[h1]Forest Shrine[/h1]

[hr]

The ruined shrine was surrounded by green. The forest was fairly dense and flush with life.

It'd be a peaceful, serene location, if not for the complete absence of wildlife sounds.

Indeed, all that could be heard was that scraping sound, and the rhythmic thudding of footsteps.

The former sounded clearer, now, as if something was rattling branches or scrapping against the side of the trees.

Suddenly, the forest looked darker. Despite the fact it was daylight, no longer could anything be determined from between branches and trunks.

It was almost pitch black. It was like peering into a moonless night.

And yet it wasn't completely dark. Indeed, nothing could truly be discerned in the blackness of the forest, but there was a source of light.

Two glowing orbs. A pallid, sickly green shade, they were fixed upon the clearing ahead, and in particular on the medusa that had just exited the shrine.

And they were moving closer.

Slowly, with the sound of each thudding footfall, the scraping of bark and the rattling of branches, whatever those sickly balls of light belonged to was coming closer.

As it did, a scent began fill the air. At first it was almost sweet, but the stronger it became the more unpleasant. A grotesque, putrid aroma that brought to mind rotting flesh.

There was a shape now in the darkness, just beyond the balls of light. Something taller than any human.

Another sound reached the ears of the unusual trio. A ragged, heavy breathing, that seemed to come from every direction at once.

The shape moved closer.

Now the fallen leaflitter rustled.

From the same direction as the shape in the darkness's approach, came centipedes. Hundreds upon hundreds of centipedes, seemingly made of shadow themselves, emerging from the leaflitter and scuttling across the clearing, a seething wave of the creatures.

The air felt heavier. Stagnant. As if rot had set in.

Whatever it was---

---it was coming.

[@Rune_Alchemist][@Rin][@Pyromania99]