As Sere walked deeper into the forest, a strange unease settled over her. The branches of the trees seemed to conceal the sky itself; the sunlight filtered weakly through a thin mist, leaving pale patches upon the ground. The wind whispered through the leaves, carrying voices that sounded almost like echoes from the past — as if the forest were trying to tell her something.
Moaito, walking ahead, suddenly stopped.
"Do you hear that?" he asked, his voice low and cautious.
Sere lifted her head. The sound carried by the wind grew clearer this time.
A moan... or perhaps a call.
"This forest... it feels alive," Sere whispered.
Moaito nodded. "The remnants of the Void linger here. Every stone, every tree holds memory. The war's echoes still resonate."
For a brief moment, Sere caught a glimmer in Moaito's eyes. Normally cold and distant, they now flickered with pain — or maybe regret.
They walked in silence for a while. As the path narrowed, the trees grew closer together, their roots tangling across the ground. The soil darkened, and the air grew heavy with mana. Even breathing became difficult.
The energy within Sere began to stir. Her hands trembled slightly.
"Moaito, this feeling... it's like someone's watching us."
The small metal pendant in Moaito's hand suddenly glowed with a soft blue light.
"Yes," he said quietly. "This is the domain of the guardian spirits. If our intentions are not pure, we won't leave this place alive."
Sere's heartbeat quickened. "What if they misunderstand our intentions?"
Moaito smiled, though his smile was weary and tinged with sorrow.
"Then we'll have to make them understand... or fight."
Suddenly, the surroundings darkened. Shadows began to seep from the trunks of the trees, taking human form and encircling them.
"Who are they?" Sere asked, her hand moving to her sword.
Moaito stepped forward silently.
"They are the fallen soldiers of the Void. Their souls are trapped here."
The shadows did not speak, but they breathed — softly, hauntingly. From the darkness, one figure emerged, its face obscured, only glowing eyes visible.
"You... are the ones who will disrupt the balance," the voice echoed. "These lands will not accept you."
Suddenly, an image burst into Sere's mind — burning cities, a shattered sky, and a colossal wave of darkness spreading across the land. Her knees weakened.
"What... was that?" she gasped.
Moaito placed a hand on her shoulder. "The visions have chosen you. You are now part of the balance."
The shadows advanced. Moaito raised his pendant toward the sky, and a blinding blue light burst forth. The shadows screamed and recoiled into the darkness.
But one remained — larger, heavier, different.
"I..." it spoke in a low, broken voice, "was once a Guardian of Light."
Sere's eyes widened. "A Guardian of Light?"
Moaito bowed his head. "They were the protectors of balance... but even the Void consumed them."
The spirit was silent for a moment, then knelt.
"If you truly wish to restore balance... then take this stone," it said, dropping a black stone with a thin white line across its center — like the border between light and shadow.
When Sere picked it up, warmth spread through her hand.
"What is this?" she asked.
Moaito answered, "The Stone of Threshold. It's the only thing that can lead you to where balance was born."
The shadows receded, and the forest began to breathe again.
Sere sank to her knees.
"There's no turning back now, is there?"
Moaito's voice was firm. "No. At the end of this path, either balance will be reborn... or everything will end."
Lightning flashed in the distant sky.
The wind shifted.
And the forest swallowed them both like a secret.