As Eko rolled over in Matthew's bed, she nestled into the soft embrace of pillows and the comforting weight of the duvet cover. She lingered in a state of half-sleep, her senses attuned to the anticipated return of her boyfriend. The soft rhythm of the storm outside had lulled her into a sense of peace, but that tranquility was abruptly shattered by a sudden, palpable pulse of power and the sickeningly sweet voice that echoed from the office.

Startled awake, Eko sprang up with a jolt, nearly tumbling out of bed in her frenzied rush. Her heart pounded as she scrambled to gather her thoughts, the unsettling energy in the air fueling her urgency. Tumbling over her feet, she searched desperately for her underwear, while the storm unleashed its fury outside. Brilliant streaks of lightning illuminated the room, casting fleeting bursts of light across the furniture. The thunder's roar reverberated with primal force, shaking the building's very foundations as the rain pelted the windows with relentless intensity.

Slipping her undies on, she rushed to the nearby chair where one of Matthew's white cotton t-shirts lay draped. She threw it over her head, the oversized shirt barely covering her ass, but there was no time to care. 

As Eko burst from the confines of the hallway, the sight that greeted her sent a chill down her spine. Matthew stood with his back to her, his sword raised, every muscle in his body tense and ready. He looked like a warrior preparing for battle. Her eyes darted from him to the woman who had invaded their sanctuary—a stranger with raven hair cascading down her petite frame, her long black dress swirling around her like a living shadow. The woman's skin was strikingly pale, almost ghostly, and she moved with an unsettling, restless energy, pacing the length of Matthew's office as if the room itself could barely contain her.

Eko's voice was a low growl as she advanced toward Matthew, her own Catania sword materializing in her grip, the familiar weight of it bringing her a sliver of comfort in the chaos. "Who the fuck is this?" she demanded, her gaze locked onto the intruder.

Matthew's response came as a tense hiss, his attention never wavering from the woman. "No idea. Stay close to me, babe."

A thousand thoughts raced through Eko's mind, each one more troubling than the last. Her heart pounded in her chest, her senses on high alert. The woman in black radiated a power that was dark and unfamiliar, and Eko's instincts screamed that this was no ordinary threat.

She inched closer to Matthew, her eyes never leaving the woman. Whatever was about to happen, it was clear it wouldn't end well. The air around them seemed to thicken with tension, and it was then that the woman's voice cut through the silence, sickly sweet and laced with conviction. "You see, we're not the enemy here. You're too young and too naïve to comprehend the stakes at hand."

Eko's powers, fueled by her rising anxiety, had inadvertently sent out a signal, alerting the other warriors to the situation. Within moments, Eko and Matthew found themselves encircled by their friends, all still dressed in their attire from the previous night, looking disheveled and weary from the celebration.

Toni, Richie, Mya, Jesse, and Jasmine appeared, each wearing expressions of concern and readiness despite their bedraggled appearances. Their attention immediately locked onto the woman, whose dark magic was palpable, sending waves of unease through their senses.

"What's going on here?" Toni demanded, his sword materializing in his hand, ready for action.

The woman's response was chilling, her lips curling into a sadistic smile. "Education," she said, the word dripping with malice.

Matthew stepped forward, trying to take control of the situation. "Let's start with an introduction first," he suggested, attempting to maneuver Eko behind him for protection.

But Eko wasn't having it. She resisted his protective instinct, snapping back, "Stop it," as she clutched his shirt tightly, refusing to be sidelined. The determination in her voice was clear—she would not be shielded from whatever was coming.

"Sorceress Isis," the woman declared, her voice smooth and cold as she offered a ceremonial bow, the gesture sending an involuntary shiver through the warriors' bodies. It was as if her very presence sucked the warmth from the room.

"Well, Sorceress, it's just wonderful to meet you," Jasmine quipped, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she lazily glanced down at her wrist, as if checking an invisible watch. "But we've had a big night, so if we could do this, say, late this afternoon, after we've slept?" She let out an exaggerated yawn, her eyes narrowing as she looked back at the woman. "It's been a minute, parties and drinking and all."

"Isis," Richie murmured, his brow furrowing as his mind raced to place the name. He turned to Toni, who stood tense beside him. "Where have we heard that name before?"

"My memory's as shit as yours, Richie. Why are you asking me?" Toni shot back, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword, his muscles taut with anticipation.

Richie then turned to Jesse. "Isis, sound familiar to you?"

Jesse shrugged, her eyes fixed on the woman. Her voice was flat, disinterested, but there was an undercurrent of unease. "Read the room, Richie. Seriously? Nobody cares where we've heard name from."

