed.
"Then what happened to him?"
Kian took a breath.
"He came out."
Alexandra stared at him.
"He came out?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Three days ago."
Alexandra's heart suddenly beat faster.
"Where did he go?"
Kian pointed toward the road behind them.
"He went east."
Alexandra looked east.
Dargan spoke.
"Then why are we going to Black Valley?"
Kian looked frightened.
"Because..."
He stopped.
Alexandra stared at him.
"Because what?"
Kian's voice became quiet.
"Because something followed him."
The air became still.
Alexandra's face changed.
"What followed him?"
Kian shook his head.
"I don't know."
"Describe it."
"I couldn't see it."
"Then how do you know it followed him?"
Kian looked toward the black valley.
"Because after Maximus left..."
He swallowed.
"...the valley started calling his name."
Alexandra said nothing.
Dargan looked toward the mountains.
Then he heard it.
A faint sound.
"Maximus..."
Dargan's eyes widened.
The voice came from the valley.
"Maximus..."
Alexandra slowly turned toward Black Valley.
Her sword began to shake in her hand.
The voice came again.
This time, it was louder.
"Alexandra..."
Kian stepped backward.
"No."
He looked terrified.
"That voice should not know your name."
Alexandra took one step toward the valley.
Dargan grabbed her arm.
"Wait."
Alexandra looked at his hand.
Dargan quickly released her.
"We don't know what is inside."
Alexandra looked at him.
"I don't care."
She started walking.
Dargan followed.
Kian stood frozen.
Then he shouted.
"Wait!"
Alexandra stopped.
Kian ran after them.
"I'll take you there."
Dargan looked at him.
"Why?"
Kian looked frightened.
"Because if you enter that place alone..."
He looked toward the valley.
"...you may never find the way back."
Alexandra nodded.
"Then lead us."
Kian swallowed.
He turned toward Black Valley.
The three of them began walking.
But none of them noticed the dark figure standing far away on top of the mountain.
It was watching Alexandra.
It did not move.
It did not speak.
It simply watched.
Then, behind it, something huge slowly opened its eyes.
The mountain shook.
Kian stopped.
His face became pale.
"What was that?"
Alexandra looked up.
Dargan raised his weapon.
A deep roar came from inside Black Valley.
The ground began to shake.
Small rocks rolled down the mountain.
Then a huge shadow appeared inside the black mist.
Alexandra slowly raised her sword.
Dargan stepped beside her.
Kian whispered:
"That's not a monster..."
Alexandra looked at him.
"Then what is it?"
Kian's body began to tremble.
"I don't know."
The shadow moved closer.
And then...
A familiar voice came from the darkness.
"Alexandra..."
She froze.
This time, the voice was clear.
It was Maximus.
To be continued...