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