The forest was too quiet. The serpent's corpse stank of poison, but its death didn't loosen the knot in Icarus's chest. His hand rested against the ground—magic pulsed through the soil, old and heavy, choking the air like chains.
"She's underneath," he said flatly.
Alwin's weathered eyes narrowed. "Buried alive?"
"Not just buried. Sealed." Icarus's voice was low, teeth clenched. "This magic isn't the serpent's—it's deliberate. Whoever cast it didn't want her found."
Alwin dropped to one knee, pressing his hand against the dirt. His instincts told him where the ground was weaker. "Then we'll tear it open. With or without permission."
The earth groaned under Icarus's spell, soil cracking like ribs forced open. The ground sank away to reveal a dark hollow beneath—a vast cage of twisted roots and stone, carved with runes that pulsed a sickly crimson light. The air that poured out was heavy, reeking of sulfur and blood, as though the forest itself had been chained and bled dry.
Alwin staggered back a step, his seasoned composure cracking. "A cage… sealed into the forest itself?" His voice was grim, almost a whisper. "No wonder the beasts have gone mad. Their roots are feeding on this corruption."
Icarus's expression hardened, eyes narrowing as the runes flared against his aura. "A double spell," he muttered. "One to bury her. Another to hide this… prison. Whoever cast it didn't just want her gone—they used her as the lock."
Vireth swooped down, landing on the edge of the cage. The raven's feathers bristled as it cawed sharply. "Master! The curse is layered. Break it wrong, and the whole forest falls."
Alwin's jaw clenched, his hand on the hilt of his old blade even though it was useless against magic. "Then what do we do?"
Icarus touched the seal with his staff. The magic clawed at him instantly, ancient and furious, like a hundred voices screaming in his mind. For a moment, his vision blurred—and he almost swore he heard Aria's heartbeat beneath the noise.
He steadied himself, eyes glowing faintly. "We break it. Carefully."
———————————————————————
The Black Knights carried Abigel's unconscious form into the tent, the air heavy with unease. Theo was already waiting, arms crossed, his eyes narrowing the moment he saw him.
"Was it his aura?" Theo asked, his voice calm but sharp.
Issac stepped forward, bowing his head. "Yes, my lord "
Theo's jaw tightened. "And princess?"
Issac hesitated, throat tightening. "Duke… she went missing."
Theo's eyes snapped to him. "What do you mean—missing?"
Issac forced himself to explain everything: the serpent, the seal, the chaos. When he finished, silence pressed down like a blade.
Theo exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. "We keep this quiet. If word spreads, the South Duchy will be thrown into turmoil—and that is the last thing Selene can afford."
Issac bowed. "Yes, Duke."
Theo's gaze lingered on Abigel, unconscious but restless, dark traces of Umbros still curling faintly around him. His eyes softened for just a fraction of a moment—memories rising of when Abigel was a child, lashing out with aura he couldn't control, and Theo himself had been the one to restrain him. Back then, he'd been able to suppress it with his own aura. But now, stripped of that power, facing Abigel's madness was far more dangerous.
His voice came low and decisive. "Take him to the royal palace. Put him under the dungeon's wards. If he runs wild again… no one here can stop him."
Within seconds, the Black Knights moved. Abigel was carried away in silence, not a single outsider noticing.
Theo entered the command tent at Caisson's summons. Liam was already there, his posture stiff, impatience written all over his face.
"Sir Alwin and Icarus are searching for Aria," Theo said evenly.
A heavy silence followed. Liam's jaw clenched. "Then I should go."
"No," Caisson's voice cut through the air like steel. His expression was calm, but his tone left no room for argument. "It's not the right move. Someone is setting traps in that forest—and they'll be waiting for us to take the bait. This isn't the first attack aimed at the South Duchy. We cannot act recklessly."
"But we can't just sit here while she's missing!" Liam snapped, fists trembling at his sides.
Theo placed a steadying hand on the table, his gaze locking with the prince's. "We are doing something. Icarus is in the forest. If anyone can find her, it's him. He won't stop—not until he brings her back. Trust him."
Liam ground his teeth, but finally lowered his eyes, breathing hard. "And when we get his signal?"
"Then we strike," Theo said, voice firm. "We'll uncover the one behind this."
Caisson leaned back, decisive. "For now, lock down the grounds. Close the gates. No one leaves until we have answers. If anyone asks—say it's part of the tournament proceedings."
The three men exchanged a final look. The weight of waiting was heavy, but for now, they swallowed their anger and prepared for the signal that would decide everything.