[This is the end of life… and the beginning.]

[…Awake! …Rise from the endless slumber…!]

[Blind, foolish creatures shall be… devoured! …Controlled!]

The sign was ancient; its carvings worn faint, nearly illegible.

“What does this mean?”

Though Sophia didn’t understand the words, she felt such ominous phrases had no place on a village signpost.

“Wait—there’s another line at the bottom.” Leaning closer, she murmured the faded text: “Do not proceed… Leave now…”

A bone-chilling dread shot up from Sophia’s soles.

She scanned the mist swirling around her. Something terrifying lurked within.

Cold eyes, hidden in the fog, locked onto her.

Run!

Run!

Run!

A voice screamed inside her mind, urging her to flee.

“Sister Sophia?” Yugo tugged her robe, startled by her panic.

At his voice, Sophia jolted back from the mental haze.

“This sign carries mind-affecting magic.” Frowning, she stepped back two paces, pulling Yugo with her.

Glancing at the boy still clutching her sleeve, she felt a faint flicker of relief.

*Good thing I’m half-fae… and the caster meant no harm. Otherwise, I’d never have broken free so fast. An ordinary person would’ve fled the forest long ago.*

Snap—

As Sophia pondered, the faint crack of rotten wood broke the silence. She hurled a water orb toward the sound.

Thud!

Hit!

Eyes narrowed, wand raised before her, dagger gripped tight—she stared into the mist.

“Your Highness, that was a bit harsh,” came a familiar grumble.

An emerged from the fog.

Sophia snorted inwardly. *Serves you right.*

Yugo’s face lit up. He dashed over, scooped An into his arms, and hugged him tight. “Sister Sophia! Kitty’s back! Can we go?”

Sophia watched the little dragon freeze mid-air, utterly stunned. A quiet laugh stirred in her chest.

*His usual arrogant swagger… versus this kitten-in-arms moment…*

“Truly… ridiculous,” she murmured—a rare jab.

Yugo blinked. *Was that about me?*

An, however, knew exactly who she meant.

He wriggled free, leaped nimbly onto Sophia’s shoulder.

“I’ve scouted ahead,” his voice echoed in her mind. “No danger inside. Just… strange.”

*(Not that he was dodging the hug topic. Absolutely not.)*

Sophia plucked him off her shoulder, cradling him gently. *“And if I refuse?”*

An huffed. *“Do you have a choice?”*

Sophia’s brow furrowed. *“…I dislike being pressured.”*

She turned and walked away—no hesitation, no glance back.

Yugo hurried after her. *So Sister Sophia isn’t one for words…* He filed that away quietly.

An felt a headache brewing. *This little princess…*

*“Give me a reason to follow you,”* Sophia’s calm voice cut through his thoughts. *“Why are you so set on entering? This isn’t like you.”*

An fell silent.

*Why…?*

Even he didn’t know.

Was it just that inexplicable pull?

That was never his way.

*“Honestly… I don’t know,”* he admitted after a pause. *“But… I just… feel the need… to see.”*

No excuse. Just truth.

Sophia stared at him—long, quiet, unreadable.