The air around the crystal cage shimmered as Ivy, her brow furrowed in concentration, feeling the magic in her, slowly lowered her sword. One by one, the crystal bars began to dissolve, their sharp edges softening and evaporating into the wind like sand. The men inside, once grotesque beasts, now stood tall, blinking against the light of their newfound freedom. Their skin, once hardened by the curse, was now smooth and pale, their eyes filled with confusion and a glimmer of fear. They had been transformed back into humans.
A wave of uneasy murmurs rippled through the gathered mothers and sisters, who stood at the edge of the forest, hesitant and nervous. Mother Rozia observed them with a calculating expression, while others looked torn between compassion and fear.
Tiya, still weak but regaining her strength, took a cautious step forward, her eyes scanning the crowd of men. “Ivy… how did you do this?” she asked softly, her voice hoarse from exhaustion.