The Forest Guardian
Hailey
The desert dissolved into silver light.
Golden dunes faded into shimmering mist.
The warmth of the sand disappeared beneath my feet.
For a moment, I felt suspended between worlds.
Between bonds.
Between heartbeats.
The Storm Mark glowed softly above my heart.
The Desert Mark pulsed beneath my ribs.
Connected.
Alive.
The bond felt stronger now.
Deeper.
As though each seal brought another piece of us together.
Then silver leaves began to fall from the sky.
Beautiful.
Weightless.
Ancient.
I watched them drift around me.
Thousands of glowing leaves dancing through moonlight.
The air changed.
Cooler.
Softer.
Filled with the scent of earth after rain.
Towering trees rose around us.
Silver trunks stretching toward a sky filled with stars.
Moon
