The light in the forest was dim, with the thick canopy above swallowing what little remained of the twilight. Shafts of sunlight occasionally pierced through gaps in the foliage, casting fleeting golden beams on the forest floor before fading into the shadows. The air was cool and damp, carrying the faint, earthy scent of moss and decaying leaves. Luna moved silently along the winding path, her boots cushioned by the soft carpet of fallen leaves and scattered twigs. The occasional snap of a branch underfoot was muffled, blending seamlessly with the natural symphony of the forest.

  Despite the growing darkness, Luna’s steps were confident and measured. The trail was familiar, each turn and landmark etched into her memory from countless journeys to her destination. She navigated through the undergrowth with a practiced ease, her movements fluid, almost instinctive, as if the forest itself guided her.

  As she ventured deeper, the shadows thickened, and the forest became quieter, except for the distant rustle of leaves stirred by a gentle breeze. Luna paused, her fingers brushing against the bark of a gnarled tree for balance as she surveyed the darkening path ahead. With a quiet sigh, she murmured an incantation under her breath, her voice barely more than a whisper against the stillness.

  A soft glow sparked into existence above her head—a small flame, no larger than a candle, suspended in midair. The Firelight spell bathed the surroundings in a warm, flickering glow, casting shadows that danced on the trunks of ancient trees. It was a simple piece of Destruction magic, one of the first spells she had ever mastered.

  The soft light revealed details of the forest that had been hidden moments before: the delicate patterns of lichen on stones, the silvery webs of industrious spiders glistening with dew, and the faint trail of animal tracks in the dirt. The forest was truly alive.

  Luna pressed on, her senses alert but untroubled. This was her sanctuary, the place where she felt most at ease. The woods were far from silent, and she relished their vibrant life—the distant hoot of an owl, the rustle of small creatures scurrying through the underbrush, the occasional snap of a twig far off the trail. This part of the forest was relatively safe, serving as an untouched expanse of greenery that separated Ortega and Baliarde, the city by the sea.

  Her familiarity with the forest was unmatched. Every step she took was informed by years of meticulous study, much of it guided by her late mother’s journals. The pages were filled with hand-drawn illustrations and detailed annotations of flora she’d encountered. Everything needed for potion making.

  Thanks to all the documentation made by her mother, Luna could identify plants by their scent, their leaves, or even the texture of their roots. Her fingers unconsciously brushed past the foliage as she walked, identifying plants without even needing to look.

  Nonetheless, even with all the knowledge gathered on the old journals her mother had never been successful when it came to achieving the only thing she wanted. In a way, Luna found solace in continuing her work. It was her way of staying connected to her mother but most importantly it was a way to secure the safety of her future family.

  Her mother, Lilith, had been a brilliant Restoration Mage. She spent most of her life researching the right combination of medical plants that had the capacity to extend someone's life and heal most diseases. All so she could save her husband.

  To make him better. Despite all her research, nothing seemed to work. Restoration magic could only do so much; if a person’s body was too far gone, it was nearly impossible to restore them. Nothing natural could save him.

  Lilith had meticulously documented all types of potions, plants, and spells, but she also chronicled how her husband suffered from a mysterious disease that was destroying him from the inside. No amount of magic could halt the relentless decay. Even when she healed him, he would fall ill all over again.

  Everyone doesn't have to die.

  The path ahead began to curve, revealing a faint golden hue shimmering through the trees. Luna felt her heartbeat quicken. As she ascended the higher terrain, where the fabled flowers were said to bloom, moonlight began to seep through the branches, spilling silver beams onto the forest floor.

  The sight was breathtaking.

  The Golden Isaires bloomed in a secluded patch of grass atop a gentle slope overlooking a pond. The pond was cradled by towering trees, their branches forming a protective circle around the water, glowing softly under the night sky. The surface of the pond mirrored the heavens—a perfect reflection of the stars and the full moon, so vivid it felt as if the earth and sky were entwined in an eternal dance. The air here was different, heavier with the hum of ancient magic and alive with a serenity that made Luna feel as though she had stepped into a world untouched by time.

  The Golden Isaires themselves were a marvel to behold. Only three flowers grew in the patch, their petals emitting a soft, otherworldly light that shimmered like molten gold. Each bloom seemed to pulse faintly, as though it carried the heartbeat of the land. Luna stood there for a moment, unable to move, enraptured by the beauty of the scene. The magic in the air brushed against her skin, warm and familiar.

  Finally, she lowered herself carefully to her knees, not wanting to disturb the tranquility of the place. Her fingers hovered over the glowing petals, and she whispered a silent apology before plucking a single petal from each flower. As she infused her own magic into the blossoms, a golden radiance flared, enveloping her hands in a warm, ethereal light. The flowers responded as though they recognized her, their glow intensifying briefly before settling into a steady, harmonious shimmer.

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  Luna had deep respect for the forest and its inhabitants. Whenever she took something from a plant, she made sure to give something back in return.

  Carefully gathering the Golden Isaire petals into a pouch she had retrieved from her pocket, Luna took a moment to pause and appreciate the tranquility of the forest. With a deep breath, she allowed herself to relax, feeling a sense of connection to the natural world around her.

  “A moment like this is beautiful and that's only because it doesn't last forever.”

