She vanished just as the year ended and the first year's snowfall descended furiously like a fine soft powder. It enveloped the landscape in a pristine white layer of cold fluff making sure not a single soul emerged from its safe warm home. The frosted winds howled through the trees, a fierce warning that winter was far from finished, their icy breath stirring the air with an ominous chill. Each snowflake danced through the frigid atmosphere, carrying with it the promise of more wintry whims to come, reminding everyone that the season still held its grip tightly.

 

As everyone nestled together for warmth beside the crackling fire, they remained blissfully oblivious to the terrifying secrets concealed within the eerie howling wintery winds. Unbeknownst to them, just a short distance away, the sparkling white snow lay marred by a deep, dark crimson stain, as if it had been touched by the hand of a malevolent force. The vivid red contrasted sharply with the icy landscape, creating a haunting scene that sent shivers down the spine of anyone who might chance upon it.

 

Nova, a spirited young teenager with tousled short blonde hair, gazed out the frosted window of her family cabin, mesmerized by the swirling snowflakes that danced in the frigid air. The world beyond was transformed into a white wonderland, while the warmth of the cabin wrapped around her like a comforting embrace. The towering trees stood sentinel in the chaotic blur of the blizzard, their branches heavy with freshly fallen snow, and it was as if the woods themselves, shrouded in winter's veil, were beckoning her closer. An irresistible pull tingled in her veins, igniting her curiosity to uncover the hidden secrets of the enchanted forest, mysteries that whispered just beyond her reach, waiting to be discovered.

 

As she settled into her spot by the fire, she felt a strange energy swirling within her—a connection to the winter scene outside that she couldn’t quite place. Unable to bear the sight of the swirling snowstorm through the frosted window any longer, Nova rose from her cozy spot by the fireplace. She moved with purpose, pulling out her thick winter jacket, its fabric soft and warm against her skin. Layer by layer, she dressed in a snug sweater, woolen scarf, and sturdy boots, feeling the comforting weight of each item envelop her. With a determined breath, she prepared to step out into the wintry world beyond, eager to embrace the magic of the falling snow.

 

After only a few moments of walking towards the tree line, Nova found herself wrapping her arm around her body. It was a lot colder than she had originally thought. Then, just before she decided to turn back, a shadow darker than the night moved amongst the trees. She could see the way it had moved through the snow thanks to the moonlight that barely shined through the snow clouds. The mystery surrounding the shadow enveloped her in a deep, almost magnetic longing that she couldn’t quite dispel. What was this elusive presence that tugged at her heart? Who had once inhabited its depths, and what stories lay trapped within its dark embrace? The questions swirled in her mind, each one pulling her deeper into a fascination that felt as if it might consume her entirely.

 

Nova ventured deeper into the woods, her steps guided by the elusive shadow that flitted between the ancient, towering trees. As she progressed, the dense canopy overhead transformed into a soft moonlight glow, casting intricate patterns on the forest floor. The towering trunks swayed gently despite the harsh winds, their branches entwined as if engaged in a silent waltz, and the air was filled with a symphony of rustling twigs that whispered the secrets of ages past. Each breath she took was tinged with the earthy scent of snow and damp soil, heightening her sense of wonder in this enchanted heart of the woods.

 

Nova found herself in a magical clearing, enveloped by towering trees that loomed like silent sentinels around her. In the heart of this enchanting scene stood an ancient oak, its gnarled trunk a testament to centuries of resilience. The branches reached skyward, draped in delicate frost that glimmered like diamonds, swaying gently in the brisk, whispering wind. Lost in the mesmerizing beauty of the tree, she seemed oblivious to the chilling truth lurking just beneath the surface—a dark horror that the fresh snow struggled to conceal.

 

Suddenly, the tree shifted and warped till a tall handsome man stood there with a soft smile on his face. “Nova, my love. You have finally come.” He stepped under the moonlight, revealing expressive eyes that sparkled like stars and a crown of frost, enchanting and regal.

 

“Nova,” it said, its voice wrapping around her like a warm embrace despite the chill in the air. “You sought tme, you remembered.”

 

Nova’s heart raced, a mixture of excitement and yearning flooding her veins. “I felt drawn to you,” she confessed, “but I don’t seem to remember you.”

 

“My name is Elowen” his voice felt like caresses on her ears as he stepped closer, the air shimmering between them. “I don’t understand what happening. I could have sworn you were a tree.” Nova questioned feeling confused for a moment until she saw his eyes once again. “Nova, my love, my pain has marked this land. Long ago, I loved a mortal, and our passion was fierce and unyielding. But misunderstandings and misfortune tore us apart, leaving behind a curse that stained this snow with regret.”

 

Confused Nova asked, “What do you mean?” as she subconsciously stepped towards the man.

Elowen's eyes glistened with unshed tears, deep pools of hurt mixed with a flicker of hope. “To mend the past, sacrifices must be made, boundaries crossed. But with your heart entwined with mine, perhaps we can shift the course of our fates.”

 

The air felt charged between them, a magnetic pull that Nova couldn’t resist. She reached out, brushing her fingers against Elowen’s hand, a spark igniting. “What do you need from me?” she asked, her voice steady despite her heart thundering while she spoke and move without a thought.

 

Elowen replied, “ Together, we will weave the magic of our desires with the threads of our pasts.” Nova leaned in toward his pale blue lips, wanting and needing a kiss. A swirling dance of light and shadow began to form, encircling the clearing in a breathtaking display of colors.

 

As they stood together, the environment transformed. The sounds of the winter winds shifted to an ethereal melody, the trees swayed in time with an unseen rhythm, and the light radiating from them cast away the dark corners. Nova could feel the binding energies intertwining around them, whispering age-old promises of love and renewal.

 

Elowen leaned closer, eyes glimmering with a potent mix of emotions. “In accepting me, you challenge the very fabric of fate,” Elowen breathed. “You risk everything—will you continue forward?”

 

Nova took a deep breath, her heart swelling with resolve and desire—she was no longer thinking. All she felt was love, a love that was never there before. “With you, I feel alive in a way I never have before. I’m ready to explore this journey, no matter where it leads.” Nova spoke softly.

 

With a final nod, Elowen lifted Nova's chin gently, their lips brushing in a soft, lingering kiss that sent shards of warmth through the chill of the night. As they kissed, the world erupted into a cascade of shimmering lights, echoing with laughter and sorrow, representing a past intertwined with a hopeful future. As they kissed, Elowen raised his arms only to pierce her heart, causing Nova to gasp in shock. Pain encompassed her body just before she fell into the snow, unconscious and bleeding. Elowen shifted back into the tall oak tree, waiting for his next victim to fall prey to his trance.