"Children," Isis interrupted, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade as she clapped her hands together, the sound sharp and commanding. The subtle movement of her fingers sent ripples of dark magic through the air, making the warriors' skin prickle. "Perhaps my counterpart can help refresh your memories."

Eko's heart pounded in her chest as she leaned closer to Matthew, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with worry. "This isn't good."

Matthew nodded, his jaw clenched, his expression grim. "Be smart for me, okay? Keep your head down." His hand brushed against hers, a fleeting touch that carried a world of unspoken concern.

The atmosphere grew denser, as the warriors subtly shifted. Then, as if pulled from the very depths of the darkness, an unexpected figure emerged, shrouded in the same malevolent energy that surrounded Isis. Cid stepped forward, his once-familiar face now twisted with a grave intensity, his powers expanding in an ominous display that made the warriors' stomachs knot with unease.

"What the fuck?" Richie muttered in disbelief, the shock evident in his voice. Before anyone else could react, the room was suddenly bathed in a brilliant flash of white light, harsh and blinding against the oppressive darkness that had settled over them.

Eric materialized at the center of the room, his presence commanding and exuding the ancient power of the elders. The light radiated from him, illuminating every corner, but it did little to dispel the suffocating sense of dread that hung heavy in the air.

"Welcome," Isis purred, her gaze shifting to Eric, who seemed momentarily bewildered by the unfolding situation. His eyes flicked between the woman and the man beside her, trying to make sense of the scene before him.

"Cid?" Matthew's voice cut through the tension as he stepped forward, his tone laced with disbelief and confusion. The sight of Cid standing beside Isis, shrouded in dark magic, was almost too much to process.

Behind him, Eko's grip tightened on his shirt, her determination to stay close to Matthew palpable in every fiber of her being. But in a sudden move, Matthew shook off Eko's hands and pushed her back, positioning himself as a protective barrier between his warriors and the duo of Isis and Cid.

The air crackled with tension, everyone bracing for what might come next. Eric, sensing the escalating danger, took a step to the side and reached out, grabbing Eko's shirt and pulling her towards him.

"Let me go," Eko hissed under her breath, her eyes locked on Matthew as he confronted Cid, the confusion and betrayal clear in her gaze.

"You need to calm down," Eric's calm, authoritative voice cut through the chaos as he maneuvered Eko behind Richie, who had instinctively positioned himself protectively in front of them. Eko took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart as she watched Matthew recklessly advance another step, his determination unwavering.

Matthew's focus remained laser-sharp as he confronted Cid, his voice demanding answers. "What are you doing? And who is she?" His eyes briefly flicked to Isis, a mixture of suspicion and anger in his gaze before they returned to Cid, waiting for an explanation.

The room seemed to hold its breath, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Isis's smile widened sadistically just as Toni moved to stand by Matthew's side, his hand tightening around his weapon.

"I'm his wife," she whispered menacingly close, her voice dripping with twisted delight. "Has my dear husband neglected to mention that?"

The word "wife" echoed through the room like a bombshell, leaving Eric in stunned disbelief. Eko watched as shock drained the color from his face, her own heart pounding in her chest.

"No, fucking way," Jasmine's voice broke the silence, her astonishment mirrored by the expressions of Jesse and Mya.

"I told you she sounded familiar!" Richie's roar cut through the room, drawing annoyed glares from everyone present. The reality of the situation was sinking in, heavy and suffocating.

"Our enemy is your goddamn wife! She's the sorceress!" Toni's voice rang out, a mix of disbelief and anger, as the rest of the warriors erupted in a cacophony of accusations, their voices accusingly directed at Cid. They all stepped forward, momentarily caught up in their own rage, their movements driven by the shock and betrayal that pulsed through the room.

Matthew took a deep, steadying breath, trying to calm the storm within him as the room descended into chaos. His focus, however, remained razor-sharp, honed in on Cid, who stood silently, his gaze unwavering, locked solely on Matthew.

"At what point in this war were you going to tell us?" Matthew's voice sliced through the chaos, sharp and demanding, cutting through the noise like a blade.

For just a fraction of a second, Matthew's hand trembled before he steadied himself, the enormity of the situation settling over him like a heavy mantle. The realization hit hard, reverberating through the group in ways they weren't prepared to deal with. This revelation would change everything—how they trusted, how they fought, and how they approached the war.

"Don't blame my husband for this. It's my fault," Isis sneered, her voice dripping with contempt as she directed her gaze at Matthew, the one whom Cid seemed to hold in high regard. "I threatened your life most of all, out of all these little warriors behind you."

Confusion and anger knitted Matthew's brows as he took another breath, trying to process the audacity of her words. "Excuse me?" he demanded, his gaze shifting between the defiant witch and the silent Cid, the weight of her statement settling uncomfortably in his chest.

