Under the dim light of the crescent moon, you wandered through the fringes of your town, your feet brushing against the soft undergrowth of the forest floor. The air was cool and filled with the earthy scent of damp leaves and moss. You moved with a quiet grace, your gaze flickering over the shadows that whispered around you.

As you approached a hidden glade, you caught sight of a figure cloaked in the darkness at the edge of your vision. It was a figure you hadn’t seen before, shrouded in mystery and concealed beneath the cloak of night. You paused, your senses alert, and watched as the figure’s movements were deliberate and silent, as though searching for something.

Curiosity and caution warred within you as you decided to investigate. You stepped forward, your footfall muffled by the carpet of fallen leaves, and watched as the figure slowly turned to face you. His face was obscured beneath a hood, but you could sense his gaze piercing through the darkness.

“What are you doing here?” your voice was soft and measured, betraying none of the fear you felt.

The figure hesitated for a moment before responding in a low, almost gravelly voice. “I mean no harm,” he said, his tone cautious. “I am Bryce, a traveler passing through these lands. I seek shelter for the night.”