Silence…
Only the distant roar of the waterfall filled the air.
Naerwen stood still, her gaze lowered before she let out a quiet sigh and looked away.
"Naerwen… please reconsider your decision," Orion spoke, his voice firm yet laced with concern.
"The Order of Reality isn't something you can simply pass on. Whoever inherits it must be worthy."
"That's enough," Naerwen replied, her voice calm but tired.
"I'm exhausted. We've lived far too long. If you aren't tired, then I am."
She paused, her eyes distant.
"Let someone else take my place."
A second immortal, Vaelis, stepped forward slightly.
"This princess of Thandor you've chosen as your successor… have you forgotten that she is missing?"
Naerwen turned sharply, her gaze piercing.
"She will find her way back," she said firmly.
"No matter what. My decision stands."
Orion's expression hardened.
"You are the only one capable of stopping Aldric. You understand the weight of this decision. Who will protect the new Seer?"
Naerwen's expression didn't waver.
"She is capable. I believe in her."
Slowly, she turned her gaze toward the one person who had remained silent.
"Lord Damaries… you know how this will end. Do you object?"
Lord Damaries sighed, turning away, his expression unreadable.
"If this is your decision, I will not stop you," he said calmly.
"However, I will not alter anyone's fate if things go wrong—no matter how severe the consequences."
With that, he vanished.
The remaining immortals exchanged disappointed glances before leaving one after another, their presence fading into nothingness.
Soon…
Naerwen was alone.
She stood there for a moment—still and silent—
Before her expression twisted in pain.
She clutched her chest tightly, gasping sharply as her body trembled.
A strained breath escaped her lips.
Then slowly… the pain subsided.
Her shoulders relaxed slightly as she steadied herself.
"I'm making the right decision…" she whispered to herself, her voice faint.
Her gaze drifted into the distance.
"I know I am."
_____________________________________
KINGDOM OF THANDOR.....
Thalion stood before the two girls, his gaze heavy and suffocating.
The guards had forced them to kneel for a long time before his arrival. Their knees were bruised, some spots already bleeding, their bodies trembling from both pain and fear.
"I'm going to ask you a few questions," Thalion began calmly.
"You trespassed into my kingdom… and I hear you came looking for Sage. Is that true?"
Freya slowly raised her head, her lips dry.
"Yes… we came to find Sage. But we didn't mean to trespass."
Thalion smirked.
He bent down slowly to her level, his presence overwhelming.
"So that means… you know where Sage is."
His eyes darkened.
"Speak. Where is she?"
Freya turned her face away, her gaze shifting to the girl beside her.
Thalion followed her line of sight—
And his smirk widened.
"Ah… an acquaintance."
He straightened slightly.
"So… where is she?"
The other girl said nothing.
Instead—
Her eyes flickered.
For a brief second, they glowed a bright, unnatural green.
Thalion froze.
Surprise flashed across his face before it quickly disappeared.
He stepped back, his voice cold.
"Take her."
He pointed at the glowing-eyed girl.
"Lock her in a separate cell."
The guards moved immediately, dragging her away.
Soon, the room emptied—
Leaving only Freya behind, still kneeling.
Her mind drifted back to her mother's words…
FLASHBACK
"I have someone planted in Thandor," her mother had said.
"When you get there, find her. She'll know where the Seer is."
..... FLASHBACK ENDS .. ...
Freya clenched her fists tightly, burning with determination.
"I will find her, Mother…"
______________________________________
SOMEWHERE ELSE…
Aldric smirked, his grip tight around Astra's neck—not enough to harm her, but enough to restrain her completely.
"Let this be the last time you raise your voice at me," he warned coldly.
Tears blurred Astra's vision as she struggled weakly against him.
"Please… let me go…" she whispered.
"If you have a problem with my father, face him. Why come after me?"
Aldric laughed.
Dark. Cold. Humorless.
"Oh… I am coming for him," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
"Soon… very soon."