The air in the Whispering Woods stayed quiet, like it respected the old trees reaching up high while speckled sun tried pushing through to the ground below. But today, that silence seemed deeper, almost as though every branch had gone still on purpose. Ruyak moved carefully down the winding path, her golden-tan fur glinting faintly even under dim light, each hoof pressing gently into the soft moss. Next to her came Psique, a lively tan horse with copper tones, her ears twitching left then right, full of loose wonder. They explored together like they always did in the afternoons, a habit that gave Ruyak calm while filling Psique with pure excitement. With her soft way and deep care for anything hurting, she felt at ease out there among the trees and trails. On the flip side, Psique adored every bit of motion, the sharp smell of pines, or even just poking Ruyak’s cheek with her fuzzy muzzle when she felt playful. When they turned a tight corner, something flickered in Ruyak’s sight. Sitting on a drooping limb, just short of ten feet away, sat a raccoon. This one was way bigger than normal, its ringed tail looped neat against itself, tiny eyes locked on them like it knew what came next. Not merely watching - more like expecting. Ruyak slowed her horse quietly - Psique doing the same without a cue. Instead of dashing off, the raccoon just stayed put, acting strange for a wild thing. Horses usually send critters like that fleeing into bushes fast. But this one didn’t flinch, eyes locked ahead, still as stone. After that, it acted weirder. It cocked its head sideways - like it was studying them - then let out a whisper through what seemed like shifting dead leaves. Maybe just one word. Could’ve been more. The noise barely cut through the woods, yet Ruyak caught every bit. “Luminae.” Ruyak blinked. Psique let out a quiet snort - warm breath fogged the space between them. That word felt totally strange. Not like anything Ruyak had ever heard before; didn’t match any speech from villages near the forest edge. Instead, it fit among roots and bark, tied to old things buried deep beneath soil. “You catch that sound, girl?” Ruyak said low to Psique, words soft as breath. The dog brushed her leg lightly, head tilting, those deep brown eyes full of quiet wonder. The raccoon stayed still. Yet it kept staring, eyes sharp like they could see right through Ruyak. That name - Luminae - echoed in her head, odd but familiar, like a tune from long ago. Somehow it mattered, even if she didn’t know how. What do you do? That question just sat there, floating around the trio like an unspoken dare. Cautious by instinct, Ruyak still felt pulled - her empathy tugging hard. The raccoon acted off, said weird things, which somehow lit a spark inside her, nudging doubt aside. She wanted to look away, then push Psique ahead - keep moving. Just some creature, really, maybe noise from the trees, an odd sound carried by air. Yet the raccoon sat alert, eyes locked on her without blinking - it didn’t fit. The moment seemed planned, like it meant something. "Kinda strange, huh, Psique?" Ruyak said softly, running his hand down her warm neck. She answered with a quiet snort. Ruyak thought through the options. Could the raccoon be giving a hint - maybe even asking for something? That term, Luminae, had a rhythm to it. Felt kind of like someone’s name, or maybe just somewhere far off. She figured she’d go easy, keep things chill. Off the saddle, moving smooth, not rushing. Psique stayed cool - Ruyak’s gentle ways weren’t new. A couple paces forward, then halt, just far enough to feel right. “Hi there,” she murmured - just like when talking to creatures of the wild. Her tone was quiet, almost whispering into the air. “Did you just talk? Your words… I can’t catch them.” A pause came before she tried again. “Luminae?” That term slipped out once more, tossed forward like a pebble on water, waiting to see if anything would stir. The raccoon cocked its head sideways - just a hint of a nod. After that, it let out a quiet chitter, flipped its tail fast, then dashed along the limb and dropped onto the trail up front. It stopped moving, glanced over its shoulder, moved forward a bit at a steady pace, then stood still once more, eyes locked on Ruyak. It came as a request to join. Ruyak looked at Psique. The horse stayed calm, lazily flicking her tail back and forth. She had full faith in him - though things felt odd, he started believing there wasn’t any danger here. This was different… somehow. “Alright, my girl,” Ruyak said, mounting Psique once more. “It seems we’re being led somewhere.” She pushed Psique ahead, chasing the raccoon. Although small, the creature zipped fast, darting between ferns and low branches, keeping just within sight but never close. This route felt unfamiliar to Ruyak. Instead of wide paths, it twisted tighter, choked with vines, cutting further into the woods’ core. Above, leaves packed tight, turning daylight dim like dusk. The farther they went, the stronger that quiet buzz in the air became. Bird calls and leafy shuffles - normal forest noise - faded into something heavier, quieter instead. Ruyak, calm and steady most times, now felt oddly lifted, like curiosity was waking up inside. The raccoon kept guiding them while the term Luminae rang through Ruyak's head. Could it be a location? Maybe some concealed spot? Or info shared among forest animals? Later on, the raccoon just froze. At the open spot’s rim, it paused under a weird brightness - nothing like sunlight. There, one old oak rose up, limbs bent oddly, covered in glowing moss that flickered faintly. The breeze seemed tense, almost buzzing; quiet ruled everything, except for a low hum Ruyak sensed deep inside. The raccoon spun around, eyeing Ruyak - its sharp gaze almost asking something. After a quiet little chirp, off it slipped into the dark fringe of the open area. Ruyak jumped off Psique, pulse racing - half wonder, half fear. Instead of dashing ahead like normal, the horse froze, alert, staring at the bright tree with twitching ears. "Luminae," Ruyak murmured, piecing it together at last. Not just the glade - this old tree, even the air around him - they were all part of Luminae. A spot humming with soft power, tucked far inside the forest. She moved slowly to the old oak, feet pressing into the spongy, shimmering moss. When she got close, heat came off the tree - soft, steady, calming deep inside. Her fingers stretched forward, brushing the rough surface. The wood seemed old as time, full of quiet knowing, buzzing with hidden life. She wasn’t sure why the raccoon brought her to this spot. Maybe it was a trial - maybe it just wanted someone who’d value the quiet hideout. Or maybe, it was merely pointing the way, letting her in on something private. No matter the cause, Ruyak sensed real thankfulness inside. The forest had shown one more of its secrets, and she - a soft-hearted watcher - had made it through, seen what few could. Psi gave her a little push, his usual calm mixed with something softer. Side by side, they stayed right there in Luminae’s core, lit up by a glow that didn’t feel quite real - both caught in the hush of old trees murmuring around them.