Two middle-aged male apprentices quietly approached the herb garden, exchanged glances, and vaulted inside. They were some of the Grand Elder's Elite Protégés, his closest confidants.
The Grand Elder was well aware of the deep bond between the Botanic Haven Elder and his apprentice, Mariela. If the Elder knew something, it was possible Mariela did as well. Even if she did not, she could be used to coerce the Botanic Haven Elder into revealing the secrets of Atlantis.
Thus, the Grand Elder had assigned two Protégés to secretly capture Mariela amid the chaos on the mountain summit.
"Mariela, we've come to visit you," the two Protégés burst into the room, but it was already empty.
Where was she? This was bad!
The Protégés' expressions shifted. Their mentor had repeatedly stressed the importance of capturing Mariela at all costs. If they failed, they would answer to him with their heads.
"Curse it, search!" The two Protégés split up, dashing into the dense forest, hunting for Mariela.
All the Botanic Haven apprentices had been alerted, rushing towards the peak. Such sudden and intense explosions were surely no ordinary occurrence.
Mariela was raised in Botanic Haven, a mystical grove where she learned the secrets of every leaf and blade of grass. She managed to avoid everyone, quickly making her way to the foot of the mountain. As she was about to look back toward the peak, her mentor's voice echoed again, “Mariela… flee… find Alavin… remind him… it may… be exposed…”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. Exposed? At that moment, the loud sounds from the mountaintop ceased abruptly. Still, the churning clouds continued violently, resembling a raging river tide, drawing Botanic Haven's dense mists towards the summit. The sight was majestic, but it caused Mariela's heart to sink time and time again.
“Survive…” The last whisper from the Botanic Haven Elder drifted faintly and vanished.
Survive? The light word felt like an invisible hand gripping Mariela’s heart with force.
With a trembling body and tears streaming down her beautiful, icy cheeks, Mariela clenched her teeth and, with her frosty sword in hand, dashed into the dense woods, fleeing towards the secret trails behind the Organization.
Shortly after her departure, two Protégés followed in pursuit. One of them sniffed the air and grinned, “It's her scent!”
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