While in the village where the three men untangled the mystery of the woman that Haren and Dak where looking for, somewhere deep in the heart of Fiahthyr forest another mystery was yet to be solved.
Ian chuckled at Athan's question, standing up straight in front of him " Nothing, it just happened!" he clearly stated while turning around to look at Iris, that plopped herself on the floor and waited for Athan to recover from the shock.
" We can talk some more while we eat! I need some of your clothes!" Ian requested while entering Athan's chamber, to have a look around and confirm his initial thoughts, that no servant lived in such luxury like Athan and the others did.
Athan followed Ian, walking past him and went to a chest of drawers getting some of his attires to give to Ian that he was no longer using.
He thought that they would be more fitting to him since they weren't the same as the ones he was currently wearing.
Handing the clothes to Ian, Athan couldn't help himself but stare at Ian and wonder at the same time what was happening to him since there was nothing in the records that they held, of such a sudden change of appearance to their kind that he knew of.
" There are fruit bearing trees in the garden behind the castle and once there were other things that one can eat! Athan informed, making his way out of the chamber while Ian and Iris followed him.
" I don't understand how this happened!" Athan exclaimed in worried tone of voice while walking through the corridors leading to the back of the castle.
" It happened and there is nothing we can do about it Athan! No point waisting time thinking about it!" Ian firmly stated while stepping out of the castle in the back garden that thrived even though there wasn't anyone to look after it.
Iris looked around completely amazed at how well the garden has fared even in their absence and couldn't believe how much fruit and vegetables was in the garden ready to satisfy their needs.
" At least there is plenty of food!" Ian commented while picking up a fruit from one of the trees that quickly turned into dust in his hand, making Ian frown and pick up another one but the same thing happened with that one too.
Iris frowned, looking at the garden intently to see if there was anything unsual with it but to her everything looked the same as before.
Iris took a deep breath in, wondering maybe what was happening to Ian's body was affecting the things that he touched and the garden itself was not the problem but Ian was.
Taking a few steps into the vast garden, she made her way to one of the trees and herself picked a fruit.
Wanting to test her theory and to confirm what she was thinking, hoping that she would be wrong and Ian wasn't the problem but the garden.
Iris looked at the fruit that despite being in her hand held its shape and colour, staying intact.
" Oh, no! This can't be happening!" she mumbled to herself while taking a bite from the fruit to make sure that she wasn't wrong and indeed was something seriously wrong with Ian and couldn't help herself but curse the timing.
Ian's forehead creased " Seth!" he hissed through gritting teeth clenching his fists feeling his anger coursing through every cell in his body.
His eyes glowed blue and the veins in his body rose on the surface of his skin enough that one could clearly see them. Smoke started to appear from his hands, that soon burst into blue flames making Athan flinch and take a step back, fearful for his dear life.
Iris just froze in her spot with the fruit in her hand and stared at Ian, now worried more than ever. Wondering what will come of them if Ian was turning into a creature that they couldn't control or worse a mindless one that could slaughter them in the blink of an eye.
Fearing the life of her unborn child " Bastos, come forth!" she did the only thing that she could think of in the heat of the moment.
Her emerald eyes shined with the brightest glow, throwing the fruit on the ground, and moved closer to Ian, stopping a few steps distance from him.
She brought her hands forward and pointed them at Ian, while a golden light blasted Ian into the castle wall rendering him unconscious leaving a hole in the wall while he slumped on the ground.
Athan stayed grounded on his spot uncertain wether he should go and check on Ian or stay put, thinking that he might not be completely out of it.
Iris lowered her hands and she looked at Ian with tears in her eyes, feeling desperate and wondering, what other unknown things will be thrown at them.
Iris slowly approached Ian keeping a keen eye, just in case he hasn't returned to his normal self.
She studied his body and from what she could see, his body returned to his previous state and she felt relieved that the changes in his body haven't progressed further.
Gently brushing his face with her fingers, Ian groaned and slowly opened his eyes, blinking a few times as if he'd just woken up from a long sleep.
Iris gave him a sad smile " I'm sorry, my love!" she wispered between sobs making Ian frown and look around him a little confused, having no recollection of what happened.
Ian slowly pulled himself up " Why ? What happened? he asked in groggy voice while rubbing the back of his head to soothe the spot.