Aylania still felt tired, but her strength was slowly returning. She stayed in bed, sipping warm soup while Sabian watched the sky outside the window.
"Something's wrong," he said. "The swarm came back last night. But it's not just the bugs anymore."
Aylania looked up. "What do you mean?"
Sabian frowned. "People in the village... they're acting strange. Mama Lira forgot how to bake her bread. Farmer Joen stared at the wind for hours, saying he heard voices. Even the guards had bad dreams. It's like something is whispering to them."
Aylania's eyes widened. "Magic?"
"I don't know," said Sabian, "and more animals in the forest started acting different too. The fox wouldn't talk to me. The birds won't sing. Something is really wrong in the rainforest."
Aylania slowly sat up. "We have to go."
Sabian helped her get dressed. "Only if you're sure."
"I'm sure," she said firmly. "I'll listen to my heart this time. I won't use too much magic."
They packed carefully - a water bottle, a loaf of bread, two cloaks, and Aylania's small satchel with healing herbs. Together, they walked to the edge of the rainforest.
This time, the air felt heavier, like it was holding a secret. The leaves rustled even when the wind was still.
As they stepped inside, a chill ran down Aylania's spine.
"I hear something," she whispered. "Not with my ears - with my chest."
Sabian nodded. "I feel it too."
The trees creaked like old doors. Somewhere far off, an owl hooted - but the sound seemed backward, like a song sung in reverse.
Suddenly, a squirrel ran past them, eyes wide with fear.
"Did you hear that?" Sabian asked, pausing mid-step.
"No," said Aylania. "But I felt it. Like... a warning."
They walked deeper into the forest, stepping carefully over roots and fallen branches. The light grew dimmer with every step.
The birds were gone. The air smelled like forgotten dreams and damp soil.
Sabian reached out to touch a tree trunk. "It's warm," he said. "Like it's... alive."
The deeper they went, the more the forest felt like it was listening.
"I think we're getting close," Aylania said softly.
"To what?" Sabian asked.
"I don't know," she whispered, "but we have to be careful."
They held hands tightly. Their hearts beat fast - not just with fear, but with courage too.
Whatever was hiding in the forest, they had to find it - before its whispers grew louder and reached more than just the trees and animals.