I Can Hear You: Two Worlds Apart

Chapter Thirteen: The Path of Shadows

The cavern seemed to stretch on forever, twisting and turning in ways that made Lydia feel as though she was moving in circles. The pale glow of the moss on the walls was the only thing keeping the darkness at bay, and even that light seemed to flicker and wane as they ventured deeper into the earth. Every now and then, she glanced at Soren, who moved with a strange, fluid grace, his silvery-white hair catching the light like moonbeams.

Soren had barely spoken since they began their journey, and the silence between them was thick with unspoken questions. Who was he, really? What kind of creature could live in a place like Solaria? And more pressing—could she truly trust him? There was an air of mischief about him, something that made Lydia uneasy despite his calm demeanor.

As they walked, Lydia became aware of something new—something she had never felt before. It wasn't just the strange energy of Solaria pressing against her skin. It was as if the thoughts of everything around her, even Soren, were brushing against her consciousness, like faint echoes she could almost hear but not quite understand. This wasn't the same as the mind-reading she'd been cursed with before. It was more controlled, more... intentional. Was Solaria amplifying her powers?

The thought both thrilled and terrified her.

At last, Lydia couldn't hold back anymore. "Soren," she said, her voice echoing softly against the stone walls. "You never told me why you helped me."

Soren slowed, glancing back at her with a raised brow. "Does it matter?"

Lydia frowned. "It does to me. For all I know, you're leading me straight into another trap."

He stopped completely now, turning to face her with a bemused expression. "A fair point," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. "But if I had wanted to harm you, don't you think I would have done so already? I wouldn't have pulled you out of that hole just to lead you into another."

Lydia swallowed, not quite satisfied with the answer but knowing he was right. Still, her instincts screamed at her to be careful. Trust him... but not too much, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered. Lydia blinked. That wasn't her thought. Her eyes darted toward Soren, and for a brief moment, she wondered if it was his voice she was hearing. But no—his face remained impassive, unreadable.

"I just want to understand what's happening here," Lydia pressed, her voice steady but softer. "Who are you really, Soren? And why do I feel like this whole forest is watching us?"

Soren's eyes gleamed in the dim light, his smile fading as he uncrossed his arms and stepped closer to her. His gaze was sharp, piercing, as if he were trying to decide how much to reveal. "Solaria is not just a place, Lydia. It's a living entity. The forest, the ground, the air—it all has a mind of its own. And it doesn't take kindly to those who wander too far off its intended path."

Lydia's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean, intended path?"

Soren's lips twitched into a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "The forest chooses its own champions, its own heroes. It chooses those who can survive its trials and prove themselves worthy."

Her heart pounded in her chest. "Trials?"

"Obstacles, tests, dangers—call them what you like. But Solaria will challenge you, Lydia, in ways you won't expect. If you're here, it's because the forest has chosen you for something." His gaze softened slightly, and for the first time, there was no trace of amusement in his expression. "And if I'm helping you, it's because I believe you can survive it."

Lydia's mind spun as she tried to process his words. The forest—alive, sentient—was choosing her for something? But why? She had never asked to be part of this world, had never asked for this curse that had haunted her all her life. What did Solaria want from her?