The forest didn’t erupt into chaos. It stilled. Completely. Like every living thing had stepped back to watch. The Seeker stood a few paces away, calm and patient, as if time itself bent around its presence. Its eyes never left Isabella—not blinking, not wavering. Waiting. Rex shifted slightly in front of her. Not blocking her but guarding her. “You don’t take another step,” he said, voice low and absolute. The Seeker smiled faintly. “That instinct is admirable.” Its gaze flicked briefly to Rex. “But irrelevant.” Kaelen’s hand tightened on the hilt of his blade. Ash subtly adjusted his stance, weight shifting, ready to move at the first sign of escalation. But no one attacked. Because this wasn’t a fight. Not yet. The Seeker’s attention returned to Isabella. “Your presence altered the balance,” it said. “Stabilized what was meant to collapse.” Isabella held its gaze. “I didn’t ask for that.” “No,” the Seeker agreed softly. “You didn’t.” A faint ripple moved throu
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