After everything… the silence felt strange.
It wasn't the silence of absence, but of pause. The war had left marks on all of us, even if no one said it directly. The body still carried the fatigue, and the mind… hadn't fully slowed down yet.
But for the first time in a long while, there was no urgency.
No imminent battle. No critical decision.
Just… space.
That's why I made the decision.
"Let's step away for a while."
The group was gathered in the mansion when I spoke. There was no surprise, only curiosity.
"Step away?" Scarlett asked, tilting her head slightly.
"Yes. Rest. But not just that."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "You're not the type to stop just to rest."
"Not completely," I replied. "But now… it's necessary."
Lyannis gave a faint smile. "So there's something behind this."
"There is."
Liriel watched in silence. Elara kept an attentive gaze. Vespera simply waited.
"There's a place," I continued. "Called the Forest of Spirits."
The atmosphere shifted subtly.
Not because of tension.
But because of interest.
"Spirits?" said Lyannis. "Interesting."
"I've heard of it," Elara commented. "Few enter there."
"Exactly."
Rai'kanna let out a light laugh. "So we're going to invade?"
"No," I replied directly. "If we enter… it'll be because we were accepted."
Scarlett crossed her arms. "And you think we will be?"
I thought for a moment.
"I don't know."
Vespera spoke for the first time. "Then why go?"
"Because it's different," I said. "And because… it might be important."
Silence came for a few seconds.
And then, without the need for further explanation, everyone understood.
"I'm going," said Rai'kanna.
"Me too," added Lyannis.
Liriel simply nodded.
Elara confirmed shortly after.
Scarlett sighed lightly. "I figured."
Vespera concluded. "Then let's go."
There was no more discussion.
The decision was made.
We left that same morning.
The path to the forest wasn't short, but it didn't require extreme effort either. It was a calm journey, unhurried, without the need to maintain constant vigilance like before.
For the first time in a long while…
We walked without expecting combat.
Rai'kanna stayed ahead most of the time, as always. Lyannis moved among the trees, observing everything with curiosity. Liriel and Elara talked occasionally, exchanging impressions. Scarlett stayed closer to me. Vespera maintained an overall view of the group.
The environment began to change gradually.
The trees grew denser.
The air… cleaner.
There was something different there.
Not visible.
But perceptible.
"We're close," said Elara.
I nodded.
"I can feel it," Liriel added.
Lyannis appeared beside us. "Something is watching."
Rai'kanna smiled. "Then we're on the right path."
We continued.
Without rushing.
Without forcing.
And then…
The forest appeared.
It wasn't an abrupt change.
But it was clear.
The light seemed different.
Softer.
More alive.
The trees were taller, older, as if they carried time within them. The wind passed gently, almost silently.
I stopped for a moment.
Observing.
Feeling.
Scarlett did the same beside me. "This is… different."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna looked around. "Doesn't feel like a normal place."
Lyannis was already walking ahead, analyzing everything. "It isn't."
Liriel took a deep breath. "The energy here is… pure."
Elara nodded. "Much more than anywhere we've seen before."
Vespera concluded. "This place is not just a forest."
It really wasn't.
I took a step forward.
And felt it.
As if something had recognized us.
Not as a threat.
But as a presence.
We moved a few more meters forward.
And then…
Small movements began to appear among the trees.
Light shadows.
Fast.
Subtle.
Lyannis stopped, looking directly at a specific point. "They're here."
Rai'kanna raised her weapon slightly, but without aggression. "Show yourselves."
Silence remained for a few seconds.
And then…
They appeared.
Small.
Simple forms.
Almost like little living figures made from nature itself. Some resembled small earth creatures, others seemed made of leaves and light.
They moved with curiosity.
Without fear.
But also without getting too close.
"Spirits," Liriel said, in a low tone.
Elara watched attentively. "They're evaluating us."
Scarlett relaxed her posture a bit. "They don't seem hostile."
"They aren't," I replied.
One of them moved a little closer.
Small.
Curious.
It stopped a few meters away.
Watching us.
Without words.
But with clear intent.
Lyannis crouched slightly. "Interesting…"
Rai'kanna held her position, but without tension.
Vespera simply observed.
Liriel took a small step forward.
And then stopped.
Waiting.
The spirit tilted its head slightly.
As if trying to understand.
And in that moment…
It became clear.
We weren't invaders.
But also…
We weren't accepted yet.
I took a deep breath.
And remained still.
Without advancing.
Without retreating.
Just present.
Because I understood something in that moment.
The forest would not be conquered.
It would be… granted.
And at that moment…
We were still being judged.