“Alvia moved silently through the ancient forest, astride her spectral saber. The beast’s violet markings pulsed in sync with her own heartbeat, guiding them along paths no mortal eyes could see. At her side padded the youngling, newly bonded but already attuned to the forest’s rhythms.

Moonlight pierced the canopy in narrow beams, revealing drifting spores and glowing fungi—signs that the Emerald Veil was thinning again. Shadows stirred at the edge of hearing.

Alvia raised her bow. The hunt was not for prey, but for whatever had breached the veil. The forest would not fall on her watch.”