The morning sun had climbed higher, spilling warmth over the forest edge. Birds chirped lazily, and a faint mist lingered among the tree roots, curling like ghostly fingers. Prithvi and Meera were already at the forest's edge, their small hands entwined as they stared at the shadowy treeline.
"Are you sure it's safe?" Meera asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Even at five, she understood the forest held secrets not meant for children.
Prithvi's eyes scanned the dark undergrowth. He felt the faint tug of the forest, a subtle hum beneath his skin — almost like it was aware of him. "I think so," he said cautiously. "The Raksh-Wolf… it's gone. At least for now."
A rustle behind them made him freeze. Aarav stepped forward from the path they had left behind, his arms folded, dark eyes scanning the woods with the vigilance of someone older, someone who carried the weight of responsibility too soon.
"You two shouldn't wander too far," he warned. "The forest… it doesn't forget."
Meera giggled, tugging at Prithvi's hand again. "I want to see if I can scare it before it scares me!"
Aarav's lips twitched. "You mean you want to get lost," he muttered. But beneath the words was an edge of worry he couldn't hide.
Prithvi stepped closer to the forest, small fingers brushing against the rough bark of the nearest tree. It pulsed faintly, almost as if recognizing him. The forest seemed… calmer than it should be. The memory of last night's light, of the sun-mark, and of the Raksh-Wolf's retreat lingered in every shadow.
"You feel that?" he asked quietly. "It's… watching me, but not like before."
Aarav's eyes narrowed. "Careful, little brother. Things that watch often wait. And when they act… they don't hesitate."
Prithvi nodded, but Meera had already darted ahead, squealing with delight. "Catch me if you can!"
Prithvi ran after her, feet pounding against damp earth. Aarav followed at a distance, keeping his gaze trained on the darker depths of the forest. Every tree seemed to lean toward Prithvi as he ran, leaves whispering secrets he couldn't yet understand.
Suddenly, the wind shifted, carrying a faint growl — soft, yet unmistakable. Meera froze mid-step. Prithvi stopped and crouched, his small heart hammering. The forest fell into a hush so complete that even the birds seemed to hold their breath.
"There!" Aarav hissed, pointing toward the shadowed grove. A pair of yellow eyes gleamed from behind the trees.
Prithvi felt a strange calm wash over him, the same warmth that had erupted the night before. The sun-mark had disappeared, but its memory pulsed faintly beneath his skin. Somehow… he knew the forest would bend to him again if he only willed it.
"Stay behind me," Prithvi whispered to Meera. "I… I think I can make it stop."
Aarav's jaw tightened, but he nodded silently. Together, the three of them stood at the forest's edge, sunlight behind them, shadows ahead. The growl deepened, echoing like a heartbeat through the trees.
And somewhere in the darkness, a pair of eyes gleamed, waiting for the boy who had stared into the forest and dared it to obey.
For the first time, Prithvi understood that the forest wasn't just alive — it was choosing him.