“It would be better if the ones with the same abilities would face each other," the knights said when the topic reached on who to send. Most of the archers also proposed the same thing.

A sudden knock came from the door. The “Librarian’s Office” sign had shaken upon the door opening. Madam Veronica is helping a girl walk alongside her, and at a closer look, Alisa recognized that it was Meriane.

“I’m sorry to bother you, but this young lady is insisting on talking to you," she worriedly said.

“It’s alright, let her in”, said Alisa, not even waiting for her father’s approval.

Meriane assisted herself with a table and weakly said, “I need to tell you something.”

“What could you tell us that we don’t already know”, Hunter blurted, sounding too professional. A second later, he recoiled to the side as he felt embarrassed.

“That’s true, but I still need to talk. First, I would like to apologize for the things I did; I know I don’t deserve any of your forgiveness.”

“Don’t you need to mourn your brothers first?”, Alvor suggested.

“About that, they’re already dead. Since the time I sold my soul a few months ago, they’re already dead. If somehow they’re still walking, then that’s no longer them”, Meriane explained, sounding calm but her eyes suggests pain and guilt, “Because of this dead possession, you should be wary of that giant man.”

Alisa and Hunter’s thought the same thing as they recalled an unwanted memory: “G— Giant man?”, they uttered in chorus.

“Liam would probably be atop the waterfall by now, directly above that temple, while preparing for his resurrection, and if he already has Nicolas, then you have not that much time. The night is close”, she said, suppressing a headache.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Just to confirm, Sir Wilver was the one who cackled our plan to you, right?”, Hunter interrupted.

“Anton? Yes, Liam was forcing him. He was holding Selene’s soul but let her body live to make Anton cooperate.”

“What was he trying to achieve at the waterfall, I doubt the temple had anything significant; being the whole prophecy thing was a mere façade”, Alvor stared at the princess, trying to discern whether she’s lying or not.

“I don’t— wait, I think I know. He never discussed his whole plan with me but there is one thing I’m sure: he’s planning to sprout a kind of tree in this world, and that waterfall— no, the temple below it connects to that place.”

Alvor startled everyone as he stood up without a warning, “He can’t be talking about the tree of life, is he? He could not possibly do that; besides, even if he tried, a separate group from us was guarding it.”

“That’s it; that’s what he called it.”

Hunter stood up as he realized something: “I— I don’t think those people are still guarding it”, He brought everyone’s gaze at him.

“What do you mean”, asked Alvor.

“Does the tree in question have different colored leaves and look magical?”

Alvor pulled him by the color, alarmed and worried, “Have you seen it before?”

“Uhm...”, he tried to avoid the man’s eyes while scratching his head, “Nicolas and I might have or not have been there before. People attacked us, but when Nicolas started going haywire, they killed themselves. I was on the verge of death that time so I can’t really recall.”

Alvor could not believe what he heard, Slowly, he let go of Hunter and sat back down to his chair, “I see, Leon is dead and the tree is unguarded. We really need to stop that man now no matter what.”

Meriane, on the other hand, who’s now got no idea what they’re talking about, continued her words, “Well, I guess you really don’t need any information I possessed. That’s all I know; I wish you good luck, and Alisa...”, Meriane tried to kneel on the floor, but as she got in position, he tumbled to her side.

Alisa quickly came to her rescue and she took this chance to whisper her request, “I know you’ll save Nicolas, but please save Matthew too.”

She only gave her a nod before finally helping her up, “I will bring her back to her bed. I’ll meet you outside”, she uttered before closing the door.

In the end, only a dozen people had proceeded with the plan, including Hunter, Alisa, Alvor and nine other sword wielders. They are bound for the forest. Bearing the weight of the world on their shoulders, they know that they only have one shot at stopping Liam and taking the twins back in the process.