Back in the village, Elder Fena was relieved. The Great Root was healing, the forest felt lighter, and the human boy and his companions were finally gone. She was in her house, grinding herbs for a healing poultice, enjoying the quiet.
'Finally, some peace,' she thought, stirring the thick green paste.
But the peace didn't last.
Suddenly, she felt a presence so powerful it made the air feel heavy and thick. It was a wave of raw, crushing power that washed over the entire village, making the air vibrate. It was nothing like Nox's dark energy; this felt older, heavier, and brutally direct.
She dropped the bowl she was holding, the paste spilling onto the wooden floor.
'What is that? That's not possible.'
She rushed to the doorway of her house, stepping outside.
