Elira woke to birdsong—soft, ethereal, and unlike anything she'd ever heard.
She sat up, blinking against pale sunlight streaming through thick vines overhead.
She was no longer in the clearing.
No longer soaked and shivering.
Instead, she lay upon a mossy cot inside what appeared to be... a stone chamber? No—a hollowed tree.
The walls curved gently, the wood dark and polished, veined with glowing lines of amber that pulsed faintly with warmth.
Strange flowers bloomed along the ceiling, releasing a sweet scent like honey and pine.
A low fire crackled in a hearth made of obsidian stone.
It was beautiful.
And alien.
She stood slowly, brushing stray petals from her hair, and found her cloak folded neatly on a carved wooden stool.
Her satchel rested beside it, untouched.
There was no door—only a curtain of trailing vines at the entrance.
Elira hesitated, then stepped through them into open forest.
What she saw stole the breath from her lungs.
A vast grove stretched before her; unlike any place she'd known.
Ancient trees bowed toward each other like courtiers in an eternal dance. Floating lanterns drifted through the air, glowing softly with magic.
A stream of silver water wove through moss-covered bridges and flowering stones.
And at the center of it all stood a great obsidian throne, carved into the trunk of a twisted tree.
Upon it sat the Beast.
He watched her silently, eyes bright in the daylight.
No guards. No chains. Just him and the forest.
"You're awake," he said.
"I… where am I?"
"The Hollow Court," the Beast replied.
"This is my realm within the Elderwood."
Elira stepped forward cautiously.
"Why am I not in chains? You said I was bound to your pact."
"I did. But chains are for prisoners, You are… a guest."
His voice lowered slightly.
"For now."
A pause passed between them.
"You'll be given quarters here," he continued.
"Food.
Water.
Safety.
In exchange, you'll work—tasks I give you.
And you'll obey three rules."
Elira crossed her arms.
"Let me guess.
Don't leave.
Don't ask questions.
Don't touch anything magical."
A flicker of amusement touched his features.
"Close, One—do not enter the Heartwood without me.
Two—never speak the name of the old gods.
Three—if the forest speaks to you, do not answer."
She blinked. "Why not?"
"Because it doesn't speak for itself."
A chill ran down her spine.
Before she could ask more, the Beast rose from his throne.
"Your first task begins tomorrow ,Rest today ,You'll need your strength."
He turned away, disappearing into a path that seemed to open in the trees just for him.
Elira stood alone in the grove, staring after him, uncertain if she was stepping deeper into salvation… or a curse of her own.