** Chapter 10: The Second Challenge - The Haunted Forest **
The day dawned with a tense mood. ** Calley ** was released from the ** cell from shame **, but his expression was different: more serious, more focused. She didn't speak much, just joined the ** Guardians of Dawn ** with a look of determination.
** Henrique Nakamura ** appeared in the center of the camp, with an enigmatic smile.
- *Welcome to the second challenge of *Heroes of Alvannia *! Today, you will face the ** haunted forest **, a place where the dangers are real and the scars ... permanent.
The competitors exchanged nervous glances, but no one backed down.
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### ** The Challenge: The Haunted Forest **
Henry pointed to a dense dark forest, where twisted trees and thick mists created a sinister atmosphere.
-*Within this forest, there is a ** totem of victory **. The group that brings you back on stage first will be the winner. But beware ... the forest is inhabited by dark creatures, deadly traps and illusions that can go crazy to the strongest.*
He raised a small carved wood totem that shone with a weak light.
- *The losing group will face severe consequences: each member will receive a permanent scar chosen by the forest. And of course the whole group will have to clean the bathrooms and prepare food for the winner until the next challenge.*
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### ** The rules **
1. ** Teamwork **: No member can separate from the group for more than 5 minutes.
2. ** Traps and creatures **: The forest is full of deadly dangers. Stay alert.
3. ** Illusions **: The forest can manipulate their minds, making them see things that do not exist.
4. ** Victory **: The group that brings the totem first gains immunity in the next elimination.
5. ** Defeat **: Permanent scars and humiliating tasks await the loser.
---
### ** Preparation **
** Hardy ** gathered the ** Guardians of Dawn **:
- *Stay together, protect each other and don't let the forest deceive them. Katherine, use your voice to calm our minds. Grayrock, you will be our shield. Calley ...*
He looked at her seriously.
- *We need you focused. Don't let the past disturb you.*
** Calley ** nodded, without saying a word.
On the other side, ** Glenda ** smiled at his group:
- *We played dirty, but we played to win. Leerstrom, you and Katun go ahead, exploring the way. Drake, if any creature attacks us, burn it. And remember ... don't trust anything you come.*
---
### ** The challenge starts **
The two groups entered the forest, where the twisted branches seemed to move alone and the whispers echoed in the shadows.
#### ** The Guardians of Dawn **
- ** Katherine ** sang a soft melody, keeping the group calm.
- ** Grayrock ** blocked a thorns trap that emerged from the floor.
- ** Calley ** jumped over a root that tried to grab her, showing that he was focused.
- ** Goldwine ** spotted an illusion of ** Malbeth **, but ignored, knowing it was false.
#### ** The shadows of ambition **
- ** Leerstrom ** and ** katun ** explored the way, avoiding traps with agility.
- ** Drake ** incinerated a dark creature that tried to attack them.
- ** Glenda ** led the group with cunning, but an illusion of ** Hardy ** almost deceived it.
---
### ** The climax **
Both groups arrived at the ** totem of victory ** at the same time, but he was protected by a gigantic creature: a ** spirit of the forest **, a dark entity with bright eyes and sharp claws.
- * No one gets the totem without paying the price! * - Rugged the creature.
** Hardy ** and ** Glenda ** exchanged glances, understanding that they needed to work together to defeat the spirit.
- *Guardians, attack on the left! Shadows on the right!* - Ordered ** Hardy **.
** Drake ** launched a gust of fire, while ** strong ** and ** chromdor ** advanced with brute force. ** Katherine ** sang a melody that weakened the spirit, and ** Glenda ** gave the final blow with a sharp knife.
The spirit disappeared, and the totem was free.
---
### ** The victory **
** Glenda ** took the totem first, but ** Hardy ** intervened:
- *We work together. This is a victory for all.*
** Henrique Nakamura ** appeared, applauding.
- *Impressive! But unfortunately, only one group can be the winner. And this time, the ** shadows of ambition ** took the totem first. Congratulations! You gained immunity in the next elimination.*
The ** guardians ** were silent, knowing that the consequences would be severe.
---
### ** The consequences **
The losing group was taken to a clearing where ** Henry ** raised hands.
- *The forest chose its scars. They will be permanent, a reminder of your defeat.*
A bright light involved each member of the ** guardians **, and scars appeared in their bodies:
- ** Hardy **: A claw mark in the chest.
- ** Drew **: A burn on the arm.
- ** Calley **: A spiral -shaped scar on the leg.
** Calley ** looked at the scar, muttering:
- *I won't forget that. *
** End of Chapter 10 **
*(Next: the traitor is revealed - and blood will be shed!)*