Into the Ancient Forest

Four years have passed since Anastasia met Jeremy and Marianne, and the three have grown close over time. Now six years old, Anastasia has dedicated herself to physical training and mana practice. She's become much stronger, but the scarlet flames remain untapped, a power she still hasn't dared to use. However, her control over growth and manipulation is nearly complete, and with a little more practice, she will soon unlock its healing effects. As she heads to the parlor to meet her guests, she reflects on how far she's come—and the challenges still ahead.

Anastasia paused in front of the parlor door, gently knocking before entering. As she stepped inside, she saw Jeremy and Marianne sitting on the sofa, engaged in conversation. The moment they noticed her, they both called out at the same time, "Anne!"

She gave them a small nod and a smile, her eyes bright with warmth. "You guys are late," she teased lightly, her voice carrying the playful tone that had become familiar between them.

That day, Anastasia, Jeremy, and Marianne were excited to open the gifts she had received for her 6th birthday. The three of them made their way to the room filled with presents from nobles and other dignitaries. The atmosphere was light and cheerful as they began opening the gifts—only the ones from the nobles remained, as Anastasia had already opened the ones from her parents and her friends.

As they continued to unwrap the presents one by one, a mysterious box caught Anastasia's eye. There was something unsettling about it—a strange, creepy aura that sent a chill down her spine. Before she could voice her concern, Marianne, with her usual enthusiasm, grabbed the box and eagerly opened it.

The moment she did, a dark, oppressive aura flooded the room, and the air grew heavy. Anastasia and Jeremy exchanged uneasy glances just before everything around them seemed to distort. In the blink of an eye, the three of them found themselves in a strange and unfamiliar place, their surroundings completely different from the room they had been in moments before.

The once cheerful mood turned to confusion and fear as they looked around, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

The three of them stood frozen, their eyes wide with shock, as they took in their strange surroundings. Nothing around them looked familiar. Panic began to settle in as the reality of their situation sank in.

After a few moments of stunned silence, Anastasia, Jeremy, and Marianne began to gather their thoughts, trying to make sense of what had just happened. They quickly realized they had been lured here. Someone must have planned this, deliberately drawing Anastasia into this unfamiliar place. But why? And how?

As they pieced the clues together, one thing became clear: since Marianne and Jeremy were with her, they had been dragged into this as well, but it seemed intentional that they were all brought together. But the real question remained—who had orchestrated this? And why?

"Could it be someone from the nobles?" Jeremy mused, his voice low but laced with suspicion. "But who would have the power to pull this off... and why us?"

Marianne's face tightened, concern flashing in her eyes. "Maybe this is about Anastasia... maybe they're after her, and we just got caught in the middle."

Anastasia felt her heart race. She had no answers, but the unease in the pit of her stomach grew. Whoever had done this had a reason, and she couldn't shake the feeling that it was connected to her mysterious powers. But why now? And what were they planning? The answers remained elusive, but one thing was certain—something dangerous was unfolding, and they had to be ready.

Anastasia's mind raced, her thoughts spiraling as she processed everything. No, it can't be related to the scarlet flames, she thought, shaking her head. No one knows about them, except for my parents... or at least, I thought so.

Her gaze flickered to Jeremy and Marianne, who were still looking around, trying to make sense of their surroundings. Then, a thought struck her like a lightning bolt. Wait... if in my past life, it was confidential information, how did the Solara Kingdom know about it?

A chill ran down her spine as the pieces began to fall into place. Hold on... don't tell me that there's a rat from Solara in Valoria?

Her heart skipped a beat at the possibility. If someone from Solara had infiltrated Valoria, it would explain how they had found out about her— It could also explain why she was targeted, even without anyone in Valoria knowing the full extent of her powers.

Anastasia's mind raced as the pieces began to fit together, though the confusion still lingered. She hadn't shared the secret of the scarlet flames with Jeremy or Marianne yet, but the more she observed, the more it seemed like her parents knew something. But how?

She shook her head, trying to focus. If my parents know, then whoever is behind this must be someone close to them, she reasoned. How else would they know, unless they've been watching my every move?

Anastasia's thoughts solidified as she pieced together the reality of the situation. So it seems some people do know about my scarlet flames... The weight of the revelation hung heavily in her chest, but she couldn't afford to dwell on it. I guess I have to move my plans forward.

Her mind shifted gears as she began to think about the steps she needed to take. It wasn't just about training anymore—it was about protecting herself, her friends, and her family. Whoever knew about her powers clearly had an agenda, and they were willing to go to great lengths to manipulate her.

Anastasia's eyes widened as she took in the eerie sight of towering trees with black branches and blood-red leaves. The atmosphere felt oppressive, like something ancient and powerful lingered in the air.

Jeremy and Marianne, sensing the same unsettling presence, spoke in unison. "Ancient forest…"

Anastasia nodded, a chill running down her spine. This place wasn't just strange—it was dangerous. "Stay close," she warned, her voice steady despite the unease building inside her. "We need to find out what's going on, but we have to be careful."

Anastasia's heart pounded as she took in the dark beauty of the ancient forest. She recalled what she read in the books—this forest, one of the reasons why Valoria was such a powerful empire, lay on its borders with the Holy Kingdom. It was feared and revered, a place of power but also of terror.

The trees, with their black branches and blood-red leaves, stood as silent sentinels to the dark creatures lurking within. Monsters, far exceeding the human population, roamed the forest—dangerous, bloodthirsty, and merciless.

Her stomach twisted with a growing sense of dread. Whoever is behind this… wants me dead. The thought burned in her mind, sharp and painful.