The Mysterious Lady

Myles drifted into a peaceful slumber on a tree branch, surrounded by the lush greenery of the forest. A sweet melody danced through his dreams, filling his mind with tranquil harmony. But the song abruptly ceased, ripping Myles from his blissful state and flinching him back to reality.

As the sun descended, painting the sky with a mesmerizing gradient of orange and purple, Myles stood still, straining his ears to catch the faint traces of the lingering melody. His eyes darted back and forth, scanning the dense forest like a hawk in search of its prey.

Carefully, he navigated through the rustling leaves, leaving behind his luggage. As he brushed aside the last obstructing branches, he came face to face with a vision of beauty. There stood a young lady, her flowing hair cascading down in silky strands, adorned in a pristine white dress that trailed gently on the ground. She knelt by the river's edge, dipping a clay pot into the water to fetch its crystal-clear offering.

Myles' sudden presence startled her, and her relief washed over her face, visible even from a distance. "Oh my, you frightened me!"

"I apologize for startling you. I was merely drawn to your enchanting voice," Myles confessed, his words laced with admiration.

A faint blush tinted her cheeks as she smiled warmly. "Thank you."

"I am Myles. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?" he inquired, his voice gentle and inviting.

After a moment of contemplation, she finally replied, her voice soft as a whisper. "Angela."

"What a beautiful name you possess," he complimented, his words sincere.

Before Myles could proceed with his request for directions, he noticed an unusual phenomenon unfolding in the sky. The fading daylight was rapidly engulfed by an eerie darkness, leaving him bewildered. His gaze turned skyward, searching for answers, when a man's frantic voice reached his ears from a distance. Though the words were indistinguishable, the urgency in the man's tone prompted Myles to cautiously approach him.

"Get away from her!" the man's panicked voice sliced through the air, his hands gesturing wildly. "She's a beast!"

Fear gripped Myles, rendering him immobile, as his heart raced within his chest. Menacing growls reverberated behind him, and he slowly turned to face a bizarre creature. Its razor-sharp teeth gleamed menacingly, its eyes shifting with a kaleidoscope of colors, and its hot breath caressed Myles' face.

Adrenaline surged through his veins, electrifying his every nerve. In the blink of an eye, he pivoted and sprinted toward the man, his movements fluid and instinctual. His face contorted with strained effort, a hollow sensation gnawing at his core, and his breath came in ragged gasps, parching his throat and leaving him thirsting for relief.

Casting a glance over his shoulder to assess the distance between himself and the fearsome creature, Myles' vision blurred as reality distorted. A resounding thud signaled his collision with the beast, and he crumpled to the ground. His eyes met the creature's shifting gaze, its intensity piercing through him, as it emitted a thunderous growl that shook the very ground beneath them.

Overwhelmed by paralyzing fear, an involuntary scream tore from Myles' throat.

In an instant, stones of various sizes rained down upon the beast, striking its fury-ridden form. It turned toward the gathered crowd, comprised of individuals brandishing sticks and torches, their faces resolute. Chants echoed through the air, while others hurled stones at the beast.

As the stones pelted the beast, its anger surged, fueling its ferocity. Yet, the determined crowd stood unwavering, undeterred by the creature's violent retaliations. Each stone thrown was an act of defiance, a declaration that they would not be shaken. The beast emitted another growl, its echoes resonating through the air, before it leaped and plunged into the river, vanishing beneath the surface.

In the aftermath, the sky transformed into a breathtaking display of vibrant colours, as if celebrating the triumph over darkness.

An onlooker rushed to Myles, his breath still ragged from the harrowing encounter. Extending a helping hand, the man pulled Myles to his feet and brushed off the dirt from his clothes. "Who are you, young man?"

Myles hesitated, his mind clouded by the unsettling events that had unfolded. Trembling slightly, he managed to reply, "My name is Myles."

"Well, Myles, I am Daniel. What brought you to this place? Were you not aware that it is no place for people?"

Confusion furrowed Myles' brow as he inquired, "What do you mean?"

Daniel took a moment to compose himself before explaining, his voice tinged with caution, "This river is cursed, a home to the beast that almost devoured you. Every day, it emerges from the depths, singing a beautiful yet deadly melody that lures unsuspecting wanderers like yourself. Once ensnared by its cursed tune, one's fate is sealed."

"I had no knowledge of such a danger. I was simply trying to find my way through the forest," Myles responded, his voice tinged with regret.

"Where are you headed?" Daniel asked, concern etching his features.

"To Midwood village," Myles replied, his gaze fixed on the ground.

Daniel gestured towards the path ahead. "Come with me, Myles. I will guide you on your way."