Isis's laughter was a mocking sound, echoing through the tense room like a taunt. Toni's grip tightened on his weapon, he knew his best friend beside him was going to do something soon and he needed to be ready for whatever that looked like. 

 Eko, unable to stay back any longer, stepped forward, her Catania staff at the ready, her eyes blazing, but before she could move past Richie, he hissed a warning over his shoulder.

"Matthew needs to concentrate with you not on the firing line. Stay the fuck where you are," Richie ordered, his voice firm and unyielding.

"Richie," Eko whispered back, her voice laced with deadly calm. Her heart was literally on the front line, and every fiber of her being screamed to protect Matthew.

"I will tell you as I have been telling my husband," Isis continued, her voice unsettlingly calm despite the growing tension in the room. "There is only one goal here, and that is to save everything before our enemy comes."

"Our enemy?" Matthew was on the verge of losing his composure, his anger flaring. She was insinuating that they were working towards the same goal, as though they were on the same side.

"What is she even talking about?" Richie growled, his frustration palpable as he struggled to grasp the full meaning behind Isis's words.

"We are not on the same side!" Eko's outburst mirrored Matthew's incredulity, her voice fierce, her words echoed by Jasmine and Mya's nods of agreement.

"What do you mean by 'save everything'? This doesn't make any sense," Jesse interjected next, stepping forward to position herself on Matthew's left. Her fingers sparked with power, and her other hand gripped her sword tightly, ready for whatever came next.

Isis and Cid remained silent, their focus unwavering on Matthew and Toni, as if they were waiting for the right moment to reveal more. The silence stretched on, growing heavier, more oppressive, thick with tension and unspoken truths.

"How long have you known about this?" Jesse pressed, her gaze shifting between Toni and Matthew, before back to Isis and Cid. "You never mentioned her to us in all these years!"

"He's talked to me about all of you," Isis chuckled, a hint of malice coloring her voice, sending a shiver down the spines of the warriors. "The little orphans he found during the war, the precious sheep he's been raising for the slaughter. If only he knew this was bigger than all of you."

Matthew stood there, momentarily numb, as the knowledge tore at the very foundation of his beliefs. The realization that he had been so wrong to put his trust in Cid gnawed at him, making him question everything he thought he knew about where he stood and where the people he kept close stood. The man they had trusted, who had been their mentor and guide, had kept them ignorant of the true stakes of the war they were fighting.

"Why?" Matthew's voice was steely as he glared at Cid, his grip on his sword tightening unconsciously. "You owe us the decency of an explanation for your actions."

Isis turned her head towards her husband, a smile playing at the corners of her lips as she saw the turmoil in Matthew's eyes. Cid, for a moment, hesitated, the weight of the situation bearing down on him. He nodded slightly, acknowledging her unspoken command, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—a lingering softness, a reluctance that Isis despised.

She disliked that he still showed favoritism towards Matthew, that there was a hint of disobedience in his obedience to her. It irked her that despite everything, Cid still held some measure of care for the boy before him. It was a weakness she intended to exploit.

"Speak, husband," Isis commanded. "Tell your little lambs the truth they so desperately seek."

Cid's gaze shifted back to Matthew, his expression hardening as he began to reveal the truth. "The Sorceress you see before you was sent here with a purpose. When the powers of the timekeeper banished the creatures from our world, the entity clung onto my wife, and has been here with us ever since. Isis has been alive, reminding me of the impending war that is coming for us, while I have been building an army to counteract it."

Jesse's voice erupted with incredulity, her words filled with anger and disbelief. "What the fuck! What the fuck have you been playing at all this time?"

"Hush," Isis cooed, her tone dripping with patronizing condescension. "Let's keep our voices down. Everyone is using their inside voices, child."

"Do not call me a child!" Jesse snapped, her temper flaring as she prepared to charge at them. But Richie intervened, grabbing her arm and holding her back, restraining her from lashing out. This distraction, however, allowed Eko to move forward, her determination unimpeded by anyone.

"What do you want?" Matthew demanded, his voice steady but filled with barely contained fury as he looked between Isis and Cid. "Who are you so afraid of?"

"All we want is the crystal," Isis replied, her tone deceptively calm. "It resonates here."

"What crystal?" Mya asked, her apprehension growing as she felt the gravity of the situation deepen.

"The crystal that we need to stop our enemy. It made its way here and has remained ever since. It never left our realm," Isis declared, her voice filled with conviction.

Matthew's gaze hardened as he scrutinized Isis, his jaw tightening. "You're not from here, are you? The sorceress, the essence of you—it's not of this world, is it?"

