Late into the night, the hooting of owls echoed in the near-silent surroundings. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, and the moon's reflection shimmered
on the deep lake, creating a peaceful ambiance heightened by an underlying sense of impending
disturbance.
A small town expanded from the lakeside, the houses appearing sturdy and uniform. A man dressed in black soared above the streets, occasionally whistling and
muttering to himself.
"This is my final round tonight. After this, I shall rest deeply, which I haven't done in days," he murmured.
After a brief pause, he continued, "I remember the night watch duties change tomorrow, and I'll get rid of this
tedious task."
Eventually, he vanished into a house at the edge of the town, restoring the previous silence of the night.
Several lanes away, a young girl of eighteen lay sleeping in a house. Her room appeared larger than the house itself, seemingly enchanted.
The girl awoke in a panic, sweating, indicating that she had a troubling dream. "Not again," she said to herself.
These dreams began when she turned eighteen, haunting her with visions of a mysterious, dark forest. At first, she dismissed them, but they began feeling increasingly real, pulling her toward the forest's depths, where shadows and whispers attempted to convey a message,she couldn't comprehend.
"I should research in the library; maybe I'll find something about this forest in those old books about hidden magical lands," she resolved.
Despite the fear, she found herself irresistibly drawn to the enigmatic forest.
"So, it's settled. Tomorrow, I'll visit the library."
Emily Hatfield, a beautiful and adventurous young lady, was the daughter of explorers who delved into magical lands. Her attention was suddenly drawn to a tap at her window, believing it to be a message from her mother, timed perfectly as always.
She opened the window and a small paper swan fluttered inside carrying a letter from her parents informing her of their absence during her upcoming graduation ceremony.
Emily decided to keep her strange dreams to herself, responding to her parents' letter with a touch of magic to ensure they received it before embarking on their mission.
With her graduation nearing, she resolved to hasten her investigations into the mysterious forest.
At daybreak, Emily set out to search for clues about the forest's possible location. Upon reaching the magic academy, she met her instructor, Mr. Doris, and took her final magical power exam before graduation.
After the examination, she headed to the library, guarded by the watchful eyes of the librarian, Ms. Stephine.
Emily delved into the geography section of the library, hoping to find hints about the elusive forest. Despite extensive searching, she was unable to locate any relevant information.
Growing impatient, her classmate and deskmate, Liam Humphries, who was known for his intelligence and reserved nature, offered to assist her.
As the two of them delved into their studies, Emily decided to confide in Liam about her troubling dreams, finding solace in sharing her burden with someone else.