Run: 2026-02-17-01KHMPDW33NTT57CHSBD2DEC38

Under the silvered gaze of a full moon, Rory pedaled her bicycle through Richmond Park, the tires crunching on gravel that seemed to absorb the night's quiet. She'd come here for solitude, to clear her mind of Yu-Fei's chatter and Silas' worried glances. But as she entered the Fae Grove, the air grew heavy, charged with an unseen presence that prickled her skin. The ancient oak standing stones loomed like sentinels, their gnarled fingers reaching for the sky. Beyond them, wildflowers bloomed in defiance of the season, their colors muted under the lunar light. Rory dismounted, her breath misting in the chill, and leaned her bicycle against a stone. She stepped into the grove, her boots sinking into the soft earth. Something felt off. The silence was too absolute, as if the night creatures held their breath. Even the wind seemed reluctant to disturb the leaves. Rory's hand went to the Heartstone pendant at her throat, a gift from an unknown benefactor. It hung there, a faint crimson glow against her skin, pulsing with warmth. She'd felt its heat before, near Hel portals, but here, it was different. Faint, yet insistent. A twig snapped. Rory froze, her heart pounding. She scanned the grove, but saw nothing. Just the shadows dancing with the moon's light. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. Probably just a fox, she told herself. Or a deer. She started walking again, deeper into the grove. The wildflowers rustled, their petals brushing against her jeans. She could've sworn she heard whispers, like children's laughter carried on the wind. But there was no wind. Only the stillness, and the whispers. Rory stopped, her eyes drawn to a patch of daisies. They swayed gently, as if beckoning her. She stepped closer, her gaze fixed on the flowers. They seemed to glow, their petals shimmering like moonlight on water. She reached out, her fingers brushing against the soft petals. They were warm. Suddenly, the whispers grew louder. Louder, and closer. Rory spun around, her heart in her throat. The grove was alive with movement. Shadows darted between the trees, their forms humanoid, yet twisted. Their eyes glowed like embers, fixed on her. Panic surged through her veins. She turned to run, but her feet felt rooted to the ground. She tried to scream, but her voice was trapped in her throat. The shadows moved faster, their forms solidifying. They were closing in, their eyes burning into her. Rory's hand closed around the Heartstone. It pulsed faster, its glow intensifying. She felt a surge of warmth, of power. The shadows hesitated, their forms wavering. Then, with a collective hiss, they retreated, melting into the darkness. Rory stumbled back, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She looked down at the Heartstone, its glow fading. She felt drained, her limbs heavy. But she was alive. She was alive, and she was alone. She turned to leave, her eyes scanning the grove. It was empty, the shadows still. She picked up her bicycle, her hands shaking. As she pedaled away, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. She looked back one last time, at the grove bathed in moonlight. And she saw them, the shadows, standing at the edge, their eyes burning into her. Rory pedaled faster, her heart pounding. She didn't look back again. She knew they were there, waiting. And she knew she wouldn't be alone in the Fae Grove again.