Page 38 of Eternal Thorns

“Look,” she commanded, gesturing toward the prophecy stones.

The ancient rocks pulsed with silver light, their glowing symbols rearranging themselves even as Thorne watched. Two paths emerged from the complex patterns - one spiralingupward in harmonious curves, the other fracturing downward into chaos. But what caught his attention was a new figure that appeared in both paths: a shadow form that shifted between light and darkness, its nature fluid and undefined.

“Well, shit,” he breathed, recognizing elements of his own power in its ever-changing shape.

“Indeed.” The Elder Willow's roots shifted beneath her. “The entity we face isn't simply born of past betrayal. It's become something far more dangerous - a manifestation of pure potential.”

“That's not possible.” But even as Thorne spoke, he felt the truth of it.

The shadow's presence had grown stronger with each step Silas took toward understanding forest magic. Every awakened memory, every restored connection, seemed to feed its power.

“All things are possible in times of great change.” The Elder Willow traced one of the glowing paths with a root-tendril. “This force feeds on possibility itself - the potential for reconciliation and the potential for final breaking. Each choice, each moment of trust or suspicion, gives it new strength.”

Thorne's form flickered as implications crashed through him. “Every test I set for Silas, every challenge I create...”

“Increases its power, yes.” Her expression held ancient sympathy. “The very act of testing him creates more potential outcomes for the entity to feed upon.”

“Fucking perfect.” Frost spread from Thorne's feet as his control slipped. “So I'm supposed to just let him wander into the forest unopposed? Give him free access to our secrets?”

The prophecy stones pulsed brighter, their paths shifting to show new possibilities. In one, light and shadow merged into something entirely new. In the other, they shattered each other into oblivion.

“The choice was always going to come,” the Elder Willow said softly. “Though perhaps not quite as we expected.”

Before Thorne could respond, magic surged through his forest network. The sensation yanked his awareness toward Thornhaven, where something ancient had just awakened. The map. Silas had found the hidden map.

“No,” Thorne whispered, but it was already happening.

He felt old magic stirring in the enchanted parchment. Every path marked on it blazed to life in his magical sight. Places where trust had allowed both peoples to work together, sharing knowledge and power freely.

“Guardian?” The Elder Willow's voice held careful warning. “Your magic grows unstable.”

Memories flooded him as each path on the map awakened. Teaching Marcus the secret ways through the forest. Watching human and fey healers work together during a particularly harsh winter. Finding joy in sharing knowledge that had been kept separate for too long.

“He'll use it to find the second journal.” Thorne's voice came out rougher than intended. “Those paths, they're not just routes. They're trust made manifest. Every one of them was created through cooperation between realms.”

“Yes.” The Elder Willow watched him struggle with the implications. “And now you must decide - will you honor what those paths represent, or reject their very purpose?”

The shadow entity's presence slid closer, drawn by the surge of magical possibility. Its whispers carried both promise and threat.

Such potential. Such perfect symmetry. Trust offered and trust betrayed, all over again.

“Get out of my head,” Thorne snarled, but the entity's laughter only grew.

We are what you made us, Guardian. Every bitter thought, every moment of pain, given form and purpose. And nowThe shadow seemed to coil with anticipation.Now we have new possibilities to shape.

The prophecy stones' light shifted again, showing Silas walking the ancient paths. In one version, his presence restored them to their original purpose. In another, darkness consumed both walker and way. The shadow figure appeared in both scenarios, its form changing depending on choices not yet made.

“If I try to stop him from coming,” Thorne said slowly, “I prove I can't be trusted. If I let him come-”

“You risk everything,” the Elder Willow finished. “Including your own heart.”

Memories of creating those paths with Marcus threatened to overwhelm him. The joy of working together, of building something meant to last centuries. The bitter knowledge of how it had all ended.

But Silas wasn't Marcus. Every observation, every test, every moment of unexpected grace proved that. The way he approached forest magic with reverence rather than ambition. How naturally he understood concepts that should have been lost to his bloodline.

The shadow entity pulsed with frustration as Thorne's thoughts turned toward hope.

You dare consider trust again? After what it cost you?

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