Huter’s body trembled as Orin continued to channel his Earth magic, whispering ancient incantations under his breath.** The room was filled with the faint glow of emerald light, the energy pulsing from Orin’s hands as it wove through Huter’s battered form. Each word of the spell, spoken in the old language of the Earth Wardens, carried a weight of power and history, binding the magic to Huter’s wounds and knitting flesh back together. Huter’s breathing steadied as the pain ebbed away, his strength slowly returning with each wave of healing energy.

"Somnia terrae, ossa mea sana," Orin chanted, his voice steady and commanding. "Vivam arborem cordis, repara corpus."

The light around Huter grew brighter as Orin focused on the deeper injuries, the ones that ran beneath the surface, hidden from the eye but felt in every nerve. Huter could feel the Earth’s embrace wrapping around him, soothing the sharp edges of pain and bringing warmth where there had only been cold. Slowly, the weariness that had clung to him since the battle began to lift, and he felt life returning to his limbs.

Meanwhile, Lysandra stood a few feet away, her eyes closed in concentration as she worked to capture the lingering dark magic that Eileen’s soldiers had left behind. The air around her crackled with energy as she extended her senses, her fingers dancing through the currents of the invisible threads that hung in the air like a web. She was searching for the signature, the unique trace of magic that each spellcaster left behind, hoping to find a lead that could guide them to Tio.

"I’ve almost got it," Lysandra muttered, her voice tight with focus. "The dark magic is strong... but it's scattered. Eileen’s soldiers knew what they were doing."

Orin glanced over at her, his brow furrowed with worry. "Can you track it? Can you find where they took Tio?"

Lysandra bit her lip, her expression troubled. "I can track the dark magic, yes, but Tio’s signature... it’s weak. Fainter than it should be. He’s hurt, Orin. Badly."

Orin's heart sank at her words. The thought of Tio being in danger gnawed at him, fueling his anger toward Eileen and her coven. They had to move quickly, but not recklessly. The magic they were up against was dangerous and well-practiced, and any mistake could cost them dearly.

"Keep trying, Lysandra," Orin urged, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "We need to find him before it's too late."

---

**Deep in the heart of a dense, ancient forest, Eileen and her coven had retreated to their sanctuary, a place shrouded in secrecy and dark magic.** The sanctuary was hidden from the world by layers of enchantments, a labyrinth of shadows and illusions that only those with the right knowledge could navigate. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of burning herbs and the soft hum of whispered spells. The coven was preparing for what was to come, their minds focused on the dark task that lay ahead.

In the center of the sanctuary, Eileen stood over Tio, who was bound to a stone altar by thick ropes of enchanted vines. His body was weak and battered, his breathing shallow, and his eyes glazed with pain. The wounds he had sustained during the battle throbbed with a dull ache, a constant reminder of the fight he had lost. Eileen watched him with a mix of curiosity and satisfaction, her eyes cold and calculating.

She reached out, her hand glowing with a sickly green light as she channeled her Earth magic to heal him. But she was careful, mending only the worst of the wounds, leaving just enough pain to keep him compliant. Tio’s body relaxed slightly as the healing magic took effect, but his strength was far from restored. Eileen needed him awake, but not strong enough to resist or, worse, attempt to escape.

"You’ll feel better soon," Eileen said, her voice deceptively kind. "But not too much better. We can’t have you running off on us, can we?"

Tio glared at her, his blue eyes filled with defiance despite his weakened state. "You won’t get away with this," he rasped, his voice hoarse from the pain. "Orin and the others will come for me."

Eileen chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Oh, I’m counting on it. But by the time they find you, it’ll be too late."

She leaned in closer, her gaze piercing as she studied his face. "You see, Tio, I need your power. You’re the key to unlocking the darkness that’s been trapped for so long. Your mind-walking abilities will help me enter Edua’s mind, and with your help, I’ll release the dark power she’s been holding inside. And if you refuse..."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Tio’s heart pounded in his chest as the full weight of her words sank in. She wanted to use him to break Orin’s mother, to unleash a power that had been sealed away for good reason. He couldn’t allow that to happen. "I’ll never help you," he spat, his voice trembling with anger. "I’d rather die."

Eileen’s smile faded, replaced by a look of cold determination. "I was hoping you’d say that," she said quietly. She turned away from him and beckoned one of her coven members, a shadowy figure who had been waiting in the darkness. The figure stepped forward, revealing themselves to be a Soultwister, one of the most feared and dangerous creatures in existence.

