CHAPTER 5

The forest that lay before the pack was like nothing they had ever seen. It was older than anything they could have imagined, untouched by time, and teeming with life. The trees here were enormous, their trunks wide and gnarled, twisting toward the sky in ways that seemed impossible. Their leaves shimmered in shades of green that no city-dweller could recognize, glowing softly in the golden light that filtered through the canopy. The air smelled of damp earth, fresh moss, and ancient wood—a scent that carried a sense of quiet power, a connection to something deep and primal.

Lena felt it the moment they entered. It was as though the land itself had been waiting for them. The artifact pulsed with a stronger energy than it ever had before, its runes glowing faintly in the quiet of the forest. The pack, though weary from their journey, couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe as they moved deeper into the heart of the forest. It was peaceful here, yet there was a feeling of quiet anticipation hanging in the air, as if the forest itself was alive, watching them.

The further they ventured, the more the pack began to notice strange markings on the trees—symbols that seemed familiar but foreign at the same time. Some were simple carvings, while others appeared as intricate etchings that spiraled and twisted in ways that made Lena's pulse quicken. The more they looked, the more the symbols began to resonate with the artifact. It was as though they were connected, as if the runes on the artifact were a part of these markings, both speaking the same language.

After hours of wandering, the pack came across something that made them stop in their tracks—ruins. Half-buried in the moss, stones that had once formed walls now lay in disarray, crumbling but not forgotten. The ruins were scattered, spread across a clearing, but there was a distinct sense of purpose in the arrangement, as if these ancient structures had once held great meaning. The pack stood quietly, looking around, as though the ruins themselves held the weight of forgotten history.

Lena felt the pull of the artifact grow stronger, urging her toward the largest ruin. As she stepped closer, the air around her seemed to shift, and the ground beneath her feet felt as though it had been waiting for her touch. She placed her hand on one of the stones, its surface worn by centuries of time, and closed her eyes.

Suddenly, her mind was flooded with visions—more vivid than before, more real. She saw the forest as it once was, its beauty untarnished by time, its creatures wild and free. She saw the first pack, their faces marked with the same runes as the artifact, standing at the edge of this very place, guarding it with their lives. They were protectors, not just of the forest, but of the balance between humanity and nature. Their task was to ensure that neither side tipped the scales too far, that one did not consume the other. The pack had always been the guardians, the link between two worlds, the bridge between the wild and the civilized.

The vision shifted, and Lena saw a great darkness creeping through the forest, a shadow that threatened to consume everything. The first pack fought fiercely to protect the balance, but they were betrayed, their sacrifices forgotten over time. The vision blurred, and Lena felt a deep sense of loss. The Forgotten, as they had once been known, had vanished, leaving only their symbols behind, their legacy fading into myth.

As the vision began to fade, Lena opened her eyes, her heart racing. The pack had gathered around her, watching in silence, waiting for her to speak.

"It’s all true," she whispered, her voice filled with awe. "We are the Forgotten, the protectors of the balance. Our ancestors fought to keep the world in harmony, between the human world and the wild. And now… now it’s our turn."

The pack exchanged looks of disbelief and realization. The burden of their purpose had always felt distant, unclear, but now, it was undeniable. They weren’t just a group of survivors, wandering through a world that had turned its back on them. They had a role to play. A legacy to uphold.

Alec was the first to speak, his voice steady but full of wonder. "So, we’re not just running from something. We’re running toward something—something bigger than us."

Lena nodded. "Yes. We’re here to protect this balance. To make sure that neither side overwhelms the other. This forest… this place—it’s more than just a sanctuary. It’s where we begin again. It’s where we find our purpose."

Mara stepped forward, her face solemn. "But how do we protect it? How do we honor the first pack’s legacy?"

Lena looked around at her pack, each of them standing tall, ready to face whatever challenge lay ahead. "We start by embracing who we are. We remember our heritage, our connection to nature. We become the guardians once more. The artifact will guide us, just as it guided our ancestors."

The pack stood together, the weight of their new purpose settling over them. They had come to this forest seeking answers, but what they had found was far more than they expected. The forest was not just a place of refuge—it was a place of rebirth, where their true purpose was revealed. As the last light of day faded and the stars began to twinkle above, they knew their journey was only just beginning.

The wilderness was theirs to protect now. The balance between humanity and nature was their charge, and they would carry it forward, no matter the cost. The Forgotten were no longer lost. They had been found again, and their legacy would live on.

The peace of the forest was shattered by the unmistakable sound of breaking branches. The pack, still recovering from their revelation about their true purpose, had grown complacent in their newfound home. They had let their guard down, believing that the wilderness was finally safe. But they were wrong.

The hunters had found them.