Rowan's arrival became the talk of Ravenswood. Some villagers welcomed him, eager for news of the world beyond the woods. Others, especially the elders, watched him with wary eyes, their memories still raw from past betrayals. Alex, guided by empathy, invited Rowan to join in daily tasks—repairing fences, tending gardens, and sharing meals in the square.
Rowan proved skilled and thoughtful, teaching the children old songs and showing Mara new ways to prepare healing herbs. Yet, there was always a distance in his gaze, as if he carried secrets heavier than his travel pack.
One evening, as the sun dipped behind the trees, a tremor shook the ground beneath the town. Lanterns swayed, and the web above flickered as if caught in a sudden wind. Eli woke from a troubled sleep, claiming he'd seen shadows writhing beneath the chapel floor.
The Shadow Weaver summoned Alex, Mara, Eli, and Rowan. "Old wounds stir," he warned, his voice grave. "The earth remembers what we try to forget."
Determined to protect their home, the group prepared to descend once more into the catacombs beneath the chapel. Rowan volunteered to go first, his expression unreadable. "Some secrets want to stay buried," he said quietly, "but some must be faced if the web is to hold."
With lanterns in hand and courage in their hearts, they stepped into the darkness below, ready to confront whatever echoes the past might send their way.