The valley was quiet.The river had stopped flowing.The wind wasn't blowing through the trees.Even the sound inside the First Prison had stopped.Everything was waiting for Aria.She looked down at the three things in her hands.There was a brass key that had been used by Keepers before her.The Keepers Staff was glowing with a silver light.The silver seed was safe in Lyra's pouch.The serpent was watching her. It wasn't saying anything.It wasn't going to try to influence her choice.The River wasn't going to tryThe prisoner inside the cracked pillar was still watching her.He seemed old.Aria closed her eyes. Thought about everything she had learned.Elias had told her that love is a choice.Lyra had said that just because something is meant to happen it doesn't mean you don't have a choice.Aster had taught her that the truth takes time.Orion had shown her that good intentions can be bad.Rowan had taught her that trust is stronger than fear.Liam had told her to never give up

The eye did not blink. It was huge, bigger than the moon you see in the First Spring. Its iris shone with colors I couldn't name. Silver, gold, deep blue and shades that seemed to exist beyond what I could see.. It didn't seem angry. It just seemed aware of everything.It was looking at me. No, it was seeing right through me. I felt every memory I've ever had rise to the surface of my mind. I remembered Liam's laughter, Elias's hug, Lyra's smile and Rowan's faith in me. The moments I wished I could forget.The Keepers Staff vibrated in my hand. The brass key grew warm. The silver seed pulsed against my chest. Together they shielded me from the Watchers gaze. Rowan stepped in front of me instinctively."What is that?" I asked.Cael answered without taking his eyes off the sky. "The Watcher.""The witness, " he added."The memory, " he said.The title alone sent a chill through me. "The oldest... Memory?" Cael nodded."Before kingdoms. Before rivers. Before the First Spring. It watched.

The Shadow lowered Adrian's hand.Its smile never reached his eyes.The Shadow said "You cannot protect them all."The words lingered over the valley.Behind the Shadow the army of Forgotten remained still.They no longer seemed like soldiers.They looked like people waiting for an ending.Aria glanced at the Tree of Memory.The Tree of Memory had silver leaves that trembled in the wind.One branch glowed brightly.The branch of Compassion glowed brightly.The other six branches remained dormant.If the Shadow reached the remaining Children of Hope first the Tree of Memory would never fully bloom.The River whispered urgently "Time grows thin."Cael stepped beside Aria.Cael said "You must leave."Aria looked at Cael.Aria asked "What about the Spring?"Cael said "The serpent and I will guard it."The ancient serpent inclined its head.The serpent said "As we always have."Aria hesitated.Aria asked "What if the Shadow attacks?"The serpent's amber eyes softened.The serpent said "Tha

The moment the knife went under the silver sand the desert changed.A warm wind blew across the dunes.The sky was hidden behind clouds but it slowly got brighter.The Keepers Staff made a humming sound like it was happy.The mark of Compassion on the staff started to glow and turned into a silver branch carved into the wood.The tiny leaves on the branch shimmered with life.The River's voice was carried by the wind."The first branch is alive, " it said.Away from the desert Aria felt something move.But it was not under her feet it was inside the world.She felt Hope was small and fragile but it was definitely there.Nadia looked at the staff with wonder in her eyes."What just happened?" she asked.Aria smiled gently."You chose to be kind of scared, " she said.The young girl shook her head."I almost hurt him, " she said.Aria said, "You almost did, but you did not.""The choice you made in the end is what matters, " she added.The old man stood up and he was steady even though

The ground shook under Arias' feet in the clearing.The Keepers Staff gave off a lot of light so the shadows under the trees went away.The second branch, which was once dark and empty started to glowIt was not as bright as Compassion though.Not yet, anyway.The people in masks took a step back.For the time since they showed up they seemed unsure of what to do.One of them hissed, "He remembers."Another one said, "Break it."They said this because they wanted to stop the Branch from blooming.Without warning all five of them attacked at the time.Dark vines came out of the ground. Ran towards the boy.Aria reacted away.She put the Keeper’s Staff on the earth.Silver light came out of it in a circle.The vines hit the barrier. Then turned into harmless mist.Rowan fought the attackers head-on.His sword moved through the air.Even though it went through their bodies each hit made them take a step back."They are not solid, " he shouted."They are tied to the darkness."Nadia did n