“Go on, Junhong. You want to save her, right?” Yongguk grips the younger man’s shoulder and gives him a reassuring squeeze. “It has to be you; the wizard said so.”

Junhong stares into the dark, foggy forest. Wicked trees with twisted roots and dead branches form a solid wall, and Junhong knows what diabolic creatures await in its depths. 

“What if I don’t make it to her in time?” he whispers, his voice small and scared.

Yongguk shakes his head and gently pushes Junhong forward. “You can’t think like that. More than just her life is at stake here. I know you can do this.”

Those words have a small effect on Junhong and he can feel the strength and courage beginning to bloom in his chest like the first buds of spring. He takes another step closer to the line of trees, relaxing his shoulders and readying himself for whatever will throw itself at him. 

A shrill scream and a sinister howl echo through the night as he breaks through the tree line, stepping closer to his fate.