The Hollow Pines felt like a labyrinth, twisting deeper into shadows with every step. The strange encounter with Witto lingered in Sera's mind, a storm of questions that she couldn't quite untangle. Who were they really? What did they mean by the truth finding her? And what was the Council hiding about the Moon King?
But as the day wore on, and the oppressive quiet of the forest closed in around them, Sera forced herself to push the doubts aside. She had no choice. She couldn't afford distractions. The stakes were too high.
Caelum led the way, his sharp eyes scanning the mist-shrouded path, every movement cautious, deliberate. Despite the danger that clung to their every step, there was something about him that seemed impenetrable—like a storm waiting to break. His demeanor had remained
