I woke to the soft rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I stretched languidly.

As I sat up in bed, I couldn't shake the nagging worry that had settled in the pit of my stomach. Our situation weighed heavily on my mind, the absence of Mother and Father casting a shadow over everything.

With a heavy sigh, I pushed aside the covers and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my thoughts swirling with a jumble of questions and concerns.

How were we going to survive on our own?

Where would we go from here?

Shaking off the sense of unease, I rose to my feet and made my way to the window, drawing back the curtains to peer out at the world beyond. The sight that greeted me was both beautiful and daunting—a vast expanse of greenery stretching out as far as the eye could see, with towering trees and lush foliage blanketing the landscape.

But amidst all that, there was also an undeniable sense of isolation, We were alone out here, without the guidance or protection of our parents.

And Ryoko..

I'm the only one that has memories of my sister now.

Ryoko is also our sister. But she disappeared out of nowhere and Father told me that it was best to just have the others forget her.

"To avoid further panic." he told me.

We all used to have another sister, Genesis. But she was killed long ago. Aelin and London were the ones that found her body while getting berries for Father.

Because of that, Father didn't want the others to worry about another sibling gone.

I don't even know if Ryoko is alright out there.

Or Aelin.

I turned away from the window, my gaze falling upon my siblings as they slept peacefully in their beds. London, Damion, and little Lou—all relying on me to keep them safe. To protect them.

But, if Ryoko is out there then I need to find her.

I went to a desk and opened a drawer looking for a pen.

I then got out some paper and took out a black pen from the drawer and wrote a note.

Dear siblings:

Don't be alarmed when you wake up and see I'm not here. I went outside to take a look around. Stay inside and do not look for me. I will be back soon.

Sincerely, Nicholas Elinar

As I jot down the last sentence, I put the pen back into the drawer and closed the door. I then placed the note on the table perfectly spread out so that they'll read it as soon as they get up.

I went to get my cloak on and picked up a small dagger.

I wish I had my other sword, but I can't really go back to the castle for it.

As I put the dagger in my left pocket, I slowly opened the door to avoid the creak of the it to wake them up. I then walked out and closed the door.

I walked through a small hall lined with doors until I head to the room where we came in from.

The innkeeper was at his desk when he saw me walk past.

"Where are you heading? Are your siblings still asleep?" He asked.

"I'm just heading to take a look around, please don't alarm them when their awake. I'll be back soon." I said.

He cocked his head to the side.

"Out there? Without a proper weapon?" He asked.

"Oh no I'll be fi-"

The innkeeper cut me off by holding his hand up to stop me from talking and he quickly went to a small room and walked out with a sword my size.

He held it out. "A dagger won't do much out there lad." He said.

He handed me the sword and I put it in a strap that was attached to my cloak.

"You be safe out there you hear?" The innkeeper said while waving at me.

I nodded and then opened the door and walked out.

The wind blowed through my black hair as I walked through a path that led out of the village.

I made my way through the quiet streets of the village, the morning sun casting long shadows across the cobblestones. The air was crisp and cool, carrying with it the promise of a new day.

Reaching the edge of the village, I paused to take in the sight of the sprawling countryside stretching out before me. It was a vast and untamed wilderness, with dense forests and rolling hills as far as the eye could see.

Taking a deep breath, I set off down the path that led into the heart of the forest, the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds the only sounds to break the silence.

As I walked, I kept a watchful eye on my surroundings, my hand resting on the hilt of the sword that hung at my side. I knew that venturing into the forest alone was risky, but I couldn't let fear hold me back—not when Ryoko's safety was at stake.

The forest enveloped me in its cool embrace as I ventured deeper into its depths, the dense canopy overhead casting dappled shadows across the forest floor. I moved with caution, my senses alert for any sign of danger or movement.

The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, and the sounds of the forest surrounded me—a symphony of chirping birds, rustling leaves, and the occasional scurrying of small animals.

With each step, I called out Ryoko's name, hoping against hope that she would answer, that she would emerge from the shadows and into my arms.

As I pressed on, the path grew increasingly narrow, the dense foliage closing in around me like a living wall.

