Chapter 7

Isabella awoke with a slow, deliberate stretch, as if unfurling from a deep slumber that had embraced her for centuries. The forest, her eternal home, welcomed her back with the rustle of leaves and the gentle hum of unseen creatures. As she emerged from the ancient grove, Isabella felt a yearning to reconnect with the world beyond the trees, a world she had watched change from the shadows of her woodland haven.

The village at the edge of the forest was abuzz with life. Isabella cautiously stepped into the familiar surroundings, although she knew the faces had changed over the years, the essence of the place remained. She observed the villagers bustling about their daily lives, unaware of the ancient soul that walked among them.

News of Isabella's return spread like wildfire through the village, and soon, curious faces turned to greet her. For many, it was a moment of disbelief, a ghost from their grandparents' tales standing before them. Yet, Isabella's eyes held the wisdom of ages, and her presence exuded a quiet strength that resonated with the ancient spirits of the forest.

Among the faces that approached her, there were those she remembered as children—now grown with families of their own. The joyous reunions were tempered by a bittersweet realization. The forest, once a lively conduit of communication between Isabella and the spirits, had fallen silent. Mother Willow, the ancient tree at the heart of the woods, barely responded through their dwindling link.

Isabella sought solace in the quiet glade where she had communed with the spirit of the forest for centuries. The once vibrant connection felt like a fragile thread, a tenuous link to the lifeblood of the land. She wondered what had transpired during her deep slumber and why the mystical bond had weakened.

Determined to rekindle the fading connection, Isabella embarked on a journey deeper into the heart of the forest. As she navigated through the ancient groves and mystical clearings, she discovered signs of imbalance—the flora wilting, and the fauna growing restless. Mother Willow, the wise guardian of the woods, stood before her with branches that seemed to sag under the weight of unspoken burdens.

Isabella, with a heart full of determination, set out to heal the wounds that had afflicted the once-thriving forest. Through ancient rituals and whispered incantations, she sought to renew the bond between herself and Mother Willow, to mend the fragile link that tied the guardian of the woods to its eternal protector.

Try as she must she could not restore the link with her palm placed on the trunk of the tree she felt red hot flames licking her very skin

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" she screamed in agony as if she were lit on fire. She looked to the tree *So much pain so much hurt* "Mother what is happening?"

"Forgive me, he grows stronger as I grow weaker" the tree barely whispered "Forgi…v..e me… my child" and then silence engulfed the clearing.

She sat there curled into herself, when she felt the approach of Ephraim and Uley blood.

Jacob emerged through the trees and saw Isabella in foetal position crying "Quill has sent us to find you when you were not still sleeping in the room he began to worry" he said kneeling next to her. He placed his palm to her shoulder and screamed "AHHHHHHHHHH" he collapsed to the ground as Sam came running towards him "Jacob…Jacob can you hear me?" nothing seemed to stir him as both him and Isabella lay unconscious under the Willow Tree.

*Pack hear me come to me NOW*

Back at the settlement, where the village met the edge of the mystical forest, the air hummed with the laughter and chatter of the young pack members. They were playing by the serene shore, their carefree voices dancing with the gentle lapping of the water against the rocks. However, in an instant, a hush fell over the gathering, as if the very essence of the forest had commanded their attention.

A voice, resonating with ancient authority, echoed through their minds, *Pack, hear me. Come to me NOW.* The urgency in the message spurred the young pack members into immediate action. With wide eyes and a sense of trepidation, they exchanged glances before scrambling to their feet.

Isabella, still immersed in her communion with Mother Willow, sensed the approach of the pack. As the young ones arrived, their eyes wide with awe and uncertainty, she acknowledged there spirit but remained in trance. The aura of the forest seemed to ripple with a shared consciousness, as if every living entity within its embrace recognized the importance of the gathering.

"Pack, the balance of our realm has been disrupted," Isabella began, her voice carrying the weight of ancient wisdom. "Mother Willow's voice had grown faint, and the threads connecting us were frayed. But fear not, for we shall restore the harmony that once resonated through every leaf, every creature, and every whispering breeze." She remained in Trance and through this her link to Jacob

Jacob stirred, his awakening transcending the confines of the physical realm. A palpable shift, a change, an unmistakable difference coursed through his being. Although the forest before him bore a striking resemblance to his familiar home, it was not quite the same. A mysterious mist draped the earth, and an eerie silence enveloped the entire woodland, with one exception—a lone entity, a majestic being, stood tall and resolute amidst the spectral stillness.

"Is she not beautiful? She embodied beauty in all its forms, freely giving life. This is all that remains of her spirit." Isabella, sitting against a tree, glanced at Jacob.

"She taught me countless things, providing shelter through many storms. Yet now, her spirit is barely audible, diminished," she continued, a sense of melancholy in her voice.

Jacob looked at her inquisitively. "I don't understand what is happening. Why am I here and not Sam?"

"Come, sit with me, and I shall share a tale," Isabella spoke. Amidst the distant echoes of panic and shouting, Jacob strained to discern the words. "Jacob, can you hear me? Jacob, can you hear me?" The urgent calls seemed to swirl around him, yet as he looked behind, there was no soul in sight.

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"You were brought here for a reason, do not worry we will return soon, for now I must tell you a story of a friendship between a guardian and a wolf.

I shared an unspoken bond with the ancient forest, and so too constant companion a majestic russet red wolf, a creature of the woods. Together, we embarked on a journey of discovery, delving into the secrets of nature and life, guided by the profound responsibilities that awaited a guardian.

Sapi taught me the way of life, revealing the profound essence of love. He imparted the secrets of the forest, teaching me how to fight and, most importantly, how to protect that which is dear to us."

Jacob, intrigued and captivated by Isabella's words, settled beside her

As Isabella continued her narrative, the forest seemed to respond, whispers of leaves and rustling branches becoming a harmonious background to the story. Sappientisimus, the wise guardian was a teacher and a friend, Jacob felt a stirring within him that he could not understand. He gazed at Isabella as her eyes held both a history and a promise—an unspoken commitment to pass on the knowledge of the ancient realm.

Amidst the mystical ambiance, Isabella wove a tale that transcended time—a tale of learning, love, and protection, guided by the silent teachings of Sappientissimus, the majestic wolf. The echoes of the story resonated through the forest, creating a connection between past, present, and the enchanted future that awaited those who listened with open hearts

"Do you know why I tell you this?" she said, Jacobn looked to her and shook his head " I feel as if it was me and you it is very confusing I don't iunderstand why this story feels familiar."

"Do you remember when I spoke of your wold merging as one with you?" He nooded as he recalled what had happened " Your wolf is as old as the ground you walk he is a child of Mother Willow, because weyou have not merged Sapi slumbers still your wolf has yet to experience what true connection and power is, until than you are weak and therefore no help for what is to come"

Jacob sat beside her taking it all in "What must I do Guardian?" They sat a while under the tree " I must seek within to find the bindings that hold your wolf to slumber, If Ephraim has been gone as long as I believe he has then I must awaken our link and reach him through you" Jacob realised she must meld her mind to his

"I accept and Invite you in Guaerdian" with that she raised her palm to his head and closed her eyes" I seek you now old friend convene with me, you are needed once again" A glow took place from her palm as there minds began to meld.

In the physical realm the pack watched as both Isabella and Jacob began to glow, the grass beneath them grew brighter the air thick with energy as they waited for them both to awaken.