The forest was strangely quiet as Kael and Lyra stood together, listening, their senses on high alert. Even the moon's light felt dimmer tonight, as if it, too, sensed the tension surrounding them. The silence was thick, and Lyra's heart pounded with both fear and determination. She sensed something lurking just out of sight, waiting to reveal itself.
Kael's eyes narrowed as he scanned the shadows surrounding the clearing. Every instinct told him they weren't alone. Lyra felt it, too—a chill in the air, an unsettling presence. She glanced up at Kael, who gave her a slight nod, his expression fierce and protective. Just then, a figure appeared at the far edge of the clearing, stepping out from the darkness as if he'd been part of it all along.
