Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTQTANRVP5EQWK84EJ85Y2V

In the heart of Richmond Park, where the city's hum faded into a distant murmur, Aurora Carter found herself beneath a sky unmarred by urban glow. The Fae Grove, as it was known to a select few, lay hidden beyond the ancient oak standing stones that marked its boundary. She'd come here seeking solace, a respite from the city's relentless pace and her own troubled mind. Yet, as she stepped into the grove, the wildflowers blooming year-round seemed to whisper secrets in the cool night air, and an unease settled over her like a shroud. The moon hung heavy and full, casting long shadows that danced eerily as the wind rustled the leaves. Aurora's breath misted in the chill, her straight, shoulder-length black hair stirring gently against her cheeks. She clutched the Heartstone Pendant at her throat, its deep crimson gemstone pulsing faintly with warmth, a beacon in the encroaching darkness. She'd felt its tug, a subtle pull that had led her here, to this pocket between Earth and the Fae realm. The grove was silent, too silent. No owls hooted, no foxes rustled in the undergrowth. Just the wind, a constant, low sigh that seemed to carry whispers on its breath. Aurora's bright blue eyes scanned the clearing, taking in the familiar yet somehow alien landscape. She'd been here before, with Eva, her childhood friend who'd introduced her to the grove's mysteries. But tonight, it felt different. Wrong. A twig snapped. Aurora froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She turned slowly, eyes searching the shadows. Nothing moved. She took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the Heartstone. "Just the wind," she muttered, her voice barely audible. She started walking again, her steps measured, each footfall deliberate. The grove was large, but she knew its boundaries, the ancient oaks that marked its edges. She'd explore, find the source of her unease, and leave. Simple. Another sound echoed through the grove, a soft, wet thud. Aurora's breath caught in her throat. She whirled around, her eyes wide. There, at the edge of her vision, something moved. She blinked, and it was gone. She took a step forward, her heart pounding. "Hello?" Her voice echoed, swallowed by the night. A faint glow caught her eye, a flicker of light amidst the shadows. She moved towards it, her steps hesitant. It pulsed, like the Heartstone, but fainter, weaker. As she approached, she realized it was a flower, its petals aglow with a soft, ethereal light. She reached out, her fingers brushing against the petals. They were warm, almost feverish. Suddenly, the wind picked up, howling through the trees. The flower's light flickered, then died, plunging the area into darkness. Aurora stumbled back, her heart racing. She fumbled for the Heartstone, its faint glow her only comfort in the sudden blackness. A low growl echoed through the grove. Aurora spun around, her eyes searching the darkness. "Who's there?" she demanded, her voice steadier than she felt. Silence greeted her, broken only by the wind's mournful cry. Then, she saw it. A figure, hunched and twisted, moving at the edge of her vision. It was humanoid, but wrong, its limbs too long, its movements jerky, unnatural. Aurora's breath hitched in her throat. She took a step back, then another, her eyes never leaving the figure. It turned, its face coming into the faint glow of the Heartstone. Aurora stifled a scream. The face was human, but the eyes... they were black, bottomless pits that seemed to swallow the light. Its mouth was twisted into a snarl, revealing teeth that were too sharp, too numerous. Aurora's mind raced. She'd heard stories, tales of Fae-touched creatures that dwelled in the grove. But she'd never believed, never truly feared. Until now. She took another step back, her hand closing around the Heartstone. It pulsed warmer, its glow intensifying. The creature snarled again, its eyes locked onto the Heartstone. It took a step forward, then another, its movements jerky, unnatural. Aurora stood her ground, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't run, not with the creature between her and the grove's edge. She had to stand, had to fight. She took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the Heartstone. "I don't know what you are," she said, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her veins. "But I'm not leaving without a fight." The creature growled, its eyes never leaving the Heartstone. It took another step forward, then another. Aurora stood her ground, her breath coming in short gasps. She was out of time, out of options. She had to act. She lunged forward, her hand raised, the Heartstone's glow casting eerie shadows on the creature's face. It snarled, its eyes widening in surprise. Aurora swung her arm, the Heartstone connecting with the creature's forehead. It yelped, a sound that was half-scream, half-howl, and stumbled back. Aurora didn't wait. She turned and ran, her heart pounding in her chest, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She could hear the creature behind her, its growls echoing through the grove, its footsteps pounding on the earth. She pushed herself harder, her eyes fixed on the ancient oaks that marked the grove's edge. She could feel it, the tug of the Heartstone, the pull towards the portal. She reached out, her fingers brushing against the rough bark of an oak. The world shifted, the grove blurring around her. She stumbled through the portal, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her heart pounding in her chest. She fell to her knees, her body wracked with sobs. She'd made it, she was safe. But the grove... it was changed. Tainted. And she had a feeling that this was only the beginning.