Ethan barely slept. Every time he closed his eyes he heard the distant cry again, a thin trembling sound carried through the trees. The wolf reacted the same way, lifting its head each time and staring toward the forest with glowing eyes that tightened with worry. By early dawn Ethan stood and grabbed what little supplies he had. He gently stroked the wolf’s fur. It leaned into his hand but did not attempt to follow. It was still healing. The bark creature slept curled tight like a piece of living wood.

Mira arrived before sunrise when the first faint rays lit the sky. She carried a bundle of herbs and a small wooden charm. She placed the charm around Ethan’s neck. She explained with simple gestures that it was something like a safe passage token used by forest wanderers. Ethan nodded with gratitude. She seemed anxious but determined. When she pointed toward the forest as if asking if she could come along, Ethan shook his head softly. He did not want her risking herself in the deep woods. She frowned but accepted his choice.

Two guards waited by the village gate ready to guide him to the farthest point they dared travel. The elder stood with them holding a torch even though daylight was rising. He handed the torch to Ethan with solemn care. The gesture felt symbolic. Fire for protection. Light for seeing truth. The elder pressed his hand to Ethan’s shoulder with a firm grip, a silent message that the village depended on him now.

The path into the woods felt different that morning. The air carried a vibration, a faint hum that reminded Ethan of stressed animals pacing along a fence line. The deeper they walked, the more signs they found. Trees with scraped bark. Pits in the earth made from powerful claws. Broken vines that looked like something large had pushed through in a panic. None of it felt like an attack. All of it felt like escape.

When they reached the point where the guards refused to go farther, they handed Ethan a simple hunting knife and stepped back. Ethan nodded and continued alone. The forest grew darker as if the canopy thickened unnaturally. Strange lights flickered in the distance, like sparks trapped inside tree roots. Ethan walked slowly and listened to every rustle and breath around him.

After nearly an hour he found a stream he did not recognize. The water glowed faintly blue and pulsed like a heartbeat. Ethan crouched beside it. He dipped his hand in the water. It felt normal yet carried a strange energy under the surface. As he stood to continue, the hair on his arms rose. Something was moving behind him.

Ethan turned fast but saw nothing at first. Then he heard a soft trembling breath from above. He looked up and froze. A creature perched on a thick branch high above him. Its wings were folded but even folded they stretched wide. Its feathers glowed blue like the scattered ones he found earlier. Its eyes reflected the same color, filled with a mix of fear and exhaustion.

It was larger than any bird he had ever seen. The wings were long and flexible, and its chest rose and fell with rapid breath. It stared at Ethan, tense but not aggressive. Something had chased it here.

Ethan spoke softly in the calming tone he always used with frightened animals. The creature tilted its head. Then another sound broke the stillness. A harsh crack echoed through the forest like a tree snapping under force. The large bird jerked back and nearly fell off the branch.

Ethan forced himself to stay calm. He climbed onto a rock so he could reach the lower branches. He moved slowly and carefully until he was level enough with the creature that he could extend a hand. It watched him with wide trembling eyes. When he touched its wing gently, it shuddered but did not strike. He saw the source of the fear. Blue sparks flickered across its feathers, uncontrolled surges of magic or energy. Every pulse made the creature flinch as if in pain.

Another crash sounded deeper in the woods. The creature panicked. It hopped down from the branch and stumbled forward. Ethan moved with it, guiding it away from the sounds. They reached a narrow clearing where the creature finally collapsed. Its great wings spread across the ground. Its breathing sped up. Ethan placed both hands on its neck to steady it. He whispered gently and stroked along its feathers until its trembling slowed.

Something enormous moved between the trees. Ethan felt the ground tremble. He could not see the shape clearly, only a heavy shadow passing through thick branches. The large bird whimpered and pressed itself against the ground. Whatever chased it was strong enough to crush trees.

Ethan stayed silent and still. The shadow moved slowly as if searching. Then it turned and disappeared back into the deeper woods leaving behind a trail of broken branches.

Ethan released a slow breath. The large bird lifted its head and nudged his arm weakly. It did not have the strength to fly. He checked the joints in its wings and found no breaks. It was not physically injured. It was overwhelmed by something else, something in the forest. The strange pulses of energy along its feathers were too unstable.

He knew the creature could not stay here. It would be vulnerable until it regained its strength. Ethan gathered branches and vines to make a crude harness. The creature accepted the restraints as if understanding his intention.

The journey back was slow. Ethan led the bird on foot. Its wings dragged lightly across the ground. Every few steps it leaned into him for balance. The forest stayed unnervingly quiet until they reached the edge where the guards waited.

When the villagers saw the massive glowing bird approaching with Ethan, they gasped and backed away. The elder placed both hands on his head in disbelief. Even the hunter, who had returned out of curiosity, stared with widened eyes.

Ethan raised his hand to show the creature was calm. The villagers watched him guide the bird into the village like it was a miracle. The elder approached slowly, his voice quiet with a mixture of awe and caution.

Ethan knew what he had to say even without speaking. Something in the heart of the forest was driving the creatures out.

And this was only the first of many.