The Hollow offered a deal.
A woman cloaked in flame came to them beneath the willow. Her voice was sweet, poisonous.
"Surrender your powers, and I'll let the village be. Sleep again, and wake not."
The children stood firm.
"We will not sleep," Liora said.
"We will live," Jalen added.
Then they kissed and the tree lit up with golden fire.
The woman screamed. Shadows recoiled. And for a moment, all was still.