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**Chapter 85: The Choice of Roots**
The ancient tree's roots pulsed faintly, their movements subtle yet undeniable as the siblings stood in its clearing. The pendant in Elena's hand glowed steadily, its warmth radiating across her palm as she felt the vineyard's energy weaving through her thoughts.
Matteo's voice broke the silence, his quiet strength grounding the group. "If the tree is tied to the Veil's echoes," he said, his tone steady, "then what happens when we make the choice? Does it settle the balance—or break it further?"
Carlo, who lingered at the edge of the clearing, stepped forward cautiously, his expression tense but composed. "The balance depends on what you choose," he said quietly. "Emilia believed the legacy could evolve, but it requires trust—not just in the roots, but in each other."
Isabella frowned, her fiery resolve tempered by a growing unease. "Trust is easy to say," she muttered. "But what does that mean here?"
Luca's sharp gaze locked onto Carlo, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "You're asking us to make a choice, but you're not telling us what happens next."
Carlo's jaw tightened, his voice laced with emotion. "Because I don't know," he admitted. "The Veil was meant to protect the balance. Breaking it wasn't supposed to happen, but Emilia believed you could carry the legacy forward—even without it."
Elena turned her gaze to the tree, its gnarled roots glimmering faintly as they stretched across the clearing. The energy it radiated felt alive, almost sentient, as though it were listening to their every word.
"This isn't just about balance," Elena said softly, her voice steady. "It's about trust. Not in the roots or the tree—but in us. Emilia left us this legacy because she believed in us. And now we have to believe in each other."
The siblings exchanged glances, their bond unspoken yet unbreakable as the weight of the moment settled over them. Pietro, who stood slightly apart from the group, smirked bitterly as he addressed Elena.
"Trust is overrated," he said sharply. "It doesn't change the fact that this place is falling apart."
Isabella's fiery energy flared as she turned to face him. "If you don't believe in this legacy, then why are you still here?" she demanded.
Pietro hesitated, his conflicting emotions betraying his turmoil. "I don't know," he admitted. "Maybe I want to see what happens when it all comes crashing down."
Elena's gaze locked onto Pietro, her resolve steady. "It won't crash," she said firmly. "Because we won't let it."
She stepped closer to the tree, the pendant glowing brighter with every step. Her siblings followed, their unity unshaken despite the tension and uncertainty. As Elena placed the pendant against the tree's bark, the clearing trembled, the roots pulsing with a surge of energy.
The crystalline vial in Carlo's ornate box began to shimmer, casting fractured light across the clearing. The echoes of the Veil whispered through the air, their presence felt even as their words remained beyond comprehension.
Elena closed her eyes, her thoughts centering on the strength of her siblings—their determination, their unity, their shared bond. And as she focused on the pendant's warmth, she realized that the choice wasn't about fear or certainty. It was about trust. Trust in the legacy, trust in each other, and trust in the future they would create.
"We choose the legacy," Elena said softly, her voice filled with quiet strength. "Together."
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