Shadow of the forest

The house was silent, the only sound coming from the faint crackle of a candle on the table. Arina sat alone, his tired eyes fixed on Kava's mysterious box. The green stone embedded in its center glowed faintly, casting an eerie light in the room.

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the wooden table as his thoughts raced. Why did Kava go through so much trouble to keep this box sealed? What was inside that his teacher deemed so important yet so hidden?

Arina sighed, running his hand through his messy hair. "I don't want to invade your secrets," he whispered, his voice shaky. "But... I need to understand you better."

Leaning closer, his sharp eyes caught something new—inside the green stone, faint and barely visible, a symbol glimmered like a ghostly imprint. His breath hitched as recognition struck.

"That's... from one of Kava's books," he muttered. His mind raced back to an old memory.

---

"Kava, what is a soul stone?" Arina had asked, looking up from his notes.

The question started led Kava, his usual calm demeanor shifting. "Where did you hear that term, boy?"

Arina shrugged, rubbing the back of his head where Kava had earlier hit him with a book. "Saw it in one of your books. It looked cool."

Kava sighed deeply, pacing back and forth. "The soul stone," he finally said, "is a rare magical object. It earned its name because if you stare at it long enough, it feels like your soul is being drawn into another world. But it's not some legendary artifact, just a toy for magical beings—used in puzzles, riddles, and games."

He paused, smiling slightly. "Of course, it's tricky enough to stump most people. Perhaps even you."

"Me? Never!" Arina had replied, puffing out his chest.

Kava's smile grew, and with a playful glint in his eyes, he slammed the book against Arina's head again. "Go back to your studies, arrogant boy."

---

The memory faded, leaving a bittersweet smile on Arina's lips. He touched the stone lightly, murmuring, "So, what kind of riddle did you leave for me, old man?"

He placed a finger on the green stone, pushing a small amount of magic into it. The stone began to glow faintly, its light growing as Arina fed it more energy. His heart raced.

"It's working," he whispered, leaning closer.

Encouraged, Arina poured more magic into the stone. The glow is intense, filling the room with vibrant green light. But the box remained firmly shut. Frustrated, he gritted his teeth and pushed a massive surge of magic into the stone.

Suddenly, there was a blinding flash. The stone shattered, and the lid of the box popped open with a soft click.

Arina gasped, his breath catching in his throat as he peered inside.

The first thing he saw was a pendant with a green stone—a deeper, richer shade than the one on the box. Besides it were several papers, yellowed with age. He picked up one, his hands trembling.

The drawing on the paper made his heart skip a beat. It was the same intricate design that covered his arm—a pattern he had always thought to be unique to him.

"What... is this?" He muttered, his voice barely audible.

His eyes fell on a folded letter tucked beneath the drawings. For a moment, he hesitated. Did he really want to read it? But curiosity and longing overpowered his doubts. Slowly, he unfolded the letter.

The handwriting was unmistakable—neat, precise, and distinctly Kava's.

---

[Hello, my child,

If you are reading this, it means my soul has left this world. I hope you are well, and I hope Zeke is by your side. He is stubborn and cold, but he has a good heart. We've been through a lot together.

Arina, you are strong. Do you know why the forest chose you? It is because it is dying. The forest brought you to us because it saw in you the savior it desperately needed. It took years to bring you here, but we succeeded.

You are the light in the shadows, my boy. You are the hope of this forest. But... if the time comes when you cannot save it, if the shadows grow too strong... please, Arina, run. Don't sacrifice yourself. Your safety is more important than anything, even after my death.

And remember this: you are my son. I may have seemed like just your teacher, but to me, you were much more. You brought happiness to my life, a happiness I thought I had lost forever. You gave me purpose in my thousands of years of existence.

Arina, my beloved child, since the day I found you in the forest, I felt heavy in my chest. I thought I was incompetent to take care of the savior who would save the forest... But, Arina, you were just like a son to me. No matter what I did, I would never be able to erase this thought from my mind. .

Every time I remember that my soul will leave the world soon, I feel guilty, guilty that I did not live with you long, guilty that I did not walk around with you collecting mushrooms with your costume, guilty that I am.... helpless.

Arina, don't look back, stay strong, no matter what happens, don't give up, I want you to survive, even if the whole forest burns, you and Zeke survive.

No matter what happens, I love you, my child.

With love,

Your father,

Kava]

.

.

.

.

.

That night... Arina cried for a long time...