One crisp autumn morning, a stranger arrived in the village.

He was a tall man,

with dark hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold a thousand secrets. He
introduced himself as Draven, a traveler and scholar of ancient lore. The
villagers, always welcoming to newcomers, invited him to stay and share his
knowledge.

Draven quickly became a popular figure in Elmswood. His tales of distant lands and
forgotten legends captivated the villagers, but it was his interest in the story of
Elara and Elyndor that drew Evelyn’s attention. He visited her often, asking
detailed questions about the tale and the ancient elms.

Evelyn, sensing a hidden motive behind Draven’s curiosity, remained cautious. She
shared only what was common knowledge, keeping the deeper secrets of the village
close to her heart. Despite her reservations, she found herself drawn to Draven’s
enigmatic charm and vast knowledge.

One evening, as the sun set behind the elms, Draven visited Evelyn’s cottage with a
proposition.

“Evelyn,” he began, his voice smooth and persuasive, “I believe there is more to
the story of Elara and Elyndor than we know. The echoes you spoke of, the whispers
of the past—they hold immense power. With your gift and my knowledge, we could
uncover truths that have been hidden for centuries.”

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed. “And what do you hope to gain from these truths, Draven?”

Draven’s gaze was intense. “Understanding, Evelyn. Knowledge. Perhaps even a way to
bridge the gap between our world and the realm of spirits. Imagine the
possibilities.”

Evelyn shook her head. “Some things are meant to remain in the past, Draven. The
echoes are not to be trifled with. They are memories, not tools.”

Draven’s expression hardened. “You’re afraid, Evelyn. Afraid of what we might

discover. But fear cannot stand in the way of progress.”

With that, he left, leaving Evelyn with a sense of unease that settled deep in her
bones.

Over the next few days, strange things began to happen in Elmswood. The echoes that
had always been a gentle murmur grew louder, more insistent. Shadows seemed to
flicker at the edges of the forest, and an unsettling chill hung in the air. Evelyn
knew that Draven was meddling with forces he did not understand, and she feared the
consequences.