  Taking a deep breath Luna remembered her father’s words. But it was getting late, and she had to get back home to work on her delivery. Gathering herself, Luna entered the treeline, descending the slope and following the familiar path to the cabin.

  The walk was pleasant, though as the night progressed, the forest took on a different ambiance. Various insects chirped and buzzed in the darkness as Luna made her way through the dense woods. After walking for a couple of minutes, she heard a low, deep purring sound. Unsure of its origin or the type of creature that had made it, Luna quickly extinguished the firelight spell and took cover behind a tree.

  Her heart hammered against her ribs, each beat echoing in her ears like a distant drum. Panic threatened to take hold, but she forced herself to remain calm. Survival depended on clarity. She drew in a slow, deliberate breath, feeling the cool air fill her lungs and steady her racing thoughts. Closing her eyes for a brief moment, she reached inward, summoning her magic.

  The familiar warmth spread through her, a soothing current that surged to her fingertips and into the air around her. She imagined herself dissolving into the landscape, her presence melding with the whispering leaves, the earthy scent of moss, and the muted shadows cast by the trees. The magic cloaked her like a second skin, wrapping her in the essence of the forest.

  But doubt lingered, gnawing at the edges of her concentration. If the creature had already seen her, her camouflage would be useless. She fought to suppress the thought, clinging instead to the hope that the beast had not yet detected her.

  Patiently, Luna waited, still hearing the deep purring sounds that didn't seem to be getting closer. She listened intently to the sounds around her and noticed light, cautious footsteps approaching from a lateral direction. It appeared that something else was hunting the mysterious creature.

  Faster than she could ever anticipate, a deep feminine voice rang through the trees casting a Destruction spell. Sparks of blue lightning lit the dark forest heading straight towards the creature. However, before the spell could strike, the large, white, furry beast leaped up into the trees, narrowly evading the attack.

  With the slight instance of light, Luna could get a better glimpse at the situation. It was a magical beast. Or that was what she’d assumed it was since no species she knew looked that way. Another thing that hinted towards her assumption was the amount of magic it released on the jump and the fact that two Decidit were after it.

  Again, she assumed they were Decidit since she’d never seen any other witches around the area and the only ones she knew that lived close by were the ones that served at the Duke’s manor in Ortega.

  As soon as the furry beast made its escape the two Decidit followed after it with swift movements. It took a moment for Luna to collect herself.

  Strange things had been happening since she’d failed on her past experiment. What Ezekiel had mentioned in regards to the after effects of this un contained magic leaving a trail on the surrounding areas was no joke. Even if Ezekiel had dispersed the magic, it had taken only a couple of hours hanging in the air to attract: guards, magical beasts and the Decidit.

  Waiting for a minute until she was certain they had left, Luna made her way back home on a path closer to the plains so she wouldn't have to cast a Firelight spell.

  She couldn't move away from her current home, not at the moment. Everything she needed was at the cabin and even if she found a different place to live, it would be within Ortega's magic blocking area —and that wouldn't work for her.

  Arriving home Luna opened the door to the small cabin to find Succulent and Venus playing around near her enchanting station.

  This is going to be a long night.

  Pushing the disturbing thoughts out of her head for the rest of the night, Luna got to work. Eventually she would have to deal with everything, but at the moment the deliveries had to be completed. Maybe she would add a little extra, that would get her the protection she needed.

  Standing beside her experimentation station, Luna began preparing to craft her potions. She carefully removed a circular portion from the center of the wooden console, revealing a sigil and a circular rock formation beneath it. With a flick of destruction magic, she ignited the sigil. Next, she placed a pot into the hole—it fit perfectly. The entire station had been custom-made by her mother, designed so the kitchen could double as an experimentation area while maintaining the semblance of a somewhat normal home.

  As the pot began to heat, Venus busily ground the Golden Isaire’s petals in the mortar, while Succulent poured water into the pot. The bucket seemed far too large for the small creature to handle, yet they carried it effortlessly, their actions practiced and precise from countless repetitions. The golems already knew the exact quantities needed for the sun-resistance potion—it was a recipe they had perfected over time.

  While Venus crushed the Golden Isaire’s petals, Luna began measuring out the additional ingredients. Everything she needed was neatly arranged on one side of the console, just as she had requested. Meticulously, she added the beeswax and fish oil to the mixture. Once Venus finished grinding the petals, they moved the mortar toward her, and Luna scooped up the paste to add to the pot. Placing the mortar back on the table, Venus immediately started crushing lavender, while Succulent watched the bubbling mixture with intent.

  With great focus, Luna stirred the pot in a perfectly timed rhythm, infusing her magic into the boiling liquid. The process required precision, but it felt second nature to her. After an hour, she added the lavender paste. Slowly, the mixture shifted from a yellowish hue to a creamy white, thickening as it transformed.

  Finally, she added the last ingredients—a dash of dried chamomile leaves and some fresh ginger. Closing both eyes, Luna placed her hands over the pot and infused it with magic, feeling the energy flow through her in perfect harmony. Meanwhile, Venus and Succulent stirred the mixture slowly, their coordinated movements helping it transition to a golden hue that shimmered faintly.

  This was where Luna felt most like herself, there, creating, crafting, surrounded by magic. Even as she poured her magic into the potion, she could feel the energy from the earth flowing back to her in a perfect, natural cycle.

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