Chapter 10: The Whispers in the Woods
The morning air was cool and quiet. Clouds covered the sky like a soft gray blanket. Sera opened her eyes slowly. She stretched and looked outside her window. Something felt different today. Something strange.
She quickly got dressed and stepped out of her room. The ground was damp from last night's rain. She walked toward the big tree where she usually met her friends. Kael, Riven, and Lira were already there, talking softly.
Sera looked around. "Where's Valen?" she asked.
Kael glanced toward the forest. "He said he wanted to take a walk. Just to clear his head. But he hasn't come back yet."
Sera felt a small twist in her stomach. The forest was beautiful, but also dangerous. Some parts were filled with wild magic. Strange things happened there.
"I'm going to find him," she said.
Kael stood up quickly. "We're coming with you."
Together, they walked along the narrow path leading into the woods. The trees grew thicker. The leaves rustled in the wind. Shadows moved even though nothing was there. Lira flew beside them, staying close.
As they walked deeper, the forest grew darker. The air became heavy. Then, they heard it.
A whisper.
It was soft, like the wind, but it had a voice.
"Sera..."
She froze. "Did you hear that?" she whispered.
Kael nodded. Riven looked more alert. Lira shivered and flew a bit higher.
They followed the sound. The path twisted and turned until they reached a small clearing. And there, standing near an old tree, was Valen.
But something was wrong .
His eyes looked distant. His face was calm, too calm. Sera took a step forward.
"Valen?" she said gently .
He didn't answer. He just stared .
Sera reached out and touched his hand .
Suddenly, a bright flash of magic burst around them. Everything turned dark. Sera heard her friends yelling, but the sound faded away.
When she opened her eyes, she was no longer in the forest.
She was somewhere else.
Floating lights filled the air. The ground looked like glass. Valen stood beside her, blinking slowly.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"I don't know," Sera said. "But I think it's a trap."
Valen turned in a slow circle. "It feels like a memory. But not mine."
Something moved in the shadows around them.
Sera held Valen's hand tightly. "We have to stay together."
A woman stepped out from the dark. She wore a long black robe. Her hair flowed like smoke. Her eyes glowed a deep red.
"Child of Light," she said to Sera. "You opened the path. Now, I am awake."
Sera felt her knees go weak. "Who are you?"
The woman smiled. "You will know me soon. But for now, you should run."
The world shook. The lights began to spin. Sera closed her eyes, held Valen's hand tighter, and wished to go home.
A moment later, they were back.
They were lying on the forest floor, gasping. Kael, Riven, and Lira rushed to them.
"You're back! Are you okay?" Lira cried.
Sera nodded slowly. "Yes. But something... or someone... is coming."
She looked at Valen. He nodded. "She was powerful. Stronger than Morwenna."
Kael frowned. "Then we need to train harder."
Riven agreed. "And stay together. No more wandering alone."
They all walked back to the school, quiet and thoughtful. That night, Sera sat by her window, thinking.
The glowing stone Mora had given her was on her desk. It shimmered faintly, as if it could sense her fear.
She picked it up and whispered, "Please help me protect the people I love."
The stone warmed in her hand.
Just then, there was a soft knock at her door.
It was Valen.
He stepped inside and smiled shyly. "I couldn't sleep."
Sera smiled too. "Me neither. "
They sat by the window together.The stars were hidden by clouds, but they didn't mind.
"You were very brave today," Valen said.
"I was scared," Sera replied.
"Me too. But I felt safe with you," he said.
He reached out and held her hand.
Their fingers intertwined.
"Whatever comes next, we'll face it together," Valen said.
Sera nodded.
Outside, far in the forest, a red light flickered.
It pulsed slowly.
Waiting.
Watching.
The real danger was just beginning.