But still, I pushed forward, driven by the unshakeable belief that I would find her, that she was out there somewhere, waiting to be found.

Hours passed in a blur as I continued my search. The forest seemed to stretch on endlessly, its secrets tantalizingly out of reach.

But just as I was beginning to despair, a faint rustling caught my ear—a sound so soft that it might have been nothing more than a trick of the wind. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest as I strained to listen.

And then, through the dense undergrowth, I caught sight of a figure—a flash of movement amid the shadows. With a surge of hope, I raced forward, pushing through the thick foliage until I stumbled into a small clearing.

And there, standing before me, was Ryoko. Her blue eyes widened in surprise as she took in my sudden appearance, but before she could speak, I threw my arms around her, holding her tight as if afraid she might vanish at any moment.

"Your here.." I murmured.

She returned my embrace, her voice soft as she whispered my name, and in that moment, all the fear and uncertainty melted away. We were together again, reunited against all odds, and nothing else mattered.

"Nicholas..how did you find me?" Ryoko quietly asked.

"I've been looking everywhere for you.." I said.

We stood there in the clearing, the world around us fading into insignificance as we held onto each other, our hearts beating in sync.

Ryoko pulled back slightly, her eyes searching mine with a mixture of emotions—gratitude, disbelief, and something else I couldn't quite name. In that moment, I realized just how much she had been through, how much she had endured in her time away from us.

But now, she was here, safe and sound, and nothing else mattered.

I couldn't help but smile as I looked at her, taking in every detail of her face—the way her eyes sparkled in the dappled sunlight, the freckles scattered across her cheeks, the stubborn tilt of her chin that I knew so well.

"Ryoko," I began, my voice heavy with the weight of our shared history. "You have no idea how much we've missed you. When you disappeared, it was like a piece of our family was ripped away, and I've been searching for you ever since."

Ryoko's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze fixed on mine as she listened intently.

"I wish I could say it's been easy," I continued, my throat tightening with unspoken grief. "But it hasn't. We've faced more challenges than I can count—losing Mom and Dad, fleeing from danger, losing our home, trying to make sense of everything that's happened."

A shadow passed over Ryoko's face, a flicker of sorrow and regret that mirrored my own feelings.

"But through it all, one thing has remained constant," I said, my voice growing stronger with conviction. "I've never stopped looking for you, never stopped hoping that I would find you again."

Ryoko's expression softened, a glimmer of warmth returning to her eyes as she reached out to clasp my hand in hers.

"I'm here now, Nicholas," she said, her voice filled with quiet determination. "And I'm not going anywhere. We'll face whatever comes our way together, as a family."

I nodded, a sense of relief flooding through me at her words. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that we were finally reunited, yet keenly aware of all that we had lost in the process. I'm the only one who remembers her.

"And Ryoko," I added, my voice faltering slightly as I spoke. "You should know... Father and I were the only ones who remembered you. Everyone else's memories were erased to protect them from the truth."

Ryoko's eyes widened in surprise, a look of understanding dawning on her face.

"It doesn't matter," she said softly, squeezing my hand reassuringly. "What matters is that we're together now, and nothing else."

I nodded. Holding my hand in hers.

I recounted the events that had unfolded since Ryoko's disappearance, her expression shifted from curiosity to concern. She listened as I described our parents' tragic demise, the destruction of our home, and our harrowing escape into the unknown.

I mentioned what me and the others went through. And where they are now.

When I mentioned Aelin, Ryoko's eyes widened with alarm, and she leaned in closer, her voice tinged with urgency. "Where is Aelin now? Is she safe?"

I hesitated for a moment, "We don't know," I admitted, my voice heavy with regret. "After the attack, we were separated, and I haven't seen her since. But I promised myself that I would find her, no matter what."

Ryoko nodded solemnly, her gaze filled with determination. "Then we'll find her together," she said, her tone unwavering. "We won't rest until we know she's safe."

As we stood in the tranquil clearing, a figure emerged from the shadows of the forest. She had jet black hair with red eyes.

"Who are you?" Ryoko demanded.

