Mina loved studying old maps. While the other children in town played games, she spent her time in the quiet corners of the library searching for lost roads and forgotten places. One day she noticed a tiny note written along the edge of a yellowed map. “If the lantern fades, the forest sleeps.”

That night the wind howled strangely through the trees. When Mina looked out of her window, she saw a golden light flicker deep within the forest. Just before the light disappeared, she noticed a small orange fox running between the trees.

The next morning Mina packed her backpack and headed toward the forest. As she walked between moss-covered stones, the same little fox appeared again. The fox looked carefully at Mina and slowly began to walk forward as if asking her to follow.

“Your name should be Breeze,” Mina said with a smile. Breeze flicked his tail and led her through the narrow woodland paths. Before long, an abandoned lantern tower appeared between the trees.

The door of the lantern tower stood half open. Dust and spiderwebs covered the inside, but in the center of the tower stood a giant crystal. The light glowing inside the crystal was weak and seemed to fade more with every passing second.

At that moment, the sound of a walking stick echoed above them. An old man wearing a long gray coat slowly descended the stairs. “My name is Mr. Loras,” he said calmly. “I have protected the light of this forest for many years, but the crystal is losing its power.”

Mr. Loras explained that the crystal could only shine again with the help of a Moon Flower. This rare flower grew only inside the Valley of Mist. But every night the valley became covered in thick fog, and travelers who lost their way never returned.

Even though she was frightened, Mina agreed to begin the journey. Breeze walked ahead while Mina followed the rocky trails carrying a small lantern in her hands. When they finally reached the Valley of Mist, a silent white fog surrounded them.

Blue lights slowly began to appear inside the fog. At first Mina stepped back in fear, but Breeze remained calm. The little fox pointed toward a glowing silver-leafed flower resting beside a stone. At last, they had found the Moon Flower.

On their journey back, the fog grew thicker and Mina thought they had become lost. Just as panic began to rise inside her, Breeze gently placed his paw on her hand. Mina took a deep breath and waited for her fear to pass.

When they returned to the lantern tower, Mr. Loras carefully placed the Moon Flower beside the crystal. In an instant, the tower burst into golden light. The warm glow inside the crystal spread throughout the forest, and the darkness between the trees disappeared.

After that night, the forest never felt silent again. Whenever Mina visited the tower, she could see the golden light shining in the distance. And Breeze was always beside her. Because some friendships begin on the darkest nights.