The clearing still pulsed with the afterglow of Elara's unleashed power. The golden vines that had wrapped her body were fading, unraveling back into the soil like breath being slowly released. The forest exhaled with her, trembling in exhaustion.
Eli held her upright as she struggled to steady her breathing. Her muscles twitched violently, the remnants of the Heart's power still buzzing beneath her skin. Riven leaned against a fallen trunk, blood trickling from his temple, chest rising in painful, uneven breaths.
No one spoke for several minutes.
Only when the last echoes of the Echo's disappearance faded did the oppressive stillness begin to lift.
"Elara… talk to me," Eli murmured urgently, brushing a hand over her cheek.
She blinked, vision slowly sharpening. "I'm okay… I think. It just—took everything."
Riven's voice came rough, cracked. "You shouldn't have pushed that hard. You weren't ready."
Eli shot him a glare. "She saved us. All of us."
Riven didn't look away. "And almost died doing it."
Elara raised a trembling hand. "Enough… please. Not now."
Both men fell silent immediately.
The Warden lumbered closer, heavy steps shaking the ground. Its body was fractured, glowing cracks running along its stone-like skin. Even its deep rumbling voice sounded weaker.
"Chosen… the Echo will return stronger. The forest's Heart remembers what hunted it."
Elara swallowed, dread curling in her stomach. "Then we need to know what it is. What it wants."
Riven wiped blood from his jaw. "It wants the Heart—and that means it wants you. The Echo is not just a creature. It's something ancient, something that shouldn't exist."
Eli frowned. "Then how do we fight something like that?"
Silence fell.
The Warden lowered itself to one knee, causing the earth to crack beneath its weight. "The Heart once had guardians… knowledge… purpose. But memory has been lost. Scattered. Buried."
Elara felt the forest whisper against her skin, urgent, pleading—like a hand tugging at her sleeve.
"Buried where?" she asked softly.
The Warden's glowing eyes dimmed. "In the Labyrinth of Roots. Deep beneath the forest. A place where only the Heart's true heir may walk."
Eli tensed. "Labyrinth? That sounds like another death trap."
Riven pushed himself to his feet, though he swayed slightly. "It is. The Labyrinth changes. Shifts. It tests whoever enters. None who walked inside ever returned."
Elara's heart hammered. "But I have to go."
"No," Riven said immediately, stepping forward with more force than his injured body should allow. "You're barely standing. You push yourself again, the Heart's power might consume you."
Eli moved beside her. "She's not going in alone. I'll go with her."
Riven snapped, "The Labyrinth doesn't allow guests."
Eli growled, "Then I'll break my way in if I have to—"
"Elara."
Her name rippled through her chest—not spoken aloud, but felt.
The forest was calling her.
She pressed a hand over her heart, breathing shakily. "It's telling me there isn't time. The Echo's attack… it damaged something. The forest feels fractured."
The Warden nodded heavily. "The Echo's presence warps all it touches. The longer it roams free, the weaker the Heart becomes."
Riven clenched his fists. "Then we heal the Heart."
Eli nodded. "We go now."
Elara took a breath, steadying her shaking legs. "I'll be fine."
"No," Riven said sharply. "You're not."
Elara looked at him—really looked. His face was pale, his chest rising with effort. He'd taken the full hit meant for her.
"Riven… you're hurt."
"I've been hurt before," he said quietly. "I'll survive."
But for the first time, Elara saw something break through his usual control—fear. Not of death. Not of the Echo.
Fear for her.
Eli stepped between them slightly, jaw tight. "She doesn't need to be protected from everything. She's stronger than either of us now."
"That's exactly why she needs protection," Riven snapped. "Power draws danger. You saw what happened."
"Enough," Elara said again, voice firmer this time. "We don't have the luxury to argue."
The forest's whispers intensified—pulling, pleading, guiding.
"The Labyrinth is calling. If I don't go, the forest will collapse before the Echo even returns."
Eli's anger faded, replaced by worry. He touched her arm gently. "If you're going… then at least let us help you get there."
Riven hesitated—but then nodded once. "I can guide you to the entrance. But only you will be able to cross it."
Elara gave a small, grateful smile. "Then that's enough."
The Warden shifted, towering once again. "I will remain here. I must mend the forest's wounds."
Elara nodded, even though part of her wished the massive guardian could walk with her. But she understood—the forest needed its protector now more than ever.
"Be careful," the Warden rumbled.
The three of them set off, moving deeper into the forest. The ground felt different now—less steady, more alive, twitching beneath their steps like breathing skin. The trees leaned inward as they passed, whispering warnings and laments.
Elara walked between Riven and Eli, her thoughts a storm.
Riven kept glancing at her, as if checking she was still there. His steps were steady, controlled, but every movement betrayed pain.
Eli walked a little closer than usual, always within reach, casting worried glances at her glowing wrists.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Eli asked softly.
Elara exhaled. "I'm… not sure. But the forest is hurting worse."
Riven spoke without looking back. "Pain doesn't make you invincible."
"Neither does fear," Eli shot back.
Elara reached out and gently touched Eli's arm. "Not now. Please."
They fell silent.
Minutes passed as the forest grew darker—shadows twisting into new shapes, branches curling like claws. Strange symbols pulsed faintly on the trees, glowing gold where Elara's presence brushed them.
The air thickened.
The ground sloped downward.
And then—
Riven stopped.
"We're here."
A massive fissure in the earth yawned before them—an abyss descending into golden-lit darkness. Vines and roots wrapped around the opening like protective hands.
And at the center, a narrow path spiraled down into the unknown.
Elara's heart pounded harder. "This is it."
Riven turned to her, eyes intense. "Elara… listen to me. Once you go in, the Labyrinth will test you. Not your power. You."
Eli swallowed hard. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Riven said quietly, "it will show her what she fears. What she hides. What she's capable of becoming."
Elara shivered. "The Echo said the same thing."
Riven stepped closer. "Elara… if it shows you darkness… remember who you are when you're with us. Hold on to that."
Something warm bloomed in her chest.
Eli placed his hand over hers. "And remember we're waiting for you. You're not alone."
Her throat tightened.
She nodded once—then stepped toward the entrance.
But before she descended, she turned back.
Riven and Eli stood side by side, for once not arguing, both watching her with fear they tried to hide.
Elara whispered, "I'll return."
Riven bowed his head. Eli smiled faintly.
And Elara stepped into the Labyrinth of Roots.
The air shifted instantly.
The forest's whispers became a roar.
The path behind her sealed, swallowed by moving vines.
She was alone.
And the Labyrinth began to breathe.