Mirabelle found herself walking beneath the ancient trees once more.
Their massive trunks rose like living pillars, stretching impossibly high before giving way to colossal branches that reached even farther into the sky. Somewhere above, perhaps a hundred meters overhead, an endless canopy of emerald leaves swayed gently in the morning breeze.
Sunlight filtered through countless tiny gaps, painting the forest floor with shifting patches of gold that danced with every rustle of the leaves.
The air beneath the trees felt wonderfully cool.
Even though she knew the summer sun was already blazing outside the forest, only soft warmth reached her here. Every now and then, a pleasant breeze wound its way between the enormous trunks, carrying with it the rich scent of moss, damp earth, wildflowers, and fresh greenery.
Somewhere high above, birds greeted the morning with cheerful songs, their voices echoing through the vast woodland until they blended into one peaceful melody.
