Nolan walked beside Kaelun while the forest shifted around them like a living thing guiding their steps. The blue mist drifted in slow rings that formed and vanished as if responding to the creature’s presence. Nolan kept his breathing steady because every sound felt new. Every movement in the leaves made him alert like he was on the first day of a field survey except the animals here were nothing like the ones from home.
Kaelun moved
Nolan cleared his
Kaelun’
To the heart of
Nola
They passed a w
Do the
O Kaelun repl
Nolan ru
Kaelun
The
The little creature squeaked and lifted its tiny face toward Nolan.
Kaelun relaxed.
A lumipuff it said They are curious but harmless
Nolan crouched. The lumipuff hopped onto his knee without fear and sniffed his hand. Its nose felt warm like heated sand. Nolan smiled softly.
Hey little guy
The lumipuff squeaked again then nudged his palm with its soft quills. Nolan stroked its head and the creature let out a sound similar to purring.
Kaelun watched with a calm patience.
The forest tests your presence
This is a test
Yes
Nolan blinked. His hands stayed gentle on the lumipuff’s fur.
I guess I passed
For this part yes Kaelun replied But the Eldergrove tests differently
Nolan sighed. Great
Kaelun stepped forward and nudged Nolan with its tail urging him to stand.
They walked deeper into the forest and the air grew thicker not heavy but dense with a strange energy Nolan could not name. Leaves rustled even without wind. The mist pulsed softly like it had a heartbeat. The trees grew larger the trunks stretching wider than houses. Their roots twisted in massive patterns like coiled serpents beneath the soil.
Nolan stepped over a large root and felt a vibration ripple through his boots. He grabbed Kaelun’s shoulder for balance.
What was that
The forest speaking Kaelun answered It senses your steps
Does it like me
Not yet
Nolan groaned but kept walking.
They reached a clearing where the ground dipped into a wide basin. The center glowed with swirling blue light rising from cracks in the earth like smoke. Kaelun stopped at the edge and lowered its head.
This is the threshold to the Eldergrove
Nolan stared at the light. It moved like water but hung in the air like vapor. The ground hummed beneath his feet.
So I walk in there
Yes
Alone
Kaelun’s golden eyes dimmed slightly.
Part of the path you must walk by yourself. The forest must see you without my shadow
Nolan exhaled slowly. His chest tightened but he took a step forward. The air cooled as he entered the glowing basin. The mist wrapped around his legs like soft cloth then pulled him deeper.
Kaelun watched from the border patient calm trusting.
Nolan continued until the blue light surrounded him fully. The hum of the ground grew louder like a giant heartbeat. The mist rose up around his face then thickened forming shapes.
Silhouettes appeared in the shifting glow towering figures that looked like animals with elongated limbs and flowing manes. Their eyes glowed white and they stepped closer leaving no footprints. Their bodies flickered like memories of old beasts long vanished.
Nolan’s voice came out as a whisper. What are you
The tallest figure leaned down its face inches from him.
A voice unlike Kaelun’s echoed directly into his mind deep ancient steady.
Traveler from the dry lands your heart is open but your spirit is unshaped You carry the mark of care yet lack the roots of this realm Show us your truth
The creatures circled Nolan. The mist around him swirled faster.
Show you how
Show us who you are when the world trembles
The ground beneath Nolan cracked.
The glowing basin split open.
A chasm formed under his feet.
Nolan gasped and fell.