The birds chirped and flew merrily through the soft rays of the morning sun. Their songs echoed in different melodies, as if each tree carried its own chorus in a different bird language.
Chloe and Olivia were still fast asleep, lying peacefully under the light blanket of dawn.
Zavier stirred from his rest. Slowly, he sat up, stretched, and walked over to Olivia to wake her.
But then—he froze.
His eyes widened, what he saw made him gasp.
Red veins had spread across Olivia's neck and were almost crawling up to her face. Zavier gently tapped her, and she woke up, stretching and shrugging.
"Good morning," she said. "Ooh, I'm still weak," she groaned, wanting to go back to sleep. That was when Zavier noticed something was seriously wrong with her.
"What happened to you?" he asked, his eyes fixed on her neck. He didn't like the look of whatever it was.
"What do you mean, what happened to me? What happened to you?" Olivia snapped back, standing up. Her mood shifted suddenly—she now felt amazing, energized, and ready to move.
They were about to wake Chloe up when they heard someone yelling from the other end of the forest. It was a child's voice, and he sounded like he was in danger.
Without warning, Olivia mounted her horse and galloped off, tugging hard on the reins as the horse burst into a high-speed run.
"No, wait!" Zavier called, but he was speaking to the wind—she was already gone. He quickly mounted his horse and rode after her.
"HELP! PLEASE! ANYONE—ANYTHING!" the voice cried, growing louder and closer as Zavier and Olivia approached.
Olivia, who had now spotted the boy being chased, suddenly saw four arrows flying toward her. She flipped off her horse mid-gallop, dodging the arrows, and landed back on the saddle.
"Whoa," she gasped, surprised at what she had just done.
The boy was being pursued by ten horsemen—and then a woman. They were drawing closer and closer to him.
As if Olivia's vision sharpened, she saw the woman lift her hand. A vine from a nearby tree elongated and shot toward the boy, wrapping around him. It was about to lift him off the ground when a red, shimmering arrow sliced through the vine. The boy fell but quickly scrambled to his feet and kept running.
Olivia turned to see who had helped, it was Zavier.
"Where the hell did he get that kind arrows from", She pondered as she rode on
But this time, three more vines whipped toward him, curling quickly through the air. They caught him, lifted him, and brought him directly to the woman.
Just then, Zavier and Olivia found themselves surrounded. They surrendered.
Their captors all wore masks, and Zavier and Olivia couldn't tell who they were—but Olivia knew one thing for sure, they weren't human.
The masked figures parted, and the woman who had captured the boy stepped forward to confront the ones who had interfered.
"Zavier!" she called out in a near bellow, as if she couldn't believe her eyes. She pulled off her mask to make sure she was seeing clearly.
"Katelain?" Zavier called out, startled. His eyes scanned her from head to toe, trying to make sure he wasn't seeing a ghost.
"Oh my goodness—it's really you!" she cried joyfully, hugging him tightly.
Olivia was at a loss for words. She simply stood there, glaring at the two of them as they embraced like long-lost lovers.
"Alright, lovebirds, I've seen enough," Olivia interrupted, waving her hand in the air and shrugging.
"Lovebirds? Ew," Zavier said with a chuckle. "Kate here is my sister. I think she's come to take me home."
He turned toward Olivia. "Kate, meet my Earth friend, Olivia. Olivia, this is my sister, Kate. We're—"
"OLIVIA—OLY—ZAVE!" came Chloe's voice, calling out frantically. She had probably woken up and found no one beside her.
"OVER HERE!" Olivia replied.
Within minutes, Chloe came skidding into view. She froze in her tracks the moment she saw the large crowd gathered around.
"Oly… what's going on?" she asked, her voice trembling as she looked at everyone with a defiant glare.
"Nothing we haven't already handled," Olivia replied, glancing at Zavier.
"Come on, brother," Kate said, gently patting Zavier on the back. "Let me take you to my shelter." The others began moving toward their horses.
"Did she just say brother?" Chloe asked, her face twisted in utter confusion.
**********
"I know what I saw, Kate," Zavier said after they arrived at Katelain's camp. She had taken refuge there with her army—though they were only a few hundred, they remained loyal to her and had fled alongside her when Deman attacked.
"Zave, I watched you run. You left me behind," Katelain replied, her face saddening. "I called out for your help, but you left me at his mercy. You… you didn't care. "She had always been fond of her big brother. Zavier had meant everything to her, especially since their eldest brother, Deman, had given her so little attention.
"I swear, I never meant to leave you," Zavier said, his voice heavy with regret. "I saw you die, Kate. Deman must've done something—something to make us see things. I didn't know he had that kind of power. I mean… we were like twins. He was part of us."
"When did you get here? And how?" he asked her.
"Just a couple of nights ago," Katelain answered. "I persuaded the rebels to help me—they owed me a favour. The only way back from here is to find Earth's gateway."
