Chapter 3
By mid-morning, the village lay in disarray. Roof tiles were broken, fences splintered, and terrified villagers huddled wherever they could. Lyra and Joren raced toward Silverpine Woods, hoping the dense forest might hide them.
"Do you think it will follow us?" Joren gasped, clutching a satchel filled with supplies.
"I don't know," Lyra admitted, her hands still warm from the light she had summoned. "But I feel… connected to it. Like it's drawn to me."
The deeper they went into the woods, the more alive it seemed. Leaves rustled in patterns that almost resembled whispers, shadows twisted unnaturally, and glowing motes of light danced in the corners of their vision.
Lyra could feel her pulse syncing with the rhythm of the forest. It wasn't just alive—it was testing them, watching.
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