The days that followed were a blur of activity as Blackwood Hollow slowly began to rebuild. The townsfolk worked tirelessly, their spirits lifted by the knowledge that the darkness had been defeated. But despite the progress, an undercurrent of unease lingered in the air. The memory of the darkness was still fresh, and the scars it had left behind were not so easily healed.
Elena and Liam spent their days helping where they could, offering their strength and guidance to those in need. But even as they worked, they couldn't shake the feeling that something was still amiss. The forest, though quiet, seemed to watch them with a silent, brooding intensity, as if it were waiting for the right moment to strike.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the town square was bathed in the soft glow of lantern light, Elena found herself standing at the edge of the forest. The trees loomed in the distance, their shadows long and dark, and she felt a familiar unease settle over her.
