Kai and Elias trudged along the narrow forest path, the dense canopy above filtering the moonlight into slivers that danced across the ground. The silence between them was punctuated only by the crunch of leaves beneath their feet and the occasional hoot of an owl. The Silverpine Forest stretched far and wide, and despite its eerie beauty, there was a tangible sense of danger lurking beneath the foliage. The deeper they went, the more Kai felt the forest pressing in on him, as if it were a living entity scrutinizing their every move.
"How much farther?" Kai asked, glancing at Elias. The scholar was moving with a surprising speed despite his age, his staff glowing faintly to light their way.
Elias didn't answer immediately. Instead, his eyes scanned the forest floor as if looking for something specific. "Not far now," he finally said, voice hushed. "But we have to be careful. This forest is old, and it does not take kindly to trespassers. Especially ones carrying divine embers."
Kai frowned, his hand subconsciously resting over his heart where the ember pulsed faintly. The power inside him felt restless, as if sensing the same unseen eyes watching from the shadows.
As they pressed on, the path became narrower and more treacherous, the roots of ancient trees jutting out like twisted fingers eager to trip them. The wind picked up, carrying with it a faint whisper that sent chills down Kai's spine.
Then, they heard it—a rustling that didn't belong to the wind. Kai's hand instinctively went to his dagger, and he scanned the trees, searching for the source of the noise.
"Hold," Elias whispered, raising a hand. His staff glowed brighter, casting long shadows that danced across the trunks of the trees.
Out of the darkness stepped a figure, tall and cloaked, with eyes that gleamed in the moonlight. A woman, her face mostly hidden beneath a hood, though a few strands of silver hair caught the light. Her presence was almost ghostly, as if she were more a part of the forest than a separate being.
"You've wandered far off the beaten path, old man," the woman said, her voice smooth but carrying an edge that put Kai immediately on alert.
Elias lowered his staff slightly but kept his grip firm. "We seek passage through the forest," he said evenly. "And I'd prefer if we avoided any... unnecessary complications."
The woman tilted her head, the glint in her eyes sharp as she studied them. "The Silverpine does not welcome travelers lightly, and you carry something that stirs the very roots of this land." Her gaze flicked to Kai, narrowing. "A piece of the divine, is it? Dangerous to be so bold with such a power."
Kai felt a prickle of fear at her words. He stepped closer to Elias, keeping his voice low. "Who is she?"
Elias glanced at him. "A guardian," he muttered. "One of the forest's wardens. They watch over this land, ensure that those who enter do so with respect—or face the consequences."
The woman's lips curled into a smile, as if she'd heard every word. "Your reputation precedes you, Elias of the High Sanctum," she said. "But your young companion is a stranger. What business do you have, carrying a fragment of heaven's fire through these woods?"
Elias met her gaze steadily. "We're seeking someone in Elderglen," he replied. "An old friend of mine. The gods have set their sights on us, and we need allies."
The woman's smile faded, replaced by a look of intense scrutiny. For a long moment, she said nothing, her eyes boring into Kai as if she were peering directly into his soul. Finally, she stepped back, her posture relaxing slightly.
"Very well," she said. "I will allow you passage, but you must heed the forest's warnings. The Silverpine does not suffer fools, nor does it forgive trespass lightly."
With a nod, she melted back into the shadows, disappearing as quickly and silently as she had appeared. Kai let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
"Are we really safe?" he asked Elias, casting a wary glance around the darkened woods.
"As safe as we can be in a place like this," Elias replied. "The wardens are protectors, but they're also judges. If she had decided we were a threat, we wouldn't have walked out of that encounter."
They continued deeper into the forest, the air growing colder with each step. The trees seemed to lean in closer, their branches forming a lattice overhead that blocked out the sky. The path became a twisting maze, barely visible even with the light from Elias's staff.
Just as Kai was about to voice his frustration, a soft glow appeared up ahead, different from the magical light of the staff. He squinted, trying to make out the source. It was a lantern, held by a young man who looked no older than Kai himself.
The newcomer had a rugged appearance, his clothes patched but well-kept, and a sword strapped to his back. His face broke into a grin as they approached. "Well, well! What brings two wanderers to this neck of the woods?"
Elias's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
The young man laughed, a sound that was surprisingly light for such a dark forest. "Name's Thorn," he said, resting a hand on the hilt of his sword casually. "I'm a bit of a guide around these parts. And you two look like you could use one."
Kai exchanged a glance with Elias. There was something off about this Thorn—his easy demeanor didn't match the tension that hung in the air.
"You just happened to be out here?" Kai asked, suspicion lacing his words.
Thorn shrugged. "The forest told me you were coming," he said, tapping his temple. "I have a way of hearing its whispers. And right now, it's saying you're in a bit of trouble."
Elias's expression softened, but only slightly. "A guide, you say?" he mused. "And what price does a guide in these woods demand?"
Thorn's smile widened. "Just your company for a while. The forest can be a lonely place, and I don't get many interesting visitors." He gave Kai a wink, his grin boyish despite the sharpness in his eyes.