Lord Of The Lost

William stood in awe, staring at the cloak draped before him. "A rare piece of equipment?" he murmured, his mind racing to comprehend its significance.

As the realization sank in, he understood. This wasn't just any ordinary item; it was a magical prop crafted by Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother; the Wolf Lord, as the elite werewolf had called her.

"Werewolves have an incredible sense of smell and tracking abilities," Little Red Riding Hood said, her voice laced with urgency as she adjusted the cloak around her shoulders. She was enveloped in its shimmering fabric, which seemed to ripple like water in the moonlight.

The cloak was a square of invisibility, roughly three meters on each side. There was more than enough room for both of them to hide inside, and as long as they remained within its embrace, they would remain undetected. William tested its effect, discovering that he didn't need to cover his entire body; even partially hidden, he felt secure.

"If you stay close, even if you stick out an arm or a leg, it's still hidden," he explained, excitement bubbling in his chest. "But if you stick out your head or shoulders, you'll be exposed. It's like magic!"

"Yes, a powerful tool," Little Red Riding Hood replied, her eyes brightening for a moment. "It not only conceals us but also masks our scent and weight. We can walk without leaving a trace."

William marveled at the thought. "Not even infrared or thermal detectors could pick us up. As long as we're careful, we should be safe."

Little Red Riding Hood nodded, her expression turning serious. "I've used it to avoid being hunted by the werewolves. But…" She hesitated, her brow furrowing. "The young hunter couldn't hide with it."

"Why not?" William asked gently, sensing her mood shift.

"He… is special," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "So the cloak doesn't work for him."

William could feel the weight of her words. He noticed her troubled expression and sensed that she didn't want to elaborate further. The tension hung heavy in the air, and his thoughts began to swirl.

The lantern he carried could fend off ordinary werewolves, but elite ones were a different story. Rare items like this cloak should theoretically hold power over them, yet there was something else at play.

He recalled how his spirit value had quietly dwindled after their encounter with the monster. It hadn't dropped significantly, but it was enough to make him wary.

As they pressed deeper into the misty forest, William's heart raced. The place was alive with vibrant greenery and bustling wildlife, yet he felt an undercurrent of anxiety. What if they couldn't find the witch?

He had always thought rare items were immensely valuable, and the four-leaf clover bookmark he possessed was even rarer. But after facing elite werewolves and witnessing the true dangers of this world, doubt crept into his mind.

"Maybe… maybe that four-leaf clover bookmark isn't enough," he thought aloud, his confidence waning. "It's just an incomplete prop compared to what we're up against."

Little Red Riding Hood paused, her gaze steady and resolute. "We'll find her, William. We just need to stay focused and trust in the magic we have."

With those words, he felt a flicker of hope reignite within him. They had a powerful tool at their disposal, and together, they could navigate the darkness ahead.

Little Red Riding Hood had ventured into the Misty Forest three days ago, seeking the elusive witch who remained hidden from view. With every passing moment, the frustration of their fruitless search weighed heavily on William.

"This witch is really good at hiding," he muttered to himself, pushing through the dense underbrush with Little Red Riding Hood close behind. Despite their quick pace, the invisibility cloak they shared slowed them down, forcing them to move in sync.

After what felt like an eternity, William heard Little Red Riding Hood's soft voice break the silence. "Did I say something too harsh back there?"

He paused and turned to face her. The girl's expression was downcast, shadows flickering across her features. William quickly understood the source of her unease.

"He'll understand you," he reassured her gently. "He knows how children can be. As long as you act with good intentions, I'm sure he'll forgive you."

William reflected on his own lack of siblings. He had never shared that bond, but he knew how kids could sometimes act out in ways that seemed strange to adults. "Even if Little Bob woke up right now, I doubt he'd hold a grudge," he added, recalling the murmurs of the villagers about their relationship.

Little Red Riding Hood averted her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "Did he have something to say to me just before… I just didn't want to hear it then." Her shoulders sagged as regret seeped into her words.

"He only wants the best for you," William replied, trying to instill some comfort.

"I don't want him to worry about me!" Little Red Riding Hood snapped, her frustration bubbling to the surface. She shot him a fierce glare. "Why are you just standing here? Let's go find the witch!"

William blinked, taken aback by her sudden anger. Arguing logic with her seemed pointless, especially considering her impressive strength. If he pushed her too far, he could easily end up with a sore chest from her little fists.

