The mist that enveloped the forest seemed alive. It curled around the trees, weaving their branches into intricate patterns, and the moonlight barely pierced through its shroud. The forest seemed to exist outside of time, keeping its secrets deep within, secrets that could break the mind. And now, after Melania and her companions had left the domain that mirrored the face of Eternity, they found themselves here — on the edge of a new world.
— This place… it’s not like the others, — said Linara, standing at the edge of the forest. Her gaze was sorrowful, and there was anxiety in her voice.
— We are on the edge again, — Melania replied, trying to gather her thoughts. The feeling of uncertainty was so strong that every step deeper into the forest felt heavy.
Endar, walking beside her, lifted his gaze. His eyes gleamed with an inner fire, and his hands, wrapped in ancient runes, trembled faintly, as if ready for a magical gesture.
— Is this what we were looking for? — he asked, carefully stepping on the ground, which rustled with each of his steps.
— It’s part of the journey, — Melania answered. — We need to learn to distinguish the signs. Not all of them will be obvious.
The mist thickened, covering their paths, and within a few steps, their figures became blurred, losing clarity in this world that changed with every passing moment. Every stone, every blade of grass seemed familiar yet entirely different. It was as if the forest itself shifted depending on who wandered within. This was a forest of illusions, where even the boldest hunters lost their way.
— Strange, — whispered Linara, her hands clutching an ancient compass that swayed, pointing in various directions. — I feel it leads us, but where exactly?
— Feelings cannot deceive us, — Endar contradicted, though his expression was changed as never before. — This is not just a forest. It’s something more.
Their paths suddenly veered as a figure appeared before them. It was a woman, cloaked in dark fabric, her face almost hidden beneath the shadow of her hood. She stood in the middle of the forest, holding a massive book, its pages glowing with a blue light.
— You seek something more than just an answer, — she said, her voice deep yet warm, like a whisper of the wind. — You want to change the very essence.
Melania watched her, a strange sense of recognition stirring within her. Who was this woman? And why did she seem so familiar?
— Who are you? — Melania asked, her voice calm, though inside her turmoil raged.
The woman did not answer immediately. Her gaze seemed to search something in each of them, as though unraveling their deepest thoughts.
— I am the Herald, — she finally said, opening her book, and a small cloud flew from its pages, dissipating the surrounding darkness. — I guard the entrance to this place, but even what you seek cannot be found unless you are ready to see.
Linara appeared bewildered.
— Ready for what? And why are you helping us? You’re not from here.
— I am from here, — the Herald replied, standing tall. — But I am also from beyond Eternity. I have come to warn you. Your actions have already begun to change things. It’s not just Eternity that stands at a crossroads. It’s your world as well.
Endar stepped forward, his eyes blazing with determination.
— Changes? What do you mean?
The Herald stood firm, her presence now more defined, and in her eyes, there was a flicker of pain.
— I mean that each of you bears responsibility. The choice you made has already started to alter this world. You’ve become part of a larger picture, but are you ready to face the consequences of your decisions? It’s not just Eternity that stands before a choice. It’s you. Your very essence begins to transform, and even your most secret desires may lead to unforeseen outcomes.
Melania felt a chill creep up her spine. She knew this was not just a warning. This was a truth they would have to confront.
— We must go forward, — she said firmly. — Otherwise, no one will understand what lies ahead.
The Herald nodded, and there was a flash of doubt in her eyes.
— Then go. But remember, time is not linear, and every step you take changes the future.
With these words, she vanished into the air, and the forest that had once seemed impassable now opened new paths. Melania knew their journey was just beginning, but now they were no longer merely wanderers — they were part of something that could change the very fabric of time.