Night had fallen deep into the dark forest, with only moonlight filtering through the dense branches. Arin and Daren, still weary from their long journey, heard a strange, haunting whisper weaving through the trees with an eerie rhythm.
From the shadows emerged a girl with silver hair and glowing eyes. Her gaze was cautious and sorrowful. Her hands and the edges of her robes were covered with strange seals, a mark of a power that was restricted and imprisoned.
Arin stepped forward respectfully and said,
"Hello, we are friends. Can you help us?"
The girl paused, then replied in a soft yet powerful voice,
"I… cannot. My power is sealed, and if I try to use it, I will destroy myself."
Daren approached cautiously and said,
"We do not intend to harm you. But if you come with us, perhaps you can find a way to control your power and make use of it."
A flicker of hope and doubt passed through the girl's eyes. After a brief hesitation, she nodded in agreement and said,
"Very well… I will go with you. But know this—the path ahead is dangerous, and mistakes are not allowed."
With the Silent Mage joining, Arin's group grew stronger—a combination of courage, experience, and restrained magic, preparing them for the perilous trials that lay ahead.