The surrounding beastmen instantly whipped their heads around to look at the black-clad figure standing beside Nina. He's Idir?
The elders' gazes also locked onto him. He actually came?
Weena stared at the painfully familiar silhouette, her heart swelling with a chaotic mix of emotions.
Idir pulled off his mask, his voice steady and sharp. "And why wouldn't I dare return?"
The elders' pupils dilated in unison. It really is him!
Bafar's eyes gleamed with malice. "Look, everyone! It's exactly because this jinx returned that our Serpent City is suffering this catastrophe! We must kill this bringer of misfortune today!"
Nina stepped forward without a second thought, shielding Idir with her body. "You are the ones who poisoned your own people, yet you have the nerve to pin your evil deeds on Idir! The beastmen in this city have been falling ill for days, and we only just arrived. How could this possibly have anything to do with us?"
