Chapter 42: CALL FOR MISSION: Into the Rotten Swamp —3

[ROTTEN SWAMP, 280TH CENTURY, SUMMER]

After the bandit encounter, Sachi and Damien continued walking deeper inside the path to the Rotten Swamp. 

After hours trudging throught the dense forest, the atmosphere began to shift. The air grew thicker, more oppressive, and the trees around twisted into grotesque shapes.

As the ground beneath them became softer, both Sachi and Damien realized that they were nearing the swamp. "We're almost there," Damien said, his voice low and cautious. 

"Stay alert"

Sachi nodded, her eyes scanning their surroundings. The eerie silence broken only by occasional croak of a distant frog or the rustle of unseen creatures. 

They crossed the border into the swamp, a strange, pulsating glow caught their attention, emanating from deeper within the murky waters.

"Look," Sachi whispered, pointing toward the source of the light. "What is that?"