Sofia lay awake, leaning against the window sill. She could no longer sleep.
The image of Alexandra, the same silver-haired figure, followed her now—with every blink, with every breeze.
The forest seemed to look back at her, mute and alive at the same time.
The crystals in the chandelier moved gently, spreading spots of light on the walls, and somewhere in the courtyard, an owl flapped its wings.
Sofia's heart was beating fast, as when you approach a secret too big to say out loud.
She got up and opened the window. The cold night air hit her face lightly.
Far away, at the edge of the garden, where Alexandra had disappeared, the ground shimmered faintly—like a trace of light left over from a dream.
Sofia whispered almost without realizing it:
— "Alexandra…"
At that moment, a warm breeze caressed her face, and a voice, gentle and transparent, was heard in her mind:
— "Follow the light, Sofia. It's time to remember."
The girl started.
"Remember what?", she thought. But the answer didn't come. Just a murmur of the forest.
Without hesitating too much, she put her thin cloak over her shoulders and left the room. The corridor was empty, lit only by the pale flames of the torches.
On the floor, shadows danced, as if they had a life of their own.
At the side gate, she stopped. Her breath was trembling.
At that moment, a shadow moved behind her.
— "Sofia?"
It was Dragoș.
He held a small flashlight in his hand and wore the thick coat over his nightgown.
— "What are you doing outside at this time of day?"
— "I saw her again. Alexandra."
Dragoș looked at her for a long time, with a mixture of fear and curiosity.
— "Where?"
— "In the garden. And she told me… to follow the light."
Beyond the castle walls, something shimmered softly among the trees—a small blue flame, floating a few steps off the ground.
Dragoș took a deep breath.
— "Then we'll go together."
Sofia looked at him for a moment. In his eyes, she could see the same fear, but also that simple courage that always reassured her.
He took her hand.
— "Okay."
They passed the gate and stepped into the garden.
The air became denser, colder, as if the forest was waiting for them.
The blue light floated among the roses, then among the trees, leading them to the edge of the Itezista forest.
There was no sound—no birds, no wind. Just a deep murmur, like a giant breath.
As they advanced, the earth began to pulse faintly, like a living heart.
Suddenly, a glowing steam rose from the ground, gathering into a shape—a silhouette of light.
It was Miral.
— "You have come," he said, his voice warm but echoing.
— "The light has chosen you, Sofia."
The girl took a step closer.
— "Why me?"
— "Because you can see shadows without judging them. And because your heart knows that light and darkness are not enemies, but old brothers."
Miral reached out, and a small sphere of blue crystal appeared between his palms.
It floated into Sofia's hands. When he touched it, a living warmth enveloped her—as if she were holding a beating heart.
— "This is the gift of the forest," Miral said. "A fragment of her heart. She will call you when the balance is broken."
Then she turned to Dragoş.
— "And you, young man of the light, will be the link between her and the world of men."
A silver streak fell from the air and settled on the boy's finger, forming a shining ring.
— "As long as her light burns, you too will feel the call."
Dragoş raised his hand, looking at the ring.
Sofia looked at him and smiled—shyly, but sincerely.
— "Miral…" she whispered. "Alexandra… where is she?"
The shadow of light was silent for a moment, then said softly:
— "Her shadow lives between the worlds. But you will see her again. When your heart is ready."
The wind picked up. The trees rustled, and the light dissipated like a silver mist.
Sofia and Dragoş were left alone.
In her palm, the crystal still pulsed.
Around Dragoş, the ring shone faintly, like a promise.
Sofia looked up at the castle, where a window lit up slightly.
Her mother was awake.
— "I think my brother can already hear the forest," she whispered, smiling.
The forest responded with a short, almost tender murmur, like an old song.
The shadow of the Itezista forest lived.
And, without knowing it, Sofia had just taken the first oath of light.