The sanctuary was filled with quiet movement as dawn slowly washed across the ridge The rescued creatures lay in their enclosures exhausted but safe The frost tail elk rested on a bed of fresh moss its icy breath soft but steady The crystal horn doe drank from a shallow pool the glow returning faintly to its antlers The ember fox curled near heated stones placed carefully by the herbalist

The warden spirit walked through the sanctuary inspecting each enclosure with calm reverence Its antlers glowed brighter whenever it passed a creature newly saved from the poachers As it moved tiny leaves drifted from its body settling over the recovering beasts like blessings from the land

Evan watched from the treatment hut doorway exhaustion still clinging to him but overshadowed by relief Every creature rescued from the relay station lived That alone made every risk worth it

Dalen approached carrying a cup of warm herbal tea You should sleep at least a few hours

Evan shook his head Not yet There is something more important Something I need to see

He stepped out into the clearing approaching the frost tail elk Its eyes opened slightly meeting his The cold blue glow in its irises was weak but alive The creature lifted its head pressing its muzzle gently against Evan’s arm breathing a whisper of chilled air

Evan smiled softly You are safe now Rest The forest remembers you

As he turned away the warden spirit approached lowering its head Evan touched its glowing antlers feeling a hum beneath his fingertips

The spirit stood before him waiting
Expecting
Guiding

Evan whispered I know You want to show me something

He followed the spirit to the sanctuary border where the living vines formed a tall wall The vines parted slowly letting them pass into the forest

Dalen called from behind Want me to follow

Evan shook his head Stay with the scouts The spirit wants only me this time

The forest swallowed him and the spirit together The moment the vines closed the outside world went silent Evan could hear only the soft rustle of leaves the faint hum of mana and the rhythmic steps of the spirit beside him

The deeper they walked the more the forest changed glowing leaves blossoming along branches and soft light swirling like drifting dust The air grew thick with memories or echoes of energy that felt like stories trapped within the soil

They reached a clearing where an ancient tree stood its trunk twisted with age its bark shimmering faint gold beneath moss and vines The spirit stopped before it lowering its head

Evan approached slowly touching the tree’s rough bark Immediately visions flooded his mind

A herd of thunder bears roaming these forests freely
Crystal horn deer grazing in moonlit meadows
Sky glider hawks soaring across open skies
Frost tail elk migrating along frozen rivers
Spirit guardians walking in pairs blessing the land

A world untouched by cages or chains
A world of balance and abundance
A world that had been lost before Evan arrived

His breath caught as the visions faded replaced by darker images

Poachers driving herds into ambushes
Nobles claiming rare beasts as trophies
Fields burned to force magical creatures into traps
Spirit guardians hunted for their branches and antlers
Forests crying silently as their protectors vanished

Evan staggered back overwhelmed The spirit pressed its forehead gently against his chest grounding him pulling him out of the visions

He whispered The forest is remembering

The spirit nodded lowering its head toward the ancient tree A leaf blossomed glowing bright green then drifted down to Evan’s hand

This is not just history he realized This is a warning The land knows what is coming

The spirit turned its gaze east where the horizon glowed faint orange Evan followed its sight

The capital

The Obsidian Court

Lord Varrick

Evan’s chest tightened They will come here They will attack the sanctuary

The spirit’s glow dimmed slightly as if confirming his fear

Evan turned back toward the sanctuary urgency rising in him If we want to protect these beasts we need allies not just villagers We need something stronger

The spirit stepped back vines parting to reveal another path one Evan had never seen before a trail surrounded by faint golden light

Evan hesitated then understood This path leads to someone who can help

He looked back toward the spirit his voice steady Thank you I will follow

The spirit bowed its head and the forest opened itself to him

The land had shown him where to go
And Evan intended to answer