The woman stood before Marcus, her presence commanding yet reassuring. Her eyes sparkled like stars, reflecting the remnants of the trials he had just faced. "You have done well, Marcus Griddle," she said, her voice warm and melodic. "You have proven your strength, your heart, and your resolve. The forest recognizes your worth."
Marcus took a deep breath, still catching his breath from the challenges he had just endured. "What happens now?" he asked, glancing at the glowing altar and the energy that pulsed around them. "Have I completed whatever task you set for me?"
"Yes," she replied, stepping closer. "But there is more to this than mere trials. You have awakened something within the Whispering Woods, something that has been dormant for centuries. The balance of this land is fragile, and you are now a key player in maintaining it."
Marcus's mind raced. "What do you mean? What have I awakened?"
