Exiled Villainess Becomes Ruler (Republished/Edited)

Underground Cavern

The wolf, now named Storm, had officially become part of their group.

They continued their search for Healer Marick in the Kooky Forest. Days turned into nights and back into days as they scoured every area within their sight. Storm followed them, sniffing around for anything that might catch his interest, but there was still no sign of the healer.

"We still can't find him!" Jon exclaimed in frustration, hacking through vines and branches.

"We need to keep trying!" Eve insisted, mirroring his actions.

"You know, at this point, I think it's best to assume that—"

"Please don't say what you're about to say, Jon!" Eve warned him.

"Healer Marick is dead!" Jon shouted abruptly.

The others halted in their tracks upon hearing Jon's outburst.

"No, he isn't!" Eve shot back angrily.

"He is! We've been out here forever. At this point, he must be dead by now!"

"So what now, huh Jon? If you believe that, should we even continue?" Eve demanded.

"I think we should head back and tell the village leader that the healer is likely dead!" Jon declared.

"No, I don't want to do that! If he's dead, we should at least find his body!" Eve argued.

Seeing Eve and Jon in their heated exchange, the others exchanged nervous glances.

"Are they arguing?" Mason asked his brother.

"Seems like it," Kyle answered.

"Hey, guys!" Melody called out, trying to break up the argument. "Guys!"

"We should keep looking for Healer Marick, no matter what you say, Jon!" Eve insisted.

"No! We should go back and leave this forest! The further we go, the more danger we're in! I'm sorry if I'm being a jerk, but we need to face reality!"

"We can't just leave without confirming what happened to him!"

"I'd rather prioritize our safety over looking for a corpse!"

"Guys! Enough with the lover's quarrel and calm down!" Melody intervened.

"We are not lovers!" Jon and Eve shouted in unison.

"Not yet, but that's not important right now! We all need to make a decision. Should we go forward or go back?"

Silence fell, even Storm sitting quietly beside the humans.

"Let's decide now," Eve said firmly. "Raise your hands if you're in favor of continuing to find Healer Marick!"

Eve's students—Kyle, Mason, and Julia—raised their hands.

Unfortunately, the other adults did not.

Eve and her three students were willing to keep searching for the healer. The Farling brothers and Melody were not.

"You guys..." Eve felt a pang of betrayal from the adults in the group, especially from Jon, who had been opposed to her decision from the start.

"I'm sorry, Eve, but my brother is right. We need to be realistic," Zeke said regretfully.

"I'm sorry too, Eve. I think Jon is right," Melody agreed with a frown.

"You can't find the healer with just three kids. It's too dangerous for them," Jon pointed out. "It's better for all of us to go back."

"No... the kids can go with you. I'll find Healer Marick alone," Eve said, turning away and stepping into the foliage.

"Wait, Eve! Please don't go forward anymore. I'm just worried about our safety," Jon pleaded.