I can't believe what just happened. Have I gone insane? Am I dreaming? Did I hit my head? I feel so many conflicting emotions that I can't comprehend, just moments ago, I was praising the feeling brought by the necklaces. Now, I've snapped back to reality as if someone had slapped me in the face.

— Did you all see that? the redhead girl asked curiously. Or am I crazy?

— If you're crazy, then we both are. We saw the same thing, I say, genuinely surprised by the fantastical events unfolding before our eyes.

— I wonder what they're doing? Emma asks, equally puzzled by the situation, just like me and the others.

— We'll have to figure that out ourselves, Nick responds seriously, turning his gaze towards me as I nod in agreement. We can't go back home and pretend that none of this happened. He continues.

— But telling the whole world is not an option either, corrects Lyna.

— I didn't say that. We'll keep everything a secret. But we need to know what these stones do. Until we're sure, we need to be cautious. Nick reformulates.

After a few moments of a graveyard-like silence among me and my friends, loud noises suddenly emerge from the nearby bushes. When we hear these sounds, my friends and I start to panic, thinking that a wild animal might emerge from the bushes ready to attack us.

However, the truth was far from what we thought in that moment. A woman in her twenties appears from the bushes, dressed provocatively as if she came from a nightclub.

I still wonder what such a woman dressed so inappropriately is doing in the forest. Could she be a drunk, or perhaps crazy? Nick seems unbothered by this, his eyes gleaming at the short skirt and cleavage of the woman.

— What brings a charming lady like yourself to the woods? he asks, kissing her hand.

— Forget it, she says annoyed, rolling her eyes and turning her gaze towards me, her expression changing instantly.

— Is something wrong, miss? Nick asks, the woman looking at me shocked, ignoring the green-eyed boy as if he didn't exist.

She pushes Nick aside and walks towards me, staring into my eyes, revealing the same shade of violet as mine.

The woman suddenly starts to smile in a cold and cunning way, displaying perfectly white teeth. The stranger was extremely beautiful, a rare beauty that I had never encountered.

— So, you've been here all this time, Evan, she says to me. How's your dear wife doing?

What is this crazy woman babbling about? And why is she staring at me so intensely?

— Which Evan are you talking about? I ask with a hint of fear.

— About you, dear brother. Don't you remember your name? Or have you changed it? Let me remind you then, Evan Morningstar.

As soon as she utters that name, a bell rings in my head. How did this woman know my father's name? And how did she manage to appear out of nowhere, talking as if these things were normal?

I look towards my friends, equally shocked as me, but I signal them to stay quiet, indicating that I have the situation under control.

— Maybe you're confused... Evan Morningstar is my father who died many years ago in a car accident. I was just born back then.

— So, you're his son, huh? Oh, what a misunderstanding! Let me introduce myself then. Xanilia Morningstar, your uncle's sister, or better said, your aunt. I'm thrilled to meet my nephew for the first time. What's your name? she asks me.

— Jhon... Jhonathan Morningstar, I reply to her question.

— Oh my, I can't believe it. The resemblance is striking; I almost mistook you for my brother. And I see that you and your little friends found the magical crystals, didn't you?

— So, you know what these medallions are? Lyna asks.

— Of course, she replies in a silly tone. These talismans are the source of your new powers: fire, earth, wind, water, and chaos.

— Well then... now we know what abilities our crystals have! Nick says happily.

— Don't be so cheerful, boy. Soon those crystals will belong to me and only me. And I will use their power to become the true empress of hell.

— We won't give you anything! Lyna shouts at the witch, my friends standing by her.

— Very well, Xanilia says. Then I will take them by force, whether you like it or not.

— We won't let you! Lyna declares.

— We'll see about that. I'm taking those crystals for myself! She quickly rushes towards me, ready to grab my medallion. The crystal emits purplish rays, propelling the witch into a tree.

— Did I... did I do that? I ask, shocked by what just happened.

— No! The Grim Reaper! the so-called "aunt" responds, rising to her feet. You still have weak powers, my dear nephew. I won't fight you for now. Unlike your father, I am fair and honest. So, I kissed you, sayonara! She waves at me, disappearing into a black smoke.

— I can't believe what just happened... Nick says.

— It's the end of the world! Lia starts to panic. We're all going to die! She clutches her head, and the ground around her starts freezing slowly.

Hearing this, Lyna grabs Lia by the shoulders and shakes her vigorously.

— Listen to me! No one is going to die! It's not the end of the world! No one will be harmed!

— But what if that witch comes back and does something bad to us? Emma begins to worry, unintentionally adding fuel to the fire. Lia, pretending to faint at these words, Lyna instantly catching her in her arms, slapping her to wake her up until Lia opens her eyes and says:

— Ready? Did I die? Did I reach heaven?

— You didn't die drama queen! Snap out of it! Lyna tells her.

— Everyone, calm down! I say to them, looking serious. Let's go back to the beginning of all this.

— Well, Emma says. We found a box with some crystals in the forest; the crystals transformed into magical necklaces. Then comes a witch who claims to be Lucifer's daughter, Jhon's aunt... oh, I can't explain it anymore.

— I'm really confused right now. Honestly, I don't know what to believe anymore. My mind can't process what's happening. Just a few hours ago, I was a normal boy shooting arrows and training with my best friend, and now all this is happening! I swear, I really don't understand anything! It's all foggy... I can't see clearly!

— Hey, calm down! Lia says, holding me by the shoulders. We're your friends; we're here to support you no matter what happens! She says, reaching out her hand. If we found these crystals, it means we found them for a reason, and we were chosen for this. And now we must do everything in our power to protect them and use our powers to help others. I know
it might be hard for some of us, but if we stay united, I'm sure we can overcome any obstacle! So, who's with me? Lia asks more determined than ever, her eyes sparkling as she holds out her hand.

— I'm in! Lyna responds, placing her hand over Lia's.

— Me too! Nick says, joining hands with the girls.

— I'm in as well! Emma says, making the same gesture.

— Jhon? Lyna asks me a little worried. Are you in too, right?

— How can I leave you all alone? Who knows what foolishness you'd do without me? I laugh as I put my hand over theirs.

In that moment, I feel an amazing power, and our crystals shine brighter than ever. A rainbow emanates from our hands, spreading throughout the forest.

It seems that we have much to learn and many enemies to defeat. But no matter how many trials we face, we'll always remain united, even in death. I'm sure of that.