The day before their departure from Caelluma, the village hummed with a quiet energy, a blend of anticipation and routine as the elves carried out their daily tasks. Raelyn walked the winding wooden bridges that spanned between the towering trees, the soft sway beneath her feet reminding her of how seamlessly the elves lived in harmony with nature. Her thoughts, however, were far from serene, as tangled as the vines draping the elegant homes around her.

Hovan's recovery had been steady, though not without its challenges. He insisted on walking short distances each day, his jaw clenched against the pain. Every step was accompanied by a barely audible grunt, every movement a test of his resilience. Raelyn admired his stubborn determination, even as it left her worrying over his readiness for the journey ahead.

Corix had been tireless in her training, his firm but measured guidance pushing her to refine her techniques. Her Glyph Bolts were sharper now, their energy more focused, and she'd begun practicing creating shields with less hesitation. Yet, despite her growing strength, the knot of anxiety in her chest refused to loosen. The Misty Woods had become a sanctuary, its towering trees a shield against the outside world. The thought of stepping beyond its safety left her stomach twisted, the memory of demon attacks at Ardesco still vivid in her mind.

But beneath the fear was a flicker of something else: excitement. The promise of reaching Eryndoriel, the legendary elven capital, stirred her curiosity. The thought of seeing the city, said to be a masterpiece of magic and nature intertwined, brought with it a glimmer of hope. Hope for answers about the locket she carried, for allies to strengthen their cause, and for a clearer path to fulfilling the mission that now weighed on her shoulders.

As she moved along the bridge, Rakz padded by her side, his golden eyes sharp and alert. Every now and then, he would pause to tilt his head, watching an elven child dart past or sniffing at the faintly glowing flowers that lined the walkways.

Raelyn paused at a lookout point, her hands gripping the smooth wooden railing as she gazed out over the village. The tranquility of Caelluma was almost surreal, a stark contrast to the chaos and danger that awaited them beyond the Misty Woods.

"Lost in thought?" Corix's voice broke through her reverie. She turned to find him leaning casually against the railing, his spellbook tucked under one arm. His keen eyes studied her, a small but knowing smile playing on his lips.

Raelyn nodded, offering a faint smile of her own. "A little. Just... thinking about tomorrow. About what's out there."

Corix placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "The journey ahead won't be easy, but you won't face it alone. You've got Hovan, Rakz, and me. And the strength you've been building—it's real. Trust in that, even when it feels like everything else is uncertain."

Raelyn looked at him, her chest tightening with a mix of gratitude and lingering doubt. "I'll try," she said softly.

"That's all anyone can ask," Corix replied, his smile widening slightly. "Come on. You've still got one more training session before we leave. Let's make it count."

As they walked back along the bridge, Raelyn found herself glancing at the trees, the soft glow of the forest filling her with a bittersweet longing. She wasn't ready to leave Caelluma—not entirely. But the excitement of stepping closer to Eryndoriel and the answers it might hold flickered within her, steady and persistent, like the light of a distant star.

That evening, as the village settled into a tranquil calm, Raelyn and Corix packed their belongings, readying themselves for the long journey ahead. The gentle rustling of leaves in the evening breeze and the distant hum of elven songs lent an air of peace to the night. 

But the peace was short-lived.

A sharp, urgent cry shattered the stillness, followed by the low, resonant hum of elven horns. Raelyn's heart leapt into her throat. She and Corix exchanged a tense glance before hurrying outside, their footsteps light but hurried against the wooden bridges.

The village was alive with movement. Elves darted through the treetops, their silhouettes illuminated by the glow of lanterns and the distant, ominous light of fire. Arrows were notched, bows strung, and blades unsheathed in fluid, practiced motions. The air was thick with tension, each sound—every step and whispered command—charged with urgency.

Raelyn's gaze was drawn to the horizon, where a faint glow painted the sky in hues of orange and red. Smoke coiled upward, carried by the night wind, and her stomach churned at the sight.

"What's happening?" she called out, her voice barely above a whisper, though the panic in her tone made it tremble.

An elf scout, his face shadowed but grim, paused nearby, adjusting the quiver on his back. "Demons," he said simply, his voice steady but laced with anger. "They've set fire to the outer woods."

Raelyn's breath caught. "Are they coming here?"

