The light around them gradually fades, enveloping them in an eerie darkness. As they touch a solid surface, they are immediately engulfed in a thick fog that hangs heavily in the air. The fog is so dense that they can barely see before them and makes breathing more difficult.
"Where are we?" Tikor asked, attempting to clear the fog from his eyes. "I thought this would be a beautiful garden with a lily pond."
Lyra looks around; her memory of this book is not strong. This one was selected purely because it was very unlikely that Lavinia would enter it.
"Let's head this way and hope we find who we're looking for," Lyra says, trembling.
"Who are we searching for?" Emrys tightens his grip on the hilt of his sheathed sword as his eyes scan the fog with intensity.
"His name is Berith, but I am unsure how to find hi..." Lyra's voice is cut off by the sound of screams from behind them.
"Demons! Run!" screams a woman in a white gown. "Call the guard!" She yanks a nearby handle.
Bell rings out loudly across the area, and lights from windows begin to flicker in the night.
"What do we do?" Zopha asks.
Lyra pauses momentarily as memories of this story come flooding back to her.
"Run!" she yells, taking off and pulling Kyda. "Keep up, or I'll leave you behind!" she shouts at Kyda.
As they run, their footsteps echo around them, and the fog begins to lift, revealing tall buildings surrounding them.
Lyra abruptly stops, scanning the winding paths of the stone maze for the correct route. She jolts her head towards the sound of clashing armor, which grows louder as it approaches.
Emrys panics, "I can't carry all of us on Whims. What should we do?" Lyra touches his hand and signals him to wait. Her gaze remains fixed on the bells, her mind racing for a plan.
"This way!" Lyra motions.
Tikor breathes heavily as he jogs behind them. "Why are we running towards the bells? They are what warned them of our presence. Might also be a bad time to mention, but Orges are not strong runners."
"Because if the monster's bells are signaled, he is watching us. And the one place they don't expect us to go is towards them." Lyra calls back to the struggling Tikor.
The sound of the bells grows louder as they continue their frantic race down the winding cobblestone streets, their feet pounding against the uneven stones. The dull thud of their breath mixes with the clanging bells, creating a clamor of sound that echoes through the deserted alleyways. As they approach their destination, a magnificent cathedral suddenly emerges from the stone forest, encircled by a serene forest. The intricate details of the cathedral are breathtaking, with stained-glass windows that glisten in the moonlight. The forest was lush with greenery, and the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers filled the air.
Kyda whispers, "Should we enter?" Lyra responds, "No, let's go to the back of the church. Tikor, make the garden thicker to hide us."
Tikor removes his shoes and smiles, "Oh soil, I could feel you crying from under the rock. Let me help you." He wiggles his toes, and the forest transforms into a lush garden. The trees create a gorgeous canopy, providing shelter for the companions from the guards.
The guards march past the church, their swords gleaming in the moonlight. one stops, peers into the garden, and strides toward them.
"Oh no. Azure's glow isn't fully hidden." Zopha's eyes grow wide as she looks at her.
Lyra looks at Tikor, and they nod to each other.
"I am sorry, friend, lay down," Tikor says.
Azure lies on the ground as Tikor conceals her glowing body with thick branches.
Emrys intently watches the guard, who is still slowly approaching them. He furrows his brow, and his eyes glide from left to right as he ponders their next move.
After a moment, Emrys stands up and confidently strides out of the bushes. "Greetings, good sir," he says with a warm smile. "I assure you there are no monsters here, slippery little demons!"
He walks across the garden towards the guard, his movements slow and deliberate.
Halt! Speak thy name!" the guard points his sword.
Emrys confidently pushes the blade away from his face. "I am the demon hunter you ordered. Were you not informed?"
"No."
Emrys smiles at the officer. "What is your rank? I'm sure a higher-up like you was informed."
"Oh yes, demon hunter." The guard takes the bait as Emrys continues to flatter him.
"Well, I have this area scanned; I will continue to guard the church for the night. You call for me if you find any?" The corner of his lips curve.
"I saw a light." The guard looks past Emrys to the bushes.
"Ah yes, the light," Emrys looks directly into Lyra's eyes, "That's just my lantern. Let me get that to calm your worries."
Lyra quickly retrieves a book and quill from her satchel and uses them to create a blue lantern. She hands it to Emrys, who reaches into the bushes.
"See?" Emrys quickly turns around, facing the guard. "Just a lantern."
"Why is it blue?"
"Ah, it makes it harder for the demons to see. Of course, you know that; that was a test." Emrys rubs his head with a grin.
The guard stands up taller, "Of course it was. Well, carry on with the hunt." With an about-face, the guard continues down the road toward the others.
Emrys waits until the man is out of sight before joining the others in the bushes.
"About time you become useful." Zopha grunts at him, smoke drifting from her nose.
Emrys scrunches his face at her, "What now?"
Lyra leaned against the gray bark of a tree, her face glistening with sweat and weighed down by exhaustion. "Now we wait. I don't have many memories of this place, but he knows we're here. We're safe until he finds us or until we can form a plan."
Moments pass in silence until a shuffle is heard from behind them.
Zopha's eyes squint as she surveys the area. "Someone is watching us."
"Are you sure?" Tikor glances around anxiously.
Azure raises her nose and takes a deep breath, inhaling the scents around her. "I do not smell anything."
"It's him," Lyra stands up. "Berith, we mean you no harm. We are here to ask for your help."
The companions scan their surroundings as Emrys's hand rests on his sword's pommel.
In a blink, a set of bright yellow eyes emerge from behind a nearby tree.
"Who are you?" His voice is deep and robust.
"We are friends. We have come to you in hopes that you will help us." Lyra says.
"How can I trust you?"
