Chapter 2 Chapitre 2

Victor stared at the unconscious man at his feet, his thoughts swirling. The adrenaline of the confrontation faded, giving way to a multitude of questions. Who was this man? And why did it seem to be linked to the wolf legends- Were?

The hunter knew he couldn't leave this man alone in the forest. The sun was going to get up soon, and he had to act quickly. Carefully, he lifted the stranger and hoisted him

on his shoulders. Despite his imposing stature, the man was lighter than Victor.

had imagined, as if the curse weighed as much on his mind as on his body.

On the way to the village, Victor reflected on the stories he had heard all his life.

These stories which, until this day, seemed so unreal to him. Maybe there was a bottom of truth? Perhaps these ancient tales carried within them fragments of reality that he had never taken seriously?

Arriving home, Victor placed the man on his bed and covered him with a thick blanket.

He lit a fire to warm the room, then sat at the table, his eyes fixed on the unknown. As he began to doze off, exhausted by the events of the night, a moan caught his attention. The man was beginning to regain consciousness.

"Where am I?" » he whispered, his eyes still blurry.

"You are at my house, in Bois-Sombre," replied Victor. "Who are you?" And what happened to you? »The stranger stood up painfully, pain visible on his face. "My name is Luc.

I was cursed years ago, condemned to turn into a beast every fill moon. »

Victor listened in silence, his usual skepticism tested by tangible reality. in front of him. "How is this possible? » he finally asked. "How can a Can a curse turn a man into a monster? »

Luc sighed, his eyes lost in space. "It's a long story, full of suffering and despair. But first you need to understand the legends of this region. The stories your ancestors passed down. »

Victor nodded, intrigued and eager to understand. He heated some water and prepared tea for both of them. Sitting around the table, Luc began to tell the story.

"Legends of the full moon go back centuries," he explained. " They

tell the story of a man, once loved and respected in his village. This man, named Elias, lived a peaceful life with his family. But everything changed when he crossed paths with a witch, Morgane, known for her jealousy and cruelty. »

Luc paused, taking a sip of tea before continuing. "Elias had refused the advances from Morgana, and in revenge, she curses him. Every full moon, it

transformed into a werewolf, a monstrous creature thirsty for blood. There curse was passed down from generation to generation, affecting anyone shared Elias' blood. »

Victor listened attentively, his doubts slowly fading. "The villagers have- They tried to break the curse? » he asked.

Luke nodded. "Yes, they tried many ways. Some were looking for ways to kill the creature, thinking it would end the curse. Others were trying to find Morgana to ask her to cancel the spell. But she was nowhere to be found, and his powers seemed to grow with each cursed generation. »Victor leaned forward, captivated by the story. "So how did you get cursed?" »

Luc looked down, a glint of sadness crossing his eyes. "I am a descendant of Elias. I grew up knowing that this curse could one day take me

to touch. My parents hid the truth from me as long as possible, but to my twenty years, the first transformation took place. Since then, every full moon, I become this beast. »

A heavy silence settled in the room, disturbed only by the crackling of the fire. Victor thought about what he had just heard. All he ever had considered fables suddenly seemed to take a tragic turn real.

"There must be a way to lift this curse," he said finally, determined. " We We have to figure out how to break this spell. »

Luc looked at him gratefully, a spark of hope in his eyes. "There are stories, legends about an ancient artifact hidden in the mountains. An artifact capable of destroying any curse. But the path is dangerous, and many are those who tried to reach it and never returned. »

Victor straightened up, his resolve strengthened by the reality of the situation. " We

Let's find this artifact, Luke. We will end this curse, once and for all all. »

The following day, Victor and Luc began to prepare for their quest. But before leaving, they knew they had to inform the village elders and gain their support.

THE

elders were the guardians of the traditions and legends of Darkwood, and their advice would be valuable.

In the evening, they went to the house of the village elder, an elderly man named Bernard.

Around the table, the other elders were already waiting for them, their faces serious and worried."Victor, Luc, why did you bring us together? » asked Bernard, his voice authoritative but imbued with kindness.

Victor took a deep breath and began to recount the events of the night previous. He described Luke's transformation, the curse that weighed on him, and their decision to seek out the legendary artifact to break the spell.

The elders listened in silence, exchanging meaningful looks.

When Victor had finished, Bernard spoke.

"The legends of our village are ancient and often obscure," he said slowly.

"

But we all know the story of Elias and Morgana. If what you say is true, then this curse is a threat to all of us. »

A murmur of approval ran through the room. The ancients understood the urgency of the situation, but they also knew that the quest would be perilous.

"We will support you in your quest," Bernard declared. "But be careful. There forest and mountains are full of dangers, and Morgana could well keep an eye on each one of your steps. »

Victor and Luc thanked the elders for their support and returned to Victor to finalize their preparations. They knew the road would be long and strewn with pitfalls, but they were determined to succeed.

That night, as they discussed the details of their trip, Luke related another legend, that of an ancient warrior who tried to lift the curse of the centuries previously.

"It is said that this warrior, named Alaric, had discovered a clue about the location of the artifact," Luc said. "But he never managed to achieve it. Some say he was captured by Morgana herself. »Victor listened attentively, noting every detail. "We'll have to be smarter than Alaric," he said. "We need to understand how Morgane thinks and anticipate her movements. »

Luke nodded. "There is also an old witch in the forest, a benevolent spirit who

could help us. She knows many secrets about curses and spells elders. »

The next day they set out at dawn. Their bags full of provisions, their weapons ready, and their hearts determined. They crossed the village, greeted by worried but hopeful looks. Victor knew their quest was not just to save Luc, but to protect the entire village of Darkwood.

The forest thickened as they went deeper. The trees, tall and imposing, seemed to observe them, their branches forming natural arcs above their heads. Every noise, every crack of a branch put them in alert. They knew that the full moon was approaching, and with it, Luc's transformation.

At dusk they reached a clearing where, according to Luke, the old witch lived benevolent. They set up camp and waited, hoping she would come to them.

encounter.

Suddenly, a thick mist rose from the ground, enveloping the clearing in an atmosphere mystical. A figure emerged through the mist, moving slowly towards them.

She was an old woman, bent with age but with eyes shining with wisdom. ancestral.

"You are looking to raise a

Curse," she said in a soft but powerful voice. "I am Elvira, guardian of secrets of this forest. »Victor and Luc stood up, respectful before the aura of the old witch. " We have

I need your help, Elvira," Victor said. "Luke is cursed, and we must find the legendary artifact to break this spell. »

Elvira looked at them intently, as if searching their souls. "The road will be long and dangerous. Morgana won't let her curse be broken so easily. But I

will help you. »

She sat down by the fire and began to tell the story of Morgana, her powers and of his weaknesses. "Morgana draws her strength from the suffering and despair of the cursed.

But there are objects, talismans, which can weaken its power. You must find these talismans before you can reach the artifact. »

Victor and Luc took notes, absorbing every word. "Where can we find these talismans? » asked Luc.

Elvira smiled mysteriously. "Talismans are hidden in sacred places, protected by tests of courage and heart. You must prove your worth to get them. »

As she spoke, a terrifying howl echoed through the night, cutting their conversation short.

conversation. Victor and Luc looked at each other, their determination stronger than ever.

The quest to break the curse had just begun, and they knew they would have to confront their deepest fears to succeed.