The journey to the Stone Circle and Rolly's farm was arduous, each step feeling longer than the last. Willow lagged behind, lost in her own thoughts, while the boys ahead of her engaged in boisterous teasing and playful wrestling. As they ventured further down the trail, a sense of eerie stillness enveloped the day. Willow couldn't hear the joyful melodies of the birds or feel the gentle caress of the wind rustling through the leaves. It was as if the natural world held its breath, waiting for something to happen.

Intrigued but fearful of the strange silence, Willow quickened her pace, eager to reach the spot where her mother and Rolly were engaged in a hushed conversation. She strained her ears, trying to catch snippets of their words, but the distance and their lowered voices made it impossible to decipher their discussion. Curiosity gnawed at her, wondering what could have prompted her mother to abandon everything and rush to Rolly's farm. Perhaps they had some knowledge about her father, the answers she had been desperately seeking. Patience was required, though, so Willow focused on the rhythmic motion of her feet, while her mind wandered to thoughts of her dad. A flicker of a smile graced her lips as she yearned for the day she would be reunited with him. Yet, worry tugged at her heart, its grip tightening as she fingered a small leather bag hanging from a thin lace around her neck.

Gently untying the lace, Willow retrieved a smooth, carved stone she had discovered earlier. It felt different from any other stone she had ever found - weathered and almost transparent, with delicate threads of gold running through its core. Lost in contemplation, she traced the intricate lines etched on its surface, her fingers dancing along its grooves as she walked. The stone's design remained elusive, though, as she struggled to make it out while in motion. With a brief pause, she halted her steps, in that moment the world flickered around her. Shaking her head to clear the disorientation, she carefully returned the stone to its resting place inside the bag.

As she resumed her journey, Willow glanced up, only to find herself surrounded by an unfamiliar landscape. Nothing seemed recognizable. She turned her head from side to side, completing a full circle, and her eyes widened at the sight that unfolded before her. Creatures of all sizes, from the smallest insects to majestic beasts, stood before her, their untamed beauty captivating her. They nodded in acknowledgment, not as mere animals, but as equals in this surreal meeting. Then, in an instant, they vanished, replaced by a dark expanse with a glowing mist swirling around the perimeter of a domed space.

Within this ethereal enclosure, a woman materialized just a few feet away from Willow. Moving closer, she pressed a finger to her lips, as her voice resonated with a haunting warning. "Two worlds connected by doors opening. When ancient beings return and lost souls are found, magic shall be restored. A great peril befalls your world, as false vapor takes form."

The woman turned her gaze towards a distant star, its brilliance surpassing all others in the now nighttime sky. As her form began to fade, a hauntingly beautiful melody echoed through Willow's thoughts.

When Darkness to the worlds flow

it's Too late to save the status quo.

An ancient power, bound by hate,

Darkness, greed, and illness await.

Power stalks, death and cities crumble,

Yet solutions small will end all trouble.

Protector's bonds will be the key.

To keep humans and races free.

What was divided shall be whole,

Siblings found, the earth's twin sole.

Seven shall stand, two shall fall,

The third shall give to save them all.

Face the fog with power and might

Mana and Earth will be made right.

Willow found herself still pinching her arm in disbelief as she overheard her mother and Rolly discussing her father. Ali spoke softly, "Once we've ensured there's nothing we can do for your daughter, I'll set out to find them. I know the place they were heading to, and it's a two-day ride by horse maybe four by wagon."

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Rolly replied, his voice equally hushed, "You can't seriously be considering going. You're... well, it would be better if I went." His face remained as stoic as stone, unyielding to any attempts to change his mind.

Ali felt a flicker of anger at his words, as if he deemed her incapable of taking care of herself, but she quickly suppressed it. She had sought his assistance, and now she had it, regardless of his reasons. Ali asked cautiously, "And you remember the way? Are you sure you can find this trading place? It's been so many years since you last made the journey yourself."

Rolly paused, shaking his head slowly. It had been an eternity ago, in a different lifetime. Rolly was an old man, a witness to the time when cities thrived and stores were easily accessible, before the trading circles became the primary means of exchange. He had a rough idea of where the trading circle might be, but it shifted its location every few years, allowing the land to rejuvenate from the constant human presence. He knew Ali was familiar with the way, as their family had embarked on this annual pilgrimage to visit their old friend Jove and his daughter. Rolly couldn't help but be surprised that, after all these years, Jove still presided over the Trading Circle.

