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.

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

From outside the walls, in the dark beyond the territory, something that was not wind moved through the trees and was gone before I could fix a direction to it. Aldara was close enough to watch. She had come herself after all. END OF CHAPTER 19

The talking oak tree was taken aback when he saw that the group of young warlocks had returned. Recalling the matter about the Antediluvian cat, the guardian tree in the Forbidden Forest looked for Nero. Upon catching the sight of the daggers in the other party's eyes, Nero' eyes shot up and an ominous premonition arose in her mind. Without giving the talking oak tree time to speak Nero said, [Let's talk some other time Old Oak. We still have something to attend to...]

I murmured. POV: Darius Kai always forgot one thing: He ruled the forest. But I ruled the dark between the trees. I leaned against an old oak some distance from the ridge, hands in my pockets, head tilted back to watch the moon carve silver through the branches. The pack’s tension rolled through the roots like heat. Kai’s anger. Rowan’s panic. The girl’s awakening. And underneath all of it— the old one. Stirring. Testing. Amused.