The morning sun poured through the trees in golden streaks, and for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe without holding my chest. The air smelled clean, like rain and pine, and the forest itself seemed almost alive with calm. Birds chirped faintly somewhere overhead. The leaves whispered with the wind, soft and slow.
I blinked a few times, letting it all sink in. Crescent Vale looked different in daylight. War-torn trees now shimmered faintly with dew, and even the burned patches seemed softer, less threatening. Everything felt… safe. For now.
Hazel was near the fire pit, her hair wild as ever, flipping through a book lazily. She looked up, saw me, and gave a little smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She’d learned better than to relax completely after what had happened. Z
