The Forest of Crystals reverberates with the approaching thunder of the Jormungdandr. Panic ensues among the wyvern tribe and our group as we hastily retreat from Avaldsnes. The once serene village is now a chaotic scene of desperation, with villagers rushing to secure their homes and belongings.

Kari takes the lead, guiding us through the twists and turns of the forest with an uncanny knowledge of its secrets. Freya's keen senses detect the Jormungdandr's movements, warning us of its relentless pursuit. Leo, axe in hand, remains vigilant at the rear, ready to confront any threats that may emerge. Raven is right beside Leo ready for the fight ahead his eye watching moving to analyze each sound.

As we weave through the trees, the crystal's glow fades, leaving us in the dim light of the forest. The air thickens with tension, and the ground shakes with the hydra's approach. We hear the distant roars, a symphony of impending doom that echoes through the Forest of Crystals.

Suddenly, Kari stops, her eyes narrowing as if sensing something more than the imminent danger. "We're being watched," she whispers, her gaze scanning the shadows and Brenna holding her close as if her life depended on it. Ragnar snuggles even closer to Kira's chest with one eye looking out to see the danger his colors still quickly switching between blood red and green. Freya, ever perceptive, nods in agreement. Leo tightens his grip on his axe, ready for whatever may emerge, and gives the command to Raven. Raven nods his head unleashing a deep hellish howl and stretching himself to appear bigger, standing on all fours ready to fight to the death.

A figure steps into the clearing—a cloaked, hooded being, its features shrouded in darkness. The Wyvern tribe reacts with hostility, but Kari raises her hand, signaling for peace. The hooded figure speaks, its voice resonating with an eerie calmness, "Princess Brenna, you carry the cure within you. The crystal's essence seeks refuge in your blood. To save your people, you must face the Jormungdandr alone and only you Queen of Death."

I feel a chill run down my spine. Alone? The weight of the revelation and the burden it carries settles heavily upon me. Kari and Freya exchange uneasy glances, while Leo's stoic expression betrays no emotion and his hand goes to calm Raven. Raven sensing the danger is not for him sits down still eyeing the hooded figure waiting for Leo to give him the commanding strike. Rangar lets out a sad purr and is back to his green scale color but the energy coming from him is a concern for Brenna and keeps his eyes on her.

The hooded figure continues, "The Forest of Crystals demands a sacrifice. Only the blood of a cursed one can quell the hydra's fury. The crystal's magic courses through you, and you alone hold the key to redemption." " What is your choice Queen of Death, Salvation, or show you the horrors yet to arise".

Doubt clouds my thoughts, but determination rises within me. "I'll face the Jormungdandr," I declare, though uncertainty lingers in my voice I can feel myself shivering. Leo shouts not yet understanding causing Raven to be on edge " Brenna wait this will be your undoing, you have no training for this let one of us go in your place." I look with glistening eyes towards Kira who is holding Ragnar in her hands, she nods and gives a confident smirk on her face. Ragnar in his small form is buffing out his chest and blowing puffs of smoke through his nose showing me his fighting spirit almost as if he is giving me a confident push. I face Leo and out of me comes a booming voice " I am the Queen of Death" Back in my mind I worry if I tell the truth now that I will rip our group apart. I gather myself taking a deep breath in and stating my curse, "Everything I touch withers away to dust and ash. You want to know the pain this is it I know what I am doing. I will not die in vain for my soul is already damned."

The Wyvern tribe parts, creating a path toward the heart of the forest. The ominous roars draw nearer, and the ground trembles beneath the colossal beast. Kari places a hand on my shoulder, her yellow eyes reflecting an understanding that transcends words.

"Go, Princess Brenna. Fulfill your destiny," she says, and with that, I step into the darkness.

The Forest of Crystals closes in around me, the air charged with ancient magic. I feel the weight of the cure within, and a newfound strength surges through my veins. As I approach the heart of the forest, the Jormungdandr emerges, its four heads towering over me. The coldness here is unbearable I can see my breath in the air but it reeks of death and sulfur here. I look up to see mountains of bodies in the corner and the horrors that are being kept here. I spot my mark off in the distance. All I can do now is pray that I strike its heart and I can leave this place of Hell.

The battle unfolds, a dance with destiny. My sword clashes with the hydra's scales, and each blow resonates with the echoes of my ancestors. The wyvern tribe watches in silent reverence as the Forest of Crystals bears witness to a princess confronting her fate. Will she change her fate? Or be consumed by her newfound power. It Roars its unholy roar but something unlocks inside of me. It feels dark and evil with a deep hunger,  in the back of my mind I lost something more as if it took a bite out of my humanity. I look down to see black smoke coming from me and the rot of decay. I hear a scream in the distance but wait that is me. Losing all control I find myself collapsed on the ground shaking as more of the black smoke comes from my body spreading into this hell. I look down at my hands shaking as my power has never been like this. I could control it in the past but this Jormungdandr unlocked a dark part within me. Slowly reaching to my face I feel something cold and wet. Realizing it is my blood, I realize I am running out of time if I can not escape I chance of being consumed by this power. I muster all the strength left in my body to hit it just one more time. Finally standing on my own two feet I see the horrors of my power the once body-filled mountain is ash and replaced with a black goob it is spreading through this world quickly. I wipe the ash from my face and rush towards it lifting my sword high.

As the final blow lands, the Jormungdandr collapses, its roars silenced. The Forest of Crystals pulses with radiant energy, and a sense of peace descends upon Avaldsnes. The cure within me emanates a healing warmth, dispelling the malichor's grip on the land. But are we truly safe or am I going to be the new God. I know the Jormungdandr can never really truly die I only killed a part of its soul and a part of me as well. If I wanted to truly destroy it I would have to meet it in its true Lair and come face to face with what I am. I relax and I see the black smoke vanishing as if the Hell Realm is transforming to fit a Queen of Death. The air is cold and dead filled with the smell of Rot and Sulfur. Amongst the wind, I Hear whispering to me calling me and deep within me the hunger is compelled to answer. "No" I scream I am in control, Gripping my arm so hard the blood pours down from the wounds I created. Now I hope the secrets stay inside me I beg and beg seeing the shadowings slowly retreating away. My mind is my own once more but the feeling of disgust and fear is high. I try to push the thoughts away as I walk towards the portal hoping to never return.

I emerge from the heart of the forest, weary but triumphant. The hooded figure awaits, its cloak revealing a face etched with wisdom. "You have fulfilled the prophecy, Princess Brenna for now but Queen of Death you need to accept your true self. Only then can you face your enemy. and know who you are". The hooded figure disappears just as fast as he appeared. The Forest of Crystals and the wyvern tribe extend their gratitude but are still wary of my touch."

The cure is shared with the Wyvern tribe, and the crystal's magic heals the land. As the darkness retreats, life returns to Avaldsnes, and hope blossoms anew.

Returning to the village, I find Kari, Freya, and Leo awaiting. Ravens seems more relaxed and is playing with Ragnar. The bonds forged in the crucible of adversity are unbreakable. We share a silent understanding—the ties that bind us are stronger than the curses that sought to tear us apart. Sensing something Leo, Freya do not approach me about what happened inside the portal instead I see a worried look.

As the sun sets over Avaldsnes, the once-cursed princess now stands as its savior. The Forest of Crystals whispers tales of redemption, and the wyvern tribe acknowledges the resilience of a lineage that faced its darkness.

The journey continues, for the Forest of Crystals holds more secrets, and the ties that bind us propel us forward into the unknown. The destiny that once seemed foretold now awaits a new chapter, written by the choices of the present and the hope for a brighter future.