The group pressed on, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet of pine needles that glowed faintly beneath their feet. Bella and Cy took the lead, their curiosity getting the better of them as they darted between the glowing trunks. Bella reached out to touch the mist, laughing softly when it seemed to dance away from her fingertips. Cy followed close behind, his eyes wide with wonder as he listened to the whispers, occasionally tilting his head as though trying to decipher their meaning.
Findir and Aisa walked a little behind them, their conversation muted but steady. Findir's sharp eyes scanned the forest, his wariness never fully abating, while Aisa seemed more at ease, her hands brushing against the glowing bark of the trees as they passed. She spoke in low tones, her voice a grounding presence against the strange, ethereal sounds of the forest.
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