"Oh, he's a bright one," Isis remarked, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she cast a sideways glance at Cid. The air around her seemed to thicken, the oppressive energy she radiated growing darker with every word. Raising her hand above her head, she asserted with chilling authority, "Now, stay out of the way. The crystal is ours, and with it, I will save everyone—by any means necessary." The threat in her tone was unmistakable, a promise of violence for anyone who dared to oppose her.

"No!" Matthew barked, his voice ringing with defiance. "Not when you choose to slaughter us, come after us like this!" His eyes were locked on Isis's hand, now sparking with dark, crackling energy that rattled the office as fiercely as the storm outside lashed against the windows.

A deafening boom of thunder reverberated through the room, and Eko swiftly moved to stand beside Matthew, her body coiled with tension as she confronted the madwoman. Her resolve was unshakable; if they dared to harm him, she wouldn't hesitate to drive her sword through their fucking throats. The storm outside was nothing compared to the tempest of emotions swirling within her.

"You have no idea what I'm capable of," Isis hissed, her voice cold and laced with a menacing edge that sent a chill through the room. Her gaze flicked briefly to Cid, as if daring him to challenge her authority. "Tell the boy what fate awaits him if he continues to stand in our way."

"You have no idea what I'm capable of," Isis hissed, her voice dripping with venom as her power coiled through the room, tightening its grip like a serpent around their throats. The air thickened with malevolence, each word she spoke sending a shiver down their spines. Her gaze flicked briefly to Cid, daring him to defy her, before she locked eyes with Matthew, a twisted grin spreading across her face. "You think you're powerful enough to stop me, you stupid little child?"  she sneered, her voice rising to a terrifying crescendo that seemed to reverberate in their very bones. "I could have snapped your neck without a second thought. You wouldn't have had the time to beg for mercy, let alone defend yourself. Every breath you take right now is because I allow it!" 

Her lips were pursed in a predatory grin, hatred gleaming in her eyes as she reveled in the fear she instilled in her prey.

"Isis," Cid said her name with a firmness that cut through the tension, as if a battle of wills was unfolding between them. The moment his voice reached her, her powers ceased, the room's oppressive energy dissipating slightly. But Isis continued to stare at Matthew, a smug satisfaction playing on her lips. She relished the way she was getting under his skin, the way his gaze burned with fury, his teeth gritted, veins standing out against the taut muscles of his exposed body. It was a twisted pleasure for her, knowing that her words had struck deep, fanning the flames of his anger.

"This is your only warning," Cid declared, his voice devoid of emotion, but the threat was unmistakable and deadly. "Your deaths will come on the battlefield, not here. Consider this your last warning."

With a final, sinister laugh, Isis and Cid vanished, leaving the room in a suffocating silence that offered only a momentary respite. But it was only a heartbeat before Matthew's voice cut through, filled with a rage that had been simmering too long, now ready to erupt.

"Fuck this," he snarled, his patience snapping like a brittle thread. With a surge of raw, untamed power, Matthew launched himself after them, his energy crackling through the air with a ferocity that was almost tangible. The room seemed to tremble under the weight of his fury, an all-consuming need driving him to confront them, to unleash the fury that was clawing at him from within.

"Matthew, FUCK! NO!" Eko's scream tore through the room, her voice trembling with raw panic, but it was too late. The sound of her desperation echoed off the walls, but it couldn't reach him—he was already too far gone. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, each beat like a drum, a thunderous roar in her ears as terror consumed her.

All she could see was him falling to his knees before her, his heart giving out, and she got there too late. The image flashed through her mind—a nightmare that had haunted her darkest hours, a nightmare that now seemed on the verge of becoming a reality. The fear that gripped her was so intense it nearly paralyzed her, freezing her in place as dread threatened to swallow her whole.

But then, with a jolt, she snapped out of it, the urgency of the situation cutting through the haze of terror. Her own powers instinctively flared to life, surging through her with wild, desperate energy as she propelled herself forward, not even pausing to consider the consequences. Every nerve in her body screamed for her to stop him, to reach him before it was too late. She couldn't let that nightmare come true, couldn't let him slip away from her. Not now, not ever.

"Jesus Christ!" Toni roared, his voice filled with urgency. Instantly, Jesse's powers wrapped around her own body, followed by Richie, Jasmine, and then Mya, as they took off after Eko and Matthew, desperate to contain the situation spiraling out of control. Toni turned sharply on his heel to face Eric, his expression one of sheer panic.

"Fuck, stay here!" he barked, the command harsh and desperate as he bolted after the others. He knew they were being taunted, lured into a trap, and every instinct screamed that Matthew was charging headfirst into it. What scared him even more was that Eko, the woman who had followed without hesitation, would not calm the beast raging within Matthew, but only encourage the violence in his wake.