The scout shook his head. "No. The battle is far from here. Together with our wards and traps, we will keep them at bay. Stay inside—you'll be safe."

"But what if they—"

"They won't stand a chance within the forest," the scout interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "This is our domain. And we will defend it." With a curt nod, he vanished into the night, his footsteps soundless as he joined the others heading toward the flames.

Raelyn stood frozen for a moment, her heart pounding. Despite the scout's reassurances, unease settled over her like a heavy cloak. The absence of the elves left the village eerily quiet. The vibrant, bustling treetops that had felt so full of life now seemed shrouded in shadows, their emptiness unnerving.

"Raelyn." Corix's voice drew her back to the moment. He stood beside her, his expression calm but his eyes sharp with caution. "Let's check on Hovan."

She nodded, her grip tightening on the locket beneath her cloak. Together, they moved through the village, the silence pressing down on them with each step. The wooden bridges creaked softly beneath their weight, the sound unnaturally loud in the stillness. Rakz padded ahead, his ears twitching at every faint rustle.

Rakz suddenly froze. His golden eyes narrowed, his body tensing like a coiled spring. A low, guttural growl rumbled from his throat, vibrating through the wooden planks beneath Raelyn's feet.

She followed his gaze, her blood running cold at what she saw.

Five monstrous figures prowled through the village below, their forms grotesque and otherworldly. Their misshapen bodies glistened in the faint light of the distant flames, their movements unnervingly silent for creatures of their size. Glowing red eyes scanned the empty homes, their gazes predatory and deliberate.

Raelyn clutched Corix's sleeve, her voice barely audible. "Demons," she whispered, her heart hammering in her chest.

Corix nodded grimly, his eyes fixed on the creatures. "They must have slipped past the elves during the chaos."

One of the demons, larger and more imposing than the others, paused at the base of a tree, its head tilting as though sniffing the air. Its voice was a guttural snarl, each word dripping with malice. "Find the girl," it commanded, the language twisted and harsh, yet chillingly clear. "And the locket."

"Understood, Abigor," replied another, its voice rasping like dry leaves scraping against stone.

Raelyn's stomach clenched at the sight of the demon called Abigor. The commander of these creatures. She could feel the weight of his presence even at this distance—an aura of malice and authority that made her knees tremble.

Corix's hand tightened on her shoulder. "We need to move," he said softly, his voice low but firm. "Quietly."

Raelyn swallowed hard, nodding as she followed him toward the healer's hut. Rakz remained close, his growl subsiding into a tense, watchful silence. The shadows of the demons loomed below, their figures distorted and monstrous, as they prowled through the village in search of their prey.

Raelyn and Corix hurried into the healer's hut, their breaths shallow, their steps quick but quiet. The room was dimly lit, the faint glow of elven lanterns casting long shadows against the walls. Hovan sat on the edge of the cot, his sword lying beside him. His face was pale, beads of sweat dotting his brow, but his eyes sharpened at their entrance.

"We have to leave," Raelyn whispered, her words trembling with urgency. "A group of demons made their way past the elves."

Hovan, ever defiant, reached for his sword, his grip weak but determined. "Let them come," he growled, though his voice lacked its usual strength. He tried to stand but faltered, his weight shifting heavily onto the cot.

"No," Corix said firmly, stepping forward to steady him. "You're in no shape to fight, and if you try, you'll get yourself killed and the rest of us caught. We'll flee into the forest. Hide. Bide our time until the elves return."

Hovan scowled, his jaw tight, but he didn't argue. He knew Corix was right. Raelyn moved to his other side, her hand resting gently on his arm. "We'll help you," she said softly, her voice laced with both determination and fear.

Corix and Raelyn pulled Hovan to his feet, his groan of pain sending a pang of guilt through her chest. He clutched his side, his fingers pressing against the bandages that had been painstakingly applied by the healers. Rakz, sensing the urgency, let out a low chirp and darted toward the door, his golden eyes scanning the darkness outside.

The three of them slipped out of the hut, the night air cool against their skin. The village, once a haven of light and life, was now shrouded in an eerie silence. Shadows stretched long and dark beneath the trees, the faint glow of distant fires casting flickering patterns against the mist.

