I, the slave boy, awaken with the most potent seed!!

The sound of footsteps echoed down the narrow path as they hurried back, the tension in the air thickening with each step.

The path, usually familiar to Aurelia and Thera, now felt warped, different, as if it was losing its shape underfoot.

Aurelia glanced at the barren fields surrounding them, her face set in a tense expression. "It's worse than when we left," she murmured, her voice barely audible but carrying a tremor of alarm. "The decay is spreading faster than I thought. Limbo… it's unraveling right before us."

Calista's breath caught, her eyes darting around at the shadows clinging to the path. The scenery, once a twisted yet familiar part of her world, now felt hostile.

She recalled the spring of heart fire—a clear, red stream that used to flow endlessly, a rare beauty in limbo's gray expanse. But now, she knew that the spring was gone, dried to nothing more than cracked ground.

"It was… one of my favorite places here," Calista whispered, almost to herself, a shadow of grief darkening her gaze. "I never thought it would… just disappear." Her face twisted, a mixture of anger and sorrow written over her face.

Zafron, however, barely seemed to register the landscape's decay, his focus unwavering as he pressed ahead. "We just need to get to Aphrodite," he said, his voice steady, almost dismissive. "She'll fix this once she's back on her feet. All we have to do is give her the herb."

Calista looked at him, taken aback by his calm. "Do you really think that's enough?" she asked, her tone edged with doubt. "This… this is happening to everything here, not just her."

Zafron's gaze softened for a brief moment, but his resolve didn't waver. "I have to believe she can fix it," he replied, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Otherwise, what was all this for?"

Aurelia's expression tightened as she listened, but she nodded, understanding his confidence. "We'd better move quietly, though," she whispered, glancing over her shoulder.

In the distance, they could hear the low, guttural roar of creatures prowling, though thankfully still far off. "The last thing we need is to attract attention now."

They moved in silence, their breaths shallow, each of them acutely aware of the unseen dangers around them. The path stretched ahead like a thin thread, steady yet faint, as if daring them to stay on course.

Finally, the familiar sight of the temple came into view. Without another word, they rushed over to where Aphrodite lay, still and silent.

Thera was the first to reach her, dropping down beside her with a fierce urgency. Her hands shook slightly as she pulled another small container from her pouch, opening it to carefully place the herb inside.

She pressed the lid against the container, and a sharp click sounded, sealing the contents.

"Come on," she muttered under her breath, watching intently as she ground the herb into a paste, her movements precise, almost ritualistic. "Please, let this work…"

When the paste was ready, Thera cupped it in her hands, then gently squeezed, letting the faintly glowing liquid drip down onto Aphrodite's forehead.

The substance sizzled as it made contact with her skin, a soft, almost musical sound, and then faded, leaving no trace.

They all waited, the silence thick and oppressive. Calista's brow furrowed as she glanced between Thera and the goddess. "Are… are you sure that's how it's supposed to work?" she asked, a trace of doubt slipping into her voice. Her eyes searched Thera's face, looking for reassurance. "What if it… what if it needs something else?"

Thera swallowed, her gaze fixed on Aphrodite. "I did it just like the book said," she replied, though a flicker of uncertainty crossed her face. She closed her eyes briefly, going over the steps in her mind. "This should be right. I'm sure of it." But there was a strain in her tone, an almost imperceptible edge of worry.

Calista crossed her arms, her fingers tapping anxiously. "Well, I hope so because—"

Suddenly, Aurelia gasped. "Her hand!" she exclaimed, pointing. "It moved!"

They all turned, eyes locked on Aphrodite's still form. A faint twitch of her fingers, then a subtle rise and fall of her chest as her breathing deepened. Her eyes fluttered open, a vibrant shimmer returning to them as she looked around, seeming to orient herself.

A small, relieved laugh escaped Calista, and she took a step back, hands covering her mouth. Zafron moved forward, his expression softening as he crouched beside her. "Aphrodite," he murmured, his voice gentle, almost reverent. "How… how are you feeling?"

A faint smile curved on Aphrodite's lips as she looked up at him, her gaze steady. "I'm… alright," she replied, her voice soft yet firm. She raised a hand to her forehead, a look of mild confusion crossing her face. "I don't know what happened… it's all a bit hazy."

Aurelia stepped forward, relief evident in her eyes. "You had us worried, Aphrodite," she said, her usual composure melting away as she spoke. "We thought we'd… we thought we'd lost you."

Aphrodite chuckled lightly, the sound like a gentle breeze. "You know me better than that," she replied, her gaze warm. "But… thank you. All of you." She looked at each of them, her expression filled with gratitude. "For bringing me back."

Thera nodded, a proud smile on her face as she held up the empty container. "The herb did it," she said, her voice filled with quiet satisfaction. "We barely got it in time."

But Calista's expression grew serious as she looked down at Aphrodite. "There's something else you should know," she said slowly, casting a glance at Aurelia for support. "Things… they've been changing here. Limbo… it's fading. We're losing fields, springs, even the paths we know. It's as if… as if the whole place is falling apart."

Aphrodite listened, her eyes steady and calm, though a faint sigh escaped her lips. She looked thoughtful, almost detached. "I see," she murmured, glancing around the space, as if weighing the truth of Calista's words. Her gaze finally settled on Zafron, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Aurelia noticed her focus and frowned slightly, sharing a look with Calista, who shifted uneasily. "Aphrodite… don't you think you should do something about it?" Aurelia asked, her tone almost pleading.

Aphrodite's smile widened, her eyes still fixed on Zafron. "I will take care of it," she replied, a note of assurance in her voice that bordered on amusement. "But first… there's something I need to tend to."

Calista and Thera exchanged a wary glance, sensing the strange shift in Aphrodite's demeanor. "What… what is it?" Calista ventured, her voice uncertain.

Aphrodite's expression softened, but her gaze didn't waver. "It's nothing you all need to worry about," she said gently. "Just something… for Zafron to see."

Zafron's brows knit together, a mixture of curiosity and surprise flickering across his face. "Me?" he asked, glancing at her with a mixture of hesitation and intrigue. "What is it?"

She waved a delicate hand dismissively. "I'll show you in a moment," she said, her tone light, almost teasing. Then, turning to the others, she gestured toward the path. "I need a bit of privacy for this, so if you don't mind…"

Aurelia blinked, clearly taken aback. "You're sure?" she asked, a hint of worry in her eyes. "What about… everything else? Limbo's still—"

"Limbo will wait," Aphrodite interrupted, her voice carrying a quiet authority that left no room for argument. "Please, go on ahead. I'll join you all soon enough."

Calista hesitated, her gaze lingering on Zafron, as if unsure whether to leave him alone with her. But Zafron met her gaze with a slight nod, a look of confidence in his eyes that reassured her. Finally, she gave in, though her expression was laced with lingering concern.

"Alright," Calista said softly, casting one last look at Aphrodite before turning back toward the path. "We'll… we'll be waiting."

Thera and Aurelia followed, though not without casting a few puzzled glances over their shoulders. As they moved down the path, their voices grew faint, eventually fading into the distance, leaving only the quiet between Zafron and Aphrodite.

Aphrodite regarded him for a moment, her gaze almost searching. Then, with a gentle smile, she reached out, taking his hand in hers.

The touch was warm, comforting, yet tinged with something more—a subtle sense of purpose.

"There's something I need you to show you," she began, her voice low and calm. Her eyes held his, a flicker of intensity sparking within their depths.

"Follow me."