The forest grew denser as they moved forward, the air heavy with an eerie stillness that set Juliana's nerves on edge. The aftermath of her trial lingered in her mind, a strange mixture of relief and unease. She had passed, but the raw exposure to her own fears left her feeling vulnerable.
Hak walked beside her, his presence steadying despite the tension in his jaw and the frequent glances he cast her way. His silence spoke volumes, and Juliana could feel the questions he held back.
"What's wrong?" she asked finally, her voice quiet but firm.
Hak hesitated, then sighed. "What did you see in there?"
Juliana bit her lip, unsure how much to reveal. "Myself," she said after a moment. "It showed me...everything I fear most."
"And you overcame it," Hak said, his tone carrying a note of admi
