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The trees stood tall and still, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.
Elira crouched behind an ivy-choked pillar, her fingers brushing over the ancient stone. The runes pulsed faintly beneath her touch, whispering half-truths and forgotten oaths. Her mind was spinning—not from fear, but from the echo of that vision. The dragon… no, *the being*... it had reached into her soul.
*What are you?* she thought. *And why didn't I feel threatened?*
A faint hum pulsed through her fingertips. The stone answered with warmth.
"Elira!" Lumi's voice rang through the trees. The silver-badged elf leapt down beside her with inhuman grace, brushing a leaf from her cloak. "Seriously, you just disappeared! You can't do that when we're surrounded by spirits, monsters, and angry trees."
"They're not angry," Elira murmured, blinking as the rune light faded. "Just… confused. This place is waking up."
Lumi squinted. "That sounds deeply poetic and *completely unhelpful* when I nearly tripped over a glowing root that tried to sing at me."
Elira smiled despite herself. "It sang?"
"Mocked my balance, actually. In Elvish. Rude little vine." Lumi huffed, hands on her hips.
A rustle to the left drew both girls' attention. Kael emerged from the foliage, brushing leaves off his leather armor. "Brann is setting up camp. Says we'll push deeper tomorrow."
Lumi rolled her eyes. "Right, because resting next to clearly haunted ruins is the safest thing we could possibly do."
Elira stood, but her expression was distant. "I need to speak with the spirits again… or whatever that was."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "You're serious, aren't you?"
"Completely," she whispered. "There's something out there that's watching all of us. And it doesn't feel like a threat. But it *does* feel ancient."
---
### **Meanwhile – Atop the Canopy**
Yuki lay sprawled along a massive, moss-covered branch, eyes half-lidded but alert. The moon hung above like a silent guardian, its pale light bouncing off his crimson scales. Sylvaeria drifted nearby in her smaller form, legs tucked beneath her like a lounging cat.
"She felt your projection," she mused.
"I know." His voice was quiet, contemplative. "She didn't recoil."
"You're surprised?" Sylvaeria floated closer, brushing a strand of glowing energy from his mane. "You still think like a human sometimes."
Yuki didn't deny it.
He closed his eyes briefly, memories flickering at the edge of his mind—city lights, the sound of traffic, laughter in a cramped kitchen, the comfort of a hand in his.
*I haven't forgotten… not completely.*
He exhaled, smoke curling from his nostrils.
"I don't want to be feared by everyone," he said finally. "I used to… be someone who helped people. Now, all they see is a monster."
Sylvaeria's gaze softened. "Then maybe that's why you noticed Elira. She's not seeing the monster."
"No. She's seeing something else."
He didn't say what, but Sylvaeria understood. *A presence. A protector. A possibility.*
---
### **Forest Edge – Night Camp**
Brann had finally decided on a campsite, and a small fire crackled under a makeshift spit. The warmth was welcome, but the tension remained thick.
Lumi leaned against a tree, arms crossed, watching Elira pace near the ruins.
"You've been weird lately," she said aloud.
Elira stopped mid-step. "Weird how?"
"Like you're listening to voices I can't hear. Or talking to yourself and expecting the trees to answer."
Elira laughed softly, the sound carrying a faint shimmer. "Maybe they *are* answering."
Lumi arched an eyebrow. "If you start hugging mushrooms and naming them, I'm dragging you back to town."
"I'm serious."
Lumi straightened, voice quieter. "I know. That's the part that scares me."
There was a pause, filled with the crackling fire and distant chimes of forest spirits.
Then Lumi added, "You know, you don't have to do this alone."
Elira blinked. "You mean—"
"I mean I'm watching your back. Even if you start glowing and floating and summoning vines in your sleep."
A small smile tugged at Elira's lips. "Thanks."
"Don't thank me yet. I'm still not convinced you're not a forest nymph in disguise."
---
### **Closing Scene – Deeper Thoughts**
As the camp settled and shadows stretched long, Yuki remained in silent watch from above.
He could hear their voices through the leaves. Feel their presence in his domain.
And despite everything, he felt… connected.
*Maybe I haven't lost everything. Maybe there's still a part of me left.*
His claw traced an arc through the bark, a silent oath. Whatever fate brought to his forest—he would face it. But perhaps… not alone.
And far below, two girls—one born of the forest, one touched by its magic—slept beneath a sky full of whispers.
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