Chapter 14 — Into the Forbidden Forest
680 Words
The stone door closed behind Luna and the others.
They were now inside the Shadow King's territory.
The air was colder here, and strange blue lights floated between the trees. Even the wind seemed to whisper their names.
Luna looked around.
“This isn't the fortress.”
Kael shook his head.
“No. This forest surrounds it.”
Her father looked at the dark trees.
“The Forbidden Forest.”
Luna remembered hearing stories about it when she was growing up in Evermere.
People said anyone who entered could become lost forever.
A soft voice suddenly came from the trees.
“Luna…”
She froze.
It was her mother's voice.
“Mom?”
Kael quickly stepped beside her.
“Don't follow it.”
“But that's her voice.”
“The forest knows your memories.”
Another voice called.
“Luna, please… help me.”
Luna's heart ached.
She wanted to run toward it.
Instead, she closed her eyes.
“What did my mother tell me?”
Kael looked at her.
“She told you not to come alone.”
Luna opened her eyes.
“And she told me to trust the people beside me.”
The voice disappeared.
The forest became silent.
Kael smiled.
“You're learning.”
They continued walking.
After several minutes, they reached a clearing.
In the middle stood an enormous silver tree.
Its branches were covered with glowing moon-shaped flowers.
Luna approached it.
Her pendant began to glow.
Suddenly, a figure appeared beneath the tree.
It was her mother.
This time, Luna could tell it wasn't an illusion.
“Mom!”
She ran forward.
But an invisible barrier stopped her.
Her mother smiled sadly.
“Luna.”
“Are you really there?”
“Yes.”
Luna's eyes filled with tears.
“I'm going to get you out.”
Her mother shook her head.
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because the Shadow King is watching everything you do.”
Luna looked around.
Her mother continued.
“The forest is connected to his magic. If you try to free me now, he will know exactly where you are.”
Kael stepped forward.
“Then how do we reach the fortress?”
Her mother pointed toward the silver tree.
“Beneath its roots is an ancient passage.”
Luna looked down.
“But there's a barrier.”
“You are the only one who can open it.”
Luna placed her hand on the tree.
Silver light spread across the roots.
The ground began to glow.
A hidden staircase appeared.
Her mother smiled.
“You're stronger than you realize.”
Luna looked at her.
“I'll come back for you.”
“I know.”
The image of her mother began fading.
“Luna…”
“Yes?”
“Whatever happens, don't let the Shadow King convince you that darkness makes someone evil forever.”
Luna was confused.
“What do you mean?”
But the image disappeared before her mother could answer.
Kael looked at Luna.
“That sounded important.”
“It was.”
Luna stared at the hidden staircase.
“Then we'll find out the truth.”
They descended beneath the silver tree.
Far above them, inside the Shadow King's fortress, a dark mirror suddenly cracked.
The Shadow King slowly turned toward it.
“She has discovered the passage.”
A shadow appeared beside him.
“Should we stop her?”
The Shadow King shook his head.
“No.”
His eyes glowed faintly.
“Let her come closer.”
Back beneath the forest, Luna and Kael reached the bottom of the staircase.
A massive door stood before them.
Seven moon symbols appeared across its surface.
Luna touched the first one.
It lit up.
Then the second.
Then the third.
She looked at Kael.
“There are four more.”
Kael nodded.
“Then let's open the door.”
Luna placed her hand against the fourth symbol.
The entire forest began to tremble.
And somewhere inside the fortress, the Shadow King smiled.
The final path to the fortress had been opened.
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