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**Chapter 84: Roots of the Truth**
The clearing seemed to pulse with energy as Pietro stepped forward, his expression a blend of frustration and intrigue. The siblings remained near the ancient tree, their bond unshaken as they faced him, though the air between them was taut with tension.
Elena tightened her grip on the pendant, its glow casting faint patterns onto the gnarled roots of the tree. "Why are you here, Pietro?" she asked, her voice steady but edged with caution.
"Because I want answers," he said simply. "The Veil, the roots, the legacy—you've been unraveling it, and I want to see what's left when the dust settles."
Carlo stepped forward, his presence grounding despite the tension. "You've done enough," he said sharply. "The balance of the vineyard is already fragile, and your actions have only made it worse."
Pietro smirked, his gaze flickering toward Carlo. "Oh, spare me the guilt trip," he replied. "This place was falling apart long before I got involved. I just gave it the push it needed."
Matteo moved protectively closer to Elena, his quiet strength steady as he addressed Pietro. "If you're looking for answers, why don't you start with why you abandoned this family?" he asked, his tone calm but laced with emotion.
Pietro's expression hardened, his bitterness cutting through the moment. "I didn't abandon anything," he countered. "I refused to be shackled by a legacy I never asked for."
"Enough," Isabella snapped, her fiery energy flaring. "We don't have time for this. The Veil left echoes here, and if we don't figure out what to do, the vineyard might not survive."
The siblings exchanged glances, their unity palpable despite the growing tension. Carlo's gaze lingered on the tree, his expression unreadable as he seemed to weigh his thoughts.
"The Veil's echoes are tied to this tree," Carlo said finally, his voice steady but heavy with emotion. "It's the heart of the roots—the place where the vineyard's connection begins and ends. If you want answers, this is where you'll find them."
Elena stepped closer to the tree, the pendant glowing brighter as she reached out to touch its surface. Her thoughts churned, but she felt a quiet strength anchoring her—a determination fueled by the unity of her siblings.
As her fingers brushed the bark, a surge of warmth rippled through the clearing, sending chills down her spine. The pendant's glow intensified, casting shimmering patterns across the tree's roots. It was as though the vineyard itself was responding, its energy stirring in the presence of its caretakers.
"Do you feel that?" Elena murmured, her voice filled with awe. "It's... alive."
The siblings moved closer, their tension easing as they watched the roots pulse faintly, their movements subtle but undeniable. Even Pietro seemed momentarily struck by the sight, his bitterness giving way to quiet intrigue.
Carlo approached the tree, his voice calm but firm. "The Veil may be broken," he said, "but the roots remain. The echoes are here—not just as remnants, but as choices."
"What kind of choices?" Luca asked sharply, his instincts on high alert.
Carlo's gaze shifted to the siblings, his tone deliberate. "Choices that define the legacy. How you carry it. How you protect it—or let it change. The vineyard's balance will depend on what you do next."
The clearing fell into tense silence, the weight of Carlo's words pressing heavily on them all. Pietro hesitated, his conflicting emotions betraying his turmoil as he looked between the siblings and the tree.
"We'll face it," Elena said softly, her resolve steady. "Together."
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