Lilia walked alongside Velosa, following the path Eliora was leading them through.The deeper they went into the forest, the closer she felt Harold's heartbeat resonating inside her chest.
Velosa, ever chatty, continued speaking even as the trees grew denser. The very woods seemed alive—trees, flowers, even weeds scattered across the ground whispered warnings.
"Velosa, do not cross the barrier! Your life will be in danger!""If Esseria notices, none of you will ever return home!"
But Velosa only shook her head, determined.
"I am not weak. I must protect Lilia."
They wandered for what felt like hours.
"Eliora, we've been here before, haven't we?" Lilia frowned."No," Eliora replied calmly. "This is an illusion near the barrier. It makes the same places repeat, so intruders get lost. Once we pass this three times, a stream will appear. That's the true entrance."
The further they walked, the harsher the forest became—thick vines made each step harder.
"Eliora, I need to wash my hands. That sticky plant from earlier is unbearable.""We're close. Just endure a little longer."
But when Eliora turned back, Lilia was gone.
"Velosa! Where's Lilia?""She was just behind me… then she vanished!"
Eliora gasped as her gaze shifted forward.
"The stream… it's here!""I don't see anything," Velosa muttered."Then you cannot cross. That means Lilia must already be inside the barrier… This is bad."
Eliora gripped Velosa's shoulders.
"Find your way back to the palace. Ask the butterflies to guide you. Question the trees and flowers if you must. I'll go after Lilia—she's in danger.""Please… bring her back safely."
Meanwhile, Lilia straightened after rinsing her hands in the stream—only to realize Velosa and Eliora had vanished.
'Where did everyone go…?'
The air around her had changed. The scent of the forest was laced with something otherworldly. Trees and flowers, arranged in perfect harmony, looked more like an ethereal garden than a wild woodland.
"The barrier… I crossed it. That stream—it was the gateway."
She began walking, hopeful she would eventually find an exit.
But then, her heart skipped. Harold's heartbeat—close, impossibly close.She turned, ran, stretched out her hand—
And caught him.
"Found you, Harold!"
But the figure who emerged was not the boy she remembered.It was a grown man, his voice trembling.
"Lili… I missed you.""Harold? You… you're an adult? But we're only ten years old!""I am not like humans. At ten, my divinity awakens, and through the rite… I become this."
Memories flashed—the moment his mother, Esseria, took him away.
"Do you remember, Lili?" Harold asked."How could I forget? I nearly lost you forever."
He smiled faintly.
"I'm sorry… but I'm glad you've grown so strong.""Don't apologize! We're best friends. The closest in the world. Friends never say sorry to each other."
But his expression hardened.
"This place is dangerous. You must leave quickly, before my mother knows.""What? I just found you! I have so much to say—"
Harold shook his head.
"I promised Esseria I would never see you again. Even if you cannot see me, I'll always be by your side."
Tears welled in Lilia's eyes.
"That's not the same. I want to see you. To play with you every day."
But Harold's voice was firm.
"I am an adult now. You are still a child. We cannot play hide-and-seek like before."
Lilia clenched her fists.
"Then you're only pretending. You may look older, but inside you're still ten—just like me!"
For a moment, silence hung between them.
And then, the shadows shifted.