The forest canopy casts dappled shadows on the forest floor as I walk beside my companions, through the dense undergrowth. I take a moment to savor the scent of earth and the distant songs of birds, a reminder of the beauty that exists amidst our perilous journey.
"That was close," Gabe said, side eyeing me.
"It was, but we made it. The ground probably swallowed it or something. Haven't seen it or heard it." I shrugged, not wanting to let on that this place actually kind of terrified me. The magic pulsated here, my lungs expanded with it, and exhaled as it wrote itself into my body. We left our own realm long ago and that thought filled with me apprehension. Leaving meant I also left my babies behind.
My footsteps crunch on fallen leaves and twigs as we weave between gnarled tree trunks
