When good turns evil

As they walked slowly through the doorway, Kaelara, Lila, and Zara were met with a sight that made their hearts skip a beat. Phelia, the girl they had mourned and assumed dead, stood before them, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and uncertainty.

For a moment, the three girls froze, their minds struggling to comprehend the impossibility of the situation. They exchanged sceptical glances, their faces pale with shock. Lila's eyes welled up with tears as she whispered as her voice trembled, "Is...is this real?"

Kaelara and Zara remained statue-still, their arms embracing Lila. They seemed to be waiting for some sign or proof that Phelia was truly alive and not just a product of their fevered imaginations.

Phelia, sensing their hesitation, took a tentative step forward. Her eyes locked onto Kaelara's searchingly, and for an instant, they just stared at each other. Phelia's eyes searched Kaelara gaze seeking answers.

Slowly, Kaelara's expression softened, and she took a step forward. Zara and Lila followed suit, their faces etched with a mix of wonder and trepidation.

As they drew closer, Phelia's eyes brimmed with tears. She opened her arms, seeking comfort from Kaelara, the only one she knew. She really did need it as she had just gone through a lot mentally and needed emotional support of some kind, but the three girls hesitated for a moment before embracing her. She was surprised, but didn't want to ruin the moment. The air was filled with the sound of sniffles and muffled sobs as they held each other tightly.

Phelia was taken aback by the intensity of their emotions. She had expected anger, resentment, or even fear, but not this overwhelming display of affection. As she hugged Kaelara, Phelia wondered why Kaelara was being so affectionate, given their complicated past.

As they pulled back, faces streaked with tears, Phelia's eyes met Kaelara's once more. This time, she saw something there that gave her pause – a deep-seated concern, a sense of responsibility, and perhaps even a hint of affection.

Kaelara had a multitude of questions for Phelia but before she could ask any, the moment was shattered by a sudden knock at the door. The sound sent a jolt of fear through the girls, and they exchanged wide-eyed glances.

Lila's voice trembled as she whispered, "What if it's...what if it's Commander Thrax?"

Kaelara's face set in a determined expression. "We'll face him together."

Zara's eyes darted toward the door. "But what if it's not just Commander Thrax? What if it's...the Cloaked Man?"

Phelia's heart skipped a beat as she wondered if the mysterious observers had finally come for her.

Each girl had her own fears and worries. Despite their attempts to hide it, their faces betrayed their emotions.

As the knock at the door grew louder, more insistent, the girls' fear and uncertainty reached a boiling point. They stood frozen, their hearts pounding in unison, as they waited for the unknown threat on the other side of the door to reveal itself.

The knocking stopped, and for a moment, there was silence. Then, a soft voice replied, "It's Arden Kyrexi. Can I come in?"

"Arden Kyrexi", Kaelara whispered to the girls, "Who's that?"

Phelia with raised eyebrows said "I know him, we met at the grand hall, but what's he doing here by this time?"

The girls exchanged relieved glances, As Phelia knew Arden so.

Phelia opened the door, and Arden slipped inside, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something or someone.

"What's going on, Arden, What are you doing here at this time?" Kaelara asked, her curiosity piqued.

Arden stood confidently, with his chin held up, his eyes locking onto the other girls. "I saw you girls sneaking around earlier. I didn't know what to make of it. So I decided to investigate."

Phelia realized she didn't actually question where they were coming from so late into the night.

The three girls looked at him in shock, they didn't expect anyone to be out so late into the night.

Kaelara asked pissed off at his overconfident and bothersome poking attitude in a mocking manner "Why would you want to investigate us? Are you one of the Heads of the academy or a soldier? Umm".

"Oh ho, well, I guess it would be better to report this to the heads, you know... for your safety" he said cheekily while slowly turning around.

The three girls were surprised by the turn of events and just when they were about to stop him.

Phelia smiled weakly, still looking a bit dazed, "I think they probably had something going on Arden." She said trying to cover up for them.

Arden's eyes widened in amazement. " Oh... at midnight? Hmm seems... important, since it had to be done in secret."

As Arden bombarded them with questions, the other girls exchanged worried glances. They knew they had to be careful about who they trusted with Phelia's secret or what they had just found out.

Just as they were starting to relax, Zara's eyes darted toward the window and her eyes caught sight of a pair of golden eyes and fur staring intently at her in the forest. She couldn't help but keep staring, A connection like never before, so strong, it pulled at her whole being. But just as it appeared it, it turned and as fast as lightning ran on all four until it was nowhere to be found.

Zara who was dazed by what she just saw was brought back to reality by the sound of a knock on the door.

"Who is that?" Arden whispered, his eyes fixed at the door.

Kaelara's face set in a tensed expression. "We're about to find out."

"Oh no, not again, who could be at the door at this hour?, I'm beginning to get tired of all this surprises" Zara said, but not without having the fear that it could be the Cloaked figure or Commander Thrax.

Zara, trying to appear braver than she felt, stepped forward and called out, "Who is it?"

But there was no answer, moving forward towards the door.

Zara's hand trembled as she reached for the door handle. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, and slowly opened the door.

But instead of the dark cloaked figure from the windmill or Commander Thrax, she was met with the sight of two sombre-faced men in black suits. They looked like they had just stepped out of a funeral procession.