The Threads That Bind Us

Chapter 17

The pendant felt heavier than ever against her chest as the figure's final words echoed in her mind. The balance is in your hands.

Noah's grip tightened around her hand. "Fidelity... what do we do now?"

She looked around at her friends—each of them wearing the same mix of fear, awe, and determination that churned inside her. There was no denying the weight of what they had just uncovered. This wasn't just about them anymore; it was about the fate of their world.

"We have to find the center of the power," Fidelity said, her voice steadying with each word. "We don't have much time."

Ava nodded, though her expression was tight. "Right. The map shows the way. We'll need to stay alert. If what that figure said is true, we won't be the only ones looking for it."

Josh, who had been standing with his arms crossed, glanced between them. "So we're really doing this? Taking on ancient magic to save the world?"

Cameron snorted, though there was no humor in it. "Looks like it. Unless you'd rather go back through the portal and pretend none of this happened."

Josh flashed a weak grin. "Tempting, but I guess I'm in."

"Good," Penny added quietly. "Because there's no going back now."

Fidelity met their eyes one by one, her resolve hardening. Whatever dangers lay ahead, they would face them together. The orb's light had faded, but the path before them was still clear—marked by the lingering pulse of magic, pulling them deeper into this strange realm.

They had no idea what awaited them, but they couldn't turn back. Too much was at stake.

"Alright," she said, gripping her wand. "Let's go."

And with that, they set off, guided by the shimmering light of the stars and the ancient power that thrummed beneath their feet. The real journey had just begun.

The landscape around them shifted as they walked, the ground pulsing faintly under their feet. Trees with twisted, gnarled roots stretched toward the sky, their leaves glowing softly with an ethereal light. The air felt charged with magic, thick and alive, and every so often, they could hear distant whispers carried on the wind, as if the forest itself was watching.

Noah stayed close to Fidelity, his hand brushing against hers every now and then. She could feel his eyes on her, though he didn't say anything. Neither did she. It wasn't the time for words—not when every step they took brought them closer to a place none of them fully understood.

Ava was leading, the map gripped tightly in her hands, her eyes scanning the path ahead. The crescent moon pendant had started to glow softly beneath Fidelity's robes, as if reacting to the magic around them. It was their key, their guide—and, likely, the thing that would draw whatever forces were lurking in the shadows.

Fidelity's heart raced, but not just from the danger. She had no idea what they would face at the center of this power, but the figure's words kept replaying in her mind: The balance is in your hands. Was this all on her? What if she wasn't strong enough? What if they were wrong to trust her with this? She was so young and inexperienced after all.

"We're getting close," Ava called over her shoulder. "I can feel it."

"Anyone else hoping this ends in a treasure chest full of galleons and not, you know, certain doom?" Josh asked.

"Doom's overrated," Cameron muttered, his eyes scanning the trees. "But if it's between that and a dragon, I'll take the doom."

Noah cracked a smile. "Don't tempt fate."