Del Rek is a peaceful town tucked at the edge of the Oserik Forest—a place where beauty fades with the daylight. Travelers are warned to cross its winding paths only by morning light. But when one man underestimates the waning season, a simple misstep places him in the heart of a night no one should face alone.

As an unnatural mist rises and the silence thickens, the forest takes on a life of its own. Shapes move just beyond the firelight. Whispers drift through the trees. And something unseen begins to follow.

Desperate to reach safety, the traveler must rely on instinct, resolve, and the cryptic signs of a mysterious presence that seems both guardian and warning. But the deeper he moves into the woods, the more the forest reveals a presence older—and far more dangerous—than myth.

Shadow Lingers is a suspenseful dark fantasy tale steeped in atmosphere, fear, and mythic undertones. Set in the world of Ryden, it offers a chilling glimpse into a land where even the lost have something to fear.

Word count: 5,523