Chapter Twenty: The Betrayal Unleashed

The moon cast soft light over the forest as Tiya wandered, her mind troubled and restless. She had not been able to sleep, thoughts of the man she had saved swirling through her head. As she walked along the edge of the forest, she finally sat on a smooth stone, gazing at the towering trees around her.

Suddenly, a shadow moved out from the darkness—Kal, the firstborn son of King Sola, appeared. He approached cautiously, his hands raised to show he meant no harm.

“Please,” Kal said, his voice gentle but filled with a quiet strength. “I won’t harm you. I am no threat to you or your community.”

Tiya, though startled, felt no fear. There was something in his presence that stirred a deep, unfamiliar feeling within her, something that told her to trust him. Slowly, she lowered her sword, laying it gently on the ground beside her. She gave him a small nod, signaling he could come closer.