Under The Oak Tree Chapter 19 Novels & Stories

There was always a possibility of someone attacking me or who knew how welcoming the Elves were going to be. I found the oak tree when the sun was just about to set in the horizon. The tree was taller than any of the trees in this forest. And the second bizarre thing; it was the only oak tree I had seen in this forest until now. Slumping against the tree for a good few minutes, I rested. I fetching the small pouch of leather from the satchel to drink water, only to realize that it was now empty. It had been a while since I last saw any trace of water.

"Do you realize that you have endangered countless generations of innocent girls tied to that forsaken prophecy?" Aria remained unfazed, taking another sip of her tea as if what I had just said meant nothing. Her calm demeanor only fueled my anger further. "That tree was our way to redemption," I continued, my voice shaking with the weight of desperation and anger. "It was a beacon of hope, a symbol of protection. Without it, we are left vulnerable. How could you be so reckless?" Aria placed her cup down gently, her eyes meeting mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. "Do you know how the oak tree worked?" she asked, her voice calm yet piercing.

The trees towered above us, their branches intertwining to block out the moonlight, casting everything in a shadowy gloom. Finally, Rowan stopped in front of a massive oak, its bark gnarled and ancient. “We’re here,” he said quietly, reaching out to press his hand against the tree. For a moment, nothing happened, and I began to wonder if Rowan had lost his mind. But then, the ground beneath the tree shifted, revealing a hidden passageway leading down into the earth. I stared at the opening, a sense of unease creeping over me. “What is this place?”

The sound of crickets and insects filled my ears, a little hum of life in the dark. I stopped at the edge of a clearing, scanning the trees in front of me. They had to be close. I could feel it. "Um, Queen—" Jake opened his mouth to speak, but I silenced him with a finger to my lips. Then I heard the sound of footsteps heading our way, heavy fast and voice shouting through the tree. “Stop! It’s pointless running away from us!” "We have you guys surrounded!" Lights flickered through the branches, bouncing off the grass and bark. I snuck closer to the massive oak tree in front of me, resting my hand on its rough bark. The hanging moss obscure my view, but the footsteps were getting louder.

Still in their nightwears, the both of them left their room, making sure they made no noise lest Wade joined the party. They sneaked down the empty hallway and down the stairs. On the ground floor, they hastened till they got to the door. “You sure we should do this?” Harold asked. “Certainly!” On the outside, hundreds of stars dotted the dark sky. The wind howled loudly, messing up their hair but they didn't mind. In fact, they liked it. They enjoyed it. “His hostel should be the one in the middle.” “Yeah, it is,” Harold replied. They both walked in silence, kicking a few stones out of their way as they did. The stones tumbled out of their way and stopped.

Miguel leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. "So whatever happens next..." He smiled softly. "...we face it together." Outside the chamber, the moon disappeared behind dark clouds. And beyond the Blackstone walls, the Shadow King watched from the forest. A satisfied smile spread across his face. "Everything is unfolding exactly as I planned." End of Chapter Eighteen

Like it knows something important is about to happen and doesn’t want to miss it. We stop near the old oak tree that holds the swings. It survived the battle somehow, some part of it cracked but still alive. Someone wrapped glowing charms around its trunk to help it heal. Soft light pulses from them, slow and steady. Karl leans against the tree. I sit on one of the swings. My lips curl into a teasing smile, gesturing to the empty swing by my side. “You don't want to sit?” “Nope, I think I'm good standing here.”

Eighty feet of tree and the root ball had let go — she could see it happening, the slow terrible arc of it, the crown swinging through the dark like the arm of something vast making a final gesture, branches churning the air, the trunk in free fall toward the house and — Someone was at the north corner of the house. He had come around from the front, she understood later — come around to check the seal on the east side before coming in, one last look, fifteen seconds that changed everything — and the oak came down and the crown caught him as he moved, caught him across his upper body and drove him into the ground and the sound of it drove the air from her lungs as though she had been hit her

Then a voice — different from before — echoed, clear and mournful: “The past hides the key. Seek the chamber beneath the old oak.” “Did you hear that?” Seth asked, eyes wide. I nodded, heart pounding. “The chamber beneath the old oak…” Memories flickered—snatches of an ancient tree deep in the estate’s garden, its gnarled branches twisting against the night sky. “Then that’s where we go,” Travis said decisively. But as we turned to leave, a sudden sharp crack echoed through the room. The door slammed open, revealing a figure draped in shadow, eyes glowing with unnatural light.

Olivia POV: I sat beneath the great oak, its ancient branches stretching wide above me like a silent guardian, leaves whispering softly as the night wind passed through them. The sky overhead was a deep velvet black, scattered with stars that seemed too distant, too indifferent. I hugged my knees to my chest, the cool grass seeping through the thin fabric of my dress. Dimitri was supposed to meet me here after his meeting. He was late.