So, Ali continued, “I guess that solves it you will need me."

Willow's heart raced as she heard Zerin's frantic voice calling out her name. Memories of the strange occurrence flooded her mind, leaving her feeling disoriented and unsettled. It was like a waking dream, but the vividness and intensity made it feel more real than any ordinary dream. She couldn't comprehend why Zerin was yelling for her when she could clearly see and hear everyone around her. As she watched everyone went on alert voices and actions worried.

As Willow reflected on the peculiar events that had unfolded earlier that day, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. Her intention had been to remain hidden and surprise her friends by sneaking up on them, and to her surprise, it had worked remarkably well. It seemed as though she had become invisible to them until the moment, she touched Zerin.

Panic washed over her as she realized she had unintentionally strayed from the trail. In her haste to escape the chaos of the shouting which she somehow drew her attention from her contemplation, she sprinted back to the path. Unbeknownst to her, Zerin, who had been hurrying in her direction, collided with her, sending both of them crashing to the ground.

Zerin's initial exclamation of shock was abruptly cut off, his eyes widening as he stared at Willow. His hand instinctively reached up to fumble with his ear, as if trying to make sense of the bewildering situation.

Reacting swiftly, Willow scrambled to her feet, a forced nonchalance masking her true feelings. "I was just behind the tree," she explained hastily, her voice attempting to convey a sense of calm. "I heard something and stepped off the trail to investigate." Deep down, she knew she couldn't reveal the truth of what had just transpired.

Zerin's eyes remained wide, resembling pie plates, as he continued tugging at his ear. But gradually, his breathing steadied, providing a sliver of relief to Willow, for her mother's reaction would not be as forgiving.

Ali's voice, laden with worry and anger, pierced through the air "What were you thinking? I was terrified, as were all of us!" She hurriedly approached her daughter, clasping her tightly against her chest. Willow winched she could hear her mother's heart pounding, a testament to the voracity of her words.

Guilt washed over Willow as she squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to hold back the tears. She whispered to herself, a plea for composure. She had no words to offer, no explanation that would suffice. Instead, she remained silent, finding solace in the embrace of her mother. Minutes passed in hushed stillness until a sharp crack of a stick shattered the tranquility. All heads turned towards the source of the noise, their senses heightened, attuned to any movement within the woods. The rustling grew distant, yet their eyes and ears remained fixated on the unknown.

Rolly, visibly shaken by the recent events, raised his bow and notched an arrow, directing it towards the general direction of the sound. The seconds ticked by each passing moment feeling like an eternity. Ali motioned for the others to retreat behind Rolly, and just as they complied, a deer emerged from behind a tree, standing about fifty paces away. Willow marveled at the natural camouflage of the deer, hard to see as it blended seamlessly with the surrounding foliage.

With a sigh of relief, Rolly lowered his bow a, closely for the rest of our journey. We are mere miles away from our destination, and I refuse to lose anyone to the lurking dangers that may inhabit these woods, especially when we are so close to my home. There may be nothing to fear, but I intend to make it back in time for dinner." He glanced sternly at his sons and added, "And no more foolishness from you two children!"

Willow hardly registered Rolly's words. As her gaze fixated on a peculiar brown mist swirling unnaturally among the trees, seemingly heading towards her family's farm. The warning she had received earlier nagged at her, intensifying her unease. The fear of the unknown gnawed at her mind. Was it normal to disappear, to hear voices, and talk with animals? Was she losing her sanity? The sight of the mist unnerved her. Without a second thought, she turned and sprinted past everyone, her strides quick and silent, her mind consumed by the urgency to get far away.

As they neared their destination, a worn and leaning barn emerged from the depths of the woods. To an unknowing eye, the area might have appeared abandoned. However, as they crested the rise in the earth, the sight of well-tended gardens and grazing animals dispelled any notion of desertion. Willow's mind wandered to the stones she carried, the strange mist, and the uncanny waking dream she had just experienced. She resolved to keep these events to herself, for who would believe her when she couldn't even fathom the truth herself? What would she say to Zerin when he inevitably asked? She didn't want to deceive him, but she also didn't want him to think she had lost touch with reality.