The world around us was blinding white, an endless expanse of light that seemed to stretch forever. I blinked, trying to adjust to the intensity, and felt Xenos's grip on my hand tighten. His usual calm exterior was replaced with a slight tension that only I could sense.
"It's okay," I whispered, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "He's not going to hurt you."
Xenos didn't respond, his sharp eyes scanning the empty space as if expecting some kind of ambush.
A soft chuckle echoed through the air, rich and familiar. "You don't have to cling to her hand like that," Smokey's voice said, smooth and tinged with amusement. "I'm not going to hurt her—or you, for that matter."
I turned to see him standing there, as regal and unbothered as always, his eyes glinting with a touch of mischief. His white hair was pulled back loosely, and his robes seemed to shimmer with the light of this strange place.
"Grandpa," I greeted, stepping forward, though Xenos didn't let go of my hand.
Smokey's gaze shifted to our intertwined fingers, and he raised an eyebrow. "I see you two are... together." His lips curved into a sly smile. "Well, it's about time. But really, Xenos, I'm not a threat. You can let her hand breathe."
Xenos didn't budge, his jaw tightening. "Forgive me if I don't take that at face value, considering what other gods have done."
Smokey sighed, shaking his head. "You're stubborn, I'll give you that. But this isn't about them. It's about what's coming—and what you both need to be ready for."
I glanced between them, sensing the weight of the moment. "What's coming?" I asked, my voice steady despite the unease building in my chest.
Smokey's expression grew serious, and I knew this wasn't going to be an easy conversation.
Smokey crossed his arms, his golden gaze turning sharp, his tone dropping to a seriousness that sent chills down my spine. "The last time I spoke with Mr. Edwin, he shared some alarming news. Mortis's forces are mobilizing near the eastern border. They're preparing for something big, but that's just a diversion."
Xenos's hand tightened on mine, his body tense as he listened. "A diversion for what?"
Smokey's eyes locked onto mine. "The real attack will be in the Lost Forest. Mortis, Citrus, and Cyra are planning something there. Their goal isn't just destruction—it's a kidnapping."
"A kidnapping?" I asked, confused.
Smokey nodded gravely. "There's another girl, like you, Sage. Her name is Jemisha. Her mother had magic, and her father was human. She's powerful, maybe even more so than you at her age." He paused, his expression darkening. "Mortis knows about her. He wants her power, or worse, her obedience. If he gets his hands on her, it will shift the balance in his favor."
Xenos's jaw clenched, his voice low and dangerous. "And you expect us to find her first."
Smokey's lips curved into a faint smirk, though there was no humor in it. "You're sharp, as always. Yes, you need to find Jemisha before they do. She doesn't know what she's capable of yet, and without guidance, she's vulnerable. Mortis will exploit that, and she'll become a weapon in his hands."
I swallowed hard, my mind racing. "Do you know where she is?"
Smokey shook his head. "Not exactly. She's somewhere in the Lost Forest, hidden by its natural magic. But you don't have much time. Mortis's forces will strike soon, and once they do, finding her will be nearly impossible."
Xenos looked at me, his green eyes filled with determination. "We'll find her. Before Mortis, before anyone else."
Smokey nodded approvingly. "Good. But be careful. The Lost Forest is treacherous, and Mortis's forces won't be far behind. This isn't just a rescue mission—it's a battle for survival."
The weight of his words settled over me like a heavy cloak. Another girl like me, in danger, caught in the crossfire of Mortis's schemes. I squeezed Xenos's hand, grounding myself in his steady presence.
"We won't let her down," I said firmly, meeting Smokey's gaze. "We'll bring her back."
Smokey's eyes softened slightly, but his expression remained serious. "Then you'd better prepare. This is only the beginning."
Smokey stepped closer to Xenos, The energy in the room shifted, a rare tenderness radiating from him as he placed a firm hand on Xenos's shoulder.
"Xenos," Smokey said, his voice quieter, more deliberate. "I've seen many things in my time, but rarely have I seen someone as fiercely loyal and capable as you. You remind me of a son I could have had—strong, stubborn, and always protecting what matters most."
Xenos blinked, caught off guard by the words. He tensed slightly under Smokey's hand but didn't pull away.
"I trust you completely," Smokey continued, his gaze unwavering. "I know that you would never let anything harm Sage—not her body, not her heart. And I know, with every ounce of certainty, that you'd never hurt her yourself."
Xenos swallowed hard, his expression a mixture of surprise and conviction. "I'd die before I let anything happen to her," he said, his voice low but firm.
