Back at the house, everyone went straight to their rooms.
After washing up and changing clothes, they briefly gathered for a simple yet comforting meal. Fatigue weighed heavily on their shoulders, so much so that even Caden and Aletha didn't have the energy to argue.
Once the meal was over, a soothing silence settled over the house.
Everyone returned to their rooms, longing for well-deserved rest.
But for Aletha, the night was anything but gentle.
In her dream, she found herself in a burning house, the air thick with choking ash.
Bella and Zetch fought by her side against hooded figures, dark as the night.
"Watch your right!" shouted Zetch.
Aletha barely dodged a blow, sending a jet of water to push back an attacker. But their strikes seemed useless—the enemies advanced relentlessly.
Suddenly, with a dull thud, a figure leapt in to shield her.
A young man, his hair streaked with red and blond, took the blow meant for Aletha square in the chest.
"Nick!" she screamed, horrified.
Seriously injured, Nick pushed his attacker away and dropped to one knee, gasping for air.
Aletha ran toward him, but a crash of wood and stone formed an impassable barrier between them.
"Nick! Hold on! I'm coming to help you!" she cried, tears streaming down her face.
Zetch appeared, grabbed her around the waist.
"We have to go! The house is going to collapse!"
"No! I can't leave him!" she sobbed, struggling.
On the other side of the debris, Nick looked at them with a sorrowful smile.
"It's too late for me... Get out of here," he said weakly.
Then, locking eyes with Zetch, he added pleadingly:
"Take care of her for me."
Aletha screamed, fighting with all her strength, but Zetch lifted her onto his shoulder and ran for the exit as the house crumbled behind them.
Her final memory was of Nick's pained smile… then everything went black.