Okay, Wizdumb,
I've officially entered level two of this whole "chosen one" trip. Things just got a whole lot trippier... and not in the fun, tie-dye mushrooms sort of way.
So, remember that sweet waterfall we were camping by? Yeah, well, turns out that river was the scenic route. Squeaks had it easy, nosing out berries like a champ. Me, on the other hand, had crystal visions haunting my brain, whispers of danger and whatnot.
The thing is, I'm getting this gut feeling (not the bad berries kind, I hope) that the river wasn't taking me where I needed to be. Like, it was all sunshine and easy living, but those crumbling castle visions? Not exactly beach vacation vibes. So, I took a gamble. Ditched the river and headed deeper into the forest, hoping my inner compass wasn't completely busted.
Let me tell you, Wizdumb, that forest went from enchanted-lite to creepy-town real quick. It got all silent and spooky, like the trees themselves were holding their breath. Every twig snapping had me thinking that shadowy dude from the crystal was about to jump out and, I don't know, steal my shoelaces or something.
But then, get this, I found a path. Not a normal, sunshine-and-daisies kind of path, but a hidden, overgrown, probably-leads-to-trouble kind. Still, something about it felt…right? Like, scary-right, but also maybe the right kind of scary to get me somewhere important.
Night's falling now, and that spooky path led me to this massive old tree. And perched on a branch? A freaky talking crow. Not like, "caw-caw" crow, but proper words, deep and raspy, calling me "Mark of the Otherworld" and all that.
It told me stuff, Wizdumb About allies (who? where?) and a whole lot of darkness hanging over everything. Then poof! It flew off into the sunset. Leaving me with more questions than answers. Typical.
So here's the deal: I gotta admit, I'm a tad freaked out. But I'm also kinda pumped. Because this is it, isn't it? This isn't just lost-guy-in-the-woods anymore. This is the quest, the adventure, the part where the regular dude gets to do something that matters.
Wish me luck, Wizdumb. I'm gonna need it.
Until tomorrow,
Mark