The dense canopy of the Lost Forest loomed above, casting eerie shadows that danced across the mossy ground. Every step we took was accompanied by the soft crunch of leaves and the distant rustle of unseen creatures. Cynfael stood in the middle of a clearing, his eyes closed and his hand extended, his entire being focused on sensing anything unusual.
"There's definitely something here," he said, his voice tight with concentration. "But…"
"But what?" Alohi asked, her tone sharp with curiosity and impatience.
Cynfael opened his eyes and looked directly at me, his expression unreadable. "It's her. Sage's power is so overwhelming it's impossible to locate anything else. It's like standing too close to a fire and trying to find the stars."
I froze, his words settling uneasily in my chest. "Wait, are you saying I'm messing this up?"
"It's not your fault," Xenos cut in, his voice steady and reassuring. He stepped closer, his hand brushing my arm in that familiar, grounding way he had. "Your power is just... strong. It's a good thing, but it's making it harder for Cynfael to filter out anything else."
Guilt bubbled up inside me despite his attempt to soften the blow. "I didn't mean to—"
"You're not doing anything wrong," Cynfael interrupted, his tone calm and firm. "In fact, this could work to our advantage. If Mortis's forces are nearby, they're probably just as confused by your energy as we are. But we'll need to figure out how to navigate this."
Alohi tilted her head thoughtfully. "What if Sage steps back? Literally moves away while we search?"
Xenos's jaw tightened. "And leave her exposed? No."
I sighed, crossing my arms. "I can take care of myself, you know. I've been training for this."
"You're not going alone," Xenos said, his voice brooking no argument.
Cynfael nodded in agreement. "Xenos can stay with her, just in case. Alohi and I will keep searching from here. Let's stay in touch through the comm crystals."
I gave an exasperated sigh and looked up at Xenos. "Fine, but if you hover too much, you're sleeping on the floor tonight."
Alohi snickered, tossing me a playful wink. "Good luck with that. Xenos doesn't do hovering; he does over-protective."
With a resigned nod, I followed Xenos deeper into the forest. The further we went, the thicker the trees became, their branches forming an almost impenetrable ceiling above us. I couldn't help but glance at him as we walked. His protective stance, the way his eyes darted to every shadow—it was both comforting and frustrating.
Despite everything, a small part of me couldn't help but find his determination endearing.
As we ventured deeper into the forest, the silence was only broken by the occasional crunch of leaves underfoot and the distant call of birds. My nerves buzzed with an unease I couldn't quite place, like a storm brewing on the horizon. Then, out of nowhere, a voice rang in my head, soft yet commanding.
"Sage, can you hear me?"
I froze mid-step, my breath hitching. "Ziri?" I whispered aloud, my voice barely audible.
Xenos immediately turned to me, his eyes narrowing. "What is it? What's wrong?"
I shook my head quickly, placing a hand to my temple. "It's Ziri. She's… speaking to me."
"You need to connect with me, Sage," Ziri's voice continued, steady and insistent. "I can sense Jemisha, but I need you to focus. Open your mind and let me guide you."
"Connect with you? How?" I asked aloud, feeling the weight of Xenos's watchful gaze.
"Let go of your fear," Ziri explained. "You have the power, but you're holding back. Trust yourself—and trust me. Together, we'll find her before it's too late."
I bit my lip, the doubt swirling inside me like a storm. But deep down, I knew Ziri was right. If we had any chance of locating Jemisha, I couldn't afford to second-guess myself.
"What's going on?" Xenos asked, his tone low and cautious.
"It's Ziri," I explained, meeting his concerned gaze. "She says she can help me find Jemisha, but I need to… connect with her."
He stepped closer, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder. "Are you sure this is safe? You've never done this before."
"No," I admitted. "But I don't think we have a choice. Mortis is out there, and Jemisha doesn't have much time."
Xenos hesitated, his hand tightening slightly. "I don't like this."
"I know," I said, placing my hand over his. "But I have to try."
He exhaled sharply but nodded. "Just… be careful. I'm right here."
I closed my eyes, drawing in a deep breath. "Okay, Ziri. I'm ready."
"Good," her voice came, calm and steady. "Now focus on my energy, Sage. Let everything else fade away. Trust your instincts."
I let the sounds of the forest melt into the background, my breathing slowing as I reached deep within myself, searching for the thread of Ziri's presence. Slowly, I felt it—a faint warmth, like sunlight breaking through a heavy fog.
"Yes," Ziri encouraged. "That's it. Follow the light, Sage."
The connection grew stronger, and suddenly, images began to flood my mind. A girl with very white curls, her eyes wide with fear, a scar on her face, crouched in a clearing surrounded by towering trees. The forest seemed alive, its branches twisting unnaturally as if trying to ensnare her.
"There!" I gasped, my eyes flying open. "She's in a clearing north of here, surrounded by trees that… aren't normal. It's like the forest itself is trying to trap her."
Xenos didn't hesitate. "Then we go."
With a firm nod, I led the way, my heart pounding as Ziri's voice echoed in my mind once more.
"Hurry, Sage. Mortis's forces are closing in."
