25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNwV8dxmug
Helena struggled against the pull of the enchanted forest, her heart pounding as the distance between them and Xia grew. The ancient trees twisted and shifted, their branches weaving into intricate patterns as if creating a living barrier to keep them away.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbDA6uVLeX
"She’s toying with us," Helena muttered, her hands clenched tightly into fists.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJZE5VOPZ8
Meanwhile deep in the willow forest Ruby’s voice cut through the disorienting haze. " Morah...She wants us to run—like cowards." Her tone was sharp, but her eyes betrayed the flicker of unease she tried to hide.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUu0t6olUp
Midnight chuckled, his grin wide and unsettling. "Or perhaps she’s sparing us. For now."
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkduSjfxRH0
Xia shot him a glare. "Don’t mistake her actions for mercy. She’s far more dangerous than she appears."
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt77RbtH3P
The forest seemed alive with Xia’s will, its whispers brushing against their ears like an invisible chorus of secrets. The ground beneath their feet trembled, and the air grew heavier with each passing second.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD36P0Z15kJ
"Helena!" a voice called from behind them. It was Oris, his sword drawn, eyes darting wildly as he tried to make sense of the ever-shifting forest. "What’s happening? We’ve been separated from the others!"
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6f2qC87sM
Before Helena could respond, the forest’s magic surged again, pulling them deeper into its maze-like depths. Xia’s voice suddenly echoed through the trees, calm and commanding, yet carrying an undercurrent of menace.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oZIqnTX32
"Tell Morah," she repeated, her tone resonating with power, "that her time is running out. She already know what I want it's up to her choose whether she'll tell me or prepared for what's coming."
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrnbTg8rNq
The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Helena clenched her fists, her defiance rekindled. "We’ll see about that," she muttered under her breath.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8HIOAq2fG
"Helena,"Oris said, his voice lower now, "do we even know what we’re up against? If those dragons belong to her even Noctarion, then—"
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFCiBafBR7
"Then we have no choice but to prepare," Helena interrupted, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her chest. "Xia may think she’s untouchable, but even she has a weakness. We just have to find it."
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqorE1IFgSB
The group pressed onward, their resolve hardening despite the forest's attempts to ensnare them. As the last echoes of Xia’s voice faded, Helena couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of a far greater storm—a confrontation that would shake not only the willows but the very foundations of their world.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b3R8sjn6H
Meanwhile, in the southern lands of the Empire of Altaria, the Cristal Mansion stood in quiet solitude. It was a young estate, with only a handful of knights under Ermis’s command—known as the Ravens—and a few maids bustling about.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuQragjSQC
In his office, Ermis sat at his desk, diligently working through a pile of paperwork. The room was silent except for the occasional rustle of pages, until the stillness was broken by a figure emerging from the shadows.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8paF7XpZZ
“Hey, Ermis, guess who I found,” the shadowy figure said casually, his tone laced with amusement.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJBqEDFqBC
Ermis didn’t look up, his focus unwavering as he flipped through the pages. “What is it now?” he asked, his voice calm but edged with mild annoyance.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeb5fQGwl1
“I found the owner of the necklace you’ve been wearing all these years,” the shadow replied with a sly smirk.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIfci1QMHP
Ermis froze mid-movement, his pen halting above the page. Slowly, he straightened, his expression hardening. “You’re getting too comfortable speaking to me like this,” he said coolly, his eyes narrowing.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDd40e6Rn7
The figure chuckled, undeterred by Ermis’s tone. “Well, wasn’t going to the festival a great idea? Admit it, Ermis,” he teased. “Without me pushing you, you wouldn’t have seen her—let alone felt her presence. But too sad... you seem to forgot about her ”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEfN9rO5Np
Before Ermis could respond, the shadowy figure grinned mischievously and vanished into the darkness, leaving the room silent once more.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoCgBqordv
Once the shadow disappeared, Ermis returned to his work. The minutes passed smoothly as he made steady progress, completing his tasks with precision. Later, he decided to head to the training ground.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg35qe4VOB1
The sight of his knights sparring greeted him—blades clashed, the sharp clanging of steel echoing through the air. His men’s voices rang out in cheers, encouraging one another as they tested their skills.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbHZ9qcPRu
Ermis stepped in to join them, drawing his sword. The sparring intensified, the rhythmic clash of blades blending with the camaraderie of the Ravens.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwxI1DkGYO
The day unfolded seamlessly until evening fell. Seeking reprieve from the day’s efforts, Ermis retreated to the bathing chambers.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yqCaR0yfW
As he stepped under the shower, water cascaded down his broad, muscular frame, the cool droplets clinging to his skin before sliding away in smooth rivulets.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhECQk3lfd
His well-defined chest and shoulders glistened under the dim light, the ridges of his muscles taut from the day’s exertion.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIiFZqj5KN
The steady stream of water traced the contours of his body, flowing down his arms and pooling at his feet. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the refreshing cascade wash away the tension, each droplet a soothing balm for his tired form.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD8pUuEOq5
Yet something bothered him as he stepped out of the shower, the towel wrapped around his waist, leaving his half-naked form exposed—his broad shoulders and chiseled physique still carrying the weight of the day’s tasks.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUxtl6p9YJ
He moved toward his bed, the soft rustle of fabric the only sound as he dressed in his night robe. As he settled into the bed, the weight of his thoughts still heavy, his fingers brushed lightly against the necklace around his neck. He stared at it for a long moment, his gaze distant.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZXIlUiOnF
"Why can't I remember you...?" he murmured softly, as though the necklace held the answers to questions buried deep in his memory.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxFH7N6xAy
