They heard a faint rustle and looked at the bushes.Both girls froze. From the shadows, a small fox emerged.
Its eyes widened with curiosity.
Amelia gasped. "It's... beautiful!"
The fox tilted its head, staring at Amelia's glowing mark. Then, to their surprise,It spoke.
"Are you Master Alaric's Daughter"
They stared at it in surprise their eyes widened.
Sophie said"Amelia... could you pinch me I think I am dreaming!!"
"I think I am also dreaming !! D-Did the fox just talk?. "Amelia replied and pinched her.
"Ouch !! I didn't tell you to pinch so hard "
The Fox laughed Looking at them .
"As far as I remember I can talk "It said .
Sophie said" Don't mind us it is our first time seeing a fox talk"
They calmed down and looked at it curiously.
Fox said " I think you must be wondering who this handsome fox is, I am leo ."
They both blinked at him in confusion.
Sophie raised an eyebrow. "Handsome? You sure are confident for a fox."
Leo puffed his small chest proudly. "Confidence is part of the charm! Besides, Master Alaric used to say a fox should always introduce himself properly."
Amelia questions him. "You... you knew my father?"
Leo said " of course he was the only heir of the protectors and rulers of Enchanted Forest son of queen Elowen and king Eldric."
Before Amelia could ask more, the ground beneath them trembled slightly. The soft hum of the forest turned heavy - the leaves shivered though there was no wind.
Sophie glanced around nervously. "Amelia... what's that sound?"
A deep growl echoed through the trees. Then, from the shadows, a massive fox emerged - its fur shimmering like silver fire, eyes glowing like embers. It was a bit longer than their height.
Leo immediately bowed his head. "Guardian Fenrir..." he whispered.
Amelia and Sophie stepped back instinctively. The air felt heavier, like the world itself was holding its breath.
Leo said "Ah, this is Gurdian Fenrir. He protects the gates of the Enchanted Forest."
Fenrir's voice was deep he said
"So... the heir of the Enchanted Forest has arrived. Master Alaric's daughter..."
"You have come early"
Amelia said "I think,, I know.....I mean I did have an idea that I was not supposed to be here before my 18th birthday but, I just wanted to know if that oak tree was the gate .And I didn't know that I would come here like this
"
Fenrir's amber eyes softened slightly, but the weight in his voice remained.
"Exactly. You should not have come before your eighteenth birthday. Your powers are not fully awakened. You cannot control them... not yet. And the dark forces are already aware of your presence and if they sense that you are here you will be in danger."
Sophie gripped Amelia's hand. "Dark forces?!"
Leo laughed nervously, trying to lighten the tension. "Think of them as very rude guests who never leave us"
Fenrir said" You need to go back for now "
Amelia's heart raced. "Go back? But I... I want answers"
Fenrir shook his massive head. "You will have your answers... in time. For now, return to the human world. Train your mind, protect your secret. The forest will welcome you again when the day comes for you to claim your power."
Sophie grabbed Amelia's hand. "Hey... we'll figure this out together, okay? But maybe we should listen to him for now."
Amelia looked at her wrist - the blue mark pulsing faintly - and at the shimmering forest around them. She felt a strange mix of awe, fear, and determination.
Amelia said reluctantly "fine.... we will go back for now"
Fenrir lowered his head, his voice gentle. "Follow us. Leo and I will guide you safely back. When the time is right, you will return to the forest and unlock your true power.
...And the next time you return be prepared for the trial this forest made for you"
The ground beneath them began to shimmer.
A soft golden light wrapped around Amelia and Sophie, like a protective cocoon.
The trees and flowers blurred, the forest dissolving around them as they were carried back toward the human world.
When they opened their eyes again they were back at the oak tree.