Sofia lay awake, leaning against the window ledge. Sleep would not come.
The image of Alexandra—the same silver-haired figure—followed her now, with every blink and every whisper of wind.
The forest seemed to stare back at her, silent and alive at the same time.
The crystals on the chandelier trembled softly, scattering pale bursts of light across the walls, and somewhere in the courtyard, an owl beat its wings.
Sofia's heart raced, the way it does when you approach a secret too big to speak aloud.
She stood, opened the window, and let the cold night air press against her face.
Far off, at the edge of the garden where Alexandra had vanished, the soil shimmered faintly—like the trace of a dream that refused to fade.
Sofia whispered, almost without knowing why:— "Alexandra…"
At once, a warm breeze brushed her cheek, and a voice, gentle and translucent, echoed in her mind:— "Follow the light, Sofia. It is time to remember."
Sofia flinched.Remember what? she wondered.But no answer came—only the murmur of the woods.
Without thinking twice, she wrapped a thin cloak over her shoulders and slipped into the hallway.The corridor was empty, lit only by pale torch flames.On the floor, the shadows danced, as if they had a life of their own.
At the side gate, she hesitated. Her breath trembled.
A shadow moved behind her.
— "Sofia?"
It was Dragoș.He held a small lantern and wore his thick coat over his nightshirt.
— "What are you doing out here at this hour?"— "I saw her again. Alexandra."
Dragoș stared, fear and curiosity knotted in his eyes.— "Where?"— "In the garden. And she said… to follow the light."
Beyond the castle walls, a faint blue flame drifted between the trees—hovering just inches above the ground.
Dragoș drew a long breath.— "Then we'll go together."
Sofia studied him for a moment.In his eyes she found fear, yes—but also that simple, stubborn courage that always steadied her.He took her hand.— "All right."
They passed through the gate and stepped into the garden.
The air thickened, colder now, as though the Itezista Forest had been waiting for them.
The blue light drifted through the rose bushes, then through the trees, guiding them toward the forest's edge.
No birds sang. No wind moved.Only that deep murmur, like the breath of something ancient.
As they walked, the ground began to glow faintly beneath their feet, pulsing like a living heart.
Suddenly, a shimmering mist rose from the soil, gathering into a shape—a silhouette of light.
It was Miral.
— "You came," he said, his voice warm yet resonant.— "The light chose you, Sofia."
She took a step closer.
— "Why me?"
— "Because you can see shadows without judging them. And because your heart knows that light and darkness are not enemies, but ancient siblings."
Miral raised his hands, and a small blue crystal appeared between his palms.It floated into Sofia's hands. When she touched it, a living warmth spread through her—as though she were holding a beating heart.
— "This is the forest's gift," Miral said. "A fragment of its heart. It will call to you when balance begins to break."
Then he turned to Dragoș.
— "And you, child of light, will be her link to the world of men."
A silver streak fell from the air, settling on the boy's finger, forming a shining band.
— "As long as her light burns, you will feel the call."
Dragoș lifted his hand, staring at the ring.Sofia looked at him and smiled—shy, but sincere.
— "Miral…" she whispered. "Alexandra… where is she?"
The shadow of light was silent for a moment, then spoke softly:— "Her shadow walks between worlds. But you will see her again. When your heart is ready."
The wind stirred. The trees whispered.And the light dissolved into silver mist.
Sofia and Dragoș were alone.
In Sofia's palm, the crystal still pulsed.Around Dragoș, the ring glimmered faintly—like a promise.
Sofia looked up toward the castle, where a high window gleamed.
Her mother was awake.
— "I think my little brother already hears the forest," she whispered, smiling.
The forest answered with a short murmur—almost tender—like an ancient lullaby.
The shadow of the Itezista Forest lived.
And without realizing it, Sofia had just spoken her first vow of light.