Damien reached out, his fingers brushing against the furrowed bark of one such ancient tree as they passed. "Can you feel it?" His voice was hushed, laced with a mixture of wonderment and trepidation. "The ripples of Elara's awakening still linger, thrumming through the very lifeblood of this forest."

Seraphina arched an eyebrow, shooting her friend a sidelong look. "You worry too much, my king. If anything, El's little lightshow will make our allies more inclined to lend their aid."

"Assuming they don't mistake me for a threat and try to put my head on a pike," Elara muttered, rolling her eyes. In the wake of accessing her Luna's fire,...