“Gideon!”Seraphina’s voice cut through the night, urgent and filled with relief.Gideon turned just as she and the others, Jareth, Kai and Lucinda, emerged from the dense trees, their faces illuminated by the pale glow of the moon. Leaves crunched beneath their hurried footsteps as they approached him.“There you are!” Jareth huffed, placing his hands on his knees. “Do you have any idea how long we’ve been looking for you?”“Where did you go?” Kai added, frowning. “One minute you were with us, the next you vanished.”Gideon exhaled, his thoughts still reeling from everything he had seen. “I saw her,” he said.Lucinda’s eyes narrowed. “Her?”“The girl from the forest,” he clarified. “And…” He hesitated, knowing the weight of his next words. “I saw Lord Roderick.”Seraphina stiffened. The change in her was immediate. Her shoulders tensed, her expression darkened, and she averted her gaze.“I saw My father too,” she said softly.The sadness in her voice was unmistakable. Without another

The path stretched endlessly before them, shrouded in a thick, swirling mist. The trees that lined either side loomed tall and menacing, their twisted branches clawing at the sky like skeletal fingers. The air was eerily still, as if the forest itself was holding its breath. Gideon walked ahead, his eyes scanning around. His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword, though he knew a blade would do little against the kind of danger that lurked in this forsaken place. His companions followed closely behind, their expressions tense. Jareth exhaled loudly. “You know, I’ve heard stories about this place,” he said, his voice breaking the silence. Kai groaned. “Please, not another one of your stories.” Lucinda smirked. “Oh, let him speak, Kai. At least if we die, we’ll be entertained on the way.” Jareth grinned. “Glad someone appreciates my wisdom. Now, as I was saying this path was once home to a group of royal soldiers, the elite warriors of King Aerioneth. They were known as t