22Please respect copyright.PENANAD59uhyzy4X
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAUoxPb2PvAk
"She’s toying with us," Helena muttered, her hands clenched tightly into fists.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAZRt45s2zo6
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAyDiL4dZcFN
Midnight chuckled, his grin wide and unsettling. "Or perhaps she’s sparing us. For now."
22Please respect copyright.PENANAIG9bMm6kUB
Xia shot him a glare. "Don’t mistake her actions for mercy. She’s far more dangerous than she appears."
22Please respect copyright.PENANAx6GbyNjxzB
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAhpq5DeaOrv
"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!"
22Please respect copyright.PENANAbloDRXNXPR
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMciwxqfQPO
"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."
22Please respect copyright.PENANAsoscx8KFqh
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAIuIcdrQyGh
"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—"
22Please respect copyright.PENANAFoBV7pO3cN
"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."
22Please respect copyright.PENANAJeIWT4fVs7
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAJd0FHnigvJ
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANADe8ygSm3lf
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAXSndIyfffI
“Hey, Ermis, guess who I found,” the shadowy figure said casually, his tone laced with amusement.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMYXiskFosu
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAzOGUhLyV6s
“I found the owner of the necklace you’ve been wearing all these years,” the shadow replied with a sly smirk.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAPWQyQaMEjn
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAm06bH6dtbp
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 ”
22Please respect copyright.PENANAuA1MaVXM1b
Before Ermis could respond, the shadowy figure grinned mischievously and vanished into the darkness, leaving the room silent once more.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAdn5E72xgB2
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAIHrZ4kX6HM
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAcfFoKJLmip
Ermis stepped in to join them, drawing his sword. The sparring intensified, the rhythmic clash of blades blending with the camaraderie of the Ravens.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAxvXwZOnJ5m
The day unfolded seamlessly until evening fell. Seeking reprieve from the day’s efforts, Ermis retreated to the bathing chambers.
22Please respect copyright.PENANArsE6ClNJPp
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAakeVW2psEQ
His well-defined chest and shoulders glistened under the dim light, the ridges of his muscles taut from the day’s exertion.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAXIxx10KNvd
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANA4Zr0RMacVP
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANACCRxb7UpWn
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.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjcfqHSk3ts
"Why can't I remember you...?" he murmured softly, as though the necklace held the answers to questions buried deep in his memory.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAuXjFZebHo0