Chapter 81: The Confession and Rejection

The forest around them was dense, with towering trees whose thick, emerald leaves whispered in the wind. The path was narrow, barely visible, as Alex led his family through the underbrush. The buzzing noise grew louder with each step, a constant hum that seemed to vibrate within their very bones. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, and the soft rustle of leaves was accompanied by the occasional snap of a twig underfoot.

Alex wore his black and white samurai armor, its once-pristine surface now scuffed and scratched from countless battles. The armor hugged his body, providing both protection and a reminder of the many trials he had faced. Lyra, walking beside him, was dressed in her knight's gear, the polished metal gleaming in the dappled sunlight that broke through the canopy above. Her auburn hair, usually tied back neatly, now had loose strands framing her face, her expression a mix of determination and worry.