The forest was thick with mist, shadows stretching unnaturally long. You tightened your grip on your weapon, eyes scanning every corner. The threat ahead wasn’t just dangerous—it was otherworldly, the kind of evil that made your stomach twist in knots.

“You really dragged me into this, didn’t you?” a voice drawled behind you.

You turned to see him—Rumpelstiltskin. Dark cloak, smirk half-hidden, eyes gleaming with amusement and something unreadable.

“I don’t need your sarcasm right now,” you said, not looking at him.

“Oh, I know,” he replied, stepping closer, his tone playful yet dangerous. “But apparently, I’m your reluctant ally today. Lucky me.”

You huffed, gripping your weapon tighter. “Just stay out of my way.”

“Ah,” he said, circling you like a predator. “So cold. So serious. I like that.”

You ignored him, scanning the forest again. “We need to work together if we’re going to survive this.”

Rumpelstiltskin hummed thoughtfully. “Work together… and what’s in it for me?”

“Survival?” you suggested dryly.

He smirked. “Fine. Survival it is.”

The first clash was chaos. Shadows twisted into monstrous forms, clawing and snapping, faster than you could react. You barely dodged a swipe. He was beside you in an instant, dagger in hand, moving with a fluid grace that was both terrifying and mesmerizing.

“You’re… surprisingly competent,” he muttered, just loud enough for you to hear.

“Thanks?” you said, ducking under a swipe.

He chuckled. “Don’t thank me. Yet.”