The forest greeted Orion with a strange kind of reverence as he stepped beyond the cave's protective shade. Everything was louder— yet not overwhelming. He could hear the wind slipping between leaves like whispers, and far off, a bird's wings flapped mid-flight with a grace he could almost feel. The scent of earth, bark, and moss layered in his nose like notes of music. The river, though unseen, called to him with the subtle rush of flowing water —and he knew exactly where to find it.
What is this…? he thought, slowing as his feet adjusted instinctively to roots and stones without effort. He felt like he'd walked this forest a thousand times, even though he hadn't. His balance was sharper. His lungs inhaled deeper.
"Seems you have my senses now," a voice hummed in his head, smooth and relaxed.
Orion stopped, a shiver crawling down his spine. His heart thudded once, hard. He instinctively wanted to panic —but Megan's calm voice echoed through his thoughts.
