As a new resident of the mountain village nearby Alpine forest, called Hallstat, Andrew had set out that afternoon to explore and indulge in his favorite hobby: hunting. No other villager had mentioned the dark myth of the forest to him, so undisturbed he immersed himself in the dense woods, where the landscape was bathed in white. Within hours, he realized that the beautiful, refreshing winter atmosphere was tainted by a dark, haunting presence. He couldn’t find his way back. Disoriented, he continued walking, clinging to hope, until he spotted a mysterious figure following him. The eerie melody that began drifting through the air stirred an inexplicable fear in Andrew, who took off running in a panic! What began as a boar hunt turned into a hunt where he became the prey! The last thing he remembered was running aimlessly through the forest, tripping over a rock, and crashing hard into the icy snow.. and suddenly, out of nowhere, those three guys were talking to him about dark magic!


Realism had been attacked in his mind by scenes of the supernatural, leaving him confused, filled with fear and inner hysteria. He felt no pain, no fatigue, no exhaustion! He wasn’t hungry, yet he ate the meat Milo had given him with ravenous hunger! At the same time, he remained silent, hoping to find answers to the countless questions that swirled in his mind!


<< You know, we’ve been searching her for a long time. Two years ago, there were ten of us.. She managed to kill seven. Any men we crossed who chose to continue on their own, never returned…>> Milo said. << Now, there’s just the three of us, hunting down a demon!..>>


<< A real demon! You saw her, you heard her! A real demon lives in the woods among us! >> interrupted the young Ches, barely able to contain his terrifying excitement.


<< The Lamia is an earthbound siren. With her song, she enchants travelers and blinds them, leading them to instant death! The more victims she claims, the closer she gets to her goal- to attain life herself! Each man she kills makes her figure more human, allowing her to eventually escape her prison: this forest>> Milo recounted, his face twisting into a chilling expression that quickly broke into laughter << She’s a spirit, an evil one, but powerful. Our mission is to purify her from our land, to drive her out of our forest forever! >>


<< How? >> Andrew asked, sincerely curious while trying to hide the chill creeping up his spine.


<< Magic is fought with magic! >> Milo replied, pulling out a small book featuring a lunar symbol on its cover. He also took out an old sack, revealing three rounded stones inside.


<< You are going to fight her with… rocks? >> Andrew scoffed.


<< These stones are blessed, imbued with all sorts of prayers and spells. All we need is to lure her within their range, and then this…>> he waved the little book proudly << It will send her back to where she came from! >>


Andrew pondered the simplicity of their plan but kept any doubts off his face.


<< The only thing we need is.. a victim..>>


<< Don’t worry.. I have volunteered for that role..>> Ches whispered, patting Andrew’s shoulder. He licked the juices from his aluminum plate, and then from his fingers << She took my brother.. and I want revenge.. ! I am going to send that demon back to the underworld! Good night! >> he tossed his plate aside and slipped under his fur blankets!


Milo and Frankie chuckled quietly at Ches’s zeal, pouring some wine into their tin cups and raised them to Andrew , who declined with a polite nod.


<< Thank you for saving my life...>>


The two men exchanged glances, letting Andrew’s gratitude hang in the air.


Milo cleared his throat with a sip of wine << You are lucky we heard you shouting..>> He wiped his mouth and tossed his own plate on top of Ches’s. << Now it’s time to rest.. Try to sleep ok? We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow! >>



<< And if she attacks us while we’re sleeping? >> Andrew’s voice shook with visible fear.


<< At this point she’d only come if summoned.. or if she’s dangerously thirsty for.. a soul.. If it’s the latter, we’re prepared! >> Milo reassured him, lying down under his own covers.


<< Just try to sleep.. We’re all on guard for anything.. unexpected! >> Frankie added as he lay down too.


<< Don’t be afraid Andrew… You are safe.. You have us.. Goodnight. >> Milo tried to reassure him..


Andrew’s whole body trembled. His reason had lost the battle to his pounding heart. His mind was sending endless signals of danger. His senses heightened, and his body entered survival mode. He could hear the rustling leaves, the quiet wind, even the ants crawling up tree trunks. He could hear the steps of that vile spirit wandering the forest. Rubbing his face, he realized his fear was pushing him to the edge of madness. No matter how brightly the fire burned, it wasn’t enough. The darkness engulfed them, her figure emerging in every shadowy corner! She was watching them, hidden behind the bushes, behind the trees..  behind him!


With a sudden jolt, he brushed off a huge spider crawling over him! On impulse, he grabbed the flask and took a drink, savoring a different flavor, savoring its sweetness and lightness before setting it beside Milo. He tore a piece of fabric from his damp shirt, split it into two smaller pieces, and stuffed one in each ear, pressing them in until every outside sound faded.


Lying down, his uneven breaths became his lullaby.