The clearing was eerily quiet when we arrived, save for the sound of Jemisha's panicked breathing. She huddled near the base of a twisted tree, her white curls disheveled, her mismatched eyes darting between us and the looming shadows across the clearing. She was as striking as Ziri had described, her scar and pale complexion only adding to her ethereal presence.
But before I could call out to her, the air shifted. A low, guttural growl resonated from the shadows, and from them stepped Citrus and Cyra. Their human forms shimmered for a moment before twisting into something monstrous. Fur erupted across their bodies, their limbs lengthening unnaturally as they took on their Maine Coon forms. They were massive, larger than any natural feline, their sharp teeth glinting as they bared them at us.
Jemisha let out a terrified gasp, pressing herself further against the tree.
I felt Xenos move beside me, his stance protective as he let out a low growl of his own. "Stay close," he murmured.
The twins wasted no time, their massive forms leaping toward us. Xenos was already moving, his body shifting in a way I'd only seen glimpses of before. His eyes burned a molten gold, his hands turning to sharp, scaled claws as his wings partially unfurled. The sheer force of his presence sent a shockwave through the clearing, stopping the twins mid-pounce.
I barely had time to register his transformation when Ziri's voice echoed in my mind again.
"You have the power, Sage. Let it out. Protect her."
Before I could question what she meant, a surge of energy coursed through me, unlike anything I'd ever felt before. It wasn't fear or adrenaline—it was something pure, something ancient. My body felt weightless as a radiant light enveloped me, lifting me off the ground.
My vision blurred, and when it cleared, I wasn't the same. My skin glowed faintly, my hair billowing as if caught in a breeze that wasn't there. I glanced at my hands, now adorned with shimmering silver markings, and behind me, I could feel them—wings. Angelic, radiant wings that stretched wide, their tips glowing with an ethereal light.
"What…" I whispered, barely recognizing my own voice, which now carried a melodic resonance.
Jemisha's eyes widened in awe, her fear momentarily forgotten.
Xenos glanced at me, his expression a mix of surprise and pride, before his attention snapped back to the twins. "Let's end this," he said, his voice rough and guttural, almost draconic.
Citrus lunged toward me, his massive claws aiming for my wings, but I reacted instinctively. A beam of light shot from my hands, striking him midair and sending him crashing into the ground.
Cyra turned her attention to Xenos, but his dragon claws slashed through the air with precision, forcing her back. She hissed, her feline eyes narrowing, but Xenos didn't give her a chance to regroup. With a powerful leap, he tackled her to the ground, his half-dragon form overpowering her.
The fight was chaotic, the clearing illuminated by bursts of light and the shimmer of Xenos's scales. I stayed focused on Citrus, each move guided by Ziri's voice in my head.
"Protect them, Sage. Protect them all."
With one final blast of energy, Citrus let out a pained roar, his massive form collapsing to the ground. Cyra, seeing her brother defeated, hissed in frustration before retreating into the shadows.
As the clearing fell silent, I lowered myself back to the ground, the light around me fading. My wings disappeared, leaving me feeling both exhilarated and drained.
Jemisha ran to me, her eyes wide. "Who… who are you?"
"A friend," I said, pulling her into a reassuring hug.
Xenos approached us, his golden eyes still glowing faintly. "We need to move. They'll regroup."
I nodded, glancing at Jemisha. "You're safe now. But we have to go."
She hesitated, then gave a small nod, clutching my hand tightly as we turned to leave the clearing.
The tension still lingered as we gathered in a tight circle. Xenos pulled out his crystal, the faint glow reflecting off his scaled hand. I mirrored his actions, holding my crystal firmly as we prepared to teleport back to the castle. Jemisha clung to me, her mismatched eyes wide with fear and exhaustion.
"Hold on," I murmured to her, squeezing her hand reassuringly.
The energy swirled around us, and in a blink, the forest vanished, replaced by the familiar stone walls and warm lighting of the castle's grand hall. Jemisha staggered slightly, but I caught her, steadying her before glancing at Xenos.
"Signal them," I said softly.
He nodded, raising his crystal, which pulsed once before fading. It wasn't long before Alohi and Cynfael rushed into the room, their expressions a mixture of relief and urgency.
"You found her," Alohi said, her voice filled with awe as she approached Jemisha.
"We did," I replied, gently guiding Jemisha forward. "But she's been through a lot. She needs care."
Cynfael stepped closer, his sharp gaze scanning Jemisha for injuries before nodding. "I'll have the healers ready."
I turned to a passing maid and gestured for her to come closer. "Please take her to one of the guest rooms," I instructed. "Make sure she's comfortable and safe. She'll need food, water, and rest."
The maid curtsied deeply. "Of course, my lady."
Jemisha hesitated, her grip on my hand tightening. "Will… will you come see me later?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I smiled gently. "I will. Rest now, Jemisha. You're safe here."
The maid led her away, and I watched until she disappeared down the corridor.
Alohi touched my shoulder, her expression softening. "You did good, Sage."
Xenos stepped beside me, his golden eyes still sharp but carrying a hint of pride. "Let's debrief," Cynfael said, motioning toward the planning room. "There's much to discuss."
I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady myself. The fight wasn't over yet, but for now, we'd won a small, important victory.