The forest around them began to change, becoming denser and darker. The trees seemed to whisper secrets and shadows danced in the corners of their vision. Mira and Joran encountered mystical creatures—snowy owls with luminous eyes, foxes that vanished into thin air, and deer that seemed to watch them with almost human intelligence.
One night, as they camped under a massive oak, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was an elderly woman draped in furs, her eyes twinkling with wisdom and mischief. She introduced herself as Elara, the guardian of the forest, and warned them of the trials ahead. Only the pure of heart and strong of will could find and enter the House of Ivory and Snow.