Forest witch

The forest was alive with sound and movement, a symphony of rustling leaves, distant bird calls, and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot.

Alicia and I trudged through the underbrush, the initial humor of my embarrassing hole incident fading as we settled into the reality of the survival test.

The air was crisp and cool, the scent of earth and greenery filling my lungs with every breath. It was the kind of environment that demanded respect, and for once, I was glad for the hellish training Maeve had put me through.

"Alright," I said, stopping to take stock of our surroundings. I scanned the area, noting the mix of trees, shrubs, and other flora around us. "First things first—we need to figure out where we're spending the night."

Alicia arched an eyebrow at me. "You sound surprisingly prepared for someone who fell in a hole five minutes in."