“Vera, stay close,” Zach said, his voice calm but laced with urgency as we stepped deeper into the heart of the forest. The air felt charged, thick with an energy I had never experienced before. I could see shadows dancing among the trees, their movements almost hypnotic, whispering secrets I couldn’t quite decipher.
“I’ve never felt anything like this,” I replied, glancing at him, the gravity of the situation pressing against my chest. My heart raced, both from fear and the thrill of being on this journey with him. He was always so steady, so sure, and that steadiness anchored me as we approached the clearing ahead.
As we reached the edge of the clearing, I caught my breath at the sight before us. The altar stood in the center, ancient stones carved with symbols that pulsed faintly in t
