Arya moved like a shadow through the trees.
The Hollow Hills were far, hidden deep in the heart of the ancient forest. Few dared to go there. It was a place untouched by time — where secrets slept beneath the ground and whispers floated in the wind.
She had been there once, long ago, with Diviya.
Back when they were still friends.
Back when everything hadn't fallen apart.
Now she returned, not as a friend — but as a mother looking for a way to protect her daughter.
The deeper Arya walked, the colder the air became. The trees were darker here, twisted and old. Strange symbols were carved into trunks, glowing faintly as she passed.
And then… she saw it.
An old stone archway, covered in moss and vines, standing alone in a clearing.
She stepped through it — and the world changed.
Meanwhile, back at home…
Sara sat on the roof, staring at the sky. Rohan sat beside her, silent for a while.
Finally, he said, "She's strong. She'll come back."
Sara didn't reply.
"Are you scared?" he asked.
"Yes," she whispered. "But not of the monsters. I'm scared of myself."
Rohan looked at her. "Why?"
"Because there's something inside me that feels... wild. Every time the moon rises, I feel it calling. And when I get angry... I feel like I could break the world."
Rohan placed his hand on hers. "That power is real. But your heart is stronger."
Sara looked at him. "Do you think I'm dangerous?"
"I think you're what the world needs. Someone who doesn't belong to just one side."
Sara lowered her eyes. "The wolves want me. The vampires fear me. And now… something darker wants to find me."
Rohan sighed. "Then we prepare. Whatever's coming, we face it together."
In the Hollow Hills, Arya stepped into a stone chamber hidden beneath the earth. The walls were covered in runes that glowed as she passed.
Then she saw him — sitting by a fire, wrapped in a cloak of feathers and fur.
His eyes were strange. One gold like a wolf, the other red like a vampire.
"You finally came," he said.
Arya stopped. "You're the Guardian?"
He smiled. "Not anymore. But I remember what she asked me."
"Diviya?"
He nodded. "She knew this day would come. The day her daughter would awaken."
"She said Sara is the key," Arya said. "But to what?"
The Guardian stood slowly. "To a war that started long before any of us were born."
Arya frowned. "What war?"
"The Noctis are returning," he said darkly. "They want to claim her because she is the only one who can defeat them. Or… the only one who can help them rise."
Arya's breath caught. "She would never join them."
The Guardian looked at her. "You hope that. But the darkness calls to those who are torn inside. And your daughter… is torn."
Arya's voice shook. "How do we protect her?"
The Guardian reached into the fire and pulled out a glowing stone.
"Take this," he said. "It's called the Heart of Truth. It will show her who she really is. But beware… she may not like what she sees."
Arya took the stone carefully.
"Tell her," the Guardian added, "that her destiny is not written in blood… but in choice."
Far away, in the dark corners of the world, the shadow moved again.
The voice whispered, "The Heart of Truth is awake. She must not see it. Not yet."
And with that, he vanished into the night — leaving behind the scent of ash and the promise of war.