Legacy of legends:

16:✰The betrayer and the War✰

As we were making our way back to the institute, we were stopped by some Guards from Regardina.

"Stop right there, don't take another step." The guard said.

We stopped and stared at each other confused.

"It is by the order of the elders of Regardina that Lucas Finch and Makayla Stoker, to be locked away for the helping Astaroth and Marikah's wendigos to break through the barrier.

"What!! No, we didn't." I said.

The guard raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical of our denial. "Save your lies for someone who believes them," he retorted. "We have evidence that you were seen aiding the wendigos. Surrender peacefully, or we will use force."

Lucas and I exchanged worried glances. We knew we were innocent, but it seemed like the authorities had already made up their minds. The situation was escalating quickly, and we needed to find a way to prove our innocence.

"Please," I pleaded, my voice trembling slightly. "We would never do something like that. We've been fighting against the wendigos, not helping them."

The guard seemed momentarily taken aback by her sincerity. He glanced at his fellow guards, who were now closing in on us. "I don't know what to believe anymore," he admitted. "But orders are orders."

They got Lucas and me, and locked us in the dungeon.

"This is what the spirits warned me about. You remember I told you that they said you, i and the others were in trouble. I know it's the betrayer that set us up."

A guard approached us and told is that they'll have a powerful mind reader to read our minds the next day, to see if Lucas and I were innocent or guilty.

A few minutes later, Asher visited us in the dungeon.

"Hey Asher, what are you doing here? I asked confused.

"Just wanted to check upon you both, the others are worried, but we all believe that you're both innocent. And believe you've been set up."

"Yeah well, the guards just told us that a powerful mind reader will read our minds tomorrow to prove that we're innocent or guilty."

"The mind reader would say you're both guilty." Asher said.

"Of course we're.... What! Did you just say? Correct me if I'm wrong, did you just we're guilty.

"Yes I said that." Asher said as he smirked.

Then I realized Asher was the betrayer.

"You are the one who weakened the barrier for the wendigos to come through, Weren't you." My voice filled with anger.

"My plan would have worked out well if it weren't for you two stopping the first wendigo." Asher said.

"But why Asher? Why side with Astaroth and Marikah? Lucas said.

"Because with Astaroth and Marikah i, can do anything I want. Unlike here, all you guys ever do is treat me like an idiot.

Asher's words cut deep, and I could see the hurt in Lucas' eyes. It was true that we had often overlooked Asher's abilities and treated him as less capable than the rest of us. But that was no excuse for betraying us and endangering the lives of everyone in Regardina.

"You could have talked to us, Asher," I said, my voice filled with disappointment. "We would have listened. We would have tried to understand."

Asher smirked, and he looked at us. "Always being treated like I wasn't good enough, always listening to others praise you all like you guys saved the day, except for me. This is my moment to show all of Regardina just how powerful I can be."