Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTRN57JZS99FX9NVBBRQFVB

The standing stones cast eerie shadows under the pale moonlight, their rough-hewn surfaces like sentinels guarding the entrance to the Fae Grove. Rory felt a shiver, as if the air itself was laden with warning, as she stepped beyond their protective boundary. Something felt off—a nagging sense of unease that permeated the serenity of the place. Wildflowers, vibrant even at night, whispered in a gentle breeze. She crouched, running her hand over the soft petals, their sweetness almost overwhelming. As she inhaled the fragrance, a faint sound reached her ears, like the rustling of leaves, but there wasn't a breath of wind. Straightening, Rory scanned the grove, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. Nothing. She thought of the Heartstone Pendant, its faint pulse a reminder of her task. Eva's message had been urgent, imploring Rory to find the portal and bring help. "It's here," she murmured, thinking of the warmer glow the pendant took on as she neared. But where in this otherworldly place was she to look? A sudden movement caught her eye, something slipping between trees on the grove's edge. She blinked, focusing on the spot, but saw nothing. "A trick of the light," she told herself, advancing cautiously, her footsteps on the soft earth barely audible. As she moved further, the heartstone's glow dimmed, then flared. She stopped, listening to the night. Something skittered across her path, too fast to identify, but it left no trace in the grass. Rory's breath quickened. Was it the portal? But no, it couldn't be; the stone's glow was now faint. She turned back, eyes sweeping the dark. Had she imagined the movement? A noise from behind, distinct this time, like a twig snapping underfoot. Spinning around, Rory faced the encroaching trees, their branches stretching like accusatory fingers. "Who's there?" she called, her voice filling the silence, rebounding off the ancient oaks. Nothing responded, save for the distant hoot of an owl. She began to back away, eyes never leaving the forest's edge, her retreat slow and deliberate. If someone—or something—was there, she didn't want to appear weak or scared. Her heart pounded as she imagined unseen eyes watching her every move. Maybe the pendant's warmth was protecting her, keeping the uninvited force at bay. A gust of wind brought with it a sound, not wild but controlled, almost musical. "What the hell was that?" she whispered, the hair on her arms standing on end. Her mind ran through the stories she'd heard in the bar—faint echoes of Fae lore. What if something malevolent was here, hidden by the night? She turned again, this time heading towards where she thought the sound had come from. Her eyes darted, seeking any sign of life, but the grove remained silent, almost mocking her with its tranquility. "This is absurd," she muttered, digging her nails into her palms, forcing herself to move. Then she saw it. A tree, but not like the others. It stood taller, its trunk broader, as if it had consumed the life of a dozen lesser trees to gain such stature. At its base, a hollow shone with an ethereal light. The pendant flared. She froze, her breath caught in her throat. This was it—the portal. But why was it here, exposed and unattended? Her eyes scanned the grove once more, seeking any hint of danger. "Eva?" she called, hoping her friend would materialize to guide her. But the grove remained silent, the only sound her shallow breathing. Slowly, she approached the tree, her steps deliberate. The heartstone's pulse grew stronger, heating against her skin. She reached the trunk, running her fingers over the rough bark, feeling a connection, like a live current coursing through it. "I'm here," she whispered, not sure if it was to the tree or to an unseen presence. A whispering, faint at first, then growing louder, filled her ears. The language was alien, resonating like music, yet it carried an unsettling resonance. She pressed herself against the tree, seeking solace in its solidity. Her eyes frantically searched the night, but the whispering continued, beckoning, the words resonating like a song, drawing her closer. Rory stepped back, facing the heart of the grove, the whispering coaxing her. The portal seemed to pulse, alive with a light of its own, its allure irresistible. She inched towards it, her hand clutching the pendant. The whispers grew more insistent, filling her mind, as if urging her to enter the portal, to succumb. But to what? She shook her head, dispelling the allure. This wasn't right. The whispers weren't friendly, their purpose unclear. Her grip on the heartstone tightened as she took a step back, intending to flee. But her retreat was halted by a figure emerging from the shadows. It was a woman, but not like any Rory had ever seen before. Her features were ethereal, her eyes an exotic shade of emerald, her hair a shock of white flames. "Come," she beckoned, her voice like honey, her gaze intense. Rory's legs froze, the heartstone's pulse matching her own quickening heartbeat. "Who... who are you?" she managed, her voice hoarse. The woman smiled, a movement that held both promise and threat. "You know me."