Chapter 10: Into the Unknown

Relief washed over the group as Aether and Scaramouche emerged from the maze. Lumine’s eyes lit up when she saw her brother, and Hu Tao greeted them with her usual grin.

“Well, look who finally decided to join the party,” Hu Tao teased, waving at them.

“Glad you two made it,” Heizou said with a smirk, though his sharp eyes quickly scanned them for any signs of injury.

Furina crossed her arms, her dramatic persona kicking in. “Honestly, I thought you two might’ve been ghost chow by now.”

Scaramouche ignored the comment, brushing past them and stepping up to the large wooden door ahead. “Let’s just get out of here. This place is getting on my nerves.”

With a loud creak, he pushed the door open. The group held their breath, unsure of what lay beyond. The dim light from their flashlights spilled into the next area, revealing... another door.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Lumine muttered, frustration evident in her voice.

Hu Tao shrugged. “Maybe it’s like those Russian nesting dolls. Open one door, and there’s another. How quaint!”

Scaramouche sighed in exasperation but pushed the second door open without hesitation. The air that greeted them was cool and fresh, and the faint rustling of leaves replaced the oppressive silence of the maze.

They stepped through, their flashlights illuminating tall, dark trees that stretched endlessly in every direction. The soft chirping of insects and the occasional hoot of an owl created an eerie yet oddly calming atmosphere.

“A forest?” Aether said, frowning. “How does this even make sense?”

“It’s like this place keeps changing,” Heizou muttered, shining his flashlight around. “First the maze, now this... It’s like we’re being led somewhere.”

“Or trapped,” Furina added, adjusting her camera to record the new environment. “This’ll make a great highlight reel.”

Lumine stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the dense woods. “This doesn’t feel right. We need to stick together.”

“Agreed,” Aether said, moving to her side. “Whatever’s out here, we’re not facing it alone.”

“Why don’t we take a stroll and see what’s waiting for us?” Hu Tao said cheerfully, skipping ahead.

“Don’t wander too far,” Scaramouche snapped. “We don’t know what’s out here.”

The group began to move cautiously through the forest, their flashlights casting long shadows that danced across the trees. The ground beneath their feet was soft and damp, the faint scent of moss and earth filling the air.

After several minutes of walking, they stumbled upon something unusual—a small, abandoned cabin nestled among the trees. Its windows were shattered, and the door hung ajar, creaking softly in the breeze.

“Should we check it out?” Heizou asked, already moving toward the cabin.

“Of course,” Furina said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “What could possibly go wrong?”

Scaramouche rolled his eyes. “If you’re all done debating, let’s just get this over with.”

They entered the cabin cautiously, their flashlights illuminating the sparse interior. Dust-covered furniture and broken floorboards hinted at years of neglect.

Lumine’s gaze fell on a piece of paper pinned to the wall. She stepped closer and read it aloud:

“Beware the forest’s keeper. Do not wander too far from the path, or you’ll never return.”

The group exchanged uneasy glances, the gravity of the warning sinking in.

“Well,” Hu Tao said with a grin, “this just got a whole lot more interesting.”