The Moonroot Circle Remembers

You enter a circular clearing where enormous roots have lifted a ring of pale stones from the earth. Fireflies drift through silver mist, and every leaf is perfectly still except those nearest the stones. Three carved animal tracks circle the ring, while plaques of budding branch, falling leaf, and snow-covered water lie beside a central altar. A bronze moon dial turns with a soft click. From somewhere in the trees comes a three-note birdsong, then silence. When anyone steps toward the altar, the runes pulse in sequence: green, gold, blue, as if the forest is remembering something.