Whispers of the Moonlit Grove

he knew every twist and turn by heart. Elara kept pace, her senses on high alert. She didn't trust hi

lence as they entered a narrow alleyway lit on

he replied with

ly? That sounds more li

ver his shoulder with a faint smirk. "What

they reached a small, unmarked door at the base of a crumbling building. Sable knocked three times

t hummed faintly with an aura Elara couldn't quite place. A circular table dominated th

mall, weathered box. He placed it on the table and opened it, revealin

ous about entering the Moonlit Grove, you'll need to understand the elements a

e with its own rm-steady and grounding, like the earth; fluid and shifting,

alls to you?

Her hand moved almost on its own, drawn to a stone that burned with a

ingly. "Passionate, determined, an

a look. "You

ur affinity. It will guide you, but it will also test you. The elements aren't jus

nd. It felt warm against her skin, almost ali

ng moment before answering.

hot up. "That'

ng as I have," he said, his to

oom seemed to darken the air growing heavy. A low, guttural growl

n hardened. "We'v

east with glowing red eyes and jagged claws. Its form shifted a

s like this in her nightmares, but now, face

ons as he murmured an incantation. The air around him shimmere

he ordered, his vo

argue, to prove she wasn't some helpless bystander, b

ening crack. Sable didn't flinch. Instead, he extended his hand, sum

a dying flame. But instead of dissipating, it

ng back. "The stone! Focus on it-fe

herself to breathe. The warmth in her hand grew, spreading up her arm and into he

s, a flicker of flame d

ight as he struggled to maintai

g in her ears. She raised her hand, aimi

t howled, its form destabilizing as the fire consumed it. Within mom

braced herself against the ta

ression unreadable. "Not bad

too drained to mu

"The grove is full of creatures like that-and worse. I

ation hardening her features

hosting across his lips. "Tomorrow," he said

pulling at her, she couldn't help but w

and with it, the