After that night beneath the kapok tree, Elena and Jaime began to unravel the walls around them, piece by fragile piece. Their conversations grew longer, deeper, no longer just passing words tossed into the wind- but threads weaving something tentative and real between them.
Elena stopped holding back. When Jaime asked about her past, she answered with a softness reserved only for those rare few she trusted. She even shared stories of her first love, Seamus- the nephew of Niegal, which made Jaime smirk with easy teasing. A light zap to his ribs silenced his jibe, but the moment of laughter felt like a balm to Elena's wounded spirit.
Niegal's absence in the Sanctuary was a heavy silence. No patrols, no word, as though he'd simply slipped away from their lives. Elena fought a bitter ache every time she thought of it, telling herself it was better this way. For her own heart's sake, if not for the children's.
Phineus and Esperanza watched quietly. They didn't understand where their father went, or why, but they saw their mother soften, smile more. Jaime was no longer just a stranger but a steady presence, trusted and respected by all. Juan took a keen liking to him, Jaime saw a lot of himself in the young teen.
Yet, Phineus's dreams told a darker tale.
In those dreams, his father's eyes glowed fiery red; a stench of rot hung heavy in the air; his mother wept bloodied and broken. Fear clenched at his young heart, but seeing her happiness, even fleeting, gave him hope to hold onto.
Meanwhile, Esperanza and Juan grew closer with each passing day. The looming threat of the cult hunting her pushed Juan harder in his training. What had seemed at first a silly display of protectiveness soon revealed itself as something deeper, something that made Esperanza's pulse quicken.
In turn, she began teaching him to call upon Guey, the ancient spirit whispering in his blood. The more magic Juan wielded, the louder Guey's voice became—a warning of corruption brewing within their sanctuary's walls.
Juan redoubled his efforts, sweat and determination shining in his eyes.
Jaime's own struggles intensified. The god within whispered incessantly:
She wants you. Just take the leap.
He fought it as best he could, but the pull towards Elena; stormy, fierce, and achingly vulnerable, grew stronger every day.
For months, quiet reigned. Outside, whispers of escalating violence from the cult of Serpiente stirred unease. The church was rumored to be rallying a crusade, desperate to quell the rising tide of fanaticism.
Then, everything changed.
Esperanza and Juan sparred near the southern gate's ring, their movements graceful and playful, more dance than combat. Their laughter echoed softly under the sun, a rare moment of lightness.
But Esperanza suddenly froze, her eyes closing as she reached out to the shifting currents in the air.
Juan, breathing hard, sheathed his training sword and asked, "What is it? What's wrong?"
Before she could answer-
THWIP
A dart struck her shoulder. Shock widened her eyes, and Juan caught her just as they fluttered shut.
His face drained of color as he pulled out the feathered shaft- distinct, unmistakable: the mark of the cult.
"We're under attack! Sound the alarm!" Juan shouted, cradling Esperanza to his chest.
The silence shattered as dozens of assassins swarmed the gates and spilled into the sanctuary.
Juan barely dodged a second dart grazing his cheek, poison burning through his veins. A passing thought- the cult wouldn't use poison. But there was no time.
His eyes flared gold as he roared, ancient roots and vines erupting from the earth, lashing wildly to tear assailants apart. Body and limb rained crimson around him.
The bell tower's alarm rang sharp and clear, signaling the sanctuary to arms.
Juan pulled Esperanza close, his vision blurring as he brushed a damp curl from her sweat-slicked brow. "Hang on, mi Reina," he whispered, as the roots coiled beneath and around them, sinking them deep into the earth's cold embrace.
Thanks to the foresight of Jaime and Juan, the battle was brief- an hour of chaos ending with few casualties.
But when Elena realized Esperanza and Juan were missing and not among the fighters, dread seized her chest like a vise.
She rushed to Jaime, eyes wild, clutching her still-healing wound as if it might break again. He was with Alejandro, giving orders to guardsmen on where to strengthen their patrols moving forward.
"Esperanza… Juan… they're gone-please, Jaime-!"
Without hesitation, Jaime summoned a search party, Alejandro taking point, and helped Elena to a nearby bench.
"We'll find them," he promised, voice steady though his heart beat wildly.
The goddess stirred within Elena, whispering:
Check the sparring ring. There's ancient magic there.
Their eyes met, a silent accord.
Together, they rushed to the southern training grounds.
The scene stopped Elena's breath.
Blood stained the earth, torn flesh and broken limbs scattered like cruel trophies.
A massive sinkhole yawned where the ground had collapsed.
Within, a massive knotted tangle of kapok roots and thorny vines pulsed faintly, golden pollen shimmering in the dim light.
Her heart stilled. She knew.
"No… no… Esperanza! Juan!" she screamed as she rushed toward them.
Jaime held her back from the deadly fall.
"Mi Doña, breathe. Have faith," he urged softly. "They're still alive-"
Her fury answered with thunderclaps rolling overhead, lightning flashing in her eyes.
"What if they're not?!" she cried, storm breaking loose in her voice and spirit.
Jaime wrapped her tightly as the tempest raged, grounding her as Coatriskie hissed warnings in his mind.
Guey has taken them. We must wait and see if they survive his realm.
Rain fell in torrents, washing over the scene as Elena wept bitter tears of fear and hope intertwined. Guabancex said nothing, just hissed in deep displeasure.
Alejandro, Aurora, and Vera arrived, their faces pale and eyes wide with horror beneath the storm's fury. Aurora shielded Vera's eyes from the carnage, but she'd seen enough. The girl began to cry without end.
Deep in the tangled roots, Juan and Esperanza lay entwined, unaware of the storm roaring above.
They slept, caught in the silent, uncertain hold of Guey's ancient power.