Blackwood County – Authorities are scrambling to understand the escalating chaos following a series of increasingly violent events within the confines of ‘The Deep Dark,’ the remote, privately-owned wilderness area just north of Blackwood County. Initial reports indicate a significant escalation of the already unsettling situation, culminating in the discovery of a blood-stained altar and the apparent re-emergence of a malevolent entity believed to be the ‘Revenant’ – a figure previously dismissed as local folklore.

Yesterday evening, a team of four experienced wilderness guides – Mark Olsen, Elias Thorne, Sarah Chen, and Ben Carter – were conducting a routine survey of the area for a wealthy client, Elias Vance, when they encountered what they described as a “terrifying manifestation” near a secluded clearing. According to initial statements, the team discovered a crudely constructed altar constructed of stacked stones, heavily stained with what appears to be human blood. Simultaneously, they reported experiencing a surge of intense cold, disorienting hallucinations, and a palpable sense of dread.

“It wasn’t just cold,” recounted a visibly shaken Sarah Chen in a brief statement to local law enforcement. “It felt… ancient. Like something that shouldn’t be disturbed. And then we saw it. Just… a shadow, moving in the trees. But it wasn’t natural. It wasn’t animal.”

The team attempted to retreat, but were subsequently subjected to a series of increasingly aggressive attacks by what they described as a shadowy, almost amorphous form. Mr. Carter sustained significant injuries, requiring immediate medical attention. While the team managed to escape the clearing, the entity pursued them for several miles before seemingly dissipating back into the darkness.

Local Sheriff Brody confirmed that a full investigation is underway, with a specialized team of investigators from the State Police dispatched to the scene. “We’re treating this with the utmost seriousness,” Sheriff Brody stated. “The reports we’re receiving are… unsettling. The history of this area is rife with stories of disappearances and unexplained phenomena. We’re exploring all possible explanations, including the possibility of ritualistic activity and the potential for a genuine supernatural occurrence.”

Adding to the mystery, Mr. Vance, the client who commissioned the survey, remains unaccounted for. His last known communication, a frantic, garbled message sent via satellite phone, referenced “an old agreement” and a “price that must be paid.” Authorities are currently attempting to locate Mr. Vance and determine the nature of his involvement in whatever transpired within ‘The Deep Dark.’ The area has been cordoned off, and residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any unusual activity.