Smokey smiled faintly, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Good. Because she's more than my granddaughter—she's the key to something far greater than any of us can imagine. And I can't think of anyone better to stand by her side through it all."
Xenos nodded, his grip tightening on my hand. "I won't let you down."
Smokey glanced at me, his eyes softening. "You chose well, Sage. He's a good man."
I felt a lump in my throat and nodded, unable to find the words to respond. Smokey's approval meant more than I could admit, and Xenos's resolve reassured me in a way nothing else could.
Smokey stepped back, his hand falling to his side. "Take care of each other. You'll need every bit of strength you have for what's coming next."
—---------------------------------------------------
The soft light of morning filtered through the windows, casting a gentle glow across the room. I stirred slowly, the events of the previous night still fresh in my mind. Smokey's words, the weight of his trust, and the realization that everything was about to change—it all felt surreal.
I shifted, glancing over at Xenos. He was still asleep, his form relaxed but strong, his breathing steady. I had never seen him so peaceful, not even during the few moments of rest he'd allowed himself since we arrived. It was a rare sight—one I wanted to hold onto for as long as I could.
The soft rustling of sheets was the only sound that filled the room until Xenos's eyes fluttered open. He blinked a few times, groggily trying to adjust to the morning light. His gaze found me immediately, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"You're awake," he murmured, his voice deep with sleep.
I nodded, trying to suppress a yawn. "Yeah. I didn't realize we were here all night…"
Xenos sat up, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly processing everything that had happened. "Neither did I. It feels like time didn't even move in that place. Did Smokey… Did he say everything we needed to hear?"
I nodded again, my voice a little softer. "Yeah, he did. It's just… a lot to take in."
Xenos leaned back against the headboard, a contemplative look crossing his face. "I trust him, Sage. But I won't pretend that I'm not worried about what's ahead."
I crawled closer to him, resting my head on his shoulder. "I know. But we have each other. And we're not going through this alone."
Xenos's arm instinctively wrapped around me, holding me close. "You're right. And I'll make sure that nothing happens to you."
I pulled back slightly to look at him, my heart swelling at his words. "I know you will."
We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the world feeling a little less heavy in each other's arms. The morning sunlight warmed the room, but the quiet tension between us reminded me that the real battle was only just beginning.
As we lingered there, neither of us ready to break the stillness, the soft sound of footsteps echoed from outside the door. It was clear we wouldn't have long to savor this moment before reality called us back into action.
A soft knock on the door interrupted the calm that had settled between Xenos and me. We both turned toward the sound, and I could see Xenos's expression shift, the weight of responsibility settling in again.
"Come in," he called, his voice low and steady.
The door creaked open, and a maid stepped in, her face polite but tinged with urgency. "Forgive the interruption, my lord, my lady," she said, her voice soft but firm. "The Heir Prince, Cynfael, and his fiancé, Lady Alohi, are waiting for you in the planning room. They've asked for your presence as soon as you are able."
I sighed, pushing myself to sit up a little straighter. As much as I wanted to stay in the comfort of our room with Xenos, the looming plans we had to face couldn't wait forever.
"Thank you," Xenos said, giving a brief nod to the maid. His hand found mine again, giving it a reassuring squeeze before he stood up, his gaze softening as it met mine. "Ready?"
I stood, my legs a little unsteady, but Xenos was there to steady me, his hand still firmly holding mine. I nodded. "Yeah, let's get this over with."
As we left the room together, the weight of the impending discussions lingered. I knew that whatever we were about to face, it was going to be a challenge—not just for me, but for all of us. The fact that Cynfael and Alohi were already waiting told me that the plans were already well underway.
We made our way down the corridor, and the moment we arrived at the planning room, the door opened to reveal the familiar sight of Cynfael, who sat at the head of a large wooden table, his expression serious but warm. Alohi stood beside him, her smile almost mischievous, as always.
"You two are running a little late," she teased, though there was an underlying concern in her tone. "We thought we might have to send a search party."
Xenos gave her a half-smile. "We were just... getting ready."
Cynfael's gaze softened as it landed on me, his posture remaining poised. "We understand," he said, his tone more serious now. "We're glad you've joined us. There's a lot to discuss."
I nodded, taking a seat beside Xenos, my eyes scanning the table, which was filled with maps and various documents. It was clear that the time for preparation had come. I could feel the weight of the decisions ahead pressing down on me, but I wasn't alone. I had Xenos by my side, and together, we would face whatever came next.
"Let's begin," Cynfael said, and the room grew quiet, the sense of purpose solidifying as we prepared to take the next steps in the battle ahead.