On the other side, carried away by the current, Aletha drifted for a long time before being washed back onto a more distant bank. His bruised body crashed against the stones.
She opened her eyes weakly, trying to sit up. A sharp pain shot through his chest. She fell back.
It was then that a shadow leaned over her.
But it was not a creature.
A man, dressed in a long blue mage's robe decorated with gold symbols, knelt beside her. His hood hid his face.
Aletha wanted to speak, but fatigue overwhelmed her. She lost consciousness.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself in an unfamiliar room. The walls bore ancient frescoes depicting constellations and mythical scenes. She stood up with difficulty, left the room and entered a bright corridor lined with old paintings.
A step sounded.
A young woman approached: long cream tunic, blue cape, a mage's staff hanging on her back. His eyes were soft but penetrating.
— I am Lyseria, disciple of the Sage. He's waiting for you, Aletha.
Aletha blinked, confused.
But she said nothing and followed her.
Meanwhile, Caden searched every corner of the river, calling to Aletha relentlessly.
Bella and Zetch watched from afar, worried.
"He needs to rest," Bella whispered. His power...it's unstable.
She stepped forward.
— Caden… stop a little. You will burn out. We'll find her, I promise. But rest—
Caden turned around abruptly, his eyes glowing with a strange light.
— Leave me alone! You don't understand anything! It's because of me that she fell! So don't tell me what to do!
Bella stepped back, hurt, shocked by the tone he had just used.
He blinked, suddenly regaining control.
"Bella… I… I'm sorry, I don't—
"No, it's not your fault," she said softly. I shouldn't have gotten involved.
She left before he could respond.
Caden stood frozen, his hand trembling.
Why... why did I say that?
Zetch joined Bella aside. She wiped her eyes.
— I know he's worried… but that's no reason to…
"Bella," Zetch said, putting a hand on her shoulder. He blames himself. Aletha took a hit that was meant for her. And he's afraid of losing her. Don't blame him. He's just... under pressure.
Bella pursed her lips, but nodded.
---
Elsewhere, Nox watched Caden through an obsidian mirror, an oval artifact streaked with luminous red veins.
He burst out laughing.
— Everything is going perfectly...
Lirae arrived, furious.
— Do you want to get us into trouble again?! The master wanted to kill you! I had to beg for a second chance!
Nox raised an eyebrow.
— Oh… thank you. Do you also want a bouquet of flowers?
—Nox! Lirae shouted.
"Shut up," he replied dryly, surprising her.
The master says this… the master says that… Enough! I'm not a puppet like you.
Lirae's eyes hardened.
—What are you going to do?
Nox smiled.
— Kill them. And take their powers.
— You're crazy! The master—
—I don't care. I'm no one's lackey.
Lirae gritted her teeth, spun around.
— Do what you want. But don't include me. I don't want any problems with him.
"Stooge," Nox repeated with a grin.
She turned around.
- No. I am faithful. I am grateful to the one who gave me everything. Unlike you, I am not a traitor. And I will be loyal to the master...even if I have to die for him.
She left, disappearing into the forest.
What she didn't know was that the master was watching them both through a surface of black water, like a living mirror.
The master clenched his fist.
—Kill Nox…
Then he stopped.
A predatory smile stretched his features.
— Or better yet… let him do it. Maybe I can even benefit from it...
His evil laugh echoed throughout the clearing.