One day before Elara's surprise visit to Carter.

The sea wind rumbled against the cliffs, tugging at Elara's cloak as she threw her arms around her aunt in a tight hug.

Tears filled her eyes. Her aunt Jocelyn was more like a mother to her. She brought her up and loved her like a mother would a child.

"Tsk, tsk. You've grown too soft, Elara," Jocelyn mumbled as she patted her hair down.

Elara sniffled, stepping back. "I missed you so much. I thought—" she paused, shaking her head.

"It's of no use. You're here now. You'll make everything better."

Jocelyn hummed with a smile. "As I always do, don't I?"

Elara nodded, "Aunt Jocelyn— Thank you for coming." Elara whispered, holding her hand tight. "You're the only one who has."

Jocelyn exhaled softly, brushing back Elara's tangled hair. "You don't have to thank me, darling. You're blood. And I always protect what's mine."

Elara swallowed hard. "Everyone's left me. No one would return my letters or my summons. Everyone I have helped has turned their backs on me. Even Lord Carter. I thought… I thought at the very least he would help me. I was loyal to him."

Jocelyn's expression turned sour as if she had a personal vendetta against the man. "Carter?" She scoffed. "That man is a snake. He only slithers where power lies. And now that you're no longer useful to him, he's discarded you like rot. It's exactly how he behaves."

She shook her head while patting Elara's hand. "Don't be too disgraced, my darling.

I'm here now. I'll help you with whatever you need."

"Thank you, auntie," she replied. This was enough for her. Even if the whole world turned their backs on her, it didn't matter… not if Aunt Jocelyn was by her side.

Jocelyn sighed, "I can't stay here for too long. The journey to the palace is quite a stretch from here, and I wouldn't want any kind of suspicion from Thorne."

Elara nodded, "Of course, aunt."

Jocelyn had traveled for three hours just to reach here all for Elara. She couldn't even come to the house. She had to meet up with her by the sea so there wouldn't be anyone to see her. It was infuriating, but Elara had to chalk it up.

"Before I leave," Jocelyn began, reaching into her satchel. "Take this. I had it made especially for you."

She held out a small, ornate silver pin. It was simple and tiny.

Elara's brows furrowed. "What's this, aunt?"

"This— This is your ticket to returning to Obsidian," she smiled. "You remember what I told you, don't you? You're to use it exactly as I said."

Elara's smile widened. She couldn't believe her eyes. It was really this easy. Everything she's wanted since her banishment. She'll get it back with just this… pin.

She jumped on her aunt Jocelyn, squealing. "Thank you, Thank you, Aunt. Thank you."

"Elara! You have to be careful with that," Jocelyn hissed, gently prying the pin from her fingers. "You can't wave it around like it's jewelry. What if I got pricked? You know what this is about."

Elara flushed, stepping back quickly. "Sorry! I just— I got excited."

Jocelyn raised a brow. "Excitement is how people die, my dear."

Elara tucked the pin away carefully, her heartbeat thudding in her ears. "I won't mess it up."

"You better not. You only have one chance with that. Use it wisely," she said, then took a deep breath.

Elara looked at the sea for a brief second. "Before you go, Aunt… I need your help with something else."

Jocelyn arched a brow. "What is it?"

"I… I saw something a few days ago. Something monstrous, it scared me so much. I didn't know who to tell or what to think."

Jocelyn looked concerned now. "Monstrous? I am not surprised. This place is filled with filth of different kinds." She shuddered, "Describe it."

Elara nodded, "At first, it was a man, but then he changed, and he wasn't a wolf. He was different. His body was twisted, like he'd been tampered with, his claws were so elongated, and his eyes were blood red. His jaw had stretched to an unbelievable size. And his fangs were like rods. His stench was so disgusting it made my eyes water. His aura, it felt wrong. But then… he was given something. I don't know what it was, but he immediately went back to his human self, like a man again."

Jocelyn's expression darkened. "Elara…" she said slowly. "Where did you see this?"

"In a peasant's farm. I was looking for—"

"Doesn't matter…" Jocelyn cut her off, shaking her head. "Whenever you see that. You stay away from it."

Elara's brows furrowed. "But what exactly is it, Aunt? I know you know it, so tell me."

Jocelyn stared at her for some seconds then nodded. "Okay, I'll tell you." She took a deep breath. "Years ago when the war between the King and Khaos was at an all high. Khaos did something. He found a way to turn wolves against their kind by turning them into something monstrous. He wanted an army. He needed one. And this was his only way of getting an army." she paused for a second.

"You see, Khaos was a sage of the goddess until he became blindsided by power. He knew his ways around the ancient relics and words. He killed every existing sage and used the relics and words to his advantage. He created something… something that should've never seen the light of day. With this thing, he turned wolves into his puppets. He was their lord and savior. He made them turn against their own kind. He turned them from wolves to something called a Morvyn."

Jocelyn shook her head. Telling the story was getting too personal for her. "What you saw sounds close to a Morvyn. Morvyn has been erased by the king years ago, and I don't know how correct you are or if you— if you described something that looks like it. But in any case. If you ever come across a Morvyn. You stay the hell away from it."

Elara smiled, nodding. "Aunt Jocelyn, I think you're forgetting that Khaos no longer resides in this world. You said it yourself. Morvyn has been erased from this world by the king. There's nothing to fear."

Jocelyn smiled back, "That's right. I just get so scared when I heard of Morvyns after what they did to—" she paused, catching herself.

"It doesn't matter. I should leave now. Make sure you use what I gave you accordingly."

"Yes, aunt. I won't," Elara replied, kissing Jocelyn's cheek one last time and watched the woman walk away.

Elara clenched her jaw tight. Could it be a Morvyn she saw? Could Radek really be that? And Lord Carter knows of this? Was she losing her mind, or was she just reaching?