Elena's POV
The forest seemed to pull Elena in deeper with every step. The trees loomed tall and imposing, their branches casting jagged shadows across the forest floor. Caleb walked beside her, his expression tight, his golden eyes scanning the surroundings for danger. Behind them, Elias followed, his presence a steady but unnerving reminder of the supernatural forces surrounding them.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Elena asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Elias stepped forward, his gaze locking with hers. "You'll know when you see it. The altar isn't just a place—it's a presence. You'll feel it before you even lay eyes on it."
Elena wasn't sure if that was comforting or terrifying. Her pulse quickened as she followed the two men deeper into the woods. The air grew colder, and an eerie silence blanketed the forest, broken only by the crunch of their footsteps.
Finally, they arrived at a clearing. At its center stood a massive stone altar, ancient and weathered, its surface etched with strange, glowing runes. The sight of it sent a shiver down Elena's spine.
"This is it," Elias said, his voice reverent. "The Moonstone Altar."
Elena stepped closer, her hand instinctively reaching out toward the glowing runes. Before she could touch them, Caleb caught her wrist.
"Don't," he warned, his voice low. "We don't know how it will react to you."
She pulled her hand back, but the altar seemed to pulse, as if alive and aware of her presence.
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The Vision
As the three of them stood before the altar, the runes began to glow brighter, their light casting an otherworldly hue over the clearing. Elena felt a strange pull, as if the altar were calling to her.
"What's happening?" she asked, her voice shaky.
Elias's expression darkened. "It's responding to you. The altar only reacts this strongly when someone with a connection to the moon approaches it."
Elena's heart pounded. "A connection? What does that mean?"
Before Elias could answer, the light from the runes surged, enveloping Elena in a soft, silver glow. Her vision blurred, and the world around her seemed to fade.
She found herself standing in a dark void, surrounded by whispers she couldn't understand. A figure emerged from the shadows, tall and imposing, with fiery red eyes that seemed to pierce through her soul.
"Ivanna," Elena whispered, the name slipping from her lips unbidden.
The figure smiled, a cruel, predatory grin. "You know me already. Good. That will make things easier."
"What do you want?" Elena demanded, trying to keep the fear out of her voice.
"I want what has always been mine," Ivanna said, her voice echoing around Elena like a chorus. "And you, little one, are standing in my way."
Before Elena could respond, the vision shattered. She gasped as she was pulled back into the clearing, her knees buckling beneath her. Caleb caught her before she hit the ground, his strong arms steadying her.
"Elena!" he said urgently. "What happened?"
She looked up at him, her face pale. "She's coming. Ivanna is coming."
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Elias's Warning
Elias's expression turned grim. "If you saw her, it means she's already trying to break through the Hollow's defenses. We don't have much time."
Caleb growled low in his throat. "Then we need to act now. We can't let her get to Elena."
Elena shook her head. "I don't understand. Why me? What does she want with me?"
Elias hesitated, his gaze flickering to Caleb before settling on Elena. "You're not just anyone, Elena. The altar reacted to you because you're connected to the moon. Ivanna sees you as a threat—and possibly as a tool."
Elena's stomach churned. "A tool for what?"
Elias didn't answer, but the silence was enough to confirm her worst fears.
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The Decision
As they made their way back to the village, Elena's mind raced. The vision had been so vivid, so real, and Ivanna's presence so overwhelming. She couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come.
Caleb stayed close to her, his hand brushing hers occasionally as if to reassure her without words. His protective presence was comforting, but Elena knew she couldn't rely on him forever.
When they reached the edge of the village, Elias turned to them. "We need to fortify the Hollow's defenses immediately. If Ivanna is coming, she'll stop at nothing to destroy everything in her path."
Elena nodded, determination hardening her resolve. "Then we'll stop her. Whatever it takes."
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