The Soultwister’s eyes gleamed with malevolent intent as they approached Tio. Eileen’s voice was soft but firm as she gave her command. "Make him understand. He will help us, one way or another."

Tio’s eyes widened in horror as the Soultwister came closer, their presence radiating a chilling, suffocating power. His resolve was strong, but fear clawed at his insides as he realized the torture that awaited him. He steeled himself for the pain, knowing that no matter what they did to him, he would not break. He would not be the one to bring darkness upon the world.

---

**Huter, now healed but still recovering from the battle, sat in the dimly lit room with Orin and Lysandra, his mind replaying the events that had led to their current situation.** The fight had been brutal and relentless, catching him off guard in a way he had not expected. Eileen’s soldiers had been waiting for them, lying in ambush with a precision that spoke of careful planning. The moment they had stepped into the house, the attack had begun.

"I should’ve seen it coming," Huter said, his voice thick with frustration. "They were too well-prepared, too coordinated. I didn’t stand a chance. They overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t protect Tio."

Orin placed a reassuring hand on Huter’s shoulder, his expression filled with understanding. "You did everything you could, Huter. You fought hard and survived. That’s more than enough. Tio’s strong; he’ll hold on until we find him."

Lysandra, who had been quietly working in the background, finally spoke up. "I’ve captured the dark signature left by Eileen’s soldiers," she announced, her voice tinged with urgency. "It’s faint, but I can use it to track them. But we have to move fast; the trail won’t last long."

Huter stood up, his determination evident despite the fatigue still lingering in his bones. "Then we go now. We can’t waste any more time. Eileen is planning something terrible, and we need to stop her before it’s too late."

Orin nodded, his resolve matching Huter’s. "We’ll find Tio, and we’ll stop Eileen. Whatever it takes."

Lysandra began to cast the tracking spell, her hands weaving through the air as she chanted in a language only a few could understand. The air around them shimmered as the spell took hold, drawing them toward the direction the soldiers had taken. Huter, Orin, and Lysandra exchanged determined looks, knowing that the battle ahead would be one of their most challenging yet.

As they set out, the weight of what had happened hung heavily over them. Huter’s mind was filled with guilt and anger, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. They couldn’t afford to lose Tio, not now, not after everything they had been through. Eileen had made a dangerous enemy in him, and he would do whatever it took to make sure she paid for what she had done.

---

**In the cold, oppressive silence of the sanctuary, Eileen stood over Tio, her patience wearing thin.** She had given him a choice, a chance to cooperate willingly, but his stubbornness had left her no other option. She needed him to enter Edua’s mind, to unravel the layers of magic that had kept the darkness locked away for so long. But Tio’s refusal to comply was complicating her plans.

"Tio," Eileen said, her voice calm but laced with menace, "I need you to understand how important this is. You have the power to change everything, to bring about a new era. All you have to do is walk into Edua’s mind and convince her to release the darkness. It’s not difficult, and I can make it worth your while."

Tio’s jaw clenched as he glared up at her. "I said no. I’ll never help you

."

Eileen’s eyes narrowed, her patience finally snapping. "Very well," she said, her tone icy. She gestured to the Soultwister, who stepped forward with a predatory grin. The creature’s presence filled the room with an almost palpable sense of dread, its dark power suffocating the air.

The Soultwister leaned over Tio, its voice a low, hissing whisper. "I can make this very painful for you, Mindwalker. You’ll wish for death long before I’m through with you. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Help us, and the pain will stop."

Tio’s heart pounded in his chest, but he refused to let the fear show. "Do your worst," he said, his voice steady despite the terror clawing at him. "I’ll never help you. I’d rather die than betray my friends."

The Soultwister’s grin widened, and it reached out to touch Tio’s forehead with a single, clawed finger. A searing pain shot through his skull, radiating down his spine and into every nerve in his body. Tio gasped, his muscles tensing as the pain grew more intense, more unbearable with each passing second.

But even as his vision blurred and his body screamed in agony, Tio held on to one thought: he would not break. He would not give Eileen what she wanted. He would endure the pain, fight against it, and protect his friends no matter the cost.

Eileen watched with a cold, detached interest, her eyes never leaving Tio’s face. She needed him alive, but she was willing to push him to the brink to get what she wanted. And if he didn’t break... well, there were other ways to achieve her goals. But one way or another, she would succeed. The darkness would be released, and the world would tremble before her power.