As Lira and her companions stepped carefully through the glowing passage, the golden light wrapped around them like a warm embrace. The moss and roots above whispered faintly, and every step seemed to echo both in the passage and in their minds.
At the center of the chamber beyond, the Heart of the Forest floated, suspended by roots thick as tree trunks, glowing softly. As they approached, the sphere pulsed rhythmically, almost like a heartbeat.
The light brightened, and suddenly, visions unfolded around them—not just images, but sensations, smells, sounds. Lira gasped as the past came alive before their eyes.
Long ago, the forest had been alive with laughter and human settlements. Villagers lived in harmony with nature, guided by elemental beings who taught them to balance their power with the life around them. But greed and fear began to creep in. Some humans tried to harness the forest's magic selfishly, bending plants, creatures, and even water to their will.
