Caelum's feet carried him forward, each step echoing in the growing light that began to push back the shadows. The woman's words still echoed in his mind—"The Heart of Light is the only way forward." He didn't fully understand what it meant, but he had no choice but to press on.
The path ahead was unclear, but the sense of urgency weighed on him like a thick cloak. He had to find the Heart of Light, and only then could he free himself from the curse of the sword.
As the last remnants of the dark realm faded, Caelum found himself standing at the edge of a vast, untamed forest. The trees were tall and ancient, their roots digging deep into the earth, as if they held secrets from a time long forgotten. The air here was thick with magic, and the scent of pine and earth filled his lungs.
Suddenly, a voice broke the silence.
"You seek the Heart of Light?"
Caelum spun around, hand instinctively reaching for a weapon that wasn't there. But instead of an enemy, he saw a figure—a woman cloaked in green and gold, her eyes glowing faintly with a strange energy.
"Yes," Caelum answered, wary but determined. "I need to find it."
The woman smiled softly. "Then you've come to the right place, but the journey ahead will not be simple. The Heart is hidden, protected by trials meant to test the very core of who you are."
Caelum's grip tightened. "I'm ready. I'll face whatever it takes."
The woman's smile faded, and she nodded, stepping aside to reveal a narrow path leading deeper into the forest. "Then go, and remember: the true test is not one of strength, but of heart."
With that, she vanished into the trees, leaving Caelum to face the path alone.