Alex didn’t tell Ben about the voice.

  The words Soon, the great king will wake and rule over the unseen worlds… scratched at the back of his mind all through dinner, through homework, even when he tried to sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the forest, the purple glow, and that invisible crown pressing tighter around his head.

  By the next afternoon, the feeling hadn’t faded. It had grown.

  He and Ben were heading back home when Alex stopped so suddenly Ben almost crashed into him.

  “Hey,” Alex said, his voice a little too quiet. He didn’t meet Ben’s gaze. His eyes were fixed on the edge of the woods. “What’s the rush? We’ve got time. Let’s cut through the woods. It’s… quieter over there.”

  Ben stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “Through the woods? Alex, you know what they say about that place. And you look like you barely slept. Are you sure?”

  Alex forced a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Come on, are you scared?” he teased, nudging Ben with his elbow. “Besides, I need some fresh air after… well, everything.”

  The forest loomed ahead, a thick, shadowy wall of trees—a place people in Haverwood spoke about in hushed whispers, where fear and old stories kept most away.

  They stepped under the branches. The air changed instantly, cooler and heavier, swallowing the sounds of town behind them.

  Ben shivered. Then he heard it.

  “Ben…”

  The voice slid through the trees, soft but clear, like someone calling from just out of sight.

  “Did you hear that, Alex?” Ben asked, heart pounding.

  Alex shook his head, still lost in his own thoughts. “Hear what? Just the wind.”

  “It’s calling my name,” Ben insisted. “Ben. I heard it. Let’s go check it out!”

  Before Alex could argue, Ben followed the sound deeper into the forest. The whispering grew stronger, curling between the trees like smoke, leading them forward.

  Soon, they stumbled into a small clearing.

  There, nestled in the roots of an ancient tree, lay a shimmering amulet. It pulsed with bright glows, like captured moonlight, pulling their eyes and holding them.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “Whoa… what is that?” Alex breathed, leaning closer.

  Ben reached out first. The moment his fingers closed around the amulet, the glow flared brighter.

  At the clearing’s edge, hidden behind a tree, two shadowy figures stood perfectly still.

  “It has chosen a human,” murmured one—Wille. The other stayed silent.

  Clutching the amulet tightly, Ben backed away. Alex grabbed his arm. “Let’s go. Now.”

  They turned to run—but the forest shook.

  A deafening roar ripped through the air. A massive shadow blocked the sky as a giant figure dropped from above, slamming into the ground so hard the earth jumped beneath their feet.

  A troll. Skin like cracked stone. Eyes burning red. Tusks jagged as broken glass.

  “Give me the amulet!” it boomed, voice like grinding boulders.

  Ben and Alex locked eyes—pure terror. Run.

  Ben clutched the amulet to his chest. They bolted, branches whipping their faces. Two steps in, icy hands clamped their arms.

  The shadowy figures moved like lightning, emerging from the trees.

  “Follow us,” one hissed, voice like dry leaves.

  With the troll crashing behind them, Alex and Ben stumbled after the figures, deeper into the woods.

  “What’s happening?” Alex gasped. “Who are you?”

  “We’ll explain,” one sighed. “But not here.”

  The other pulled an antique key etched with symbols and pressed it into an ancient tree trunk.

  The bark rippled like living skin. A hidden door creaked open, revealing a dark passage downward.

  “Go,” the figure commanded.

  “We don’t want to,” Alex blurted, heart hammering.

  “If the troll catches you, you die,” the second figure said softly. “This is your only way.”

  Another roar shook leaves from the trees. Ben and Alex exchanged a desperate look.

  They stepped through. The door slammed shut.

  Darkness. Then tiny glowing orbs flickered along the walls like fireflies.

  The figures stepped into the light. One lowered his hood.

  “I’m Ray,” he said softly. “An elf.” Pointed ears, sharp features.

  “And this is Liam.” The other shifted—fur rippling, gold eyes gleaming. A werewolf.

  “Welcome to Sylvaria,” Liam smiled. “Home of all supernatural beings.”

  “Why us?” Alex stammered. “What was that thing?”

  “A troll,” Ray said grimly. “Hunting the amulet.”

  Ben held it up, still glowing. “Why me?”

  “It chooses a Guardian,” Ray said. “To protect both worlds. It’s never chosen a human before.”

  Liam nodded. “The Elders might know why.”

  A shimmering staircase appeared. They descended until it faded.

  The tunnel opened.

  Ben and Alex stepped into a vibrant world that stole their breath.

  Massive trees with glowing trunks. Vines twisted into houses. Rock faces carved with warm windows. Winged creatures flitted overhead.

  Below, elves drank and laughed, fairies danced, werewolves chatted. Almost normal—until they saw the humans.

  Whispers spread. “Humans?” “Here?”

  Ray and Liam led them down a hill. Stares followed. No humans since the war.

  A sharp voice cut through. An elf—tall, green eyes blazing—blocked their path.

  “Humans in Sylvaria?” he snarled. “Against the rules, Ray.”

  “The amulet chose him,” Ray said.

  The elf laughed coldly. “Humans protect us? They’re—”

  The amulet flared bright, silencing everyone.

  The elf froze, then stalked off, muttering.

  “Elandor,” Ray sighed. “Soldier commander. Wanted to be Guardian himself.”

  They reached three statues.

  “Our leaders,” Liam said.

  “What happened?” Ben asked.

  Ray’s eyes darkened. “A long story. We need to start from the beginning.”