The tree swayed gently in the morning breeze, its leaves moving gently ....
Sophie stood at the base, hands on her hips, eyeing the distance between the branch and the study window. "See? It's not that far," she said confidently.
Amelia frowned, glancing between the tree and the wall. "You call that not far? Sophie, we are surely gonna break a bone if we fall from there ! "
Sophie grinned. "we always have to take calculated risks to achieve something in life ."
Amelia sighed taking a deep breath
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Amelia asked, watching Sophie climb onto the low branch.
"No," Sophie said cheerfully, "but it's the only idea we've got."
Amelia sighed and followed her. The bark scratched against her palms as she climbed, and when she reached the window, Sophie was already peeking through the glass.
"It's not locked he might have forgotten to lock it in a hurry"
"It's dark inside," Sophie whispered. "But there's something glowing faintly like blue light."
Amelia's heart quickened. "Maybe some of Father's spells."
They carefully pushed the window open.with a soft click sound it opened.
As they went inside they saw.
Inside, the study smelled of old papers ,ink, and faint traces of magic. Books lined every wall; the air hummed softly, as though each page remembered its secrets.
Sophie stepped in first. "So this is what he was hiding."
Amelia looked around—the shelves filled with scrolls, maps of constellations, and notes written in a language she couldn't read. On the desk, the wax of the burnt candle was present .
She walked toward the table, her fingers brushing against the surface. "He's been studying ..… some old things."
In a far corner, half-hidden under loose pages, Sophie found a small leather book. Its cover was drawn with strange runes, and there were drawings inside it - vivid, detailed drawings of tall glowing trees, winged beings, and a massive gate surrounded by mist.
"Amelia," Sophie said softly, handing it to her.
Amelia turned the pages slowly.
One drawing showed a young woman with her hands glowing with silver blue light - her grandmother. She had the same shade of beautiful dark red hair she herself inherited from her father. And her eyes were glowing beautifully in golden colour
Another showed a man beside her he looked handsome —her grandfather
He also had light red hair with blue eyes. His hands glowed with bright white light with faint traces of blue
As they were looking at the pictures Amelia's eyes went to the picture that showed another man he was dressed cloaked in shadow.
The paper on face had been scratched out, ink torn into the paper.
Amelia didn't know why but ,a chill went down her spine.
Below the image, a note was written in her father's neat handwriting:
"The balance was broken when the one we trusted the most opened the Gate and betrayed us.
Father gave his life to seal the darkness.
Mother said one day, light will return through our bloodline.
The mark will awaken again when the shadow act ."
Amelia touched the mark on her wrist - it glowed faintly then stopped.
Sophie whispered, "So your grandparents… they protected the Enchanted Forest. And that man—he betrayed them."
Amelia nodded slowly, her throat tight. "And my father… he has been trying to protect me from this ."
Sophie looked around again, her gaze landed on a small metallic box half-buried under the papers.
She picked it up—it was cool to the touch, drawn with the same symbol that glowed faintly on Amelia's wrist.
"Do you think you can open it ?" she asked.
Amelia hesitated, then touched the box. The lines on its surface glowed blue for a second—and went dark again..
She frowned "it's sealed with magic"
Suddenly they heard some crash !! outside the house. Then the sound of doorbell.
"Did you hear that!!"
Before Amelia could answer the light started to flicker in the room.