Run: 2026-02-17-01KHMMEC9J4SD25PM9MD0GVWQM

The evening breeze whispered through the trees, carrying an eerie melody that seemed to prickle along Aurora's skin. She had always been a creature of the night, the shadows comforting in their familiar embrace. But tonight, even the darkness felt foreign, as if Richmond Park had transformed into an alien landscape in the hours between dusk and midnight. Her steps, usually purposeful, became more hesitant as she ventured further into the heart of the Fae Grove. Isolde's grove, with its ancient oak standing stones framing the entrance, should have been a place of wonder for Aurora, a gateway to the mythical realm. Instead, it felt like a trap, its very existence taunting her. The way she had stumbled upon it almost felt like a cruel joke, as if this hidden clearing was luring her in. Its existence defied reason; the park's maps made no mention of it. And yet here it was, a place where time seemed to bend and stretch. What had felt like mere minutes had transpired according to her watch—hours rapidly slipping by in the outside world. Drawn by an inexplicable impulse, she had entered, the air crackling with unseen energy as she passed through an invisible barrier. The hair on her arms stood on end, and a shiver ran down her spine that had nothing to do with the cool night air. The grove, illuminated by moonbeams filtering through the canopy, revealed itself to be a place of ethereal beauty. Wildflowers painted the earth in vibrant hues, defying the season's limitations. Yet, their fragrance, so sweet it was almost cloying, couldn't mask the underlying scent of decay. She caught the faintest hints of fetid water and rotting wood beneath the floral aroma, a reminder that even in this magical place, death and life were inextricably entwined. As she moved deeper, Aurora became aware of an unsettling silence. Not the comfortable hush of a peaceful night but a stifling absence of sound, as if the very air had been muted. Not a rustle of leaves, no nightingale's song. The only sound was her footsteps, which seemed to echo too loudly, announcing her presence to whatever lurked in the darkness. Something scuttled in the undergrowth, breaking the silence. She froze, the hair on the back of her neck rising. It was a sound she had grown used to in her deliveries across London: a rat perhaps, or a squirrel startled by her intrusion. But here, in this otherworldly grove, the noise took on an ominous tone, as if signaling an unseen presence. She sensed eyes on her, watchful and predatory, though she saw nothing when she scanned the shadows. Her pulse quickened as she fingered the Heartstone Pendant beneath her shirt. The crimson gemstone felt warm against her skin, its inner glow invisible yet comforting. Dymas' gift had become her talisman, a reminder that she was not alone in navigating this strange new world. But tonight, even its reassuring pulse couldn't shake the feeling that she had ventured into a territory where she didn't belong. The wind picked up, swirling around her, and a soft, haunting melody whispered on the breeze, almost recognizable but just beyond her memory's reach. It was a song without words, both mournful and inviting, luring her deeper into the grove. She followed, her feet seemingly guided by an unseen force, her rational thoughts overshadowed by an urgent need to reach the song's source. The air grew thicker, heavier, as if she were walking through syrup. A chill crept up her spine, and her breath misted before her face, though the night wasn't cold. Isolde's grove, with its ethereal wildflowers and mystical atmosphere, now felt like a sinister mirage, a trick of the Fae. The ancient oak trees here stood gnarled and menacing, their branches like skeletal fingers reaching for the sky. It was as if the trees themselves were sentient, witnesses to secrets no mortal should uncover. As Aurora's eyes adjusted to the peculiar light, she noticed symbols carved into the bark, ancient runes she didn't recognize. The markings glowed faintly, as if imbued with an otherworldly power. The song shifted, becoming a discordant melody that scratched at her mind. It was then that she saw it: a figure standing amidst the trees. It was human-like in form but distorted, its limbs elongated and its skin shimmering with an unearthly light. Its eyes, pools of darkness, fixed upon her, and a slow, menacing smile stretched across its face. Aurora stood paralyzed, the pendant's warmth forgotten as her breath caught in her throat. Her mind screamed at her to turn and run, but her feet remained rooted to the ground. The air thickened with malevolence, and she realized, with a sinking feeling, that she had crossed into a realm where humans were not meant to tread. The figure took a step forward, its distorted shape shifting with each movement, as if it were a reflection in a funhouse mirror. Its smile widened, revealing pointed teeth. "Welcome, Malphora," it hissed, its voice like the scrape of a knife against stone. Aurora's heart hammered against her ribs. The name—an alias she hadn't used since she answered to no one but the Fae—sent a chill through her. This was no ordinary creature; it knew who she was and what she had been. It was a hunter, and she was its prey. "What do you want?" she managed, her voice steadier than she felt. "To play, little human. To dance in the starlight and feast on your fear." Its eyes gleamed with anticipation, and it took another step forward, the air crackling with its proximity. She backed away, her heart pounding. She had to escape, to find her way back to the stones, the boundary between this realm and her own. But her footsteps seemed to echo in her mind, drawing the creature's attention. "Running won't save you, not in this place." Its laugh was like the rustle of dead leaves, and Aurora felt its words in her bones. With a surge of adrenaline, she turned and ran, her feet pounding the earth. The song intensified, now a cacophony of menacing notes that drove her forward. Twisting and turning, she weaved through the ancient oaks, their branches reaching out like skeletal hands to ensnare her. The malevolent figure was close behind, its laughter echoing in her wake. Her foot caught on a root, and she stumbled, the pendant's chain snapping as she hit the ground. The gemstone rolled away, its inner light fading as it disappeared into the underbrush. The creature loomed above her, its eyes glinting with malicious glee. "Now, you truly are alone, Aurora," it whispered, its breath hot on her skin. Desperation fueled her next move. She scrambled backwards, searching frantically for the gem. Her fingers closed around its warm surface, and she felt a surge of energy. With a final plea to whatever powers might be listening, she hurled the stone at the creature. The gem struck its chest, and the world seemed to pause. The pendant pulsed, its crimson glow intensifying until it exploded in a flash of blinding light. The creature shrieked, its form contorting in agony as the light consumed it. In the aftermath, Aurora lay trembling, her heart racing. The grove was silent once more, the haunting melody gone. She pushed herself upright, her hands shaking as she wiped the dirt from her palms. "I guess the rumors were true," a gentle voice said from behind her. She spun, her heart leaping into her throat at the unexpected sound. A young man stood there, his dark hair mussed and a mischievous glint in his eye. "Not many mortals make it out of Isolde's grove. Especially not after an encounter with one of the Unseelie." Aurora's breath escaped in a rush. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice raspy with strain. He offered her a hand, his smile infectious despite the lingering tension in the air. "A friend, hopefully. I'm Silas, and you're certainly not the first to stumble upon this place and live to tell the tale."