Samantha King: The Whispering Woods

Previously

…Samantha finally understood. The Thicket hadn’t just been a test of courage; it had been a test of her connection, a prelude to her true power. She had faced her fears, trusted her instincts, and, with Elias by her side, had claimed the first artifact of her quest. The Sunstone pulsed in her hand, a tangible promise of the light that could overcome the encroaching darkness. The Whispering Woods were far from safe, but for the first time, Samantha felt a surge of true hope, a quiet certainty that she was exactly where she needed to be.