The dance had ended minutes ago, and everyone had moved on to eating and drinking.
That was when Hunter arrived.
His sharp eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on Nolee, Kai, Loki, Wulf, Mateo, and Maya. They were seated together, feasting on a basket of fruits and steaks and chatting happily.
But someone was missing.
Roxanne.
His gaze swept across the festival again.
She was nowhere in sight.
"Hey Hunter! Over here!" Kai called out, waving.
Hunter walked toward them. Mateo tossed an apple at him, and he caught it easily with one hand.
The group clapped and cheered.
"I can see you guys are enjoying yourselves," Hunter said with a faint sneer.
"Are you going to keep talking, or are you going to join us?" Maya asked.
Hunter ignored the question.
"Where is Roxanne?"
"Probably somewhere," Nolee replied casually.
"I saw her go down the path with Kili," Wulf said, adding stylishly,
"Alone."
Hunter froze. A dangerous silence filled the air around him. Jealousy surged through him like wildfire. Without realizing it, his eyes narrowed into sharp blue slits, and the apple in his hand slowly crumbled as his fist tightened. The fruit turned to paste. He turned his back on the others and began walking toward the pathway.
Wulf burst into laughter.
"I knew it! Hunter is in love with Roxanne." "Seems like it," Nolee added with a grin.
"Let's follow him! I wouldn't want to miss the drama," Wulf said excitedly as he hurried after Hunter.
Nolee and Kai exchanged amused smiles before standing up as well.
"Wait up, guys!" Maya called, grabbing Mateo's arm as she followed them.
"Where are you all going? What about the festival?" Loki shouted after them. But they were already gone.
Loki sighed. Then he followed them. The moment they disappeared down the path… The air suddenly changed. A dark wind spiraled through the village. A black whirlwind appeared out of nowhere, violently spinning across the festival grounds. The bonfire was instantly extinguished. Darkness swallowed the celebration. Villagers screamed in fear. Then the whirlwind stopped. And from its center… A figure emerged.
Oropher.
Gasps echoed from every corner of the village.
"So…" Oropher said slowly, his cold eyes scanning the frightened villagers.
"You were all having a party…"
A cruel smile spread across his face.
"And you didn't invite me." He chuckled darkly.
"Let's have some fun."
He raised his hand. Dark magic rippled through the air. One by one… Villagers began turning into stone statues. Frozen in their screams. Screams filled the night. But no one could escape. And far away… Down the hidden path toward Gladys Cove… Hunter and the others had no idea what had just begun.
***********************************************
"Are you sure about this, Kili? I feel scared!" Roxanne said, stepping backward after looking down at the deep water below.
"Don't tell me you're afraid of heights?" Kili teased.
"I am not! It's just… this is my first time doing this!"
"And I told you it will be fun. Trust me," he said, gently holding her hands and turning her to face him.
For a moment, his eyes drifted to her lips—rosy and inviting.
I'll be damned if I don't kiss her before the end of the day, he thought.
"Ready?"
Roxanne hesitated for a second before nodding.
"On the count of three," Kili said. "One… two… three… jump!" "Ahhh!" Roxanne screamed as they leapt from the mountain.
Wind rushed past them as they fell.
"Isn't this great?" Kili shouted while they were still in the air.
"I can't hear you, Kili, but this is awesome! Woo-hoo!" Roxanne yelled back, laughing wildly.
A moment later—
They hit the water with a loud splash, plunging deep beneath the surface.
Bubbles rushed past them as they sank.
Kili watched Roxanne as her hair floated around her in the water, moving wildly like dark waves. In that moment, she looked almost unreal to him.
Like a goddess beneath the water.
"What?" Roxanne asked when she noticed him staring.
But instead of answering, Kili pulled her closer, wrapping one arm around her waist before swimming them both up to the surface.
They burst out of the water, gasping for breath.
"Roxanne!" Kili called, still holding her.
"Yes?"
He hesitated for a moment.
Then he asked quietly—
"Do you like me?"
Roxanne blinked in surprise.
For a moment, the sound of the waterfall was the only thing between them. And then –
***********************************************
Hunter moved at a swift trot through the dense woods, knocking tree limbs and grapevines out of his way as he forced his path forward in search of Roxanne and Kili.
