Sofia descended the castle stairs more slowly than she had ascended. Her heart no longer beat chaotically in her chest it was still in a hurry, but its rhythm had stabilized, as if the decision made in the king's office had set a clear path in her soul. Her cloak fluttered behind her, and her steps on the cold stone of the courtyard sounded determined, without hesitation.
At the castle gate, Vlad and Dragoș were already waiting for her. Alexandra stood a little further back, looking intently at the forest that stretched towards the village an unsettling silence hung over the trees, as if nature itself was holding its breath.
Vlad took a step forward as soon as he saw her.
—The plan is set, he said, calmly but firmly. I go in first. I know the forest better than anyone and I know the paths that hide us. If the shadows attack, I will keep their attention.
Dragoş stepped next to him, raising the sword slightly, and the cold metal caught a pale glint of light.
—I come after Vlad," he said in a determined voice. I am the strongest of us. The sword and the sign of the Moon… both help me. If the shadows strike, I am the one who stops them.
Vlad turned his head to Sofia.
—After Dragos, you come. You are the calmest of us… and you can strengthen Dragoş. What you did this morning… I don't know exactly how you managed it, but I saw with my own eyes that Dragoş's strength has increased."
Sofia took a deep breath. She wasn't going to say more than was necessary.
—The sign… woke up, she said slowly.
Dragoş's eyes widened for a split second; he wanted to ask, but didn't have the time.
Alexandra intervened immediately.
—I come last, she said. I'll cover everyone's backs. If anyone tries to escape with the child or if the shadows catch us by surprise, I'll be there.
Sofia nodded.
— Makes sense.
Vlad raised his voice, serious:
— The shadows took the children to the part of the forest where we were attacked by Raul. I know the area. They can set traps there. But that's where most of the shadows might be. So, Dragoş… when we get to that area, you go ahead. Is that clear?
Dragoş dug his boot lightly into the ground and nodded.
— Clear.
Alexandra added:
— If none of us return with the children in time… I'm running to Miral. He can help us. But I hope it won't be necessary.
Sofia raised her chin.
— And Nico will be our eyes. If anything happens at the castle, if the shadows return… he'll let us know immediately.
Her gaze settled on each of them. Vlad calm, calculated. Dragoș strong and determined. Alexandra silent, but so steady that you would have sworn she couldn't be moved by anything.
—Okay, Sofia said, raising her voice. Let's go.
They entered the forest without another word.
The daylight was fading rapidly beneath the dense canopy, and the air was growing colder, heavier. Vlad walked first, without hesitation, skirting fallen trees and false paths. The forest recognized him or, at least, didn't reject him.
Dragoș came right behind him, sword ready. On his arm, the sign of the Moon pulsed faintly, like a slow heartbeat.
Sofia walked after him, attentive to every change in the air. She couldn't see the shadows, but she could feel them like gaps in the fabric of the forest.
Alexandra closed the line. Her red eyes followed every movement, every sound that didn't belong in the forest.
After a few minutes, Vlad suddenly stopped and raised his fist.
STOP.
They all froze.
Ahead of them, on the damp ground, were small, jagged footprints—children's footsteps. The tracks intersected, broke, then suddenly disappeared, as if someone had lifted them from the ground.
—Here, Vlad whispered. They carried them. They didn't let them walk alone.
A low sound, like a muffled growl, came from the left.
Dragoş took a step forward.
—I'm coming.
Shadows emerged from the trees, no more than three of them—black, trembling shapes, with edges that crumbled and reassembled.
—Cover! Vlad said.
Alexandra moved instantly, blocking the group's rear.
Dragoş attacked first.
His sword swept in a wide arc, and as it touched the first shadow, the sign of the Moon burst into pale light. The shadow screamed—a sharp, unnatural sound—and dissipated like smoke.
The second rushed toward Sofia.
At that moment, something completely woke up in her chest.
It didn't explode.
It didn't burn.
It just sat down.
A calm warmth descended on her arms, and the air around her vibrated slightly. When she instinctively raised her hand, the shadow stopped, as if it had hit an invisible wall.
—Dragos! she cried.
He turned his sword and struck again. The second shadow fell.
The third tried to run.
—No! Alexandra said coldly.
The shadow disintegrated before it reached the trees.
Silence.
Their breathing was clear.
Sofia lowered her hand slowly. Her heart was beating fast, but… under control.
—We're moving on, Vlad said. I'm close.
They started again, following the tracks that led deeper into the forest.
And somewhere ahead, a faint cry was heard.
The children were close.