Chapter 53

Chapter 53: The Whispering Gateway

The Forest Holds Its Breath

The air tightens around us. A low, pulsing hum vibrates through the trees, like the forest itself is exhaling. The twisted runes on the gnarled bark glow brighter, reacting to my presence.

I reach out.

A shock jolts up my arm—not painful, but powerful.

The ground shudders beneath us. The whispers, once distant, become clearer, stronger—words half-formed, crawling at the edges of my mind.

"Come closer."

"You already know the truth."

"We remember you, Defaulger Trice."

I freeze.

Because that voice—it knows me.

---

"Nope. Nope. Absolutely not."

The Mad Hatter throws up his hands and takes a step back. His usual grin is nowhere to be seen.

"Did anyone else hear that? Or am I finally losing what's left of my mind?"

The rabbit grips the dragon's scales, ears flat against his head. "I—I heard it too."

The dragon narrows her golden eyes. "That was not an illusion," she says, her voice deep and serious. "Something is speaking directly to him."

The Hatter turns to me. "Right. So. Defaulger. Care to explain why some ancient nightmare is talking to you like an old friend?"

I say nothing.

Because I don't have an answer.

Yet.

---

The Forest Reacts

The trees groan, their twisted limbs shifting, their gnarled bark splitting as if they're breathing. The runes on the tree pulse rapidly, bathing the clearing in a flickering green light.

The Hatter watches them warily. "Sooooo. Any chance we just… ignore it and walk away?"

The dragon exhales slowly. "It's too late for that."

The ground trembles again—a deep, slow rumble, like something huge shifting beneath us.

The rabbit lets out a high-pitched squeak. "We should leave! Right now! Before—"

CRACK.

A branch snaps overhead. The shadows twist violently, moving against the wind. The whispers turn into a low growl, a sound that doesn't come from any of us.

"Come closer."

"Open the gate."

"You belong here."

---

The Choice

I tighten my fist. I feel the power in my veins, the runes reacting to me—not rejecting me, but welcoming me.

The Hatter exhales sharply. "Okay, Defaulger. Whatever's happening—you need to pick. Do we walk through that thing? Do we destroy it? Or do we pretend we never saw this and run screaming into the woods?"

The rabbit votes immediately. "Option three! Option three!"

The dragon speaks calmly. "This is a gateway. And whatever lies beyond it… is waiting for you."

I glance at the runes again.

The energy is pulling me forward, but it's not forcing me.

It's a choice.

1. Step through the gateway and face what's waiting.

2. Attempt to break the runes and seal whatever is trying to escape.

3. Gather more information—figure out what this thing is before making a reckless move.

I inhale deeply, the weight of their gazes on me.

"Whatever I decide," I say finally, "there's no turning back."