The Warden moved ahead of them, each step echoing like thunder through the ground. Branches shifted out of its way, and the very roots of the forest pulled back respectfully, as though the trees themselves feared to touch it. Elara followed, her breath tight and uneven, with Riven and Eli flanking her like mismatched shadows.
Riven walked close enough that she could feel the heat of him, but Eli's presence was sharp—every movement filled with suspicion, every glance toward the Warden filled with panic. The forest dimmed as they went deeper, the canopy thickening, swallowing sunlight until the world became twilight.
"Elara," Eli hissed in a low whisper, "you don't have to do this."
She didn't answer. She couldn't.
The forest was humming again—calling to her, vibrating in her bones like a second heartbeat.
Riven touched her elbow lightly. "If it becomes too much, tell me."
But the strange thing was—it wasn't too much.
The further she walked, the more right everything felt.
As if this path had always been hers.
The Warden stopped at the edge of a ravine. A narrow bridge of tangled vines stretched across the chasm, swaying gently in the wind. It looked alive—breathing almost. Eli paled when he saw it.
"We're not walking on that."
"We are," Riven said calmly. "It's the only way."
Elara stepped closer to the bridge. The vines tightened into a sturdier weave beneath her foot, as though recognizing her touch. The forest responded to her again.
Eli grabbed her wrist. "Elara, think. This thing—this forest—it tried to kill you earlier."
"No," she said quietly. "It tested me."
"That's insane."
"Maybe," she whispered. "But it's also true."
Riven nodded once toward the Warden. "The Heart only calls those it accepts. If she turned back now, the forest would tear itself apart trying to reclaim her."
Eli stared at Riven. "How do you know all this? How do you know so much about her? About the Heart?"
Riven's jaw clenched, but he didn't answer.
The Warden turned its glowing white eyes on Eli.
"Chosen… may cross. Others… may follow. If allowed."
Eli muttered something under his breath about murderous forests and terrible life decisions, but he didn't let go of Elara's hand.
They stepped onto the bridge.
The vines warmed under Elara's feet, intertwining tighter as she moved. Riven stayed close behind, silent but tense, while Eli clung to the side ropes like someone expecting a dramatic and fatal plunge at any moment.
Halfway across, the wind rose.
The bridge swayed.
The ravine below seemed endless—filled with fog that writhed like living mist.
"Elara," Riven called softly, "don't stop."
She hadn't realized she'd frozen until he spoke. She forced herself forward, step by step, until the far side rose up beneath her feet.
When they reached solid ground again, Eli let out a loud breath of relief. "Never again. I don't care if the forest offers me eternal youth or magical powers—I'm not crossing that thing twice."
Riven ignored him. He was staring ahead, worry etched into the lines of his face.
"Elara," he murmured, "this is the point of no return."
The trees parted before them—not naturally, but deliberately—opening into a vast circular clearing. At the center lay a colossal tree stump, wider than a house and glowing faintly with golden cracks. The roots around it twisted into complex patterns, like veins radiating from a broken heart.
And beneath the stump, Elara felt something moving.
Something alive.
Her breath caught. "That's the Heart?"
"No," Riven said softly.
"That is what remains of it."
Eli stepped forward slowly. "What… happened to it?"
Riven didn't answer immediately. His gaze dropped to the glowing roots, eyes troubled.
"The Heart was severed long ago. Something invaded the forest—something powerful enough to wound it. The Warden was created to protect what was left."
Elara felt a deep ache bloom in her chest. "So the forest is dying?"
Riven shook his head. "Not dying. Bleeding. And searching for someone who can heal it."
The Warden strode toward the stump and knelt, its massive wooden limbs folding with surprising grace. It motioned for Elara to step forward.
She swallowed hard.
Eli reached out to stop her.
"Elara, please—listen to me. I know you feel connected to all this, but… but what if the forest only wants to use you? What if it destroys you in the process?"
Elara placed her hand over his. "I know you're scared. I am too. But something inside me… it feels like I've been walking toward this my whole life."
Eli's voice cracked. "You're my only family."
She squeezed his hand gently. "And I'm not leaving you. I promise."
Riven's expression flickered—relief, then pain.
Eli stepped back reluctantly.
Elara approached the stump.
As she reached out, the golden cracks brightened, glowing like molten light. A warm pulse throbbed beneath her fingertips, echoing through her body like a second heartbeat. The forest's voice surged inside her—
Remember.
Return.
Restore.
She gasped and stumbled. Riven caught her instantly.
"What did you hear?" he asked urgently.
Elara's eyes were unfocused. "Not words—feelings. Memories that aren't mine. The forest is showing me something."
The Warden rose suddenly, lifting one of its massive arms. A shard of crystal-like bark protruded from its forearm—pulsing, glowing faintly.
"Elara… take," it rumbled.
Riven stepped forward immediately. "No. She's not ready."
The Warden loomed over him. "Chosen is ready. The forest waits."
Elara held up a hand. "Riven… it's okay."
Riven shook his head hard. "You don't understand what that is."
"Then tell me," she said. "Tell me the truth this time."
Silence.
Riven looked away.
Eli stared between them. "Riven… what is that thing?"
Riven's voice was barely a whisper.
"It's a seed. A remnant of the original Heart. If she takes it… she becomes its vessel."
Eli's face drained of color. "Meaning?"
Riven met Elara's gaze.
"Meaning the forest will live through you.
Meaning you will never be the same.
Meaning you may never leave."
The clearing fell into a stunned, heavy silence.
Elara's chest tightened painfully. "Riven… you knew this? And you didn't tell me?"
He closed his eyes. "Because if I told you, I knew you'd still choose to help. And I knew… I wouldn't be able to stop you."
The Warden stepped forward again, lowering the glowing shard toward her.
Eli grabbed her arm desperately. "Elara, don't. You don't owe this forest anything."
Riven's voice broke. "If you accept it, the forest will bind its life to yours. You'll save it… but you'll belong to it forever."
Elara stared at the seed—pulsing like a heartbeat.
Her own heart answered it.
She stepped forward.
Eli's grip tightened—shaking.
Riven whispered her name like a plea. "Elara…"
She reached out—
fingers trembling—
toward the glowing seed.
And the forest held its breath.