Jea held her breath, clutching Yhan Yhan's mane as the lion crouched protectively beside her.
"Why are they here?" Juan whispered, his grip tightening on his staff.
"Looking for something—or someone," Celestia replied, her voice barely audible.
The elves marched past the alley, their faces expressionless but their movements purposeful. A few villagers peeked out from windows and doors, only to quickly shut them again as the warriors passed.
The lead elf paused at the edge of town, his gaze lingering on the trail that led into the forest. He raised a hand, and the column halted behind him.
"Search the area," he commanded, his voice sharp and authoritative. "We don't leave until we find it."
The group stayed frozen, their breaths shallow. Mathea signaled for them to remain silent, her fingers gripping her glowing necklace.
Athena's jaw clenched as she watched the elves spread out, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Her mind raced with memories of the elven attack on Greenland, of Nathaniel, of everything she had lost.
"They're looking for the flower," Celestia whispered. "Or MJ."
"We can't stay here," Mathea said, her voice low but firm. "If they find us, it's over."
"We can't outrun them, either," Juan said, his voice tight with fear.
Jea glanced nervously at Mathea. "What do we do?"
Mathea took a deep breath, her mind racing. "We wait. Let them move deeper into the forest. Once they're gone, we leave for the mountain. If MJ is still alive, she might be our only lead."
As the elves moved further down the trail, their footsteps fading into the forest, the group remained hidden, their hearts pounding. They knew the danger wasn't over, and the road ahead would only grow more treacherous.
Out of nowhere, two hooded warlocks emerged from the shadows behind Mathea and Athena. Their presence was imposing, and their dark green and white robes, etched with intricate runes, marked them as emissaries of the Witch Kingdom.
"Who are you?" Mathea demanded, her voice steady despite the tension thickening the air.
The larger warlock stepped forward, his stature broad and intimidating. "We are TJ and Kroj, warlocks of the Witch Kingdom," he said, his tone calm but firm.
Mathea raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking over their uniforms. They were unmistakable—the same colors and markings as those worn by her father's elite guards. Her wariness deepened, suspicion knitting her brow.
"Really?" she asked, folding her arms. "Did the king send you to follow us?"
Kroj frowned, his dark eyes narrowing under the shadow of his hood. "The king?" he echoed, his voice carrying an edge of disbelief. "No. We are not here for him. We're looking for someone."
Athena tilted her head, a smirk tugging at her lips. "And that someone just happens to be the missing princess?"
"Wrong," TJ interjected smoothly. His piercing gaze locked on Athena as he clarified, "We're searching for a missing slave from Greenland Village."
Mathea and Athena exchanged a swift glance. Their unspoken communication said it all: danger. But they masked their unease with practiced calm.
"We don't know anyone from Greenland Village," Mathea replied, her lie delivered with perfect composure. "But thanks for stepping in back there with the elven guards. We were separated from our friends—a young boy and a girl. Jea and Juan."
"I saw them run toward the valley," TJ said, his tone blunt.
"We should—" Athena began, but Kroj cut her off sharply.
"No. You can't follow them," he warned. "The elven guards saw you with us. If we go after your friends, they'll track us all down. If you want them safe, stay here."
Kroj glanced at TJ for confirmation. "Right, mate?"
TJ gave an exaggerated shrug. "Surprisingly logical of you, Kroj," he muttered. "Though maybe try softening the delivery next time?"
Kroj smirked faintly but remained silent.
Mathea, her patience wearing thin, snapped her gaping mouth shut and crossed her arms. "So, what are your names?" she asked, her tone tinged with defiance.
"TJ," the larger warlock replied with a slight nod. "And my colleague here is Kroj."
TJ's gaze shifted to the small dragon perched on Mathea's shoulder. "And what's your pet's name?"
"This is Janna," Mathea replied, her voice bristling with defensiveness.
TJ narrowed his eyes, studying the creature intently. "You do realize keeping a dragon as a pet without the king's permission is forbidden?"
"I saved her," Mathea snapped, her irritation flaring. "And now she won't leave my side."
"You should still inform the palace," TJ said, his tone almost teasing.
"King Rhyan must not know," Mathea interjected sharply, her annoyance clear.
TJ raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. Your secret's safe with us."
As they walked, Kroj's demeanor shifted. He had always been an outlier among the warlocks. Smaller in stature, standing nearly half a foot shorter than most, he had endured years of ridicule. But what he lacked in physical strength, he made up for with sharp wit and a knack for seeing things from unexpected angles—a trait that set him apart and often got him into trouble.
"The king made us," Kroj said abruptly, his tone quieter, as if sharing a secret. His gaze lingered on Mathea. "From his flesh and blood, in a way you couldn't possibly understand."
Mathea's eyes narrowed, suspicion tightening her jaw. "What do you mean, 'made you'?"
Kroj's expression turned inscrutable. "You wouldn't get it," he said dismissively. "You're just a girl."
Athena bristled at the comment, but before she could retort, Kroj continued. "The girl from Greenland Village, the one we're hunting, is a traitor. She sent a secret message to the Elven King. Her actions cost her village their lives."
Athena's eyes widened in disbelief. "How can you be sure she's the one responsible?"
"You don't question the king," Kroj snapped, his voice dropping to a warning growl. "His word is law."
"And you call that subtle?" TJ muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
"More subtle than your bluntness," Kroj shot back, his smirk returning.
The conversation took a darker turn as TJ spoke again, his voice grim. "War is coming. The Elven King's forces grow stronger by the day, bolstered by forbidden dark magic."
Mathea shivered. War was the last thing anyone wanted, but it seemed inevitable.
"So, what happens when you find this girl?" Athena asked, her voice steady despite the dread curling in her chest. "Will you kill her?"
"Depends on the king's orders," TJ replied nonchalantly. "But she won't die easily. She's too valuable, even without magic."
They walked in silence for a while, the dirt trail winding toward the valley. The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows over the landscape.
Finally, Kroj broke the silence. "If you're looking for answers, take your friend to the volcanic lands of Apho in the north. There, you'll find Dhigong. He knows more about the witch who stole the Flower of Pan."
Mathea halted, her eyes narrowing. "Why should we trust you? For all we know, this Dhigong could be a trap."
TJ's gaze hardened. "Soon, the city will burn. Magic will die. When you are offered his throne, refuse it, or you and your bloodline will perish."
Mathea's heart raced. Something about their words, their presence, felt inescapably real. For the first time, she wasn't sure if she was standing on the edge of prophecy—or doom.