Chapter Thirty-Four
Lilith pressed forward into the glowing depths of the enchanted forest, her steps deliberate and muffled against the shimmering underbrush. Every sound seemed amplified in the silence, and her ears perked at the faint crunch of footsteps nearby. Her instincts flared, and she quickly scaled a towering tree, her movements fluid and silent as she sought the safety of the canopy.
Peering through the dense leaves, she spotted two mages moving below. Both had their eyes wide open, their hands stretched as if feeling the air around them.
"Did you find her?" the mage asked, his voice carrying an edge of impatience.
The other shook his head.
"She must still be in Willow Haven," the first mage snapped. "She can't get far—not when we have her friends."
Lilith's heart clenched at their words, but she stayed perfectly still, watching as they moved away from the tree she perched on. Only once their voices faded did she exhale softly. "They're looking for me," she murmured under her breath. "I have to be more careful."
Determined, she climbed higher up the massive tree, each branch groaning softly beneath her weight. At last, she broke through the glowing canopy, her breath catching at the sight before her. Willow Haven stretched out in the distance, its floating buildings shimmering with otherworldly light, connected by streams of flowing water that defied gravity. Among them, a single majestic structure stood out—a vast floating library, its grand spires glowing like a beacon against the twilight sky.
"That has to be it," she whispered, her gaze fixed on the distant building. The Library of Willow Haven.
Her determination renewed, Lilith descended swiftly, her movements now more confident. She leapt from branch to branch, the glowing forest blurring around her as she reached the edge of the trees. From her perch, she scanned the ground below, her eyes narrowing as she looked for any sign of danger. Aside from a solitary deer grazing, there was nothing.
Satisfied, she leapt down, landing in a crouch on the soft ground. The deer turned its head toward her, its glowing antlers catching the light of the setting sun. It watched her intently as she sprinted toward the edge of the floating forest, the shimmering waters of Willow Haven's streams just ahead.
Without hesitation, Lilith leapt from the forest's edge and into the flowing water. The current caught her immediately, cradling her weight as it carried her gracefully through the air. Gravity seemed to hold no sway over the magical stream as it twisted and turned, weaving between the floating buildings.
Lilith glanced back only once, the enchanted forest fading into the distance. Ahead, the majestic library grew larger, its towering spires now fully illuminated against the deepening hues of dusk. She clenched her fists, her resolve unshaken. Whatever the library held about the dream walkers, was her only hope of saving her friends.
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Crimson paced back and forth, his fiery gaze sweeping across the group as he spoke. "We all know Alpha Dawn doesn't let just anyone waltz in. You've got to be someone big—either a highly recognized figure in Amethyst or an inventor with groundbreaking ideas."
Gale raised his hand, his tone casual yet pointed. "Well, we've got Lilith, right? She's a Lightwood."
At the mention of her lineage, Lilith's eyes narrowed. She turned sharply toward Gale, anger flashing across her face. "Gale—"
Before she could finish, Crimson raised a hand, cutting her off with a calm yet commanding gesture. "Lilith," he said firmly, "he's not wrong. The Lightwood name once carried weight, especially in the elven tribe. But let's face it—that name isn't what it used to be."
Lilith's expression tightened, but she remained silent as Crimson continued. "Since Lance left, he's done a decent job rebuilding the Lightwood reputation. But let's be real: it'll take years before it's strong enough to open doors like Alpha Dawn. We don't have that kind of time."
Nox, who had been quietly watching the exchange, finally spoke, her voice soft but steady. "So... what do you propose we do?" She tilted her head slightly, her mist-covered glasses catching the dim light as her inquisitive tone carried a hint of nervous curiosity.
Crimson stopped pacing and turned to face the group, his expression resolute. "We'll need a plan that doesn't rely on old names or recognition. Something bold, clever... and maybe a little crazy." His eyes gleamed with determination as a grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "If Alpha Dawn only opens its gates to brilliance, then let's show them we've got it in spades."
Gale leaned back in his chair with a smug grin, arms casually behind his head. "Well, let's face it: aside from me, the rest of you are all idiots," he quipped.
The group collectively turned toward him, their faces unified in glares of annoyance.
Crimson rolled his eyes and raised a hand, cutting through the tension. "Ignore Gale's idiocy," he said, his tone flat. "What I mean is, we'll be using Sebastian here." He gestured toward the young man sitting at the edge of the group.
Sebastian blinked, straightening up. "Wait, me? Why me?" His voice was laced with panic as he pointed desperately at Nox. "We all know Nox is the smartest among us older kids!"
Crimson leaned forward, a sharp glint in his eye. "Because you're a Morphett, Sebastian."
The room went quiet. Sebastian froze, his arms slowly crossing over his chest. "No, no, no," he stammered, shaking his head vigorously. "I don't like where this is going."
Crimson's gaze didn't waver, and the group exchanged knowing glances. Finally, Nox cleared her throat, her voice soft yet firm. "...So, Crimson, what you're suggesting is for Sebastian to take the form of a brilliant inventor and we sneak into Alpha Dawn?"
Crimson's face lit up with a triumphant grin. "Spot on, Nox!"
Sebastian groaned, slumping back in his chair. "Why me?" he muttered under his breath, earning a chuckle from Gale.
"You'll be fine," Crimson said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Think of it this way—you're the only one who can pull this off."
Sebastian frowned, his mind already racing through the possibilities. "Fine," he sighed, "but if this goes wrong, All of you owe me big time."
The group shared a nervous laugh, though the weight of their mission hung heavy in the air, its magnitude pressing on each of them in silence. Crimson leaned back, his gaze distant, his thoughts clouded with uncertainty. Something gnawed at the edges of his mind—a persistent feeling he couldn't shake.
Was this reality, or just an elaborate illusion? The moments felt real, the emotions raw, but doubt lingered like a shadow. Could this be a second chance to rewrite the past, or merely a cruel trick designed to ensnare him further?
He clenched his fists under the table, a flicker of resolve sparking within him. Either way, the only path forward was to act—and hope that this time, he'd get it right.