|Nieves| The crescent moon hung high above us, casting its glow over the meadow. It was the only source of light in this untouched wilderness, where the towering trees stood like silent sentinels, their branches whispering secrets to the night. A cool breeze stirred the air, carrying the crisp scent of damp earth and fresh foliage, a stark contrast to the polished, suffocating walls of the mansion I had left behind. The soft rustle of grass swaying in the wind and the distant murmur of unseen creatures filled the stillness, creating an eerie yet oddly comforting symphony. I stood face-to-face with Krista, her dark green eyes steady and unreadable, their depths reflecting the moon’s glow. Though she remained calm, her presence held an undeniable weight—an unspoken authority that made the