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Chapter 267: The White Raven Takes Flight
Chapter 267: The White Raven Takes Flight
Seraphis stood at the entrance of her castle cave, gazing at the dense forest beyond. The morning sun filtered through the towering trees, casting dappled light across the moss-covered ground. A gentle breeze carried the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers, stirring something deep within her. Today, she would embrace her other self—the white raven.
Closing her eyes, she focused on the transformation. Magic coursed through her veins, and her body began to shift. Bones lightened, muscles reformed, and her skin became a cascade of pure white feathers. Her arms melted into powerful wings, her fingers retracting into sharp talons. In mere moments, Seraphis was no longer a human girl but a majestic white raven, her feathers glowing faintly under the sunlight.
With a powerful beat of her wings, she launched into the air. The sensation of flight was exhilarating, the wind rushing past her as she soared above the treetops. She circled once, her keen eyes scanning the forest below. It was a perspective she had always found freeing. Up here, she was truly untouchable.
She glided lower, weaving through the branches with practiced ease. Below her, a group of birds chirped and fluttered about, their melodies blending into the natural harmony of the forest. Spotting a sturdy branch, she perched gracefully and let out a soft call.
The birds immediately turned to her, startled. A large, regal-looking crow cocked his head at her. “You’re not from here,” he cawed suspiciously. “A white raven? Unusual.”
Seraphis let out a chuckle, her voice now carrying the melodic undertones of a raven. “I live nearby, though I rarely come out like this. I wanted to talk.”
A small bluebird flitted closer, curiosity replacing fear. “Talk? With us?”
“Of course,” Seraphis replied, ruffling her wings slightly. “Birds see more than anyone realizes. I want to hear your stories, your knowledge of this forest.”
The crow hopped closer, eyeing her shrewdly. “And why should we tell you anything?”
Seraphis tilted her head, her sharp eyes gleaming. “Because I’m not just any bird—I am a white raven, one of legend. And I know the language of the winds.”
The birds whispered among themselves in hushed chirps and caws. Finally, an old owl swooped down, landing beside her. His golden eyes were deep pools of wisdom. “A white raven, you say? There are few of your kind. I have heard of them in the ancient songs.”
Seraphis inclined her head respectfully. “Then perhaps you also know the whispers of this land. I seek knowledge.”
The owl fluffed his feathers, considering. “There is much to tell. What is it you wish to know?”
Seraphis thought for a moment before answering. “Strange things have been happening. Have you noticed any unusual movements in the forest? Any disturbances?”
The crow cawed in amusement. “Always straight to business, huh? Typical of those who walk in both worlds.”
The bluebird piped up. “I have seen shadows moving where they should not. The trees whisper of unease.”
The owl nodded. “Yes… and there is something else. A presence, ancient and watching. It does not belong.”
Seraphis’s feathers bristled. “Do you know where it lingers?”
The crow flapped his wings, unsettled. “Deeper in the woods. Beyond the river of silver stones. We do not go there.”
Seraphis narrowed her eyes. “Then perhaps I should.”
The birds fell into an uneasy silence. Finally, the owl spoke again. “Be careful, White Raven. Not all secrets are meant to be uncovered.”
Seraphis nodded but made no promises. With a powerful push, she took to the skies once more, her mind filled with new mysteries to unravel.
As she flew above the forest, Seraphis pondered the owl’s words. The mention of an ancient presence intrigued her. She had spent years in these woods, yet this was the first time she had heard of such a thing.
She banked left, following the river of silver stones the crow had mentioned. Below, the water shimmered unnaturally, reflecting the sky in an almost dreamlike way. It was beautiful yet eerie.
Perching on a high branch, she surveyed the land. The further she went, the quieter the forest became. The usual chatter of wildlife had faded into an oppressive silence. Something was here—watching.
A shadow flickered at the edge of her vision. Seraphis turned sharply, but there was nothing.
She let out a low call, a warning to whatever lurked nearby. The wind carried it far, yet no response came.
Undeterred, she pressed forward. Each wingbeat took her deeper into unknown territory. The trees here were ancient, their gnarled roots twisting like grasping fingers.
Then, a whisper. Faint, almost like a breath of wind.
Seraphis stilled. This was no bird’s song.
She shifted her talons against the bark, sensing something hidden. Her instincts screamed at her to turn back, but she had never been one to ignore a challenge.
Gathering her magic, she sent out a pulse of energy. The response was immediate—a force pushing back against her, testing her.
A voice, hollow yet powerful, echoed through the trees. “Why do you seek the forgotten?”
Seraphis’s eyes narrowed. “Because I am not afraid.”
The presence stirred, the air around her growing heavy. “Then you are either brave… or foolish.”
She smirked. “Perhaps both.”
The presence chuckled darkly. “Very well, White Raven. Let us see what truths you can uncover.”
A gust of wind surged through the trees, and suddenly, the world around her shifted. The sky darkened, the forest twisting into something unfamiliar.
Seraphis realized too late—she had stepped into something far older than she had anticipated.
And it had been waiting for her.