The Call of Home

CHAPTER 8

Silence fell over us once more, broken only by our heavy breathing. I stayed sprawled on the ground, my hands trembling slightly as the adrenaline began to wear off. Seren wiped her blade on the grass, her eyes still fixed on where the creature once was.

"Well," Arwel said, breaking the quiet. "That was... unpleasant."

"No kidding," Cerys muttered, nudging the soot with her boot to make sure it was really gone. "What in the world was that thing?"

"Something we were never meant to run into," Seren replied, her voice quiet but firm. "It wasn't natural."

It was unlike anything I had ever seen, or even heard of. And yet, there was a sinking feeling in my gut that told me this wouldn't be the last time we encountered something like this.

"We need to move," I said, still on the ground, glancing around the forest. "Before more show up. We are not far and the entrance is well hidden"

The others nodded in agreement, and Idris moved to help me up. But even as we continued our journey, the image of the beast lingered in my mind, its glowing eyes haunting me long after it had breathed its last.

Finally, we arrived at the entrance, shrouded in vines. The entrance was small enough to only fit one at a time, shimmying in between the boulders. The entrance was too small for Idris to fit in sideways, so he adjusted it himself. With Idris's push, the rocks groaned and shifted, just enough to allow him to squeeze through the narrow gap. As we passed through the stone threshold, the forest behind us seemed to vanish, swallowed by the looming boulders and tangled vines. It was as if we had stepped into another world entirely—one untouched by time.

The air inside the grove was thick, almost tangible with ancient magic, each breath I took charged with a subtle hum of power. The canopy above opened, letting beams of light filter down through the trees, casting a colourful glow on everything. A faint mist hung in the air, swirling gently, as if the atmosphere here was alive, watching, waiting.

We followed the narrow path that wound its way deeper into the grove, and soon the distant sound of rushing water reached our ears. My heart quickened as the noise grew louder, a steady, rhythmic roar that echoed off the stone walls around us. The trees began to thin, and as we emerged from the thick forest, we found ourselves standing at the edge of an expansive, breathtaking clearing.

Before us, a waterfall cascaded down from a towering cliff, its waters crystal clear and shimmering in the light. It tumbled down into a pristine lake below, the surface so clear that it reflected the sky and surrounding trees with perfect clarity, and glancing down, it perfectly mirrored my blood-caked face and matted hair. Smooth, moss-covered stones, bordered the lake and small, vibrant wildflowers grew in clusters along the shore.

I stood in awe, taking in the sight again as if it was my first time. It was unlike any place I had ever seen. I could feel thrumming beneath my feet, ancient and powerful, woven into the very fabric of the grove. The sheer energy of it made my skin tingle, and for a moment, I forgot the exhaustion and fear from our encounter with the beast.

Seren stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the waterfall. "This place..." she breathed, her voice full of reverence.

The others stood quietly, their expressions reflecting the same awe. Even Idris, usually stoic and unshaken, looked humbled by the sight before us.

Arwel flew up to view the waterfall from above, and Seren joined him.

Cerys began to explore the shore of the lake, crouching to inspect the wildflowers and stones. She ran her hand over the moss-covered rocks, and her fingers brushed against the soft surface.