The thick purple liquid in the cauldron began to boil and a thin veil of steam curled upward before falling over the edges of the cauldron like a volcano eruption without the explosive sounds. Slowly, it cleared, and faint images started to form. He could see them running. From what or to where, he didn't know, but he could tell that the bundle being carried in the arms of one of the demons was the new Dark Lord. The spawn of the evil deceased Dark Lord, ruler of the Underworld. “Hmmm, now where did you hide the little Dark Lord?” He murmured, and the scene changed. Suddenly, a series of loud knocks slammed against the greenhouse door, sharp and abrupt, making Ron yelp and jolt back. The ladle clattered against the edge of the cauldron and the images vanished with a hiss, melting back into a bland swirl of violet mist. Ron groaned, shoulders slumping. Now he had to perform the spell all over again. Just who was it that was ruining his progress? He nearly found out where the Dark
Vathar frowned as he eyed the necklace in Dareth’s hand. “Eron didn’t give me that. That necklace is the only thing my parents found on me when they took me in. It’s all I have left of my real family. Give it back!”Dareth narrowed his eyes. All he had left of his real family? He gazed at the necklace, examining it closely. The pendant bore a flower-shaped insignia—Eron’s insignia. It was definitely Eron’s. There was no mistaking it. He then frowned as a thought occurred to him. “Tell me,” he said, raising the necklace. “What colour is this?”Vathar gave him a look of pure confusion. Was this a trick? Or was he mocking him?“Answer me,” Dareth snapped.“It’s black,” Vathar replied, still glaring. “The necklace is completely black. Now give it back. It's mine.” Dareth looked again. To him, the necklace was definitely silver but to the human, it was black?He gasped, realising something then suddenly, he threw his head back and laughed. It was a long, wild, disbelieving laugh that ech
Vathar paled. His heart sunk to his stomach and a cold weight settled in his gut. Eron was betrothed to another and he didn't tell him? “No.” He whispered, shaking his head in disbelief. He didn't believe it. Eron would never hide such a thing from him. “No. No you're lying. He would’ve told me…” Without warning, Dareth vanished from where he stood and reappeared before Vathar in the blink of an eye. His hand clamped around Vathar’s throat, squeezing hard. “Be careful what comes out of your mouth, boy.” he snarled, his voice like a growl of thunder before a storm. The clouds moved, covering the moon and stars, plunging the night into deeper darkness, as if to show the depth of Dareth's anger. “I am the Spirit of Night and Secrets.” He declared. There’s nothing you can hide from me. I know what you’ve been doing with Eron so just come clean before I snap your neck.” Vathar choked, eyes bulging as he struggled against Dareth's crushing grip. It felt like iron chains were coiled
Maelda made no move, completely ignoring him and Eron laughed. The two were always like that. His mood was somewhat complicated before because of the news of Demons and the fact that Zedekiel was on the hunt for the Demon Lord but Vathar and Maelda knew just how to lighten his mood. “You really should leave Maelda alone,” he said through a smile, reaching out to hold Vathar's hand. Vathar’s eyes softened, and in the next breath, he slid an arm around Eron’s waist, pulling him close until there was no space between them. “Well, it’s a certain Spirit’s fault I bothered her in the first place,” he murmured, voice low and honey-sweet. “He left me alone for quite some time. I got bored.” Prince Ron froze. Ah?? What was going on? Weren’t the Earth Spirit and Vathar good brothers? Why were they hugging so intimately??? “Really?” Eron tilted his head, amusement glimmering in his gaze. “What a bad spirit that is. How could he do that to you?” He let his arms snake up around Vathar’s nec
Prince Ron, who was quietly watching the past, gasped at this point. Zedekiel??? And a Witch??? Why was his beloved mentioned? And with a Witch? What Witch? He wanted to see the Witch right now! What greasy lady or man were getting their hands on his beloved? He wanted to know right away!‘Focus’ he heard the Mother Tree whisper to him and he forced down his jealousy though his face remained a light shade of green. Well, whoever the Witch was stood no chance now. He was already married to his beloved and also pregnant. No one could take Zedekiel away from him.Eron noticeably tensed at the mention of Zedekiel and his Witch. Just hearing their names sent a chill down his spine. They were two beings even he avoided crossing. His gaze flicked instinctively toward a quiet, shaded corner of the grove, where the leaves covered a figure resting against the trunk of a tree, enjoying the cool night breeze.His eyes then flicked back to Dareth. “And what will they do if they find him?” he aske
Prince Ron groaned the second he saw that the scenery had changed. Why does this always happpen to him? Must they always take him to the past? Couldn't they just tell him the story?“Watch.” He heard the gentle voice of the Mother Tree urge in his mind and he sighed, watching the events unfold. (Many many centuries ago…)There was a grove alive with magic. It was a wide expanse of forest stretched beneath the night sky, its trees rising so tall that they almlst disappeared into the clouds, their trunks pale and smooth like ivory columns. Each one of the trees shimmered like diamonds under the moonlight, singing songs of praises for the Earth spirit in unison. The air trembled with the harmony, a melody so soft, so achingly pure, that it seemed to silence even the stars.It was said that these were no ordinary trees. They were the Singing Trees, born from the early breath of the earth, each one gifted with voice and spirit.Their song flowed like wind over water—notes swelling, dippi