The forest air hangs heavy with the scent of pine and damp earth as Trystan Maverine leads his group through the shadowy undergrowth. The leather of his gloves creaks softly with each step, a sound barely audible over the rustle of leaves and distant calls of unknown creatures. His boots crunch on the forest floor, disturbing the layer of fallen needles that carpet the ground.

Six years have passed since the betrayal that changed everything, yet the scar on his neck still burns like a fresh wound on cold days like this. The memory of Sage's smirk as she delivered the nearly fatal blow remains清晰, as does the warm stickiness of his own blood soaking through his clothes. The forest shadows seem to cling to him, matching the darkness that has settled over his soul in the years since.

"We should reach the village by nightfall," Clare says from beside him, her voice cutting through his thoughts like a blade through fog. Her green eyes, identical to his own, scan the trees for any sign of danger. "The flowers we need only bloom under moonlight, so we'll have to set up camp nearby."

Trystan nods once, his jaw tight. The flowers Clare speaks of are essential for the potion they're brewing – a powerful truth serum that might finally help them locate Sage. The woman who had once brought light and laughter to his manor, who had made him believe in something beyond darkness, now haunts his every waking moment.

Ahead, Lyssa skips along beside Edwin, her cheerful humming a stark contrast to the凝重 atmosphere that surrounds Trystan. The 16-year-old carries a small basket, collecting wild berries as they walk. Her auburn hair catches the filtered sunlight streaming through the trees, creating a halo effect around her head. She turns suddenly, her blue eyes sparkling. "Uncle Trystan! Look what I found!" she calls, holding up a handful of bright red berries.

For a brief moment, Trystan feels a flicker of something like warmth in his chest – a memory of simpler times before betrayal and bloodshed. But as quickly as it comes, it's gone, replaced by the cold resolve that has kept him alive these past six years. He nods again, a gruff acknowledgment that passes for affection in his current state.

As the sun begins to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and purple, Trystan knows that tonight could be the first step toward finally getting the revenge he craves. The question is, will it be enough to satisfy the darkness growing inside him – or will it only make him hungrier?