Hearing this shocking revelation, Nyx's face went pale.
She hadn't known, she hadn't known any of this.
And just then—one the elves suddenly raised her hand, her eyes wide with realization.
"I remember something!" She exclaimed and everyone turned to her. "I was passing by the Holy Tree that night—I know I shouldn't have, it was a sacred ceremony."
"But I had important work, so I ended up nearby."
"And then...I heard screaming."
She trembled at the memory.
"Terrible screaming like someone was in agony. It sounded like a man's voice."
She looked at Leona.
"I think...I think that was Julius."
Another elf nodded vigorously.
"I remember something too. I wasn't near the tree that night, but when I was heading home, I saw Leona helping Julius walk."
"He looked absolutely terrible—pale as death, like he was about to collapse."
She looked at Leona.
"I asked you what happened. And you told me..."
She paused, trying to remember.
