Chapter 9
"You know," Jacob sneered, "your arrogance surpasses even your father's. Before I put him in his place, he never believed his sweet brother could harm an ant. He ignored every warning. My spies said he even claimed that if I ever got too bold, he'd put me in my place. But look what happened—I was the one who crushed him, and I didn't even break a sweat."
He turned to Clare with a mocking grin.
"You surprise me, Clare. You're still alive not because your mother protected you, but because I never thought you'd dare raise your head. Like father, like daughter. Spare me the grand introduction—you already know who I am. Your sweet uncle. Now, let's set the table for war, shall we?"
Dark magic began to erupt from his body like a storm of shadows.
In that final moment—when death loomed close and all hope seemed lost—Jacob's laughter echoed through the chamber. Eric and his allies had prayed, fought, and written their fate into the heavens. Then, miraculously, a thick smoke of clouds swirled around the room.
"Your evil will catch up with you, Jacob," came the voice of Old Esther, powerful and resolute. "You will never succeed."
Jacob and his dark followers hesitated. Surprise flickered in their eyes. Eric and his crew, battered but unbroken, they were filled with joy and awe. Jacob, masking his fear, stepped forward with renewed rage, the air pulsing with the dark power that had made him betray his people.
But Esther had no intention of fighting yet.
She raised her hands, and the divine cloud enveloped Eric and his companions. In a blink, they vanished from the battlefield.
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They reappeared deep within the hidden mountain house where Esther had lived in secret.
There, she revealed the truth. "I escaped your uncle's grip long ago," she said. "I've been watching. Waiting. And now, we must act."welcome home my sweet grandson
She explained that though the Dark Tribe was feared, every power—light or dark—had its limits. "It's time for each of you to bring out everything you have," she urged. "The battle ahead cannot be won with fear."
Turning to Eric, she continued, "You and your sister—your bond gives you power over earth, water, fire… nearly every element. And you, Nature Princess," she said to Cynthia, "you carry a dark vein within you. Do not hide it. We will leave no stone unturned."
She looked into their eyes, steady and firm.
"It's time to pay your people a visit."
The Nature Tribe, though often overlooked, were never weak. They lived beyond the Turnbush—a thick, enchanted wilderness that only obeyed the tribe's call. No intruder had ever crossed it and survived.
Now, it was up to Cynthia, Eric, and Philip to brave the treacherous path and seek help. Before they departed, Esther gave one final warning:
"Expect danger. But do not falter. Aethelgard needs you."