The ancient shrine loomed behind the pack as they prepared to step into their new role. Lyla stood at the center of the group, her hand still pressed against the stone’s surface. The faint glow of the runes illuminated her face as the whispers of the forest swirled in her mind. They carried a clear message now: The guardians are gone. You must take their place.

Eli broke the silence. “If we’re supposed to protect the forest, where do we even begin? We don’t know what’s out there or ...