While Zavier and his sister caught up, Olivia and Chloe were given a tent to rest in, that is after Katelain had seen what was spreading on Olivia's neck, which emanated from the point Dermot's arrow had hit her. Katelain said it was poison and was not completely neutralised, that it will kill her if not taken care of. She had some people prepare the antidote.
Meanwhile the little boy they were chasing was later left to stay with them Katelain wanted him dead for he had gone through her mind, He was clairvoyant.
Zavier had been trying to convince Katelain to help them in their quest, but she, in turn, was trying to persuade him to leave all of it behind—to start a new life far away from Gondor. Their conversation went back and forth, and neither of them was winning.
They remained in Katelain's tent until the sun had fully risen. Later that morning, Katelain called Zavier and told him she had a surprise for him.
"Let her in," Katelain said to one of her soldiers.
A woman entered, dressed in an emerald green gown that hugged her figure and bloomed like leaves in spring. Her lips were a rosy red, and her hair—deep red at the edges—framed her glowing brown skin. Her beauty was breath-taking, her face flawless and serene.
"Jessica…" Zavier breathed, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes suddenly glassy.
"Zave," she replied, her voice trembling with emotion.
He strode toward her without hesitation and pulled her into a tight, warm embrace.
"Oh, how I've missed you," he whispered.
Zavier, Olivia, and Chloe would have already left—if not for the antidote they were waiting on to cure Olivia.
Zavier had gone to check on her and see how she was doing. When he arrived, Chloe was there too. She and her sister were having a great time, laughing and chatting.
"How are you feeling?" Zavier asked, sitting on the opposite camp bed.
"I'm great. Could really do with some of your roasted squirrel right now," Olivia replied, shooting Zavier a look that seemed almost envious.
"Gotcha! I knew you liked it," Zavier grinned.
Chloe burst into laughter.
"What?" Zavier asked, clearly confused.
"Don't flatter yourself, Zavvy boy," Olivia said with a broad, satisfied grin. "I was being sarcastic."
Before anyone could say another word, night had already fallen. The antidote was said to be ready by the next day.
Zavier lay on the camp bed in his tent, his thoughts drifting restlessly. Everything that had happened weighed heavily on him. He was confused, uncomfortable, even angry.
Why would Deman do something like this? Why this path? He pondered the questions over and over, almost beating himself up with no clear answer.
Suddenly, there was a clattering sound, and he jerked upright from his thoughts.
"Who's there?" he called, sitting up quickly.
"Hey… it's me," came Jessica's voice as she stepped inside, pulling down the hood she had used to hide her identity on the way in.
"Hey. I'm sorry, I thought it was…" Zavier trailed off, then shifted to make space. "Here, have a seat."
Jessica sat down beside him on the bed.
"I thought I'd never see you again, Zavier," Jessica said softly, her eyes locked onto his. "You seem… worried."
"Yeah… I'm sorry about that. It's just—" he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "A lot has happened lately. Things I can't even begin to wrap my head around."
He reached for her hand gently, a silent gesture to reassure her, to clear any doubt that might still linger between them.
Jessica gave a small smile. "Then let me ease your pain," she whispered, running her hand slowly across his back.
Zavier shivered at the sensation—a soft chill rippling down his spine. Their heads drew closer, the air between them heavy with unspoken feelings, until their lips met in a slow, searching kiss.
They sank into the bed together, their hands moving instinctively, exploring each other body—lost in the moment, gasping as desire and emotion entwined.
At least now Zavier will have a cool night rest, after what will seem to be a long night for him and Jessica.
Screams filled the air as the ground trembled violently. Zavier woke with a start, his heart pounding.
He was naked, covered only by a furred blanket. Jessica was long gone.
What is happening? he thought.
Without hesitation, he grabbed his clothes, threw them on, and rushed out of the tent—just as something massive landed on it, collapsing it completely.
What he saw outside was almost beyond belief.
The entire camp was in chaos. Several tents were ablaze, others already reduced to rubble. Soldiers lay scattered, wounded and dazed.
Floating in mid-air, surrounded by a red-dark, misty dome, was Olivia.
Her body was laced in glowing red veins. Her eyes—normally a calm blue—had turned a bloody, radiant red.
Soldiers gathered below her. One of them launched himself upward, a massive rock-formed fist encasing his arm. He reached her height and slammed her down. The impact rocked the camp, leaving a deep crater in the earth.
For a moment, it seemed the chaos had paused.
But then—the dome shot upward again, still encasing Olivia. She remained untouched… but now angrier than ever.
Raising her hand, she summoned a massive red misty hand, which gripped the man who had struck her—by the throat.
She was choking him mid-air.
Suddenly, Zavier arrived.
With a swift motion, he summoned a chain formed from dense dark mist. It coiled around the dome and pulled it downward. As Olivia was dragged toward the ground, three other soldiers attacked with streams of fire.
Olivia's dome held, but the flames were too much.
