The path that chose us

The brilliant light faded almost as quickly as it had appeared.

Silence settled over the clearing.

Even the whispering leaves had gone still.

Every student stood frozen, their eyes fixed on the Heart Tree.

Nothing happened.

Then, as though embarrassed by its own reaction, the ancient runes dimmed one by one until only a faint silver glow remained beneath the bark.

The forest breathed again.

A cool wind swept through the clearing, carrying thousands of silver leaves into the air.

The spell had ended.

Or at least...

it wanted everyone to believe it had.

Anette slowly released the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

The warmth beneath her skin retreated.

Barely.

She quickly pulled her sleeve farther over her wrist.

Don't look.

Don't glow.

Please.

Around her, confused murmurs began spreading through the students.

"What was that?"

"I've never seen the tree do that."

"Did something go wrong?"

One of the professors stepped forward almost immediately.

His calm smile never faltered.

"The Heart Tree occasionally reacts to fluctuations in the forest's magic."

His explanation came far too quickly.

"As long as your names have appeared, your trial has been accepted."

Another professor nodded.

"The evaluation will now begin."

Anette frowned.

It sounded rehearsed.

Almost... practiced.

As though he had expected questions.

Beside her, Freda narrowed her eyes.

"He's lying."

Valerie blinked.

"What?"

"The explanation."

Freda kept watching the professors.

"They answered before anyone even asked."

Valerie looked between the professors and the tree.

"...I hate that you're probably right."

Anette remained silent.

She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something in the tree that was not right.

Not the way people looked.

The way something ancient remembered.

A loud bell echoed across the clearing.

The Heart Tree began glowing once more, softer this time.

Floating names drifted away from the bark and settled before different students like shimmering ribbons.

Each ribbon pointed toward a different trail branching deeper into the forest.

"There are multiple paths," Freda observed.

"The forest is separating us."

Almost immediately students began calling their friends.

"Over here!"

"This one!"

"I think we're together!"

Some sighed in relief.

Others looked disappointed.

Valerie watched the ribbons nervously.

"Please don't separate us."

One ribbon drifted toward Freda.

Another floated gently toward Valerie.

A third settled in front of Anette.

All three ribbons shimmered...

Then slowly twisted together into a single silver strand.

Valerie stared.

"...Is that good?"

"I don't know," Freda admitted.

"But I don't think it's normal."

One of the professors glanced toward them.

His composed expression slipped.

Only for a heartbeat.

Surprise.

Real surprise.

Before he quickly looked away.

Anette noticed.

So did Freda.

Neither of them said anything.

"Looks like we're together," Valerie said, forcing a grin.

"I was really hoping not to die alone."

"You assume we're dying?" Freda asked.

"I'm preparing emotionally."

Without warning, the silver strand shot forward into the forest.

The path ahead shifted.

Trees moved aside.

Branches twisted overhead.

An entirely new trail appeared where there had only been solid woodland moments before.

The forest...

was choosing for them.

Anette exchanged one final glance with the Heart Tree.

Its silver branches swayed gently in the wind.

For the briefest instant—

she could have sworn one branch bent toward her.

Like a silent farewell.

Or perhaps...

a warning.

Without another word, the three girls followed the glowing trail into the heart of Wryborne Forest, unaware that hidden among the highest branches, unseen eyes were watching their every step.

Far above, cloaked figures stood silently on platforms woven into the ancient trees.

One lowered a brass telescope.

"The forest changed its path."

Another frowned.

"It has never done that before."

The oldest among them kept his gaze fixed on the girl disappearing beneath the silver canopy.

"No," he murmured.

"It hasn't."

"And that is exactly what worries me."

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