When we were further away from the tree, once again closer again to the village, I allowed myself to breathe once more.

  It took us almost a full day to get past some of the most treacherous terrain. The forest still lurked quietly around us, threatening us with another ambush.

  The tree canopy barely let in any light onto our path. If I didn't see a tree again for the rest of my life, it would be too soon.

  As we walked, I couldn't help but think about how my old sword that had saved me from the Tree of Shadows. It was still in my hand, its weight familiar and comforting. Despite how well I knew it, I had never felt such power with it before, such control.

  "Tristan," Thalia said, breaking me out of my thoughts. "What happened back there? How did you escape?"

  I looked at her, still in awe of what had happened. "I don't really know," I said. "It was like something just clicked inside me. Like I had this sudden burst of energy."

  I didn't tell her that it was her voice–the way she had cried out for me–that made me determined enough to get out.

  That made me certain I had to get out.

  "I saw the Tree pierce your neck," she said, choking back tears as she staggered forward. "I thought you were dead for sure."

  I rubbed my neck, where the tree had gotten hold of me. There was nothing there. My skin was sweat-slicked but otherwise smooth. No hint of the wound that ought to have been there remained.

  "I don't think it would've killed me," I said. "It felt like it wanted me to be a part of it. It spoke to me as I fought to escape. Offered me sanctuary. Immortality, even. But the cost was too high. I would’ve had to give up," I glanced over at Thalia for a moment before looking back down the path we were walking, “everything. No more prophecy. No more chance for revenge. It would have all been over.”

  My companions fell silent as they contemplated the doom that, according to the prophecy, would have befallen our world had I decided to give in to the Tree of Shadow’s offer. With me off the board, our enemies could have moved forward unchecked.

  "You might want to mention that to Old Man Harlan," Alistair chimed in, his voice surprisingly cheerful. "I think it might be useful information for him."

  We both looked at him.

  "He is an herbalist who never leaves his cave," Alistair clarified. "I assume he gathers his knowledge from adventurers. From what I know, not a single one has come back after defeating a Tree of Shadows. That’s quite a claim to fame, Silverblade."

  I nodded, craning my neck to look back toward it and barely containing a shudder. "How did you two end up in the tree?"

  "We tried to run but it basically swallowed us. It just kept getting bigger," Thalia said. "Bigger and bigger and bigger, until it was like a cave surrounding us."

  "It made no sense," Alistair added. "For a Tree to grow so large in such little time."

  "We weren't paying much attention to anything except trying to escape it until we realized we couldn't find you," Thalia said. “What happened to you?”

  "I had a feeling something was wrong when I saw the Tree," I said. "I knew deep down that I had to face it."

  Thalia looked at me, concern etched on her face. "Are you okay?"

  "I'm fine," I said, sheathing my sword. "Better than fine, actually. I feel...different. Stronger."

  “Good. You know what they say. What doesn’t kill you,” Alistair began.

  “Makes you stranger,” Thalia finished.

  The three of us grinned and continued on our way.

  As we walked back to the village, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed within me. The power I had felt within the Tree of Shadows was still coursing through my veins, and I knew that I would never be the same.

  And then a branch in front of us rustled.

  It happened so quickly. We were prepared for rebels, even corrupted flora, but we hadn't discussed beasts. Alistair quickly drew his sword, but he was no match for the grey-white wolf in front of him, his teeth snarled as he pounced on the man and closed his snapping jaws down around Alistair’s raised arm.

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  I reacted quickly, unsheathing my sword and leaping towards the wolf. It turned to face me, its eyes narrowed in anger. I could feel its hot breath on my face as it lunged at me. I swung my sword, aiming for its neck.

  It was a nightmare come to life. The blood-red sun glared down at us, its rays barely reaching us through the canopy of dark leaves overhead, its light making the silver fur of the wolf into a dark red armor that covered his body and made the whites of his eyes into empty pits. The beast was fast, but I was faster. Its razor-sharp teeth snapped at me, its claws sinking into my shoulders as he tried to drag me down so that it could get to my throat. I could feel the heat of its breath on my skin.

  His snout was filled with blood. I realized, with mounting horror, that it was Alistair's blood. I couldn't check on him. From the corner of my eye, I couldn't see the familiar swift movements of battle that I'd come to expect from him.

  I gritted my teeth, focusing all my energy on the wolf in front of me. I swung my sword again, aiming for its neck. This time, it connected, slicing through the fur and muscle with ease. The wolf howled in pain, blood gushing from its wound.

  It turned to run, but I wasn't about to let it escape. I couldn't risk it coming after us again. I chased after it, my sword still in hand. It was faster than me, but I could see it was losing strength. Finally, it collapsed, its body twitching and convulsing on the ground.

  I walked over to it, my sword still drawn. It would've been cruel to let it die slowlylive like this. It had to die.

  I gritted my teeth and with one swift thrust to its heartstroke, I ended its life.

  I turned back to where Thalia was standing, my chest heaving with exertion. She looked at me, her eyes wide with shock as her gaze darted between me and Alistair. "Tristan," she said. "What happened?"

  "A wolf attacked him," I said, a feeling of guilt suddenly stabbing my chest. Thalia had been behind us by a few feet. We'd gotten used to that rhythm, but she could've easily been attacked. I wouldn't have been able to save her. I wouldn't have been able to intervene in time.

  I shook my head, telling myself that it didn't matter. I knew to be more careful. Right then, we needed to tend to Alistair.

  Thalia ran to his side, checking his pulse. "He's alive," she said, her voice shaking. "But he needs help."

  I sheathed my sword and moved closer to see the extent of his injuries. The wolf had done a number on him. His face was contorted in pain, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to breathe.

  "We need to get him back to Harlan," I said. "I think he might be able to save him."

  Thalia nodded. It would be difficult for me to carry him by myself, since she was still injured, but there was nothing to be done about it.

  I lifted Alistair onto my shoulders, his weight heavy against me. Thalia followed closely behind as we made our way back to the cave. The shadows had grown longer, the light of the sun growing dimmer, but I didn't feel the same fear that I had before. The power that had surged through me in the Tree of Shadows still coursed through my veins, and I knew that I could protect us.

  We finally arrived at Harlan's cave, and I knocked on the door. It opened, revealing the old man himself. He looked frail and tired, his eyes sunken and dark.

  "What is it?" he asked, his voice raspy.

  "It's Alistair," I said, stepping inside and laying him down on the bed. "He's hurt."

  Harlan examined Alistair's injuries, his brow furrowing in concern. "This is no mere animal attack," he said finally. "This was a wolf possessed by dark magic."

  "What does that mean?" Thalia asked, her voice quivering.

  "It means that the wolf was likely controlled by a dark force," Harlan said. "Something or someone is behind this. You need to find out who."

  "But...how?" I asked.

  "There are ways," Harlan said cryptically. "But they are dangerous. And you will need to be prepared for anything."

  "Whatever you need," I said. "Save him first."

  "I don't need to save him," Harlan said softly. "You do."