Maka Albarn stepped carefully through the dense underbrush, her fingers instinctively brushing against her scythe, as if to reassure herself. The familiar sound of the wind rustling the leaves above them was oddly calming, but there was something off about this particular forest. It wasn’t the usual eerie feeling she got from their missions; it was the strange warmth in the air, like a hidden presence was wrapping the trees in a cozy embrace.

“C’mon, Maka, you really expect me to believe that someone can just disappear into a forest?” Soul Eater Evans, her partner, grumbled behind her.

Soul’s tone had the usual nonchalance, but his eyes darted around, scanning the area. The white-haired teen looked less amused and more... curious. This mission had started out as typical, the usual assignment from Lord Death: find and defeat a suspected witch hiding in the woods. But there was something about this one that set his senses on edge.

Maka sighed, not turning around. “I know what I saw, Soul. I swear, the way she moved—like she was one with the forest. And then she was gone, like she melted into the earth.” Her voice faltered slightly, unease creeping into her words.

Soul cocked an eyebrow, but said nothing as they reached the edge of the clearing. They were getting close. Their quarry, the witch, was rumored to have been using magic to manipulate the trees. The reports had mentioned strange weather patterns, wild growths of vines, and the occasional puff of green smoke that could be seen at night. But it didn’t seem like the usual witch. Something was off.

Maka and Soul stopped in their tracks, As they stepped into the clearing, the smell of fresh pine mixed with a faint, almost intoxicating floral scent.

Soul’s eyes narrowed, and his hand instinctively moved to his weapon form. “She doesn’t look like a witch to me,” he muttered, his voice low.

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t,” Maka replied, her instincts tingling. She tightened her grip on her scythe. "Get ready, Soul. I don't trust her."