Chapter 1195

As the sun climbed higher, the forest thinned, and they came upon another clearing. At its center stood a great stone arch, weathered and ancient, its surface carved with spirals that matched those at the glade and the spire. The hum grew louder here, the air thick with meaning, with memory.

Jude approached the arch slowly, Sophie and Rose at his side. His fingers brushed the stone, cool and solid beneath his touch. The spiral carvings seemed to pulse beneath his skin, the hum wrapping around him, through him.

"This is it," Sophie said softly. "The next step."

Rose nodded, her hand joining his on the stone. "We go through."

One by one, they passed beneath the arch, their hearts steady, their bond unbroken. And as they stepped into the shadow of the spiral's mark, the path beyond opened before them-unknown, mysterious, but theirs to walk.