Alexander's mind was still spiraling, berating itself, drowning in warnings he didn't understand. He barely noticed Lyn until she snapped her fingers sharply in front of his face.
He blinked hard.
Mr. Tan Woo.
Something about the old man wouldn't leave him alone—some inner voice clawed at his chest, whispering that the man wasn't what he seemed. Yes, he had helped them. Yes, he had guided them. Yet the unease in Alexander's soul only tightened its grip.
He inhaled deeply and fixed his gaze on Linet, grounding himself in her presence.
At least one of us has to make it… even if it isn't me. Especially her.
"What's up? Still scared?" Lyn asked gently, intertwining her fingers with his.
"No," he murmured, though his voice betrayed him. "I'm just… staying alert. If something happens, I can't—" he swallowed hard— "I can't lose another person. That thing has taken four souls already. Eight remain. And the twelfth…" His voice trembled into a whisper. "I still don't know who the twelfth soul is."
Lyn squeezed his hand. "What if we kill her before she finds all twelve? If she doesn't complete the ritual, she won't awaken, right?"
"Don't be so optimistic, sweet Lyn," he sighed. "The more she kills, the stronger she becomes."
"Can we please move?" he added, restless.
"Jeez, aren't you tired?" she asked.
"How could I be tired when danger's breathing down our necks? My conscience won't shut up. It keeps replaying Mr. Tan Woo's words. We shouldn't have trusted him so easily." His eyes slid toward the old man, who was scanning the forest with unsettling calmness.
"You're letting fear take over," Lyn whispered. "Maybe you're just… too protective, and it's making everything feel worse. But if you insist… then let's find proof." Her smile warmed him, just slightly.
From behind them, Andy snapped.
"Mr. Tan Woo! What are we standing here for? Do you want that woman to find us?"
"Shut up, idiot," Mr. Tan growled. "You're in the Invisible Forest. Try acting safe for once."
He stepped toward them, his expression unreadable.
"Alex—or Alexis, whatever your real name is—can you still smell blood? Like you said before?"
Alexander stiffened. Carefully, so he wouldn't betray the suspicion burning inside him, he replied, "The smell is stronger… Wait." His eyes widened. "Someone's sitting close to me."
He stood abruptly, staring to his right.
"There's someone… here. And there. Everywhere." His voice shook. "Different scents. Different blood. No—no, we're surrounded."
"That isn't real blood," Mr. Tan said flatly. "It's blood from witches—blood used to cast the spell around this forest. Doctor Lee Hiah used it long before your fathers were even born."
Andy sniffed the air dramatically. "Then why can't we smell it too?"
"Because," Mr. Tan said with unsettling calm, "only those with witch blood can sense it."
Alexander froze.
A cold chill crawled up his spine.
"No… You mean—" He swallowed. "Then why can't my sister smell anything?"
"Believe me or don't," Mr. Tan replied, "but your blood is descended from witches. You are the first male witch I have ever encountered. Long ago, only female witches existed. I never knew men could be born with the lineage. But you… you're the first."
"No." Alexander shook his head violently. "You said no witch can enter the Invisible Forest. Then how did you enter without feeling pain?"
Lyn's voice rose sharply. "Yes! How did you get in easily if witches can't?"
"I am not forcing anyone to believe me," he said calmly. "I only speak what I was taught. My grandfather served under Doctor Lee Hiah and passed the knowledge to me before he died."
Luca, intrigued despite the fear in his eyes, asked, "So… the spirits around here—are they the ancestors?"
Before Mr. Tan could answer, a deep, guttural groan echoed through the forest—so powerful the ground trembled beneath them.
Something was trying to force its way inside.
Mr. Tan's eyes widened in genuine alarm. "Move! Into the tunnel—NOW!"
They barely took two steps when another thunderous groan ripped through the air, stronger and monstrous. The shockwave slammed them all to the ground. Before they could rise, a second invisible strike pinned them flat with crushing force.
Alexander clawed at the earth, but his limbs wouldn't obey.
"What—what is this?!" Lyn gasped, her lips trembling.
The spell around the forest groaned like a dying beast, cracking under the pressure.
"I think Alah is in a vile mood," Mr. Tan shouted, teeth clenched. "She knows she can't enter—that's why she's furious!"
"How can she be this strong from outside?" Alexander cried, voice trembling. "Can she see us?"
"I told you," Mr. Tan snapped. "Those inside can't see out. But the one outside can see everything."
"WHAT?!" Luca screamed. "You never said that, old man! If we knew, we'd have run! Is this what getting old looks like—forgetting everything?!"
Cracks of energy tore through the forest.
The spell shattered.
Alexander felt it—the moment the barrier fell.
"Her power… It's breaking the spell!" he shouted.
Then, without warning, thick, thorned roots burst from beneath them, coiling up their arms, legs, and throats. They tightened cruelly, pinning them down.
And then she appeared.
Alah.
Her form materialized like a nightmare stepping through smoke—tall, regal, eyes burning with ancient fury. She walked toward them with deliberate grace, every step echoing with power.
Her voice slithered into their ears like venom.
"You can run… but not hide."
She smiled—a slow, terrifying smile.
"I want what I want. And I always get it. All of it."
She stopped before Luca.
Alexander's heart crashed against his ribs. Luca's breathing was ragged, his sickness consuming him, eyes unfocused.
"You're next, boy," Alah whispered, her voice carrying through the silent air. "You slipped from me before. But not this time."
A silver sword materialized in her hand, gleaming wickedly.
Luca's entire body trembled. His eyes met Alexander's for half a second—full of fear, resignation, apology.
"No—NO!" Lyn cried.
Alah released the sword.
It flew straight toward Luca's throat.
Everything slowed.
Alexander's mind emptied—then filled with one instinct, one command, one ancient word rising from somewhere deep in his blood, deeper than memory.
"ARSHWIKEY!"
A shockwave exploded from his voice.
The sword shattered midair—bursting into shimmering dust that vanished like smoke.
Alah's head snapped toward Alexander, her eyes going wide with rage. For a heartbeat, the entire forest seemed to hold its breath.
Then she vanished in a violent gust of energy.
The roots dissolved instantly, releasing the group.
Silence fell—the kind that presses on the chest.
They lay there trembling, gasping, alive—but shaken to the core.