Kili.
Hunter clenched his jaw.
He would be damned if he didn't kill him for this.
In his haste, he nearly smashed his head against a low tree branch but quickly ducked beneath it and kept moving.
Moments later, the sound of rushing water reached his ears.
A waterfall.
Then he heard it.
Her name.
"Roxanne!"
It was Kili's voice.
Hunter froze.
"Yes!" Roxanne replied.
Hunter stepped forward and suddenly saw them in the water together.
His eyes nearly popped out of his head.
They were close—too close.
For a moment, anger surged through him.
Then something else followed.
Regret.
Why had he even come looking for them?
Only to see this?
He scoffed bitterly.
Kili can have her for all I care.
Hunter turned around and began to walk away.
But then—
He heard Kili speak again.
"Do you like me?" Hunter stopped.
"Who wouldn't like a guy like you, Kili?" Roxanne said softly as she slowly wrapped her arms around his neck.
"You're so handsome, strong, and fun to be with." Kili's face lit up with satisfaction.
"Then I guess we're on the same page," he replied happily.
"Because I also like you."
Hidden among the trees, Hunter lowered his gaze. He wished he had the courage to say those words. But he never could.
"Shouldn't we be heading back?" Roxanne asked as she began pulling him toward the shore.
But Kili didn't move.
Something had suddenly wrapped around his legs beneath the water. Before he could react—. It yanked him down.
"Kili!" Roxanne cried in alarm as he vanished under the water.
Without hesitation, she dove after him. Roxanne's eyes widened when she saw what had grabbed him.
Seaweed.
Thick strands of it.
More and more wrapped around Kili's body, crawling up his legs and arms like living ropes.
"Kili!" she swam closer.
"Go back, Roxanne!" Kili shouted underwater.
"Before they get to you!"
"I can't leave you like this!" she cried.
But suddenly—
Something grabbed Roxanne from behind and dragged her out of the water.
It was Hunter.
"Hunter! Kili is in danger!" she gasped.
"You heard him," Hunter replied coldly.
"He can take care of himself."
Roxanne stared at him in disbelief.
"What is wrong with you? Someone is in danger and that's all you can say?" Her eyes flashed with anger.
"If you won't help, then I'm going back. And don't you dare try to stop me!"
She tore free from his grip and dove back into the water. By now the seaweed had nearly covered Kili completely, wrapping around him until he looked like an Egyptian mummy. But Roxanne reached him. The Ring on her finger suddenly glowed. Her eyes turned white. Power surged through her body. With a burst of energy, the seaweeds withered and disintegrated around Kili. He was free. Roxanne quickly pulled his arm over her shoulders and swam toward the surface. By the time they reached the shore, the others had already arrived. Kili collapsed onto the ground, coughing violently as he spat out water.
"Roxanne!" he gasped.
"Kili, are you alright?" Mateo and Loki asked at the same time as they knelt beside him.
"I… think so," he muttered weakly.
"Come on," Kai said, helping him to his feet.
"Let's head back to the village."
As they began to walk away, Kili glanced back at Roxanne and silently mouthed, Thank you.
Maya and Nolee followed behind them. Hunter remained standing where he was, staring at Roxanne for a long moment. Then he finally turned and walked away. Wulf noticed the tension immediately.
Something wasn't right.
He approached Roxanne.
"Hey… you okay?"
But Roxanne ignored him and walked off.
Wulf sighed and followed the others.
Moments after they disappeared into the forest… The water became still. The plants beneath the surface slowly shriveled. Their green color drained away. And one by one— They turned black.
When they finally reached the village, what they saw shocked them to their bone marrow. Stone statues were everywhere. Villagers frozen in place. Faces locked in expressions of fear.
"What happened here?" Loki asked, looking around in disbelief.
"Oh no!" Maya gasped.
"Grandma!" Mateo cried as he ran toward a large boulder where his grandmother sat—now turned into stone.
"Who would have done this?" Kili asked quietly.
Hunter's jaw tightened.
"Who else if not Oropher?" he replied coldly, glaring at Kili.
"This is all your fault we're in this mess. If you hadn't been fooling around while we were supposed to be guarding the ring, it would still be in its place and everyone would be safe by now."
"That's enough, Hunter!" Wulf snapped.
