The next full moon rose slowly over the Hidden Vale, painting the forest in silver light. Lydia had barely slept the night before, clutching the glowing stone that pulsed faintly in her hand. She had felt its warmth all morning, like a heartbeat, guiding her toward something she could not yet see.
Determined, she left the village quietly, walking toward the forest's edge. The familiar path seemed different in the moonlight. Shadows stretched unnaturally between the trees, and the mist swirled around her feet, thicker than before. Every rustle, every whisper, made her senses sharper, her heartbeat quicker. She knew the Vale was watching, waiting, testing her courage once again.
As Lydia stepped deeper into the forest, the wolf from the clearing the first night appeared. Its silver fur glimmered in the moonlight, and its eyes met hers with intensity. "You've returned," it said, voice calm but commanding. "Tonight, the trial begins. If you pass, you will awaken more of your power. If you fail… the Vale may reject you."
Lydia's stomach twisted with nerves, but she nodded. "I'm ready," she said, even though her voice trembled slightly.
The wolf led her to a large clearing she had never seen before. In the center stood a circle of stones, glowing faintly with silver and blue light. In the middle of the circle, a pool of water reflected the moon above, perfectly still. "This is the Moonstone Circle," the wolf explained. "Here, the forest tests those it has chosen. You will need courage, focus, and understanding. Only then will the power awaken."
Lydia took a deep breath and stepped forward. The ground felt soft beneath her feet, but the air around her buzzed with energy. She glanced at the glowing stone in her hand. Its pulse quickened as she approached the circle.
The wolf's gaze held hers. "Remember, Lydia. The trial is not just strength. It is wisdom, heart, and respect for what the forest is. Do not rush. Listen."
She nodded, trying to steady herself. Stepping into the circle, Lydia felt a strange warmth flow through her body. The glow from her stone spread outward, touching each of the other stones around the circle. The pool of water in the center rippled, though there was no wind.
Then, a voice spoke—not the wolf's, not hers, but a gentle, echoing voice from everywhere at once. "To awaken, you must face yourself. Only truth opens the way."
Lydia froze. She didn't understand at first. "Face myself?" she whispered.
The air shimmered around her, and the mist thickened. Shapes began to form within the haze—shadowy versions of herself. Each one looked slightly different, with eyes glowing silver, fur sprouting along their arms, claws forming at their fingertips. They were all Lydia, but not entirely human.
A shiver ran down her spine. "What… what is this?"
"These are the shadows of your hidden self," the voice said. "To awaken the power of the Vale, you must accept all parts of you—the human, the wolf, the unknown. Only by embracing them will the forest trust you."
Lydia's heart pounded. She looked at the shadow closest to her. Its eyes mirrored her own, but with something darker, fiercer. She could feel its strength, its instinct. The other shadows circled her slowly, waiting.
Swallowing her fear, Lydia took a deep breath. "I… I accept you," she said quietly. "All of me. Every part, every secret, every power I do not yet understand."
Immediately, the shadows froze. The mist seemed to lift slightly, and the air grew warmer. The glowing stones pulsed brighter, and the pool in the center began to shimmer with silver light. A gentle wind carried whispers of approval, soft and melodic, like a chorus of unseen voices.
"You are brave," the wolf said from the edge of the circle. "Many fail here, afraid to accept themselves. You have passed the first trial."
Lydia felt a rush of relief, but also something else—a surge of energy, strong and unfamiliar, coursing through her body. Her senses sharpened. She could hear leaves rustling hundreds of meters away, smell the faintest scent of animals moving in the forest, and even feel the heartbeat of the wolves around her.
"Your connection to the Vale grows," the wolf continued. "The Moonstone Circle awakens what is dormant. You have taken the first step toward understanding your destiny."
Lydia stepped out of the circle, still holding her glowing stone. The forest seemed quieter now, almost respectful. The wolf approached her, its eyes softening. "Tonight, you learned courage. Tomorrow, you will learn control. And the night after, you will learn the power to protect."
Lydia nodded, feeling both exhilarated and overwhelmed. "How… how will I control it?" she asked.
"Time, practice, and patience," the wolf said. "The Vale will guide you, but you must listen, learn, and respect it. Your human mind is not enough. You must feel with more than your heart—you must feel with your spirit."
For the first time, Lydia understood that her ordinary life was over. The Hidden Vale had chosen her, and her journey had truly begun. She could no longer think of herself as just a village girl. She was something more—someone tied to the forest, to the wolves, and to a destiny she barely understood.
The night passed slowly. Lydia stayed near the Moonstone Circle, observing, learning, and listening. She could feel the subtle changes in herself—the way her body seemed lighter, her mind sharper, and her senses heightened. It was as if the forest had touched her very soul, leaving behind a spark that would grow stronger over time.
Before leaving, the wolf stepped close to her once more. "Remember, Lydia. The forest is patient, but the darkness beyond grows stronger every day. You will need allies. You will need wisdom. And above all, you will need courage. Do not falter."
Lydia nodded, gripping her glowing stone tightly. She left the Hidden Vale that night, her mind buzzing with everything she had seen, felt, and learned. The village seemed small and quiet compared to the forest's power, but she carried a secret now—a secret that would change her life forever.
When she reached her home, she placed the stone under her pillow, feeling its warmth pulsing softly. Sleep was impossible. Her thoughts returned again and again to the Moonstone Circle, the shadows of herself, and the strange power awakening inside. She knew that when the next full moon came, the Vale would demand more from her, and she had to be ready.
Lydia lay awake until the first light of dawn, staring at the ceiling. The prophecy, the wolf, the Moonstone Circle—it all felt real, and she could not escape it. Her ordinary life was gone. The Hidden Vale had chosen her. And she would answer.