With at least a dozen levels of skill, Little Red Riding Hood could handle any ordinary half-blood werewolf without breaking a sweat. However, he also knew she was outmatched by elite werewolves and the monstrous form Little Bob had taken on; those creatures were in a league of their own.

William took a moment to reassess their situation and realized just how vulnerable he was in this wild environment. "Have we been this way before?" he asked, scanning their surroundings.

Little Red Riding Hood huffed, crossing her arms. "You led me here, and now you're asking if I know the way?"

"Are you lost? Because it seems a bit silly to forget a path you've walked," he retorted, trying to lighten the mood.

She rolled her eyes but a small smile threatened to break through her frustration. "Let's just keep moving. The witch won't find herself."

William nodded, encouraged by her resolve. Together, they pushed forward through the mist, determined to uncover the witch's secrets and bring light to the shadows surrounding them.

When William heard Little Red Riding Hood's words, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, a trace of exasperation on his face. He quipped sarcastically, "Well, I guess I'm lucky. I haven't been wandering lost in this misty forest for three days and nights."

Little Red Riding Hood's temper flared instantly. She stomped her foot, glaring at him with fiery eyes. "What did you just say? Say it again if you're brave enough!" She was practically bouncing in her anger, fists clenched.

William chuckled, flashing her a playful grin. "Please, Little Red Riding Hood, be my guide," he teased, bowing dramatically.

Seeing his mischievous smile, Little Red Riding Hood's anger only deepened, but she couldn't bring herself to hit someone who was clearly joking. Instead, she crossed her arms and looked away, muttering to herself in frustration. "Ugh, so annoying…"

With a sharp breath, she regained her composure, her voice suddenly more serious. "There's a special part of the Misty Forest that messes with outsiders' sense of direction. It's not just the fog, you know. There's some... mysterious force at play."

William blinked, surprised. He had just been trying to get her off his back, but now she was actually making sense. He turned his head slightly and asked, "Was it something the witch set up?"

Little Red Riding Hood shook her head, her expression sour. "No. The witch didn't create it. She's just using the natural power of the forest to her advantage. Little Bob and I have tried many times to reach the core of the Misty Forest, but we've never made it."

Her frustration was palpable. Her fists were clenched, her face set in a deep scowl, and her eyes practically blazed with anger. "It's infuriating!" she growled.

William glanced at her, barely suppressing a grin. Her fiery determination was something to admire. For a moment, he imagined her as a tiny fire demon, setting the whole forest ablaze in her fury. If only it were that easy.

But he understood her frustration all too well. The Misty Forest was no ordinary place, and the witch, whoever she was, clearly wasn't going to make herself easy to find. They were in the witch's territory now, and in that, they were at a disadvantage.

"So," William said with a smirk, "what you're telling me is, we're pretty close to the witch, aren't we?"

Little Red Riding Hood huffed, tilting her head in irritation. "I guess. But close doesn't mean anything if we can't reach her."

William, undeterred, cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted into the mist, "Witch! Calcifer sent me to find you!"

Little Red Riding Hood shot him a skeptical look and snorted. "It's useless. She won't come out just because you yell."

William ignored her, calling out again, his voice echoing through the dense fog. "Witch! The kingdom is on the brink of disaster! The natural calamities are nearing the borders, and even the fortress at Blizzard's End can't stop them!"

Still, nothing. No response. Only the heavy silence of the mist wrapped around them. William sighed, slowly realizing that Little Red Riding Hood might be right.

He glanced down at the ground, shaking his head. "I bet you've stepped in the same trap I'm in now, haven't you? Shouting for her, hoping she'd just show up."

Little Red Riding Hood nodded grimly. "Many times," she muttered. "You'll give up soon enough."

But William wasn't one to give up easily. "Witch! This kingdom is running out of time! We need your help!" he shouted again, his voice tinged with desperation.

Little Red Riding Hood crossed her arms tighter, her eyes filled with worry. She felt it too; the werewolves were surely closing in. Even with the invisibility cloak, there was no guarantee that they wouldn't be found. Time was running out, and every second wasted made her more anxious.

She glanced down, her heart heavy. Without the witch's magic potion, there was no saving her grandmother. And Little Bob... if she couldn't help him soon, he'd lose himself entirely.

"Is this really it?" she whispered to herself, the weight of failure sinking in. All of her hopes, her plans, were they for nothing?

But just as despair began to creep in, something strange happened. The mist around them began to shift, as if the forest itself was stirring. The trees seemed to bend, the air thickening with a new kind of energy.

William and Little Red Riding Hood exchanged a glance, a spark of hope flashing between them.

The witch was near.