The trees seemed to close in on Iliore as he wandered further into the dark woods. His hazel eyes shifted from side to side, trying to discern where the path was leading him. A distant howl echoed through the darkness. Iliore stopped and tightened the grip around his sword. He had a feeling there would be more perils ahead in this thick and dense darkness. 

“This must be the way out, yet it is only becoming darker the further I go,” he mumbled under his cautious breath. 

The howl sounded through the trees, he could tell it was nearer, yet he was still not frightened. All he could do was ponder how he had ended up in this place. He had not seen woods like these before, so dark and thick. In his kingdom everything was fair and bright, no darkness reached that far. Yet he felt no fear, he felt nothing at this moment. 

No. He felt the rumbling from deep beneath him. He felt eyes staring at him from the deep. Like a serpent that slithered under the crust, waiting for an opening. Iliore closed his eyes, there was a clear sensation of floating in nothingness. Had he always felt like this? Had he always felt the being staring at him from the darkness? He felt unsure. Again he wondered how he had ended up here. Was it some sort of trick? These woods were clearly home to darkness, magic…

He tilted his head up and stared at the tall trees, the sky was hidden by the thick foliage. Was it night or day? He clenched his sword with determination. A way out had to be found, before the nothingness got a hold of him. He was not uncaring was he? 

The wolf howled again, this time closer. Was the wolf the same as the woman from before? Iliore was not used to questioning motives, nor doubting the pureness of animals. 

He kept walking along the path, finding mossy spots, and stepping over twigs carefully to minimize the sound of his steps. His sword was right at his side, his hand clenched around the hilt. Iliore narrowed his eyes, something seemed to move in the darkness ahead. He stopped, slowly and soundlessly pulling out his sword.

“That sword will do nothing to me, friend.” The wolf stepped out from between two trees. 

Iliore kept his eyes firmly on the wolf, “You talk? I suppose I’m not surprised. These woods are strange and ominous.” 

The wolf chuckled, “Strange is correct. These woods are home to everything lost and forgotten. I have not seen an elf in these parts before though,” The wolf paused and took a step closer, “Rare indeed. I wonder how you got so lost, young elf? Did the light forsaken you? Did you betray your own heart?” 

Iliore parted his lips as if to speak, but no words left him. Lost? Was he lost? The wolf didn’t seem like the rest of this place. He could tell, it was not lost in the darkness, the nothingness. 

“I- I can’t remember how I ended up here. That is the truth. If it is as you say then I suppose I must have done something to get lost. Do you know the way out of here?” Iliore asked the wolf. 

The wolf stepped even closer, Iliore could reach out and touch him if he wanted to. “I know many ways out of this place. I know ways deeper into this place as well. I come and go as I please,” The wolf sat down, “But nothing is for free… Our meeting might be fate, I am here on business, which you will help me with if you want a way out.” 

“Business?” Iliore tilted his head before he placed his sword back. 

“Work. Souls to collect for the Night,” the wolf growled. 

“The goddess?” Iliore had heard of the one called Night before; Myrk, they called her in his kingdom. She was a goddess where he came from, the one who brought balance and helped the lost. 

“Indeed. She keeps my paws busy. Now you simply need to swing your sword and let them die peacefully. Some that are lost are too far gone… Like the woman you killed earlier. It is their time to return to the beginning,” the wolf grinned and glanced up at Iliore.

“I can help you. If you help me out of here then that seems like a fair exchange. Show me who I have to slay, and I shall do it.” Iliore knelt down in front of the wolf, offering his hand. 

The wolf placed his paw into Iliore’s hand, “A deal has been made, young Elf. My name is Grim, what is yours?” 

“Iliore of Everdale,” he replied softly. 

“Follow me, I will show you the lost ones that need returning.” The wolf turned around and started walking ahead. 

Iliore followed behind, the wolf was quite big, his fur was a dark grey yet it was as if little bits of stars were hidden in it. He pondered what the wolf had told him, could these woods be between worlds? Perhaps one would get even more lost as one went deeper. He shuddered at the thought. Not that he was afraid, he simply didn’t like the idea of losing himself. 

Grim stopped, “Now, behind those trees to your left, a man who is not a man anymore dwells there. Go. Take his head off.” 

Iliore nodded, soundlessly wandering down between the trees. He saw a strange being, its body was that of a man but its head looked like a bulls head. He clenched his sword again, sliding it out like it was made of air. His legs pushed him forward, taking his chance when the being was turned away. He let his sword swing effortlessly, sliding through the being’s flesh like there was no resistance. Blood sprayed on his face, staining his sword, staining his clothes. The body dropped moments after the head flew off. Iliore steadied his breath. He still felt nothing. Why? 

“You seem to have a talent for this,” the wolf said coyly from behind. 

“I am a knight of my kingdom, this is nothing I haven’t done before,” Iliore said confidently. Had he done this before though? If so, had he gotten too used to it? 

Iliore stopped for a moment. He watched as the wolf opened its jaws wide, a light floating from the body into his mouth. Was that the being’s soul? He glanced down at all the blood. Was this normal? He had been covered in blood before, had he not? Something faint which he couldn’t quite grasp was there within his memory. 

“Let us continue.” Grim licked a smidge of blood from his paw. 

Iliore nodded, “Is that how you collect their souls?” 

“Yes. My body is connected to Night, they go straight to her before they go back to the beginning,” Grim explained as he stepped into the path once again, “Ah, yes, another thing. This path is for me to find my way. Anyone else using the path would get lost because it only leads deeper.” 

Iliore’s eyes widened slightly, “But anyone’s first thought would be to follow the path. So you sort of make sure they stay lost?” He questioned. 

Grim snickered, “Well, they are already lost. There are exceptions though. Like you. You are not like the others. You are a part of something greater. You can feel it can’t you? The thing that stirs underground?”