Unbeknownst to the group, hidden in the shadows of the dense forest, two figures had been watching the tragedy unfold. They stood silently, their figures barely perceptible against the backdrop of the towering trees, shrouded in an illusion of invisibility. Their presence had gone unnoticed by the group, but they had seen everything—the group's turmoil, Andrie's death, and the dawning realization that the group was being manipulated by forces far more sinister than they had imagined.
One of the figures, a woman with sharp features and raven-black hair, stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with cold resolve. She was tall and poised, an air of authority about her as she surveyed the scene with calculating eyes. Athena's mother, Eva of the Greenland Village, had always been a woman of many secrets. She had been sent by King Jay to ensure that the group would never uncover the truth about Lord Anjo's true master. She had been watching them for far longer than they had realized, her motives hidden behind layers of deception and lies.
Beside her, a towering figure stood, his broad frame partially obscured by the dense trees. Warlock Jose of Greenland and the husband of High witch Eva, his fur-like black hair ruffled by the breeze, stood silently. His piercing green eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, his strong jaw clenched in contemplation. As leader of the Greenland Village, Jose was no stranger to loyalty and duty—yet his loyalty had been bought with the promise of power, a price that came with no small measure of guilt. King Jay had approached him with an offer too good to refuse, and so, he had been tasked with watching the group, making sure they never found the truth.
Their mission had been clear—observe the group, make sure they remained unaware of their true enemies, and eliminate any potential threats. And in the case of Andrie, the decision had been swift. He had become a liability, a threat to the king's plans. Killing him was a necessary step, one that would ensure the group would fall apart before they could pose a true danger.
Eva' eyes flickered to Jose. "It's done," she said, her voice cold and emotionless. "The boy is gone. The prophecy moves one step closer to failing."
Jose nodded, his eyes darkened with remorse but hardened by duty. "I've done my part, as instructed. But I'm not convinced this is the right way. Andrie's death might have fractured them, but it could also make them stronger. We're playing with fire."
The witch's lips curled into a faint, calculating smile. "It doesn't matter. They have already been marked. And the truth about Lord Anjo will stay hidden, buried in the shadows, just as King Jay ordered."
She paused for a moment, her gaze fixed on the campfire that still smoldered in the distance. "And we shall ensure it remains that way. The group will fall apart without Andrie. They'll turn on each other, just as they were meant to. Their bond is fragile—easier to shatter than they realize."
Jose turned to her, his gaze conflicted but resolute. "I don't like the thought of them suffering, especially Athena. She deserves better than this. She doesn't know who her true enemies are, and I'm not sure she ever will if things keep going this way."
The witch's expression softened, but only for a moment. "Athena is strong. She will endure, but she must walk the path that has been set for her. All of them must, for the greater good."
A dark silence passed between them, filled only by the faint rustling of the leaves in the wind. Jose knew that what they had done was unforgivable, but there was no turning back now. The deal had been made, and they had played their part. Still, a part of him wondered what would become of the group—what would become of Athena, the woman he had watched grow from a child into someone who could rival even the most seasoned warriors. He could only pray that she would never learn the truth of who had been behind Andrie's death.
Eva gave a final glance to the group in the distance, her eyes narrowed with calculation. "We will follow them, ensure they don't get too close to the truth. The game has only just begun, and this is far from over."
With a final nod, Jose shifted his weight, preparing to follow. His heart weighed heavily in his chest, but the mission was clear. They would remain hidden, unseen by the group, until the right moment came to strike again.
As the two figures faded into the shadows, leaving the group to mourn their loss, the forest seemed to close in around them. But somewhere deep within the labyrinth of dark trees, Athena and her companions unknowingly walked closer to the heart of the conspiracy that had already begun to change their fates forever.
And far away, in the halls of the Elven Kingdom, King Jay sat on his throne, his fingers steepled together as he watched the unfolding events through his darkened magic. The pieces were moving, and soon, all would be revealed—whether they were ready or not.
*****
At the clearing, the group was still guarding Andrie's body.
"We need to keep moving," Mathea said quietly, her eyes locking with Jea and Athena. "Andrei is gone, but we still have a mission. We need to find the truth about Lord Anjo and stop whatever dark forces are behind this. But we have to be careful. The enemy is closer than we think."
Jea nodded, her expression hardening with determination. "We'll get to the bottom of this. We'll make sure Andrei's death wasn't in vain."
Athena, though shaken, gave a grim nod. "And whoever did this will regret it."
Juan's voice broke the heavy silence like a fragile thread being snapped. He hadn't moved from where he stood, his eyes locked on Andrie's lifeless, headless body. The tension in his jaw was evident as if he was holding back a scream, a sob, or perhaps both. Finally, he turned his gaze to Mathea, his expression unreadable but his words trembling with urgency.
"Mathea," he began softly, his voice unsteady but resolute. "There's a flower. It's called the Flower of Pan. It's said to have healing powers, powers strong enough to save someone even from the brink of death. My village watches over it, but it's not easy to reach. It grows in the heart of the forest, in a place protected by magic. I—I know how to get there."
Mathea's head snapped up, her teary eyes meeting his. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond. The Flower of Pan… It sounded like something out of the myths her mother used to tell her when she was little, a story of hope and miracles. Could it truly be real? Could it bring Andrie back to her?