The wizards led Aria through the village — quiet, efficient, eyes scanning shadows. They didn't speak much — just occasional murmurs about "routes" and "clearances". And aria, she followed — not because she trusted them — but because she wanted answers.
As they walked, the houses thinned, and the trees thickened. The air grew thick with the scent of damp earth and leaves. Aria's senses were on high alert, her eyes adjusting to the darkness.
They stopped at the edge of the village — beside a grove of ancient trees, their branches twisted like fingers. The trees seemed to loom over them, casting long, eerie shadows on the ground.
"This way," Lord Kaelos said, gesturing to a path she'd never seen.
Aria hesitated — the trees seemed to lean in, like they were watching. "What's down there?" she asked, her voice low.
Lady Nyra's voice was soft. A place to explain."
Aria nodded — and stepped forward, the wizards behind her. they walked into the trees. The path wound deeper, the air thickening with magic, until they reached a clearing.
A small, stone cottage sat at the center smoke curling from the earth and the door was opened like an invitation ceremony. The cottage looked cozy, like it belonged in a fairy tale.
"This is it," Master Thane said, gruff.
Aria stepped inside — eyes adjusting to the dim light. The cottage was cozy — books piled high, maps pinned to walls, a fire crackling in the hearth. The smell of old books and smoke filled the air.
Lord Kaelos gestured to the others. "Aria, these are Princess Eladora, Lady Mira,Virel and Darius."
Aria's eyes swept the room. Princess Eladora, a golden-haired woman with a scribe's ink-stained fingers, nodded warmly. Lady Mira, water dripping from her hem, smiled like the tide. Darius, leaning against a bookshelf, eyes calculating, raised an eyebrow.
"Sit," Lord Kaelos said, gesturing to a wooden chair.
Aria sat — straight-backed — hands on her knees. She wasn't about to relax.
"We're not here to harm you," Lady Nyra said, sitting opposite her.
"We're here to protect you," Master Thane added — standing by the door.
Aria's eyes flicked between them. "Protect me from what?"
Lord Kaelos leaned forward — his eyes burning. "The Tsumiki. They're not just monsters, Aria. They're ancient, powerful — and they want you."
Aria's jaw tightened. "Why?"
"Because you're a wizard," Lady Nyra said. "A Seventh Wizard. One of the most powerful lines in Zelda."
Aria laughed — cold, sharp. "I'm not a wizard. I'm just me."
Master Thane's voice was blunt. "You're more than you know. Your father —"
Aria's eyes flashed. "My father was a tsumiki, he was called a traitor because he married a half-human and half-wizard. He got killed by his own people."
The wizards exchanged glances — a flicker of sorrow and understanding.
"He was a wizard," Lord Kaelos said. "And you're his heir. You have power — triple power — that you haven't tapped into yet."
Aria's grip on her knees tightened. I don't believe you " But what do you want from me?"
"We want to train you," Lady Nyra said. "To control your power. To fight the Tsumiki. To protect yourself."
Aria's voice was low. "Why? What's in it for you?"
Master Thane's eyes were cold. "We need you, Aria. The Tsumiki are getting stronger. We need a Seventh Wizard to stop them."
Aria leaned back calculating and weighing her options. She wasn't sure she trusted them, but she wasn't sure she didn't either.
"What's the catch?" she asked.
Lord Kaelos smiled — a small, tired smile. "There's no catch. We protect you — you help us fight the Tsumiki. Simple."
Aria's eyes narrowed. "It's not simple. Nothing is simple."
The wizards nodded — in unison — a mix of understanding and exhaustion.
"We'll give you time," Lady Nyra said. "But the Tsumiki won't wait."
Aria stood — sudden, sharp — the chair scraping back. "I'll think about it," she said.
The wizards nodded — not pushing — just waiting.
"We'll be here," Lord Kaelos said. "When you're ready."
Aria turned — and walked out — into the night alone, the trees watching her like sentinels.
She walked back to her cottage, her mind racing. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know if she could trust the wizards. But she knew one thing — she wasn't going to sit back and do nothing.
As she approached her cottage, she felt a sense of unease. Something was off.
She pushed open the door — and stepped inside.
Everything was as she'd left it.
But the air felt different.
Aria's senses were on high alert.
She didn't know what was coming, but she knew something's not ok.
Suddenly, the air seemed to ripple, like a stone had been thrown into a still pond. Aria's eyes narrowed. She knew that feeling.
The Tsumiki.
She spun around, eyes scanning the room.
Where are you?!!!!!!!!!! Her voice echoes, show yourselves!!!!!!!!!!! she thundered.