Chapter 2 - The Investigation

Mr. Filmon finally agrees, "Alright. I see you're convinced there's trouble. Wait here for a moment while I fetch some rope and a net. Is there anything else you think we might need?"

Mr. Filmon takes his time but eventually returns with a rope slung over his shoulder and a net in hand. "Apologies for the delay. I had to search for a net, and I found this old fishing one in storage," he explains, displaying a hint of annoyance but maintaining his effort to please his guests.

As the group exits the manor, an unnatural crack echoes in the air, followed by another and a thud, accompanied by what seems like a scream. Upon reaching the spot where Blossom was last seen, the scene has transformed. Blossom is nowhere to be found, but the fragment piece she was playing with lies in the grass nearby. The mushroom circle has vanished, and all the mushrooms are cut up. The dirt circle however remains. Crow feathers litter the ground, and the branch where the crow was perched now hangs broken, swinging back and forth and bumping into the tree base. A keen mouse observer might notice traces of blood near the top of the tree where the crow originally rested.

Most peculiar is the sudden dampness of the entire area, which was dry before, and there is no evidence of rain.

Mr. Filmon scans his surroundings with a hint of irritation, but he maintains a friendly demeanor. "It seems the danger has passed," he announces, "so I shall return to the manor and complete some tasks." With that, he swiftly makes his way back to the house.

As the group approaches the tree hollow, they notice that it is dark inside. One of the mice lights a torch, and it's flickering light illuminates the interior, revealing a one-room chamber. On the left side lies a mouse skeleton dressed in an unusual outfit. Beside it, a mask rests upon a small, intact journal. Additionally, near the skeleton, the wall is crisscrossed with cracks that are barely noticeable to all but the most observant mice.

On the right side of the room, there is an almost perfectly smooth hole, as if something has tunneled through the wall. The tunnel is small, but a mouse could squeeze through if it chose to crawl inside. However, movement would be extremely difficult, and there is a high risk of getting stuck.

Pushing the mask aside, Hazel reaches for the journal, its brittle pages threatening to crumble with the slightest touch. She hastily scans the contents, and two entries catch her eye.

Upon careful observation, I have noted the peculiar behavior of the mushrooms inhabiting this region. They exhibit characteristics akin to a predatory nature, luring unsuspecting prey into a confining circle where the victim is ensnared and, ultimately, succumbs to the grasp of hunger. It is my belief that these mushrooms release an arcane dust, affecting the minds of those who encounter them. However, I am optimistic about my invention—a special mask designed to shield against the mushrooms' effects. Contemplating the wealth of knowledge we could glean from further exploration of this phenomenon fills my mind with anticipation.

On this day, weariness consumes me as I stumble upon a magnificent tree, a promising site for establishing my research camp. This arboreal specimen, while intriguing, emits an unusual noise, as if myriad minuscule sticks are rhythmically tapping against its venerable wood from the inside. To unravel the mysteries embedded within this tree, further investigation is imperative.

While talking, the trio becomes attuned to the rhythmic tapping of innumerable tiny sticks emanating from within the tree's core. A collective instinct kicks in as they recognize the sound as that of a creature in motion. Abruptly, a disgruntled centipede emerges from the hole that had been hollowed out on the tree's right side, its ire evident as it methodically crawls out.

Sky's swift response with the torch momentarily startles the centipede, creating a brief window for the trio to flee should they decide to make a hasty escape.