The rustle of leaves and the whisper of wind sounded unnatural, and Raelyn couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Her chest tightened as her eyes darted toward the shadows, half-expecting glowing red eyes to emerge at any moment.

"This way," Corix murmured, his voice barely audible as he led them toward a narrow path veiled in mist. Rakz moved ahead, his movements precise and cautious, his growls barely more than vibrations.

They hadn't gone far when a guttural voice echoed through the trees, its rasping tone freezing Raelyn in place.

"They've gone this way!" a demon snarled. 

"They're coming," Raelyn hissed, her heart pounding in her chest. She tightened her grip on Hovan's arm, her palms clammy with fear.

"How did they know?" Corix whispered harshly, his eyes scanning the woods. "We weren't seen."

"There's no time for questions," Hovan muttered, his voice strained. He stumbled, his movements sluggish as the pain in his side flared. Corix moved quickly to steady him, but it was clear Hovan couldn't keep up the pace for long. His wound threatened to reopen with every step, each movement a battle against his own body.

The guttural voices of the demons grew louder, their growls and snarls cutting through the stillness. Twigs snapped in the distance, and the faint glint of glowing red eyes flashed through the mist.

Hovan stumbled again, this time nearly falling. He cursed under his breath, his face contorted in pain. "Go on without me," he said through gritted teeth, his voice ragged. "I'll slow you down. At least this way I can buy you some time."

"No!" Raelyn's voice cracked as she tightened her grip on his arm. "We're not leaving you."

"Listen, Raelyn," Hovan said, his tone calm despite the chaos closing in around them. He turned to her, his dark eyes meeting hers. "I'm disposable. You're what's important—you and that locket. That's the only thing that matters."

Tears pricked Raelyn's eyes, her chest tightening at his words. "Don't do this," she pleaded, her voice trembling.

Corix, who had been scanning the shadows for signs of the demons, stopped abruptly. His expression was grim, his jaw set with resolve. "She's right," he said, turning back to them. "You're not staying behind."

Relief washed over Raelyn for a fleeting moment—until Corix added, "But I am."

"What?" Raelyn's voice rose in alarm, her eyes widening. "You can't—"

"There's no time to argue," Corix snapped, his voice sharp and commanding. "Hovan is right about one thing—you're the only thing that matters right now." He stepped forward, squaring his shoulders as he turned to face the direction of the approaching demons. "I'll hold them off. Get away from here. Hide. Keep the locket safe."

Hovan's face darkened, his brows furrowing. "You're out of your mind," he growled. "You're not staying either—"

"Enough," Corix interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. He turned to Hovan, his gaze hard. "You're in no state to fight, and you know it. Protect her. Keep her safe. That's an order."

Before they could protest further, Corix began moving swiftly, his hands glowing faintly as he started tracing glyphs in the air. The symbols hovered, their edges sharp and bright, before embedding themselves into the bark of the surrounding trees. "Go," he said firmly, his voice steady despite the tension in his expression. "Now."

"Corix..." Raelyn pleaded, her voice breaking. Her hand reached out as if to pull him back, but he stepped further away, his focus entirely on the glowing glyphs taking shape around him.

"There's no other choice," Corix said, his voice softer now but no less resolute. He glanced back at her, his gaze filled with a mixture of determination and sorrow. "Trust me. Go."

Rakz chirped urgently, nudging Raelyn's leg as if to urge her forward. She hesitated for a moment longer, her heart wrenching in her chest, before Hovan tugged at her arm.

"We have to move," Hovan said gruffly, though his voice was tinged with reluctance. "He knows what he's doing."

Raelyn swallowed hard, tears blurring her vision as she nodded. "Be careful," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Corix didn't reply. His attention was fully on the glowing symbols, his hands moving with practiced precision. As Raelyn and Hovan turned and began to move deeper into the forest, his voice rang out behind them.

"Hovan!" Corix called, his tone sharp and commanding. "Protect her. No matter what."

Hovan didn't look back, his grip tightening on Raelyn's arm as they pressed on. Raelyn glanced over her shoulder one last time, her heart aching as she saw Corix standing amidst the glowing glyphs, his figure resolute against the encroaching shadows.

The last thing she saw before the mist swallowed him was the faint glow of his magic, a beacon of hope and defiance against the darkness.