Caden lay still, eyes wide, shocked. A sharp pain made him wince. Bella rushed to him.
"Your arm! You're hurt!"
Zetch came closer, face serious.
"Tell me it wasn't her who did that..."
Caden didn't answer.
Bella stood up.
"She could have killed you!"
Zetch nodded.
"Yes. And now there's no doubt anymore—Aletha is possessed."
Bella whispered:
"But… how?"
Caden closed his eyes. A brutal memory surfaced. That day, the black liquid, the splash on Aletha's hand...
"It wasn't an accident," he said quietly. "She was touched that day… by something dark."
Zetch frowned.
"We need to get rid of it. Fast."
Meanwhile, far away in a dark room, a man with glowing eyes stared at a pulsing magic sphere.
"Things are getting worse," Nox murmured. "It's time… to act."
He raised his arms and summoned spirits with ethereal forms.
"Find her. Help her… as we promised."
A wicked laugh echoed as the spirits flew off into the darkness.