Part V – The Pause Before Entry
The group set up camp not far from the first Torii, at the edge of the border.
The ground, though still uneven, was strangely free of thorns and obstacles, as if the Forest itself had cleared a small space for incoming travelers.
With a simple gesture, Kayla conjured a small magical fire, its flames flickering in shades of violet instead of the usual orange.
The glow cast strange, dancing shadows around them as twilight slowly melted into night.
Lucen sat a little distance away, his back against a smooth boulder, arms crossed and eyes closed.
He looked relaxed, but Yuri knew he was only pretending—she could feel his vigilance, a silent presence ready to act at any moment.
Yuu, after sniffing the perimeter of the camp, had curled up on Yuri's lap, letting out a small, contented huff.
She absentmindedly stroked his fur, her gaze fixed on the shadows dancing at the forest's edge.
"You won't fall asleep easily," Kayla said, sitting beside her without warning.
Yuri offered a faint smile.
"It all feels… too unreal."
Kayla nodded slowly.
"The Forest knows how to slip into your thoughts. It's its way of testing us—to see if we're worthy of walking through its dreams… and nightmares."
The fire crackled softly, while a gentle breeze made invisible cherry blossoms float through the air, drifting down from nowhere, even though no trees were yet in sight.
"Not everything we find will be hostile," Kayla continued, her tone now softer, almost motherly. "But trust will be your most dangerous weapon. Don't trust anything that seems too perfect."
Yuri nodded, hugging Yuu closer as he let out a faint whimper in his sleep.
A little farther off, Lucen opened one eye, silently watching the scene.
An unreadable glint flickered through his gaze before he closed it again, returning to his feigned indifference.
The night stretched above them, heavy with promises and dangers.
Tomorrow, they would pass through the gates of the Forest of Illusions.
And nothing would ever be the same again.