Seating on floor, Payal was in deep thought,
Payal paced the mansion's eastern gates under midnight's velvet shroud, each ticking second amplifying the heavy weight on her heart—responsibility like an iron yoke, , she needs to this , that's the only chance to make her useful, Forged from love's desperate forge. Dual moons cast silvery pools on gravel, wind sighing omens through thorny hedges, A distant hum a haunting meldy for her comatose loves. No sleep had claimed her since the physicians left the room, their words keep repeating in her mind like natural cycle' ; vulnerability's raw edges honed into blade-sharp resolve. Her sun kissed face left the sun, her almond eyes hold the concern rather than shine, Whole soul trying to tear her apart, She know that. She can bring back, .....Asra's smiles, Julian's guidance for her or someone else, William's shadows— It's doesn't matter, I will enter Deo Forest alone . A soft knock echoed from the servant's quarters—elderly retainer, face etched with worry, bowing low. "Sir Kael is here, my lady. Please, have dinner—you've eaten nothing since yesterday's return." Tray trembled in his hands: nutrient broth, fruit orbs, but her stomach rebelled. Doesn't feel appetite her hunger died with looking at them lifeless. How could she make herself eat. She waved it off gently, voice steady amid inner storm. "I will eat with my husbands when I bring them back from coma." The word husbands—plural, unyielding—sealed her vow, poly bonds her anchor.Rising from the cold stone floor where she'd knelt in vigil, Payal cast a final, lingering gaze through the lab portal's viewport: Julian's scholarly form serene in gel, Asra's blue hair drifting like osean dezling water with promises, William's intensity veiled in stasis. "I don't know much about Deo Forest," she whispered, palm pressing invisible barrier, "but one thing is sure—I promise you, you'll come back to life." Tears pricked, unshed; arcology steel held firm.Kael awaited by the sleek hover-car, silver hair moon-kissed, gray eyes solemn. She boarded without words, vehicle slicing night roads toward forbidden wilds—silence thick, only engine purr and her pounding pulse. The journey was quite tense. They halted at a sheer obsidian wall, ancient runes pulsing faintly amid barren crag—no forest in sight, just sheer cliff mocking her quest. Payal frowned, confusion knitting brows. "Where is the forest? Here is nothing but wall."Kael approached reverently, palm glowing with incantation. He whispered an eldritch spell—"Veil of thorns, part for the bold"—air shimmering like fractured glass. The sanctuary changed completely: wall dissolved into verdant archway, revealing Deo Forest's breathtaking beauty. Towering world-trees with leaves like emerald flames, bioluminescent and beautiful flowers unfurling petals in symphony, mist-veiled glades whispering ancient songs— full of crisma, and colourful dreamscape splendor luring souls inward.Kael's warning sliced beauty's veil. "My lady, it looks beautiful outside, but inner depths are venomous—be careful. Shadow-wraiths drain life, vines inject paralytics, temporal eddies age flesh in heartbeats." He pressed a dagger into her palm—rune-etched obsidian blade, humming anti-venom wards. "This helps against venomous things if used correctly—slash true, let runes ignite. I will wait here at perimeter; return before third moonrise if , You can't make till the third moonlight, You will get locked there forever. She looked more scared and how could I know how much time passed . On the dagger .....there is three lines curved on the tip of dagger, every passing moonrise, one line disappear from the dagger
"His gaze lingered critically on her luxurious dress and sandals— after remembering human fragility amid perils. "My lady, I should not say this, but your dress is very inappropriate for wild forest." From cloak pocket, he produced a slender bracelet—silver filigree pulsing latent magic. "Wear this on your hand; it adapts the worthy."Payal clasped it on her left wrist, stepping through archway alone. Forest enveloped dreamily—fragrant blooms caressing air, fireflies dancing symphonies, soft moss cushioning steps. She glanced back: Kael and wall vanished, swallowed by illusions. Bracelet's gems ignited after wearing it , It's started sparkling cascade enveloping her form. Tightness gripped—fabric reshaping, molding to contours like liquid mercury. Sparkles faded; she beheld transformation: dress morphed into tight superhero suit from cinematic epics which she sow on only T.V —sleek silver alloy, shiny nano-weave hugging every curve, reinforced joints glowing faintly, boots morphing to grippy treads, utility belt materializing with pouches. Empowering, form-fitting armor gleamed under dappled light, boosting confidence amid peril. She started walking forward. Deeper into inner forest, sunlight lost it's charm—canopy thickening to suffocating gloom, The chenge she noticed around her the beutiful scenario lost in this bioluminescence twisting malevolent. She is walking it's been while, couldn't sow a even animal -;nothing, It's felt like deced while walking. Feet screamed with each step, uneven roots and thorns piercing despite boots; descent felt endless, beauty lost to oppressive darkness the sunlight is completely gone. No paths marked direction; illusions warped landmarks, compass in belt spinning wild. Panic clawed—where to go?—she collapsed on mossy knoll, gasping for breath, dagger clutched white-knuckled.Before lungs filled, animal voice snarled— guttural growl echoing voids, eyes glinting crimson in murk. Terror surged; in her body tensed rigid, shaking uncontrollably, heart thundering betrayal. Dagger whipped out, scanning blackness—nothing clear amid swirling shadows. Footsteps thundered closer, predatory rhythm. Instinct screamed; she bolted, pain exploding per step—thorns raking suit, lungs burning, branches whipping face. Footsteps pursued relentlessly, breath hot on neck.They faded abruptly; she slowed, panting in deceptive calm. Unseen, trees stirred malevolently—limbs creaking alive. Vines slithered, clutching ankles first—thick, pulsating tendrils coiling like serpents, thorns piercing suit's weave, venom burning skin. She slashed dagger wildly—"No!"—but more ensnared arms, waist, hoisting her skyward in thorny embrace, darkness closing as forest claimed its prey.