The woman, whom Aelin had once encountered, regarded us with an icy gaze, her lips curling into a predatory smile. "You may call me Maeve," she replied, her voice dripping with malice. "And I have come to offer you a choice."

Ryoko bristled, her fists clenched at her sides. "What choice?" she demanded, her voice betraying her unease.

Maeve's smile widened, her eyes flashing with an unholy light. "The choice to join me, or to face oblivion," she hissed, her words echoing through the clearing like a death knell.

Before we could react, the air around us seemed to crackle with dark energy, and demons materialized from the shadows, their twisted forms writhing with malice and they stood beside her, waiting for further orders.

I stepped forward, drawing my sword with trembling hands. But before I could strike, one of the demons lunged at me, shattering my blade with a single blow and knocking me to the ground.

Pain exploded through my body as I collided with the forest floor, darkness swirling at the edges of my vision. As consciousness slipped away, I heard Ryoko's screams echoing through the clearing and the sound of Maeve's maniacal laughter.

Some time passed, and I struggled to consciousness, my senses assaulted by the overwhelming stench of blood and decay, I forced my dark blue eyes open, blinking away the haze of unconsciousness. The clearing was eerily silent, the only sound the faint rustle of leaves in the wind.

My heart clenched in dread as I stumbled to my feet, my gaze darting frantically around the clearing. Maeve and her demonic horde were nowhere to be seen, vanished as if they had never been there at all. But the sight that greeted me was far more chilling.

Ryoko lay sprawled on the ground, her body motionless, her once vibrant eyes now dull and lifeless. Blood pooled around her, staining the earth crimson, and deep, jagged scars marred her pale skin. Horror coursed through me as I rushed to her side, heedless of the danger that still lurked in the shadows.

"Oh no.."

I covered my mouth with my trembling hand and I ran to her body.

"Ryoko!" I cried, my voice raw with anguish, as I gathered her limp form into my arms. But she was unresponsive, her gaze vacant, her breath shallow and ragged. Despair threatened to consume me as I cradled her against my chest, my mind reeling with the enormity of what had transpired.

"Ryoko.. come on please!" I yelled desperately.

Tears stung my eyes as I pressed trembling fingers to her neck, searching desperately for a pulse, but there was nothing. No heartbeat, no sign of life. My sister was gone, her light extinguished in the blink of an eye, leaving only darkness in its wake.

I clung to her lifeless form, my heart shattered into a million pieces, as I whispered her name over and over but I got no answer.

I sat there for hours, keeping her body close to me.

Every breath was a struggle, every beat of my heart a painful reminder of the gaping hole she had left behind. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her lifeless form, the sight of her broken and bloodied body etched into my mind like a cruel scar.

Another sibling was dead.

Who is next?..

London?

Aelin?

First it was Genesis, then Mother and Father. And now her..

Hours passed in a blur of grief and disbelief. I wanted to stay there forever, to keep her close to me as if by sheer force of will I could bring her back. But reality was a harsh bastard, and the setting sun served as a somber reminder that I couldn't linger in this place forever. My other siblings were waiting for me, but they can't know about what happened.

With a heavy heart, I finally mustered the strength to lay Ryoko to rest, gently covering her with earth and blue roses until she was hidden from view. It felt like a betrayal, leaving her there alone in the cold embrace of the forest, but I knew I had to go on.

As I made my way back to the village, each step felt like a journey through purgatory. The weight of grief pressed down on me, threatening to crush me beneath its unbearable burden. But I forced myself to keep moving.

Emerging from the forest into the fading light of dusk, the village greeted me with its familiar sights and sounds. But now, everything felt different, tainted by the shadow of Ryoko's death. My heart ached with the knowledge that she would never walk these streets again, her laughter silenced forever. I can never see her smile again.

Entering the inn, I felt the weight of Ryoko's absence like a physical presence in the room. Her absence was a gaping wound, a constant reminder of all that had been lost. I should've looked for her a long time ago. Before the castle even went up in flames.

She would still be alive.

But now she's gone. Thanks to that woman.

Maeve.

I clenched my fists as the sight of her in my mind made my blood boil.

She'll be back soon to kill the rest of us.

But with enough time, I'll sure as hell get her first.