The sun had long set by the time they reached the forest. The trees loomed tall and dark, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. The ground was soft and spongy beneath their feet, and the air was thick with the scent of damp earth and rotting leaves.

Ariana shivered, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders. She wasn't used to being out this late, and the darkness made her nervous. She tried to focus on the task at hand, but her mind kept wandering back to the safety of the castle.

"We're getting close," whispered Rylan, his voice barely audible above the rustling of the leaves. "Just a little further."

Ariana nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never been this deep into the forest before, and the thought of what lay ahead filled her with fear.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash from up ahead, and both of them froze. They listened intently, but there was no sound except the rustling of the leaves.

"What was that?" whispered Ariana.

"I don't know," replied Rylan, his hand moving instinctively to the hilt of his sword. "But we should be careful."

They moved forward cautiously, their eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of danger. But the forest was silent, and they soon found themselves standing in a small clearing.

In the center of the clearing stood a stone altar, its surface stained with what looked like dried blood. Ariana felt a chill run down her spine as she stared at it, and she could sense Rylan tensing up beside her.

"We shouldn't be here," he said quietly. "This place is cursed."

Ariana nodded, her eyes still fixed on the altar. She could feel the darkness closing in around them, and she knew that they needed to leave - and quickly.

But as they turned to go, there was a sudden movement from behind the altar, and a figure stepped out of the shadows.

"Who are you?" demanded Rylan, his sword at the ready.

The figure didn't reply - it just stood there, a dark shape in the darkness.

"We need to go," whispered Ariana, tugging at Rylan's arm. "Now."

But it was too late. The figure was moving towards them, its eyes glowing with an otherworldly light.

And then everything went black.