Kareos was kneeling on the ground, hands clutching his head, his eyes completely black. He screamed, consumed by unbearable pain that seemed to tear his mind apart.
Jack ran toward him and grabbed his shoulders, alarmed.
— Sir, are you alright? — he asked, desperate.
Suddenly, the pain stopped. But Kareos's eyes remained as dark as the night — the eyes of a shadow elf.
In a sudden outburst, Kareos seized Jack's neck with brutal force.
— Sir! — Jack gasped, choking — You're hurting me! Please... stop...
Kareos didn't answer. He only tightened his grip, eyes locked onto Jack's, as if staring into something else entirely.
From a distance, Soleya saw what was happening and shouted:
— What the hell are you doing, Kareos!?
She sprinted toward them and grabbed his arms.
— Let him go! You're going to kill him!
When Kareos raised his other hand to strangle Soleya too, something inside him shattered. His eyes returned to normal.
He released Jack, trembling.
— I'm so sorry... truly, — he murmured, horrified. — I didn't want this... please, forgive me. It wasn't my intention...
Soleya looked at Jack, who was struggling to breathe, panting like someone who had just escaped death.
— Are you alright, Jack?
— I'm... I'm fine, — he replied, fighting for air.
Kareos, overwhelmed by remorse, tried to explain:
— I'm so sorry, boy. I...
But Soleya cut him off, cold and furious.
— Stay away from us. Don't take another step. Understood?
Kareos took a hesitant step forward.
— I didn't want to do this... I swear...
— Didn't you hear? — said Jack, his voice steady — Stay away!
— Please understand... I would never do something like that of my own will...
— But you did, — Jack shot back.
Clara approached, confused.
— What's going on here?
Soleya didn't hesitate:
— Whatever he is to you, I don't trust him anymore. He let the king die. And now... he tried to kill me and Jack.
Clara looked at Kareos, shaken.
— Is that true?
— I... I don't know how to explain it, — he said, lowering his gaze — That wasn't me. You know me, Clara...
— I knew you, — she replied, sorrowfully — But I don't recognize the man standing in front of me now.
— Please... something inside me forces me to do things I would never do...
— Enough! — Clara snapped — Stop blaming this "thing." You tried to kill two kids. And there's always some excuse. You're starting to believe your own lies.
She turned to the others.
— We're leaving.
Jack and Soleya mounted their horses. Clara cast one last look at Kareos.
— Stay with your ghosts.
They left, leaving Kareos alone.
He leaned against a tree and, in silence, pulled a small dagger from his waist. He pressed it to his throat.
But in the final instant, with a muffled cry, he plunged the blade into the tree instead.
Tears streamed down his face as he whispered:
— Why won't I just die...? Why...?
Pause.
---
Cut to: Northern Forest of Gíria
Max was still on his knees, trying to process the vision of the artifact.
— You don't look well at all, — said Lion, concerned — Are you sure you don't want to rest?
— I'm fine, — Max replied, trying to stand.
But a thunderous sound echoed in his mind. He collapsed again.
— Hey! You're going to hurt yourself, — Lion said — We'll find your mother, but not at the cost of your life.
— I said I'm fine! — Max growled, frustrated — Let's keep going.
Lion watched him in silence, then said:
— You seem familiar... I think I've seen you before.
— You must be mistaken.
— No. It was in a vision. You were in chains. It was you, wasn't it?
— How do you know that?
— I don't. But I've seen you in dreams... it felt like you were asking for help.
— You're imagining things, — Max muttered, looking away — Let's go.
---
Cut to: Northern Gíria
Zury was pale. Nicia watched her closely.
— What did you see?
— That thing... that thing with Lion isn't human. It's powerful. I've never felt anything like it.
— Were you able to see where he is?
— No... that presence blocked me. But I'll try again.
She held her pendant and focused. Darkness. Nothing but overwhelming darkness. A shiver ran down her spine, freezing her thoughts.
— Did you see him? — Nicia asked.
— That thing blocked my vision. But now I know... Lion is the dragon. If we lose him...
— ...we lose the only chance to seal the darkness, — Nicia finished.
— If he dies, I'll lose more than that, — Zury whispered — I'll lose my only hope of finding my son.
---
Cut to: Southern Forest of Gíria – Night
Victor was sharpening arrows. Seinal approached.
— You should rest. We travel tomorrow.
— I can't sleep.
— Can I ask you something?
— Of course.
— Before we met, where were you headed?
— Nowhere.
— What do you mean?
— I told them I'd come back alive. But when I saw the city in ruins... all I wanted was to die. My sister Amélia, Alex... everything I had was taken.
— But did you see their bodies? — asked Morfios, stepping out from the shadows.
— No... but I saw what that creature did. No one survives that.
— Then maybe they escaped. And if they're alive, you have to find them. Stay strong.
Victor nodded. He laid down, finally surrendering to sleep.
---
Cut to: Southern Forest of Gíria – Night
Sasha was sitting on a fallen tree, staring at the stars. Alex approached.
— Thank you.
— For what? The kiss?
— Amélia said you saved me. If it weren't for you, I'd be dead.
— Then repay me, — she smiled.
— How?
— Sit with me.
Alex sat down.
— Now what?
— Look into my eyes.
He obeyed.
— Now close yours.
He closed them. She leaned in and kissed him.
But suddenly, Alex pulled away, groaning in pain. He saw the artifact. The black sword above it. A voice whispered his name: Alex... Alex...
Sasha grabbed him.
— What's wrong? Are you okay?
— Yes... I'm sorry.
— You don't look okay. Your nose is bleeding.
Alex wiped the blood, but before he could say anything, a flaming arrow struck a nearby tree.
They both stood up.
— What was that? — Alex asked.
— Dark elves, — Sasha replied, eyes wide — They're here.
---
To be continued...