KINGDOM OF THANDOR...
Elara sat by the window, staring blankly into the distance as silent tears trailed down her face.
Beside her stood Kael, his head lowered, shoulders tense.
"How…?" her voice trembled before rising. "How did you not know when she left? She is your sister! Weren't you supposed to always be with her?"
Kael said nothing. There were no words he could offer.
The doors opened.
Thalion walked in slowly, his expression as hard as stone, guards trailing behind him. His sharp gaze landed on Kael, who stiffened, his hands trembling slightly.
"It's been six months," Elara continued, her voice breaking. "Six months since she disappeared… and you have done nothing to find her."
"I'm trying my best!" Thalion snapped.
"Trying? Trying?!" Elara turned to him, fury blazing in her tear-filled eyes. "How much longer do you need? Our daughter is out there somewhere! We don't know what she's going through, we don't know what's happening to her—and you're trying? Then try harder!"
Her chest rose and fell rapidly as silence filled the room.
Thalion ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every movement.
"Mom… Dad…" Kael's voice broke the tension.
They both snapped their head towards him, eyes raging .
"Mom, remember… when we first started searching for Astra?" he asked cautiously.
"What's your point?" Elara replied coldly.
"I… I woke up from something like a dream that day," Kael continued. "And immediately after, I started searching for her…"
"Get to the point!" Thalion barked.
Kael swallowed. "I saw Sage… She warned me. She said Astra set something free… I didn't understand it at the time."
The room fell silent.
"And you're just saying this now?" Elara demanded. "After six months? Why?"
Kael's expression hardened.
"How was I supposed to?" he shot back. "When all you and Father did was blame me for her disappearance?"
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out.
The door slammed shut behind him.
Elara turned slowly to Thalion.
"We have to find that girl—Sage. Wasn't she Astra's maid? She must be involved in this somehow."
Thalion said nothing. His fists clenched at his sides.
Did she find out?
Did Sage discover the truth… that she is Astra's half-sister?
Did that foolish Catrin tell her?
His thoughts were cut short as two guards burst into the room.
"Your Majesty! We have found two girls trespassing into the kingdom. They claim they are here to find Sage."
Thalion and Elara exchanged a quick glance.
"Where are they?" Thalion asked coldly. "Take me to them."
____________________________________
MOUNT DAMARIES...
Five immortals stood before a towering statue. It was cracked… nearly crumbling apart.
"She's fading…" one of them muttered, voice heavy with worry.
"Let's go. Maybe we can still talk some sense into her," another said. The others nodded in agreement.
"I'll come along as well."
A new voice echoed through the hall.
The immortals turned instantly—and bowed.
"Lord Damaries!" they greeted in unison.
The old man nodded calmly, waving a hand in dismissal.
"Let's go."
_________________________________
THE WATERFALL...
A woman sat on a rock beside a roaring waterfall.
Her long white hair flowed like silk down her back,she had soft facial features, her pale face calm, almost otherworldly. She was breathtaking.
Her eyes were closed as she meditated in silence.
"What brings you here?" she asked softly, sensing their presence before even looking.
She stood and turned toward them—
Then froze.
Her eyes widened in shock as she saw the figure behind them.
She bowed immediately.
"Lord Damaries…"
He smiled faintly, "Naerwen" he called, but the expression faded when his gaze fell on the faint lines marking her skin.
A sigh escaped him.
"You have truly chosen… to let yourself fade away."