Chapter 47

　　Serena 　　It was time for our meeting with Tori, and we were there, waiting anxiously at the quiet southern edge of the old, dense Blood Rose forest. This part of our territory had tall trees that seemed to form a green wall, making it feel like a natural fortress. The air was rich with the earthy smell of fallen leaves, and the distant animal sounds added to the enchanting atmosphere. 　　My heart was a sea of emotions in turmoil. My hope of seeing Tori once more and finally bringing Mathilde's malevolence to an end filled me with a mix of eager anticipation and lingering dread. The past few months had been a relentless battle against the oppressive darkness that Mathilde had cast upon me and everyone around her. I used to be a helpless victim in her presence. But now, as we waited for Tori, a tiny glimmer of hope began to flicker. Whatever she would bring us tonight would define the course of our journey towards getting justice. 　　Finally, Ashford, Damon, and I arrived at the predeter