As we made our way back to town, Lyra filled us in on the magic of the woods and the creatures that lurked within. Apparently, dark forces were trying to seize control, and it was up to us to stop them. No pressure, right?
"So, what's the plan? Fight monsters? Solve riddles? Rescue princesses?" Ethan asked, bouncing on his heels.
"First, we need to figure out what we're up against," Lyra said, looking serious. "I'll teach you about the different creatures that inhabit these woods. Some are friendly, and some are… less so."
I raised an eyebrow. "Less friendly? Like, how less?"
"Like 'run away or you'll end up as a snack' less," she replied, crossing her arms. "But for now, we should go to my village. It's safe there, and we can figure out our next steps."
"Sounds like a plan! A safe village, some magical allies—this is shaping up to be a classic adventure," I said, feeling a rush of excitement.
As we walked, I could feel the glasses buzzing with energy, and I decided to test out one of my powers. I concentrated on Lyra, trying to see if I could catch a glimpse of her thoughts. Suddenly, her mind opened up to me—a flood of emotions and worries, but one thought stood out: He's different. I can't let myself get too close.
"Whoa! Hold up!" I exclaimed, stopping in my tracks. "Are you worried about something?"
Lyra's eyes widened in shock. "What? How did you—?"
"I can read minds," I admitted, trying to play it cool. "It's kind of a new thing for me. But I swear I didn't mean to pry!"
She hesitated, clearly caught off guard. "It's just… I've lost people to dark magic before. I don't want to get attached to anyone again."
"Hey, I get it," I said, sincerity washing over me. "But I promise I'm not going anywhere. We're in this together."
Lyra's expression softened, and I could feel the tension ease a bit. "Okay. Just know that I'm here to protect you, too. It's not just about the glasses; it's about the people who matter."
"Deep," Ethan chimed in. "Like a movie plot twist. You guys are practically in a rom-com already!"
I shot him a glare, but couldn't help the grin spreading across my face. "Yeah, well, it's going to take more than a potion and some glasses to navigate this crazy adventure."