Whispers of the Forgotten Pines

A low, grinding noise rumbled through the cavern as the crack in the wall spread, jagged like a wound splitting open. Dust and bits of stone crumbled to the floor, the vibrations shaking the ground beneath Ethan's feet.

He exchanged a quick glance with Lillian. Neither of them spoke, but the silent message between them was clear.

Run.

They turned at the same time, sprinting down the only remaining tunnel. The path twisted sharply, the air growing colder with each step. The walls, once rough and uneven, started to change.

Smooth. Polished.

And lined with symbols.

Ethan barely had time to process them before a deep, resonant sound filled the tunnel—like the earth itself was breathing.

And behind them—

A low click.

Then another.

And another.

Ethan risked a glance over his shoulder.

He wished he hadn't.

Something was emerging from the broken wall. Not the statues. Something bigger.

A shape unfurled, its limbs long and unnatural, too many joints bending at wrong angles. Its skin was rough, almost stone-like, but it moved with unnatural fluidity. And its eyes—if they could even be called that—were deep, empty pits that seemed to pull the light inward.

And it was fast.

Ethan barely had time to react before the creature lunged.

A blur of movement.

A rush of air as something whipped past his face.

Claws.

They raked against the stone wall beside him, carving deep gouges into the rock.

Lillian grabbed Ethan's arm and yanked him forward. "FASTER!"

They ran, their breath ragged, their muscles screaming. The tunnel seemed endless, twisting and turning in ways that made no sense. The symbols on the walls flickered as they passed, their edges glowing faintly in the dim light.

And then—a choice.

Up ahead, the tunnel split in two.

One path led downward, into total darkness. A void.

The other twisted sharply to the right, where a faint, flickering glow could be seen in the distance.

Ethan's instincts screamed at him. Left meant death.

"THIS WAY!" He pulled Lillian toward the right path, and she followed without hesitation.

They pushed forward, the light ahead growing brighter. The tunnel walls narrowed, pressing in on them. The thing behind them was still following, its movements sharp and jagged, scraping against the stone.

Ethan could hear it breathing.

Then—

They burst into an open chamber.

The space was massive, a cathedral of stone. At its center stood an ancient altar, covered in dust, vines creeping over its surface. Strange, metallic instruments lay scattered around it, their purpose unclear. The air hummed with something—something Ethan could feel in his bones.

And on the far wall, opposite them—

A door.

Tall. Monolithic. Made of black stone.

And covered in the same symbols from the tunnels.

Ethan skidded to a stop. Lillian nearly crashed into him.

The creature was right behind them.

Lillian's voice was sharp. "THE DOOR!"

Ethan didn't hesitate. They bolted toward it.

The creature lunged.

A howl split the air—ancient, furious.

Ethan slammed against the door, hands scrambling over its surface. "HOW DO WE OPEN IT?"

Lillian's fingers traced the symbols, her lips moving as she whispered something under her breath. A phrase. A chant.

The ground shook.

The symbols flared to life.

The door shifted.

And then—

It swung open.

Light poured through.

Ethan and Lillian didn't think. They ran.

And behind them—

The creature screamed.

The door slammed shut.

Silence.

Ethan gasped for breath, his body trembling. Lillian leaned against the door, her face pale.

They weren't safe. Not yet.

But whatever was on the other side of that door…

It might be worse.

What lies beyond the ancient door? Have Ethan and Lillian escaped the creature, or have they stepped into an even greater danger?