"Pointing out Kili's fault won't solve anything. Besides… we're all guilty." "Except me!" Hunter shot back.
Their argument grew louder. So loud that none of them noticed the ground beginning to move.
Until it was too late.
Cracks formed in the earth.
Then suddenly—
Four-eyed monsters burst out from beneath the ground, surrounding them from every direction.
"Uh-oh," Loki muttered.
"What now?" Maya whispered, hiding behind Mateo.
"Viteens!" Roxanne called firmly.
"Let's show them what we've got."
Immediately Kai, Wulf, Nolee, Roxanne, and Hunter sprang into action while Mateo, Maya, Loki, and Kili watched in amazement.
One of the monsters lifted a massive stone and hurled it toward Kai.
Kai dodged quickly and countered with a powerful kick that sent the creature crashing through several trees.
The others fought just as fiercely.
Roxanne was busy battling one of the monsters when another crept up behind her.
"Roxanne, look out!" Hunter shouted.
But Kili reacted faster.
He grabbed a spear and hurled it.
The weapon struck the monster before it could attack her.
The fight continued.
But the monsters kept multiplying.
More crawled out of the ground.
Again.
And again.
"We can't hold them off!" Wulf shouted.
"There are too many!" Hunter added.
Just then—
The ring on Roxanne's finger began to glow.
Her eyes turned completely white.
Energy surged through her.
She raised her hands—
And fireballs exploded from her palms.
One by one, the monsters were engulfed in flames until they all vanished into smoke.
The battlefield fell silent.
Roxanne's eyes returned to normal.
Then suddenly— She collapsed.
Kili rushed forward and caught her before she hit the ground.
"Roxanne! Can you hear me? Please open your eyes!" he pleaded.
"Oh… my head," she groaned weakly.
Everyone gathered around her.
Everyone except Hunter, who stood a little distance away.
Suddenly—
Martha appeared beside them.
"Move back, everyone."
They quickly stepped aside.
Martha knelt beside Roxanne and examined her.
"She's growing weaker," Martha said gravely.
"The power of the ring is too strong for a mere mortal. The more it uses her, the more it drains her life."
Silence fell over the group.
"Someone else needs to wear the ring."
"I'll do it!" Kili and Hunter said at the same time.
They both turned and stared at each other in surprise.
Wulf nearly burst out laughing, but Nolee elbowed him.
"This is serious," she whispered.
"No," Roxanne said firmly as she slowly stood up.
"I'll wear it until we return it to Orion's." Her voice hardened.
"If I have to die doing it… then so be it."
Hunter stepped forward as if to argue, but Kai grabbed his arm and held him back.
"Mateo," Roxanne said with quiet authority.
"Lead us to Orion's."
"Right this way!" Mateo said quickly.
They ran through the forest as fast as they could.
But something was wrong.
As they passed through the woods, the plants began to fade.
Trees shriveled.
Flowers turned black.
"Oh no," Loki whispered in fear.
"Montunoi is fading!"
"Hurry, Mateo!" Wulf urged.
The ground suddenly began to vibrate beneath their feet.
Then—
Oropher's evil laughter echoed through the forest.
They finally reached Orion's.
Roxanne removed the ring, ready to place it into the sacred hole—
But suddenly—
Claws swooped down from the sky and snatched the ring from her hand.
"No!" Roxanne screamed.
Martha reacted instantly.
With a wave of her hands, she conjured bows, arrows, spears, and other weapons for the group.
Then her body began to transform.
Moments later—
She turned into a giant flying wolf.
"Woah!" Kai gasped.
"Unbelievable!" Nolee exclaimed.
High above them, Claws landed beside his master.
Oropher stood upon a floating mass of dark clouds.
Claws dropped the ring into his waiting hand.
"Well done, Claws," Oropher said with a cruel grin.
"The universe is finally mine!"
He burst into maniacal laughter as he slipped the ring onto his finger.
Immediately—
His body began to change.
Two massive horns burst from his head.
Dark scales spread across his skin.
His body grew larger…
And larger… And larger.
Wings tore through his back.
His claws lengthened.
Sharp fangs pushed out from his mouth.
The ground trembled beneath the weight of his transformation.
The group watched in stunned horror.
Oropher had become… A dragon.