Brianna woke to the familiar pull of the earth, a deep, insistent tickle beneath her bare feet that guided her toward the whispering woods. It was a cold winter night, and a part of her wished it was fire calling, for the slight burn would offer warmth. Yet, the earth's need was clear: new growth stretched beyond the forest's core, threatening to consume more than it could sustain.

Reaching the treeline, her whole body tingling, she extended her hands to the soil, seeking the heart of the woodland. A small, overgrown patch of young trees emerged, demanding removal to preserve the greater forest. Brianna understood this harsh truth – killing to make room for life. She silently asked the earth to clear any life from the soon-to-be-wasteland, then summoned fire.

The flames erupted, spreading quickly, a comforting warmth that felt almost independent of her will. She greeted the familiar element with a soft smile. When the necessary trimming was complete, she called for water to quell the blaze. But as the rain began to fall, an unsettling unease settled over her, a sense that this water, at this time, was wrong. Before the fire was fully extinguished, a terrifying cry of agony tore through the night, echoing through the trees.