Chapter 18: The Secrets of the Forest

The moon, finally freed from the clouds' grasp, bathed the clearing in a silvery light, revealing the silent majesty of the surrounding forest. The trees stood like ancient sentinels, their intertwined branches forming a protective canopy.

"Malakai told us about certain symbols," Lyra remembered, her gaze wandering over the tree trunks. "Markings used by those seeking refuge in the forest. Maybe he left some."

Together, they began to explore the clearing, scrutinizing the bark of the trees, the ground covered with fallen leaves. Aria, with her deeper knowledge of the forest, spotted details that Lyra and Étienne would have missed: a stone placed in an unusual way, a branch broken at a precise angle.

"Look at this," Aria murmured, pointing to a pattern etched on an old oak. It was a simple circle, with a dot in its center.

"Malakai showed us something similar," Étienne confirmed. "He said it was a sign of gathering."

A renewed hope stirred within them. If Malakai used these symbols, there was a chance he was in the vicinity, or that he had left indications for those who sought him.

They began searching for other markings, exploring the edges of the clearing. The forest seemed to hold its own secrets, silent whispers etched in wood and stone

After a while, Lyra discovered another symbol, more complex: the circle with the dot was now topped by a crescent moon.

"That looks like something from the book," Lyra murmured, a flicker of excitement in her eyes. "The crescent moon... it said it indicated a direction."

They carefully examined the symbol, trying to determine which direction it might point to. The crescent seemed to be oriented towards the west, leading deeper into the forest.

Without hesitation, they set off, following the direction indicated by the symbol. The forest grew denser, the trees drawing closer and the darkness thickening in places. Aria, more at ease in this environment, guided them confidently, avoiding natural traps and uneven terrain.

As they ventured deeper, they discovered other symbols, spaced but regular, confirming that they were on the right track. The silent language of the forest guided them through its green labyrinth.

Fatigue began to set in, but the hope of finding Malakai kept them moving. They knew that time was running out and that the Chosen were likely still on their trail.

Suddenly, a faint light flickered between the trees in the distance. A fire? A shelter? Excitement surged through them. They quickened their pace, their hearts pounding at the thought of what they might find.

As they approached, they discovered a small clearing illuminated by a crackling campfire. A figure stood near the fire, their back to them.

"Malakai?" Lyra whispered, holding her breath.

The figure turned slowly. It was indeed him. A warm smile lit up his wrinkled face as he saw them.

"Lyra, Étienne, Aria. I knew you would come."