The following days passed in relative calm. Frost and Bella grew closer and closer, forming a solid and soothing friendship. This didn't bother Caden at all; on the contrary, it gave him more moments alone with Aletha. Meanwhile, a quiet, palpable tension was building between Zetch and Lyseria—made of lingering looks, awkward silences, and clumsy gestures that no one dared to comment on.
Night had fallen over the camp. Caden and Aletha were returning from the edge of the forest, arms loaded with dry wood for the fire. Their light laughter echoed through the nocturnal silence.
"You almost made me fall earlier with that water tornado of yours," Caden joked, giving her a light bump on the shoulder.
Aletha laughed, then her expression suddenly changed. Her smile faded. She stopped.
"Caden… this isn't right."
He turned to her, surprised.
"What isn't?"
"That you spend so much time with me… instead of with Bella. She's your girlfriend."
Caden shook his head, trying to downplay it.
"We're not doing anything wrong. We train, we talk… Bella and I can't be stuck to each other all the time."
Aletha crossed her arms, her gaze firm.
"I don't agree. You should put a little distance. With me."
Without waiting for his reply, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving him alone in the darkness. A dull anger rose in him—burning and unjust. He clenched his fists.
In his dark lair, Nox suddenly sat up straight. Through his magic mirror, he felt the dormant darkness within Caden stir.
"At last…" he murmured with a cruel smile.
His voice slipped directly into Caden's mind, cold and persuasive.
*"She rejected you because of Bella. It's because of her that you're suffering. She's keeping you from what you truly desire. Hurt her. Free yourself."*
Caden grimaced as shadows already began wrapping around his arms.
Later, at the camp, Aletha, Bella, Zetch, Frost, and Lyseria noticed Caden's absence.
"He's taking too long," Aletha said, worried. "We should go look for him."
Suddenly, a silhouette appeared between the trees. Bella's heart swelled with hope; she smiled and ran toward him.
"Caden!"
Frost immediately sensed the darkness radiating from him. His green eyes widened.
"Bella, watch out!"
He stomped the ground. A massive wall of earth surged up in front of Bella. An explosion of black flames pulverized it instantly, throwing Bella backward. The others rushed to help her up.
The dust settled. Caden stood there, his body wrapped in living shadows, his gaze empty and hostile. Beside him, shadows with sharp claws and glowing red eyes materialized. Behind them appeared a man in a black cape, with ebony hair and piercing crimson eyes.
Frost was the first to speak, his voice calm but icy.
"Who are you?"
The man bowed with false politeness.
"Oh, where are my manners? My name is Nox. And tonight, I'm going to capture you and bring you to my mistress."
"So we're being hunted by a woman?" Frost asked. "Who is she, and what does she want with us?"
Nox smiled.
"Just follow me… and you'll know everything."
"I'd like to, but I have no trust."
Frost settled into a combat stance. Bella, Zetch, Aletha, and Lyseria immediately did the same.
Nox chuckled.
"That's what I thought. Caden… attack."
Caden concentrated his energy. A huge black fireball formed between his hands and was launched at the group. Frost created an earthen dome to absorb it, but the impact shook the ground. The shadows charged with howls, projecting tendrils of darkness that sought to choke and drain life energy.
The battle erupted.
Frost shouted:
"I'll handle Nox! Aletha, Bella… try to bring Caden back to his senses! Zetch, Lyseria—can you handle the shadows on your own?"
"No problem!" Zetch answered, causing rock spikes to erupt.
They split up. Frost charged at Nox in an intense one-on-one. The Virgo wielded earth with surgical precision, creating walls, spears, and stone fists while using his telekinesis to deflect Nox's spells. Nox, master of dark magic, fired corrosive energy beams and cast illusions meant to disorient Frost.
Meanwhile, Bella and Aletha desperately tried to contain Caden without hurting him. Bella created air currents to throw him off balance, while Aletha formed water barriers.
"Caden! Come back to us!" Aletha cried.
Caden roared and launched a spray of flames at her. Against all odds, Aletha instinctively teleported to the other side, landing hard but unharmed. She didn't understand how she had done it.
Bella found herself face to face with Caden. Pure rage burned in his eyes. Yet Bella abandoned every attacking stance. She straightened up, relaxed, as if the fight were already over.
Caden stopped short, surprised.