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**Edge of the Trial Glade – Moments Later**
The glade was quiet. The soft hum of spirits faded, replaced by the sounds of wind and crackling leaves once more. Elira gently cupped the spirit-seed in her palms. It pulsed softly—alive, aware.
Garron leaned over her shoulder. "Is it supposed to be blinking like that?"
"It's not blinking," Lumi said, nose wrinkled. "It's… pulsing in response to the forest. Almost like it's syncing to her mana."
"I feel like it's… listening," Elira whispered. "Watching. Like we passed a test, but not the only one."
Seris cleaned her blades. "I'd like to pass the next test with fewer ghosts, thanks."
"You're no fun," Lumi chirped. "You cut down your ghost self *before* it could monologue properly. You robbed us of closure!"
Seris gave her a deadpan stare. "Closure is a luxury. Survival is a necessity."
Garron grunted. "Can we all agree not to touch any more glowing spirit artifacts without backup?"
Elira half-smiled. "Noted. But this seed… it's special. I think it's linked to the forest's Sovereign."
Lumi blinked. "Wait. You mean *the* Sovereign? The dragon?"
"Yes," Elira said. "I felt him again when we left the glade. Watching us. The weight of his presence didn't vanish. It just… shifted, like he was moving."
---
**Spirit Overlook – High Above**
Yuki stretched his wings, letting the spirit winds ripple through them. His gaze lingered on the glade far below, where the group walked toward the Heartgrove.
"They're coming this way," Sylvaeria noted, hovering lazily in midair. "Shall I prepare tea? Or sharpen the branches?"
Yuki gave her a look. "They earned their survival. I won't strike first."
"Oh, how noble," she teased. "From world-ending death dragon to mildly curious forest landlord."
"I *am* curious," Yuki admitted, tail coiling beneath him. "The girl's connection to the forest… it deepens with every step."
Sylvaeria smiled slyly. "You like her."
Yuki blinked. "I don't *like* her."
"You *like-like* her."
Yuki let out a snort of smoke. "You've spent too much time around Lumi's magic. Your brain is melting."
Sylvaeria grinned, clearly unbothered.
---
**Heartgrove – Approaching the Sacred Pool**
The group emerged through a curtain of glowing leaves. The Heartgrove was unlike any place they had seen—an expanse of bioluminescent flora, with crystal-tipped trees and a gentle waterfall that poured into a pond of glowing silver.
Elira slowed her pace, breath catching. "This is it… where the forest breathes."
The spirit-seed in her hands vibrated gently.
Seris eyed the surroundings warily. "Feels like a trap. Pretty one, though."
"Don't say that out loud," Lumi said quickly. "That's like taunting a dungeon boss."
A low *rumble* rolled across the grove.
Garron froze. "You *did* taunt it."
The waterfall rippled. From behind it, a presence emerged—quiet, massive, and ancient.
Yuki stepped forward, form cloaked in refracted light and shimmering scales. He didn't roar. He didn't bare fangs. He simply… appeared.
The group instinctively stepped back.
"Spirit," Elira breathed.
"Dragon," Seris hissed, blades half-drawn.
Yuki's voice echoed—not loud, but resonant. It rang through tree and stone and soul.
**"You walk my domain."**
The forest grew still again. The air thickened with meaning.
**"And now you will speak your purpose."**
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