I woke up in the same place — inside the tree — but no longer bound.
My head ached so badly it felt like a massive bell was ringing inside my skull.
Fragments of the previous day flashed before my eyes:
— the lake
— the water
— red eyes
— too many stares
— and they all… wanted to kill me…
I sat up sharply, clutching my head.
On the floor there was a mark — a dark, dried stain of blood.
Mine.
“What is happening to me…”
The door opened quietly.
Elves entered — the same eight I had known since I was little.
They looked at me with relief, with warm joy, almost like at an older brother.
Arlis was in front.
He smiled.
— Zenhald-senpai… we’re so glad you’ve woken up!
I blinked. Senpai?
They had always called me that — with respect, even when they looked older than me. For elves, age works differently.
Feris inclined her head slightly.
— How did Mira’s seal break?
Selia added softly:
— We thought… that it was impossible. The seal was very strong.
I frowned.
— What seal? What even happened? Where are we? Why am I here?
They exchanged glances.
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The smiles faded — this was serious.
Arlis sighed and sat down beside me.
— Alright… I’ll explain everything. This is… a long story, Zen.
The Story I Forgot
— When you were small… — Arlis began, — and Mira was still with us… there were times when your power… pressed down on you.
He chose his words carefully, trying not to hurt me.
— That day we were clearing a cave of demons. Everything was going normally… until one demon struck your arm. Nothing serious — just a scratch. But it was enough…
He paused for a moment.
— …to awaken the rage inside you.
A chill ran down my spine.
— Your eyes turned red. Your aura darkened. You… — he swallowed, — you slaughtered demons so brutally that even we were afraid.
— You couldn’t tell friend from foe.
Selia added quietly:
— That was the first time you struck Mira herself.
It felt like I froze from the inside.
— She tried to stop you… — Arlis continued. — The fight lasted only a minute, but it looked like a war between gods.
The cave shook, the ground cracked…
We thought you would kill each other.
— And how… did it end? — I asked hoarsely.
Arlis exhaled.
— Mira managed to… knock you out.
With great difficulty.
Then she placed a seal so you would never again be able to release that much power.
Everything finally began to fall into place.
— But… why did it break now?
Feris said quietly:
— Because you grew stronger. The seal couldn’t endure it anymore.
Arlis nodded.
— And when the northern elves sent word about what… happened to you… we immediately began forging the amulet.
— It blocks your power. Artificially maintains the seal.
— But there is a side effect…
— …Emotional suppression, — I finished.
— Yes, — Arlis nodded apologetically. — We’re sorry. Otherwise… you wouldn’t have come back to yourself.
I touched my neck.
The amulet was there — cold stone, carved with runes.
— I see, — I said. — Thank you.
My voice sounded cold. Calm. Even.
As if the amulet had already begun to work.
Meeting the Team
I stepped out of the hall.
The others were standing nearby, frozen, as if waiting for this exact moment.
When they saw me — their faces relaxed.
Kayren smiled first.
Finn rushed over, nearly knocking me over with a hug.
Astra cried with relief.
Siren smirked quietly, but his eyes were gentle.
— Finally, you’re normal again! — Finn blurted out happily.
— You scared us badly, — Tara sighed, — especially with that lightning strike…
Elinia said nothing.
She just stood there… watching.
Her gaze was long, quiet, warm.
And barely noticeable — relieved.
I tried to smile.
It worked halfway.
Haras came over and let out a heavy sigh.
— Well then… quiet again.
— Is it always going to be like this?
Arlis stepped up beside him and answered:
— As long as the amulet is on him — yes.
— His emotions will be dulled. But he’s safe.
Norris stepped forward.
— Good. That’s better than what we had before.
— Zen, if you’re alright… we move on.
— It’s a week to the southern city. We’re already behind schedule.
I nodded.
Without hesitation.
Inside, there was emptiness.
But… calm.
And we continued on our journey.