Deep within the dark forest, enormous shadows crept and slithered through the undergrowth.
*Squelch. Squelch.* With each heavy footfall, the sound echoed through the trees.
All around the great shadow, shapes of every size moved in unison.
Human-shaped silhouettes, taller than any person—and smaller ones too.
Four-legged forms.
Shapes that resembled bears.
All of them shambled in the same direction, at the same unhurried pace.
If another shadow stumbled and fell, the ones behind simply trampled straight over it without breaking stride.
Where were they headed? Their steps were unsteady, almost drifting, yet they pressed on.
Their numbers had to exceed a thousand, though an exact count was impossible.
What were they seeking? What drove them forward? Nothing but questions.
The only thing certain was this: the eyes of the great shadow glowed an eerie, baleful red—and before long, something terrible would come to pass.