When Mende woke up, she was glad that her sister already unfreezes her. The first thing she wants to do is teleport back to the abandoned manor, only to find out that she can no longer do that!

Damn!

Her sister must have dropped the pellet on her mouth to render her powerless, unable to teleport anywhere! She was furious for a few seconds, but she also understood why her sister had done it. Ebony wants to make sure that she can never leave her side and endangered herself.

She was lamenting in her mind. How can she save her grandmother if she has no power? She can't even protect herself!

But she can't also blame her sister. Ebony was hell-bent on obeying their grandmother's

instructions.

She sighed deeply and left the bed. She went outside and found her sister cooking something on the pot above the makeshift stove made of stone.

She went to her sister's side and sat on the wooden chair, facing the burning stove. "Did you feed me the pellet last night or this morning?" she asked.

Ebony breathed deeply. "This morning," she replied.

"B-but why?" she asked.

"Because we already lost Grandma and I can't afford to lose you as well. If Grandma encountered defeat in the hands of the enemy, then you will also encounter defeat just like her because your power is still weak," Ebony replied sternly.

"Then give me the black book! It's the only way to save grandma from the enemies!" she insisted.

Ebony shook her head. "No! You might not be able to handle the demands of the black book. The book requires a sacrifice and it might cost you your life. That's why I won't give it to you!" she said adamantly.

Mende released a deep sigh. She knows her sister well. If Ebony says no, that's the end of it. She will find the opportunity to steal the black book from her. Without her power, she can't return to the manor and find her missing grandmother.

She closed her eyes for a moment, wondering what to do! The guilt is eating her up inside. She was the one who sent her grandmother to death!

Fresh tears emerged in her eyes. She can never forgive herself if something bad happened to her grandma!

Ebony was staring at her sister's face for a long time. "From now on, we will never leave this place. We are not going to interact with humans again. This is the only way to protect ourselves. Humans always bring trouble!" she said indignantly.

Tears flooded Mende's eyes.

Ebony looked at her older sister. Menedelia is only a year older than her. "Stop crying. From now on, there's only you and me left in this world. We should stick together through thick and thin."

"Aren't you going to do anything to save our grandmother?" Mende asked between sobs.

Ebony released a troubled sigh. "When Grandma gave her instruction to me, I have to honor and obey it. She will feel upset and annoyed if you also come after her and suffered the same fate as her. No matter what happen to her, she will be happy and contented that I followed her instruction."

Mende wiped her tear-stained face with the hem of her dress. Between the two of them, her sister Ebony was always been obedient to their grandmother. On the other hand, she was the one who is free-spirited, adventurous, and always creates trouble.

Now, her adventurous and free-spirited attitude finally brought her and her family to their knees. She's longing to undo her mistakes. If only she can turn back time, she will never bring Evelyn to that abandoned manor, all these unfortunate events will never happen at all!

Sad to say, no amount of regrets can turn back time!

From now on, she will have to deal with the pain, guilt, and sadness of losing their grandmother because of her stubbornness.

Ebony lifted the lid of the pot and checked the boiled sweet potatoes, it's ready to eat. She doused the fire and transferred the boiled potatoes to the plate. She looked at her sister. "Let's eat our breakfast," she said and began munching on her food.

Mende picked up one sweet potato and began eating her meal.

The sisters ate their breakfast in silence.

The day rolled into the night.

...

Days passed by in a blur.

The sisters are finally getting used to their new surroundings and they no longer talked about their missing grandmother, but deep inside, they always remember and think of Sitas all the time wishing and hoping that one day she will return to their side.

Mende never begged her sister to give her the antidote even once. She knows that if she'll do that, Ebony will get suspicious of her true intent. The more her sister won't give her the antidote. She will pretend that she no longer desires to return to the abandoned manor in the forest so that one day her sister will finally trust her again and restore her power.

She will wait patiently for that final day.

Three months later.

Early morning.

The day that Mende has been waiting for finally comes.

They were eating their breakfast consisted of roasted fish and boiled bananas.

Ebony looked at her sister. "Today, after we finished eating our breakfast. I will give you the antidote," she finally said.

Mende never showed enthusiasm on her face after hearing the news.

Ebony raised a brow after her sister never showed any emotion or excitement on her face. "Are you not happy that I'm going to restore your power? Are you mad and upset of what I have done to you? It's only for your well-being," she explained her side.

Mende heaved a sigh. "Sis, you don't have to explain your reason to me. I already understand why you have to do it. I will never be mad at you... upset maybe. But you are only following Grandma's instruction. I will never blame you. Thank you for giving me the antidote," she said.

"I'll give you the antidote on one condition. You must promise me not to go back to that abandoned manor in the middle of the forest!" Ebony said.

Mende nodded her head. "I won't!" she said.

"Good," Ebony murmured.

After they finished eating their breakfast, Ebony opened her palm. A white-colored pellet appeared in her hand. She gave it to her sister. "Take this..." she said.

"Thanks, sis!" Mende accepted the white pellet and put it in her mouth.

A few minutes later, her power had finally returned!

That afternoon.

The sisters decided to catch fish and shrimp in the stream for their food consumption.

They spent the whole afternoon in the stream, taking a bath, washing their laundry, and catching fish and shrimp.

They returned to the cave before the darkness arrived.

Days went by.

One month later.

One sunny morning.

Ebony finally lowered her guard down.