The trio moved cautiously the next morning, exhaustion from the attack weighing heavily on them. Elyra's pendant pulsed faintly, guiding them through the trees until they stumbled upon a hidden glade.

The clearing was breathtaking-a circle of towering trees that seemed to shimmer faintly under the sun. In the center was a small pool of water, perfectly still and reflecting the sky above as though it held its own stars.noveldrama

Elyra stepped forward, drawn to the tranquil beauty of the place. "It feels like home," she murmured, her voice filled with awe.

Dain watched her closely, his expression unreadable. "Maybe it is," he said softly. "Or maybe it's a sign we're not as lost as we think."

Matthew, still limping slightly from the previous night, knelt by the pool. "This place feels... strange," he said, his tone wary. "Like it doesn't belong in this world."

Elyra crouched by the water, trailing her fingers through it. The surface rippled, and for a moment, she saw an image her mother, standing tall and regal, her silver hair glowing under the moonlight. Beside her was a man with golden eyes, his hand resting protectively on her shoulder.

Elyra gasped and pulled back, her heart racing. "I saw them," she whispered.

"Who?" Dain asked, stepping closer.

"My parents," Elyra said, her voice shaking. "They're calling me back."

Dain frowned, his orange eyes narrowing. "Or it's a trap," he said bluntly. "We can't trust visions."

Elyra looked at him, her expression conflicted. "What if it's not? What if this is where we're supposed to go?"

Before Dain could respond, the pool began to glow faintly, and a low hum filled the air. The trees around them seemed to sway despite the lack of wind, and the whispers of an unseen force surrounded them.

"We're not alone," Matthew said, his voice tense as his hand reached instinctively for the hunting knife at his belt.

The moment of peace was shattered as a guttural growl emerged from the shadows. A massive shadow-beast stepped into the clearing, its red eyes fixed on Elyra.

Dain moved in front of her, his body tense. "Stay behind me," he said, his voice low.

"No," Elyra said firmly, stepping beside him. "We fight together."

The beast lunged, and the serene glade became a battleground. Elyra's silver hair glowed brighter as she summoned the Pact's energy, while Dain's strikes became more precise and devastating. Together, they moved as one, their bond stronger than ever. When the creature finally fell, Elyra and Dain stood panting, their bodies bruised but unyielding.

"This isn't just a place," Elyra said, looking at the pool. "It's a connection. To them. To where we came from."