The shield shattered. The fire struck her.
"No! Don't hurt her!" Zavier screamed.
The blast sent Olivia flying backward—but she landed on her feet, rage boiling through her.
"What has happened to you?" Zavier whispered, stunned.
Suddenly he realized something.
"Where's Katelain?"
His eyes darted to the center of camp—Katelain's tent was covered in the same red misty dome.
Zavier rushed toward it, helping soldiers hammer at the barrier.
Meanwhile, archers took aim at Olivia. Arrows loaded themselves automatically and fired at blazing speed.
But as they reached Olivia, the arrows twisted in mid-air—and turned back, striking down the very soldiers who shot had shot her.
Olivia looked across the field—and saw Katelain emerge from the now-unshielded tent.
She closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, she unleashed a quake. The ground trembled. Red mist engulfed the trees. Raising her hand, Olivia moved as if lifting a massive weight—trees all around began ripping out of the ground, their roots—long and twisted—rising into the air.
"She's up to no good," Katelain growled, fury boiling in her.
Olivia had killed nearly all her loyal soldiers… destroyed everything she had built.
"I'm going to kill that girl, Zave," she hissed, stepping forward.
"Wait!" Zavier shouted, pulling her back. "She's not herself. Where's the antidote?"
"SHE LOCKED IT WITH US IN THIS SHITTY DOME WE JUST BROKE," Katelain replied. "She didn't want us to give it to her… I think she knew."
A soldier brought the antidote forward and handed it to Zavier.
"Listen to me, Kate," he said urgently. "I know you're better than this." He clutched the vial. "That girl out there—it's not Olivia. If you kill her now, you're doing more harm than good. Let me try. Just let me give her the antidote."
"I think we're too late," Katelain said, her voice low and tense. She stood beside Chloe, Jessica, and the little boy they Katelain had wanted to kill —Richard—all of them looking up in dread.
Olivia had shaped the massive, uprooted trees into sharp, spear-like weapons. And without further hesitation—she rained them down.
Katelain's eyes glowed green as she thrust her hands upward. The trees froze in mid-air. Thankfully, she still had the power to bend nature to her will.
But Olivia pushed back—hard. The trees creaked and groaned as Olivia forced them downward. Kate struggled to hold them back.
"She's… she's too strong," Katelain grunted. "I can't hold this much longer—she's going to—"
Before she could finish, Olivia twisted her head, and a massive rock shot forward, striking Katelain violently and sending her crashing to the ground.
At that exact moment, the tree-spears rained down.
Zavier summoned a wide metal shield above them just in time, protecting Chloe, Jessica, Richard, and Katelain from the deadly assault. But the weight was immense—Zavier's knees buckled, his arms trembling as he struggled to keep the shield steady.
Suddenly, Jessica transformed into a massive bear, rising on her hind legs and bracing herself beneath the shield alongside Zavier. Together, they held it.
Katelain, though badly injured, still had enough strength to command the stray trees away, protecting herself from further harm.
When the chaos finally ceased, the battlefield was eerily silent.
Zavier, Katelain, Jessica, Chloe, and Richard were the only ones still standing.
Zavier stepped forward, arms raised.
"Hey, Olivia," he called softly. "I come in peace. I don't want to hurt you."
His voice was gentle, calm, deliberate. "I know how it feels—to lose everything. Your mom, your grandma, your father… your home. All of it, gone, and for what?"
He took a few more careful steps toward her. "I know that pain. I've lived it. But I want you to know something—you're not alone anymore. We're here. With you. For you."
Olivia stood still in the mist, her breathing heavy, eyes flickering.
"I know you can hear me," he continued. "Just take this—one gulp, that's all. Let it end."
He reached into his pouch and slowly pulled out the antidote, holding it toward her. Olivia hesitated, then—cautiously—took it.
She stared at it for a moment.
Then she drank.
A moment passed.
Then—"AAAAAARRRGGGHH!"
Her body convulsed violently. She doubled over, shaking, before suddenly launching a massive punch at Zavier. He blocked it, but the force sent him sliding backwards, his boots tearing a long, rough line into the ground.
Still shaking, Olivia lifted her hand. Red mist surged from her fingertips, engulfing Zavier. With a scream, she flung him into the air, hurling him toward the opposite side of the camp.
But mid-flight, Zavier flipped in the air, summoned a dark chain, and threw it with precision. It wrapped around Olivia's waist.
As he landed, he yanked the chain, pulling her toward him.
In one swift movement, he caught her by the neck, looked into her glowing red eyes, and whispered, "I'm sorry for this."
With a powerful slam, he drove her hard into the ground. The impact shattered the dirt beneath her—and Olivia slipped into unconsciousness.
Everything was still again.
A breath passed.
"You think she'll be okay when she wakes up?" Chloe asked, her voice trembling.
Zavier turned to Katelain, his chest heaving.
"Yes," Katelain replied softly. "She will."