## **Chapter 12 – First Awakening**

 

The forest fell into absolute silence. The light of the runes pulsed around Zofia, filling the space with a golden glow. Each breath seemed to resonate with the earth, with the trees, with the entire city.

“Zofia…” whispered Agnieszka from behind the edge of the trees. “What’s happening?”

The Zamelski heiress felt a sudden warmth radiating from the earth, as if all of Skalin were speaking with one voice at that moment. The runes reacted, swirling around her and forming shapes. Faces. Faces of people she only knew from stories or old photographs.

“It’s them…” she whispered. “My ancestors. All the victims. And those who hid… They were waiting for me.”

Piotr and Lena approached cautiously, watching as the runes formed increasingly complex patterns.

“It’s impossible,” Piotr whispered. “They… they’re alive…”

“They’re part of the city,” Zofia said. Her voice was steady, calm. "And now you understand... it's not about fighting. It's about connecting."

The shadow from the forest approached her again, this time not menacingly, but rather curiously.

"Now do you see what we've begun?" he whispered. "This isn't the end, but the beginning of a true awakening."

The runes suddenly swirled around the entire forest, spreading toward the city. Windows in the houses glowed, lamps flickered, and people in the streets turned suddenly as if hearing a voice they couldn't identify.

"Zofia... can you feel it?" Marta asked, staring at the swirling symbols.

The heiress felt the entire energy of the city flow through her body, piercing her heart.

"Yes... I feel everyone. And I know I'm not alone."

At that moment, more figures emerged from behind the trees. Not shadows, but real people—descendants of the Circle, hidden for years in various parts of the city, now drawn to the site by the runes.

“You… you are alive…?” whispered Klara.

“Yes,” one of the figures replied. “We were waiting for someone to connect us to the city.”

Zofia looked at everyone, suddenly feeling the weight of responsibility, but also strength.

“This is it… the first awakening. But it’s only the beginning.”

The shadow standing next to her nodded.

“The first awakening is always the hardest. Subsequent ones will be stronger. And soon… the city will begin to speak of itself.”

The runes pulsed ever more intensely, and light spilled out into the city, drawing all the streets, buildings, memories, and secrets into itself.

Zofia raised her hands.

“Skalin… wake up!”

And then the city responded.

The first whispering became a voice. Indistinct, echoing, but real. The city spoke—and everyone in the forest heard it in their hearts.

"This is only the beginning..." Zofia whispered, looking at the pulsating runes. "And we must be ready for whatever comes."

The shadow beside her smiled.

"Yes... but remember... The Circle never ends."

And in the distance, in the very center of Skalin, the lights in the buildings glowed, and the streets began to tremble with the energy of the awakening city.

--

### If you want, I can continue **expanding Part 4 to the finale**, including further chapters with mounting tension, the discovery of the Circle's dark secrets, and the dramatic climax of the city's awakening.

Would you like me to immediately write the next chapters to finish Part 4?