The forest felt heavier with each step we took, the dense canopy above letting only fragments of light filter through. My chest tightened as I glanced at Lyra walking ahead. The hum she heard was still leading us deeper into this maze, but every step forward felt like we were venturing into something... alive.

"Are you okay?" I asked, keeping my voice low.

Lyra glanced back, her blue eyes sharp but laced with fatigue. "I'm fine. We need to keep moving."

I nodded but couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. The forest didn't feel empty—it felt like it was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

Then I felt it—a shift.

It wasn't sound or sight but... time. My perception stretched, pulling seconds into something longer, more tangible. The breeze through the trees slowed. Lyra's steps, usually quick and sure, seemed to ripple as if caught in syrup. My heart raced as I realized what was happening.

"Lyra, stop!" I called out.

Before I could finish, the ground under her gave way. A deep snarl erupted from below, and out of the pit came a creature that looked like a twisted amalgamation of roots and fur, its glowing eyes locking onto her.

"LYRA!"

Time seemed to shatter. I moved before I could think, closing the distance between us as the creature lunged. I yanked her back just as its claws swiped the air where she'd been.

The world rushed back to normal speed, and I barely had time to process what was happening. The creature roared, its eyes narrowing at me now.

I stepped in front of Lyra. My mind screamed that I wasn't strong enough, wasn't fast enough, but my heart didn't care. All I knew was I had to protect her.

And then it happened.

A warmth bloomed in my chest, spreading to my fingertips. The darkness of the forest seemed to peel back, the shadows retreating as light poured out of me. My hands glowed with a soft, golden radiance that grew brighter with each heartbeat.

The creature flinched, its snarl faltering.

"Finn..." Lyra's voice was barely a whisper.

I didn't know what I was doing, but the light in my hands pulsed as if responding to my thoughts. I raised one glowing hand, and the creature stumbled back, letting out a low growl before retreating into the shadows.

As the light faded, I turned to Lyra, breathless. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, her gaze fixed on me. "Finn, you—what was that?"

I looked down at my hands, still faintly warm. "I... I don't know. But I think it just saved us."