Night.
"Come to me… come to me… set me free… come on, Anris… Anri…" — the voice from the dream sounded like a call of the wind.
Anris remembered Selena's words and, without hesitation, dressed, pulled back her hair, and headed toward the forest.
At the same time, Liam was nearby, trying to understand the strange feeling of dark power that had haunted him since the ball. Hearing a rustle, he saw a silhouette and went toward it.
"Anris?" — his voice was calm but insistent. — "Out here alone again at night?"
"Liam… it's my business. You don't need to interfere," she answered calmly, not stopping.
He stepped closer:
"You know it can be dangerous there."
"I know. But I have to do this myself."
"You don't have to face it alone. Let me help," he said, and there was firmness in his voice.
"I don't need help," she smiled slightly. — "Just let me go."
"I can't," he said quietly but firmly. — "You mean a lot to me, and I won't let you take risks."
She fell silent, understanding that arguing was useless.
When they reached the lake, Anris began calling the ancient mermaids, hoping to get some clue.
The mermaids appeared, showering her with compliments and saying that deep in the forest lived the dryads — guardians of ancient secrets. If she was worthy, they would reveal themselves.
Anris moved forward, but Liam grabbed her hand.
"Please, don't go alone," he asked quietly.
"You want to come with me?" she looked at him.
"If you don't want to go alone, I'll stay by your side," he answered seriously.
Walking together was quieter, but the tension hung in the air.
By the old oak tree, two slender figures suddenly appeared — dryads, their skin like bark, hair shimmering green and gold, eyes glowing softly.
One spoke:
"You seek answers, child of the wind. Your dream is a call of fate."
"What does my dream mean?" Anris asked, her voice trembling with emotion.
Liam was silent, listening.
The second dryad smiled mysteriously:
"The great dragon sleeps in the shadow of oblivion. His awakening is the key to salvation and destruction. The path is not easy."
The first dryad handed Anris a scroll with strange symbols:
"This is the key to the secret. In the Academy, in the heart of knowledge, lies the place of forgotten pages — the Archives of the Ancients. There you will find the answer."
"But how will I know what exactly to look for?" Anris asked.
The second dryad leaned closer and whispered:
"The symbols of the wind will show the way, and the sign of the dragon will awaken memory. Follow what is unheard by ears and unseen by eyes."
"You are not alone on this path," added the first. — "The one beside you will be your support."
The dryads' words faded into the forest, leaving Anris with a sense of importance and responsibility.
Liam gently called:
"Are you alright?"
She was silent until he touched her hand.
"What does 'the great dragon sleeps in the shadow of oblivion' mean? They all died..." he asked softly.
"I don't know myself," Anris answered. — "But I must find out."
"You don't have to do this alone. I'll help you."
"Thank you, Liam. But I will manage on my own." — She pulled her hand away. — "Please understand."
"You're not leaving alone."
"I have to go." — She looked at him firmly and walked away, leaving him under the moonlight.