Chapter 207 AURORA The meadow is alive , and it can feel my presence through the air thick and electric .
My limbs shook but I forced myself to remain firm .
I look right into his eyes .
He slowly inches closer as he speaks , You shouldnt havee here , this was not for finding .
I breathe steadily , the tips of my fingers grazing against the cracked pendant on my chest .
I did note here identally , I say , firm words that oppose the trembling .
He cocks his head to one side , a gleam seeming to pass over his green , shining eyes as he looks at me inquiringly , an analyst might .
The ce around us suddenly starts to change ; the roots of the trees begin to hum with faint , quick pulsars , almost in rhythm .
with some heartbeat .
Truth is a dangerous thing , Luna , it says in a low rumbling .
voice .
Once seen , it cannot be unseen .
Who are you ? I ask , my pulse racing .
I am Lirien , it says after a long pause .
The Keeper of the Chapter 207 Grove .
A guardian bound to this ce since Kaels betrayal .
2/6 The name sends a shiver down my spine .
Betrayal ? I echo , my voice barely above a whisper .
Lirien nods , his form rippling like smoke caught in the wind .
Kaels greed corrupted the roots of this grove .
His pact with the Moon Goddess was meant to preserve bnce , to protect the pack .
But he broke that pact , and in so doing , he cursed this ce and everything tied to it .
I swallow hard , the weight of Liriens words settling .
The curse … its the reason the pack suffered ? Why there was so much loss and pain ? Yes , he says .
The corruption has echoed throughout generations , tainting tragedies and giving birth to threats like the Nameless .
The power of the grove is tied into the lifeblood of the pack , and it was poisoned by Kaels actions .
Anger zes inside me , eating away some of my fear .
Then tell me how to fix it , I insist .
How do I break the curse ? Liriens eyes sh , its voice heavier with meaning .
The inscription on the tree holds your answer .
I turn back to the big tree over there ; its roots shine like veins stretched along the ground , and my eyes catch an inscription on the trunk : Chapter 207 To restore what was lost , one must give what is most dear .
What is it ? I ask although I know it deep inside .
A life for a life , Lirien says in a serious tone .
For the grove to heal , for the curse to be lifted , there needs to be one of free will who must give his life .
Only then will the bnce be restored .
Weight feels like it presses down upon me , the feeling like something hangs heavy in the air .
A life ? I whisper , my head shaking in denial .
There has to be another way , another thing we could do .
There is no other way , Lirien says .
The corruption of the grove runs deep , its roots tainted by centuries of sin .
Only the purest act of selflessness can cleanse it .
My chest tightens as I take a step back .
Youre asking me to give .
up everything … for what ? A chance that this might work ? Liriens form flickers , his voice softening .
This is not a demand , Luna .
It is a choice .
One only you can make .
I press a hand to the pendant on my chest , its faint warmth a fragilefort .
What if I dont do this ? If I just leave the grove as is ? The corruption will spread , Lirien says , his voice unyielding .
The pack will keep suffering , and in time , the grove will Chapter 207 copse .
And with that , the bnce between the mortal and divine realms will break .
4/6 A thick silence falls between us , the only sound the soft hum of the roots of the grove .
Before I can answer , the earth around me begins to shudder and buck like a wild animal .
I stumble , barely keeping my footing as the roots twist and writhe like living things .
Whats going on ? I yell , panic wing at my chest .
The corruption has sensed your presence , Lirien says , its voice keen with urgency .
It will not let you leave without a decision .
Tendrils of darkness spring from the earth , their undtions wild and predatory as they slither towards me .
The pendant answers with a weak re , the light dancing within it like a candle in a windstorm .
Run , Luna ! Lirien shouts ; its voice rings out across the de .
Run before it devours you ! The tendrilssh about , one flicking along my arm .
A shock of cold shoots through me , deadening my limbs , and blurring my vision .
I scream , tumbling backward as the roots below my feet suddenly twist treacherously .
Chapter 207 5/6 Lirien gets between me and the tendrils , his body inting to a towering mass of shadow and light .
The pulsating light of the grove surges , pushing from between us .
to beat back the encroaching darkness .
Go ! it rumbles , its voice thick withmand and desperation .
I hesitate between turning back and not .
The words on the tree .
swirl before my mind like some sort of chorus .
Luna , Lirien says , his voice soft once more , this fight is not yours not yet .
Leave now , while you still can .
With onest desperate nce at the glowing tree and its shifting roots , I turn and run .
Its as if the grove fights me … twisting roots and pulsing light from a disorienting maze .
The whispers are back , louder and frantically panicked now .
They swirl around me , their words indistinguishable but urgent .
I dont stop .
I cant .
As I reach the edge of the grove , the mist reappears and begins .
to curl around me in ghostly tendrils .
I tried to move my frozen legs .
Finally , I burst through the boundary of the grove and fall onto the forest floor the air is impossibly light .
The pendant clutched weakly against my chest is failing , its glow Chapter 207 goes out as the whispers dic .
Iy there , staring up at the darkened sky , my breathing fast .
6/6 The weight of the groves revtions is heavy upon me , its truths too huge and horrific to trulyprehend in one sitting .
What am I going to do ?