Tyla frowned while she thought of all the ingredients that they need to make the potion to wake them up " Spinkeard, Holy Herb, Muirdain, Hera's tears gathered on a moonless night under the dog star and a pinch of Moxa, not too much otherwise they will never wake up." she instructed Ian while looking at Maya sorrowful, the girl with red hair was such an innocent soul and had heart of gold.
" I'll be back before the sun is high up in the sky. I have all those herbs in the hut, all I need to is make the potion." Ian said while making his way to Iris extending his hand to her to join him.
Iris frowned " I'm staying here with Tyla, you will be faster on your own." she firmly added making Ian frown and lightly glare at Iris for not wanting to go with him. He still didn't trust Tyla and he had no intention of leaving Iris with her alone.
"I will need your help as I want to take some of my mother parchments and other things that she left behind that we might find useful." he lied in order to convince her to go with him with a charming smile while looking from the corner of his eye at Tyla who opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it.
" Bastos will stay with Tyla just in case something happens." he apeased her while the wolfs ears perked up, looking at Ian letting out a displeased growl.
Iris reluctantly got up and took Ian's hand, bowing to Tyla, they started to make their way to the hut, when suddenly Iris halted her steps making Ian frown and look at her with his eyebrows raised.
" What is it?" he calmly asked while staring at Iris trying to understand why she stopped all of the sudden.
" Won't we get lost or not even make to the hut with the forest being enchanted?" she possed the question wondering how will they be able to get to the hut when she knew the only one that could see the path in the forest was Tyla since she could control the magic in it.
Ian nodded in understanding, looking over his shoulder " Could make sure that forest doesn't make us go in circles!" he beseeched Tyla in a commanding tone, making her glare at him which quickly disappeared when she looked at Iris and nodded.
Ian shrugged and continued walking pulling Iris along with him making their way to the hut that layed on the small hill in front of them.
Walking through the forest with Ian leading the path, the sound of running river could be heard faintly in the early morning and the sun was starting to peak its head from behind the hill .
Iris sighed softly at the sound of the river, which caught Ian attention, squeezing her hand in understanding " We will come back when the time comes!" he stated sullenly knowing well how she felt, the little time that have spent together in this place for him it was precious, it was his little slice of heaven, where he didn't had to share Iris with none else, he knew that he was selfish but he didn't care.
As much he had tried to come to terms with how the current events were unfolding he couldn't help himself and want to go back to those simpler times when it was just Iris and him.
Iris puffed her cheeks in frustration, a little vexed at the current situation, the memories of those days that she had spent with Ian alone, came flooding back making Iris smile at all the things that they shared in the little hut, that she now called home. The care and tenderness Ian had showed her and how she had fallen deeply in love with the man that now was her husband.
" I'm sure we will return home, someday!" she sullenly agreed while looking ahead, the river finally coming into their view making Iris look at Ian with a pleading look.
Ian let go of her hand halting his steps, pulling her into a tight embrace burying his face in the crook of her neck, placing a soft kiss there, resting his chin on her shoulder.
" I know how you feel and I want nothing more then to return home and spend the rest of my days here with you. It looks like for now we don't have a choice than fight, so we fight so we can get what we want in the end." he lenghtly explained while pulling back from the hug to look at Iris whom was on the verge of crying again but instead took a deep breath to calm her heart that now was hurting at the thought of the witch and the guardian that were after her.
" What if they win?" she asked in a sorrowful voice while looking at Ian with tearful eyes.
Ian took her hands in his, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes " They won't, we will make sure of that!" he avowed in a voice that wasn't his, opening his eyes that glowed like the sun making Iris gasp and a flash of what happened in the cave came rushing back.
Taking a step back from Ian, fearful of what might happen next " You?" that was all that she could muster while Ian just stared at her with a blank expression.
" Hello wife!" the voice spoke again through Ian making Iris's breath hitch.
" H-Hello!" Iris greeted him back mumbling unsure wether to run or stay and see what he wanted.
" W-what d-do you want?" she stuttered while glaring at him for once again taking her husband.
Silence settled in for a few moments while they stared at each other, neither of them blinked
" For you to prevail and keep our people safe.When the time comes I will need you to work with me and vanquish our enemies once and for all!" the voice finally revealed his intentions making Iris sigh in relief but quickly turned into a frown when she realised that he only knew the plan and if she went along with him, what was the cost of it?
" If I agree, you will have to tell me what you are planing!" she voiced her thoughts causing the Ian to bust in a fit of laughter.