Story Branch
I
looked
at
the
pristine
wooden
house
in
front
of
me
and
then
looked
back
at
the
dense
forest
behind
me.
The
narrow
path
I
had
just
walked
seemed
to
disappear
into
the
shadows
of
the
towering
trees,
as
if
the
woods
were
trying
to
swallow
it
whole.
It
was
an
eerie
contrast
to
the
welcoming
sight
of
the
house,
with
its
charming,
hand-carved
shutters
and
a
small
garden
blooming
with
vibrant
flowers.
[p]
I
took
a
deep
breath
and
approached
the
front
door,
the
sound
of
my
footsteps
muted
by
the
soft
moss
underfoot.
As
I
reached
for
the
brass
knocker,
the
door
swung
open
on
its
own,
revealing
a
cozy
interior
bathed
in
the
warm
glow
of
a
fireplace.
[p]
"Hello?"
I
called
out,
stepping
cautiously
inside.
The
air
was
filled
with
the
comforting
scent
of
pine
and
fresh
bread.
[p]
"Come
in,
dear,"
a
gentle
voice
beckoned
from
deeper
within
the
house.
I
followed
the
voice
to
a
spacious
kitchen,
where
an
elderly
woman
stood
at
the
counter,
kneading
dough
with
expert
hands.
Her
silver
hair
was
neatly
tied
back,
and
her
eyes
twinkled
with
a
mixture
of
kindness
and
mischief.
[p]
"I've
been
expecting
you,"
she
said
with
a
knowing
smile,
as
if
we
were
old
friends.
[p]
"Expecting
me?
But
I
didn't
tell
anyone
I
was
coming,"
I
replied,
puzzled.
[p]
She
chuckled
softly.
"The
forest
has
its
ways
of
guiding
those
who
need
to
be
here.
Sit,
rest
a
while.
You
must
have
many
questions."
[p]
I
hesitated
but
then
took
a
seat
at
the
kitchen
table.
The
woman
placed
a
freshly
baked
loaf
of
bread
in
front
of
me,
its
crust
golden
and
inviting.
"My
name
is
Elara,"
she
said.
"This
house
has
stood
here
for
centuries,
welcoming
weary
travelers
like
yourself."
[p]
"How
did
you
know
I
was
coming?"
I
asked,
breaking
off
a
piece
of
the
bread.
It
was
still
warm,
and
the
taste
was
heavenly.
[p]
"The
forest
whispers
its
secrets
to
those
who
listen,"
Elara
replied
mysteriously.
"And
I
am
its
guardian."
[p]
I
glanced
around
the
room,
noticing
for
the
first
time
the
shelves
lined
with
jars
of
herbs
and
potions,
the
ancient-looking
books
stacked
neatly
in
the
corners.
There
was
an
otherworldly
feel
to
the
place,
a
sense
that
it
was
more
than
just
a
simple
cottage.
[p]
"What
is
this
place,
really?"
I
asked,
my
curiosity
piqued.
[p]
Elara's
expression
grew
serious.
"This
is
a
sanctuary,
a
place
of
refuge
for