The Fearless Princess

eir branches twisted in ways that suggested they had seen centuries of history-centuries of secrets buried deep beneath the earth. The path beneath their horses' ho

tillness followed by whispers in the wind, soft rustlings in the underbrush. Seraphina felt it in her bones: she wasn't just walk

aphina asked, her voice

," he said finally, his tone dark. "It's the magic. The forest is ancient, older than any kingdom. It's been here long before

words sink into her chest. "What do you mea

e more the forest will test you. It will show you things. Things you don't want to see. But you must stay focused, S

g with an emotion she couldn't name.

of hers as they rode side by side. "I'm not saying you

. The sunlight barely pierced through the canopy now, the world around them plunged into an eerie twilight that seemed to swallow

, they r

he hands of gods, was a massive clearing. In the center of the clearing stood a monument-a stone obeli

s something both beautiful and terrifying about i

whispered, her voi

rce of the forest's power, a relic from the old world. Legend has i

burned with a sudden intensity, like a flare of heat that traveled up her arm, spreading

e said, almost to hersel

"It's dangerous, Seraphina. The Heartstone is powerful, but it's not meant for anyone to

t the flicker of doubt. The power inside her hand, the mark that ha

not saying you're afraid. But there's a difference between c

alming presence. She looked into his eyes, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade.

he asked softly. "You don't

he spoke, his voice low and steady. "Because I don't want to see you lose yourself to thi

just about fulfilling the prophecy or fighting against the darkness that threatened her kingdom. It was about connection-about findi

eeling a warmth that had noth

areful. If the Heartstone truly recognizes you, it could mean you

d, and she could almost hear them calling to her. But she took a step back, listening to K

ng," she said, h

he Heartstone and continued into the forest, the str

e sounds-rustling, scraping, and something that sounded like a whispering voice, faint but persistent.

, "What is that sound? I

on hardened. "W

ed from the trees-a man, tall and cloaked in dark, tattered robes. His face was hidden beneath a

o that seemed to come from everywhere at once. "

st as she instinctively reached for h

"I am one who has waited for this momen

weapon, his body tense. "St

em seemed to tremble. "You cannot stop what is coming, Kael. The darkness is

r palm flared in response, hotter than before, as if fi

her voice unwavering, her gaze lock

this time, there was a sharp

e said, his voice fading in