By the time Ethan returned to the village the sky had darkened though it was still early in the day. The clouds formed strange spirals overhead like something in the forest pulled at them. Villagers gathered in the square with anxious voices. When they saw Ethan emerge from the path they rushed forward. The elder pushed through the crowd and placed both hands on Ethan’s arms. The question in his eyes was clear.

Ethan pointed toward the forest and mimed a rising mound then tremors then a painful call. Mira arrived beside the elder and tried to translate Ethan’s gestures into familiar words. When she repeated his description of the shaking ground and the glowing water the villagers gasped. Several stepped back in fear. Even the guards looked shaken.

The hunter appeared from behind the crowd. His voice rang out sharply. He accused Ethan of bringing danger to the village by sheltering the creatures. He shouted that the glowing wolf and the giant bird were connected to the disturbance. His accusations stirred some villagers into nervous murmurs.

The elder raised his staff and ordered silence. With slow deliberate gestures he told the villagers that Ethan had only saved lives so far. He pointed to the wolf now peeking from the shelter doorway. The wolf’s glow pulsed softly in worry not rage. The bird extended its wing slightly to shield the bark creature. The villagers stared in silence at the calmness of the creatures.

Ethan stepped forward and placed his hand on his chest. He then pointed toward the forest and made a downward pulling motion as if something below the earth was rising. Mira translated again. She told the council that Ethan believed the forest was hurting and reacting not plotting an attack. Some villagers nodded slowly. Others still looked fearful.

The elder led Ethan into the main hall. The council members sat around the long table. Candles burned even though it was not night. The shadows flickered across the walls giving the room a heavy feeling. Mira entered behind Ethan and stood near him to help interpret.

Ethan explained as best he could with gestures, drawings on the table dust, and simple words. He showed them the shape rising under the lake, the tremors that spread through the ground, and the painful call that felt like the forest itself was crying. He drew circles to show how creatures were fleeing outward away from the disturbance.

The council fell silent as they studied his drawings.
One member whispered a word that sounded like a legend.
Another mentioned stories of old magic buried beneath the roots.

Ethan tried to focus the discussion on what mattered.
The creatures were warning them.
The forest was reacting to something they had not seen yet.
If they ignored the signs more beasts would flee toward the village.

The hunter barged into the hall again without waiting for permission. He slammed his spear down and demanded that the village kill the creatures in the shelter and fortify the walls. He insisted that the beasts were the cause and not the victims. His voice rose louder and louder until even the council members looked uncomfortable.

Ethan stepped forward and faced the hunter directly.
He lifted his hands slowly like calming an aggressive animal.
He shook his head and pointed to the shelter.
Then he touched his chest and pointed to the forest.

The meaning was simple.
I saw the threat.
It is not them.

The hunter grew red with anger. He shouted that Ethan was a stranger and a fool who protected monsters. He pointed at the council and demanded they choose between their own people and the beasts. His words struck fear in several villagers outside the hall who overheard.

The elder slammed his staff against the floor. The hall fell silent. The elder spoke with firm strength. After Mira translated a few pieces, Ethan understood. The elder declared that Ethan would lead an investigation deeper into the forest with a small team. The elder believed Ethan’s knowledge was needed. The hunter objected again but the elder cut him off with a powerful gesture.

Ethan accepted the task with a nod. He knew it would be dangerous.
But he could not ignore the way the creatures looked at him with trust.
He could not ignore the forest crying in the dark.

That night he returned to the shelter. The wolf greeted him first, pushing its head against his hand. The bird lifted its wings in a welcoming gesture. The bark creature settled near his feet.

Ethan sat down between them and spoke softly.
He told them about the council, the threat beneath the lake, and the journey he would take soon.
The wolf hummed deeply.
The bird tapped his shoulder.
The bark creature curled beside him and pressed its wooden skin against his leg.

They understood his worry.
And they would be part of whatever came next.

Outside the shelter the wind shifted.
The forest groaned again, a distant sound rising through the earth like a warning.

Tomorrow, Ethan would lead a team into the deep woods.
Tomorrow, he would face what trembled beneath the roots.
And his creatures…
they would not let him face it alone.