Chapter 130: Chapter 130: The Heart of Eldara 

 As Ethan moved deeper into the Eldara forest, the glow that had initially seemed distant grew brighter, casting an ethereal light across the gnarled trees and tangled underbrush. The forest, which had already felt ancient and mysterious, now took on a more sinister character. The trees seemed to twist and bend unnaturally, their branches reaching out like the grasping hands of forgotten spirits. Every sound—be it the rustle of leaves or the snap of a twig—echoed ominously, as if the very forest itself were alive and aware of his presence.

He felt the pulse of the magic all around him, stronger and more chaotic with each passing moment. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced—wild, untamed, and dangerous. The closer he got to the source, the more it felt as though the very fabric of reality was thinning, on the verge of tearing apart.