The next morning, the group had gathered in the small sitting room. Golden light filtered through the shutters, and each of them held a warm cup in their hands.
— The old man's address is here, said Bella, placing a sheet of paper on the table. It's a cabin lost deep in the forest. His name might be Iriam, or something like that… it wasn't very clear.
— Then let's go, announced Caden, getting to his feet.
— Planning to rush in as usual without thinking? Aletha said sarcastically.
— And you planning to complain the whole way again? he shot back instantly.
Bella and Zetch froze.
— Uh… murmured Bella.
— Seriously? You're at it again? grumbled Zetch. You're acting like two spoiled children. That's enough.
The two culprits turned toward him, then glared at each other in silence.
— There, much better, said Bella curtly. Now that we're all calm, can we go?
They nodded reluctantly.
The forest seemed to swallow sound. The group moved carefully, the humidity clinging to their skin, the trees forming an almost suffocating canopy.
But the calm was suddenly shattered.
— Watch out! shouted Zetch.
Figures leapt from between the trunks, as fast as lightning. Their eyes glowed strangely, and a suffocating mental presence invaded everyone's minds.
— They're using telepathy! shouted Bella as she dodged a mental attack.
One of the attackers lunged at her. She raised her arms, summoning a gust that slammed him into a tree.
Zetch punched the ground, making stone spikes erupt to trap an enemy, but the foe vanished and reappeared behind him.
— Watch your back, Zetch! yelled Caden, sending a swirling flame that pushed the enemy back.
Aletha conjured a water whip, wrapping it around an attacker and hurling him into a tree.
— Not bad, she murmured. For once, we're doing alright.
But another enemy dove toward her. Caden jumped in, forming a wall of fire between them.
— I've got your back, even if you're still as unpleasant, he said with a teasing wink.
— Better that than your sense of humor.
Meanwhile, Bella had lifted into the air, carried by rising currents. She spotted two enemies trying to flank them and unleashed a swirling blast, throwing them into the bushes.
— I think we're giving them a hard time! she called out.
But sensing defeat, the enemies retreated.
Caden dashed after them, but a voice stopped him cold:
— Help…!
He turned. Zetch, Bella, and Aletha had approached a small hut hidden in the foliage. An old man was tied up on the ground.
— Wait for me! Caden shouted, abandoning the chase.
He and Zetch untied the ropes.
— Thank you… I'm… Uriel. Those people came to question me. When I refused to talk, they tied me up… and said they'd wait for other visitors. I suppose they meant you.
— Are you alright? asked Bella.
— Yes… I think so.
— I'm Caden, and this is Bella, Aletha, and Zetch.
Caden pulled out the paper and handed it to Uriel.
— This symbol… do you recognize it?
The old man squinted, taking the paper with trembling fingers.
— Hm… yes. It looks like an ancient rune. A Mage's rune.
Silence fell once again, as heavy as the mystery that had just deepened.