When the light dissipated, they found themselves in a dilapidated cottage in the middle of the woods. Katie pivoted in place, giving the place a quick scan. It barely had anything aside from a small, wooden bed at the corner and a small table by the door.“I recognize this place,” Katie ran out of the cottage, looking at it from outside. Ryle and Kaine hot on her heels.“You’ve been here?” Ryle asked, grimacing at the sight of the cottage. “It looks like it can barely stand on its own.”“This cottage is where Miss lived. She was an augur eons ago.”“Oh wow, she is talented,” Kaine muttered, oddly cheery. “So why are we here?”Katie bit her bottom lip. “I have no idea… but I guess it has something to do with releasing Jainella.”“Then let’s get this over with. Do you know how to get out?”“Miss says it&rsquo

She climbed to her feet and wrapped her hands around herself, shivering obstinately. She sized up the palace from her spot and she realized that it was the first time she was in this sort of situation. Does the palace even have doorbells? Usually they’d be expecting her arrival so they would be prepared to open the gates but- “Katie? Katie!” She felt a pair of strong, slender hands wrap around her from behind, Alexander’s nostalgic scent reminded her of the salty air in the island of Oreis. She smiled and placed her hand on his, surprised at how cold it was. “Nice to see you too…?” she muttered. “What’s with this sudden gesture?” Alexander released her and made her face him. He smiled the brightest smile she had ever seen and cupped her cheeks in his cold hands. He scanned every feature of her face as if he couldn’t believe it was her. “Are you alright?” Katie asked, swatting his hands away. “You’re hurting my face.” Alexander

Alexander’s father bounded down the stairs, almost running into him when he reached the floor below. “Did you eavesdrop on our conversation?” Alexander asked his father, shaking his head in disbelief. “If you mean the part where you were feeling selfish, yes,” the King grinned. “It was so surprising; I thought I could die happy then and there.” “Ha. Ha,” Alexander rolled his eyes. “So let me hear this solution of yours.” “Alex,” his father raised a dark blue, velvet box. “Don’t you think it’s the perfect occasion?” Alexander eyed the box in his father’s hand, memories of his childhood flooding back to him. He didn’t know he took that box with him, nor why he even considered taking it. Alexander swiped the box from his father, giving him a grateful nod before running back to the library to finish what he started the night before. At the end of the day, late in the afternoon, Katie entered the library. “Alexander, I’m sorry we to

Alexander cussed and rushed to intercept them but the two paused in their tracks. Katie now stood at the threshold to the veranda, her eyes cold and piercing. Alexander feared that Katie’s eyes would turn red again but it didn’t. “Do you honestly think I have use for cults like you?” Katie tilted her head. “You have lost sight of your goals and chose to seize the power that will never belong to you,” She reached out her hand like she was asking for something. The ring tore free from the man’s grasp and slung back to Katie’s outstretched hand. “This ring is made for me alone.” The ring dissolved to dust in her hands and she took a deep breath, as if power was surging through her body. When she opened her eyes, it had taken the brilliant blue hue of the gem. The dust danced around her arm and created an outline in the shape of a sword. The shape immediately took form as Katie’s hands wrapped around its hilt. “The god’s descendant…” the man muttered, falling to his knees. He tugged at