The Forest Pact

the clearing beneath the Heart of the Forest, the serenity felt fragile like a thin sheet of ice over a deep, restless current.

breath catching. "That.

is a harbinger of disruption. It's when the line between the spirit world and

ut her eyes shifted to Silas, who was still scanning the forest, his golden gaze wary

d," she said,

't just amplify dark forces. It also tests bonds... tests wills. It's as

rd. "What happens i

g hers, the contact sending a jolt of warmth through her despite the growi

hest. But her racing thoughts were interrupted by a faint sound in t

r that?"She

n darkened. "Yes.

om

dly to outsiders. But we have no choice. If they're calling us

nergy buzzing in her veins. "Th

melody grew louder, weaving through the trees like a living thing, pulling them toward its sourc

ssive glade. At its center stood a circle of ancient stones, their surfaces etched with glowing runes. Aroun

, their translucent forms shimmering with an otherworldly light. On

s voice deep and resonant. "You have brought a

saved the Heart of the Forest. Without her, M

o Aurora, his eyes narrowi

I didn't mean to intrude, but the Heart... i

art only calls to those it deems worthy. But wort

"The Blood Moon brings trials. The forest's balance has been disturbed,

opped. "What's the

d spirit. It will reveal your true nature and determine if you

front of Aurora. "She's proven herself

turned cold. "The forest

le but firm. "It's okay," she said softly. "If this

is golden eyes blazing

on in her gaze. "I trust you. And I

ep within the glade. Beyond it, the world seemed

will test you. You must confront your deepest fe

ped forward. Silas reached for her hand, grip

inclined his head. "Very well. But know this: if y

ora's hand tightene

e archway, the world around them

of mist, the air thick with an unearthly energy. S

.. it's aliv

ing through a field, her laughter echoing. But the image twisted, the field darkening as storm clouds gathered. Her

always felt like I wasn't e

're more than enough, Aurora. You're brave,

sion of him, surrounded by wolves, his face etched with sorrow as he buried a fallen

out," Silas admitted, his voice raw. "It's why

ertwining with his. "You don't have to be al

o face whatever the forest had in store for them. Aurora couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than a trial it w