In the morning, Alejandro woke up and found that Petal-rain was not by his side. He looked around and saw her dressed in a beautifully decorated mirror. The mirror had a wooden frame adorned with vines and flowers, which reflected Petal-rain's beauty. Alejandro got up from the bed, still covered with the sheets. He hugged Petal-rain from behind and asked where she was hurrying off. As he kissed her neck gently, he waited for her answer.

Petal-Rain giggled in a high-pitched voice and said playfully to Alejandro, "Stop it, or you'll get it again!" Alejandro looked at her and grinned as she spoke. He replied, "But I love it when you're in a playful mood." Petal-Rain giggled and turned towards him, kissing him on the lips. "I also love it when you're playful, but I must update my people about what's happening with our lands."

Alejandro's playful expression changed into a concerned but determined one as he agreed with Petal-rain, "You're right; we have work to do." He turned away with a severe look on his face, taking a few steps towards the door. He paused in his tracks, looking back at Petal-rain, and said in a grave tone, "I have some business to attend to with a vendor." 

Petal-rain understood Alejandro's concern and expressed her own, "Just be careful." Alejandro smiled softly and replied with the same sentiment, "I will. But that applies to you too, my little flower." She blushed and nodded, "You got it, my brave warrior." Alejandro smiled at her, but she continued, "I will catch up with you when I finish warning my people." Alejandro's eyes widened, and he asked, "Then I will see you in Tradithia?" Petal-rain nodded cutely, bringing a smile to Alejandro's face.

They made plans and reached an agreement with each other. Both of them got ready for the journey. Petal-rain got dressed upstairs while Alejandro gathered his things from downstairs. When prepared, they kissed each other passionately, as if it was the last time they would see each other. They left the tree that had served as their shelter, which had now returned to its original form. Petal-rain climbed up a tree and took one direction while Alejandro watched her leave hurriedly. He took a deep breath and headed in the opposite direction towards Tradithia.

Petal-rain made her way through the forest, feeling the pain and distress of the trees around her. She climbed to the top of a tree to get a better view and was horrified by what she saw. The corruption had spread rapidly, even to her people, and had taken over their home. Tears welled in her eyes as she shook her head in disbelief, whispering, "I'm too late." Her people were now living within the corruption, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

She gently rested her forehead against the trunk of a nearby tree, feeling lost and unsure of what to do. Overwhelmed with emotion, she found herself apologizing to the forest. "I am so sorry," she whispered with great sorrow. Suddenly, the peaceful moment was disrupted by the urgent shouts of the forest, warning her to be careful. Startled, Petal-rain quickly turned around and used her powers to create a barrier of wood and vines for protection.

The twigs broke through the barrier but did not go all the way through. This sudden occurrence startled her, and she quickly withdrew. She glanced back at what had happened, but the sight was painful, causing her to look ahead again. In front of her stood two plant-like fae beings with demonic or terrifying features.

The hooded vendor that tricked Fonza and Alejandro appeared out of the forest's shadows. A wicked smile crept up as he looked at her and uttered something in the Fae language. He then produced a small silver box with a button, which he pushed and hurled. The box created a portal, and the hooded vendor stepped through it. The portal shut loudly, unleashing a shock wave that demolished the nearby trees.

Alejandro spent more time than he remembered traveling back to Tradithia. He marched through storms and harsh landscapes, hurrying back to town. Eventually, he made it back to Tradithia.

As he entered Tradithia, Alejandro searched for Fonza or the hooded vendor. He eventually found Fonza staring blankly at the ground in a crowded area. Upon spotting him, Alejandro called out his name and ran towards him. However, as Alejandro got closer to Fonza, he noticed that Fonza's appearance had started to change.

Fonza's once shiny armor had become dark and corrupt, giving it a sinister appearance. His hair was now white, his eyes glowing with an unholy energy, and his skin had paled to the point where he looked lifeless. Alejandro cringed as a putrid smell wafted toward him, and he realized that the townspeople were staying away from Fonza. The sudden change in Fonza's appearance made Alejandro feel uneasy around him.

Alejandro noticed an object in Fonza's hand and worried for his friend. He stepped back and asked, "Fonza, is that the artifact we were searching for?" Fonza nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on the ground. Alejandro reached out, concerned, and said, "Fonza, please give me the artifact." Fonza looked up at Alejandro, tilting his head, and asked, "Why should I do that?"

A portal suddenly appeared behind Fonza, and from it emerged the hooded vendor. He asked, "Why would he do that, Alejandro?" Alejandro glared at the hooded vendor and growled, "Who are you?" The hooded man replied, "I believe that is none of your business," as he glared through his hood.

Alejandro suddenly pulls out his swords and exclaims, "My friend is acting weird!" This caught the attention of everyone around them. Fonza twitches and glares at Alejandro. He unsheaths his mace and shield, warning Alejandro, "Be careful. He is still a merchant."

Alejandro was shocked to see Fonza defending the suspicious vendor. Then, Fonza handed over an artifact to the hooded vendor. Alejandro couldn't contain himself and shouted, alerting everyone in the area, "Quick, run! Something terrible is about to happen!" This created chaos as people started to panic, and some even called for the guards.

The hooded man blew into a horn-shaped object, causing everyone nearby to freeze fearfully. However, Alejandro was ready for battle and assumed a fighting stance. The hooded vendor acknowledged Alejandro's readiness by smiling and commenting, "I see you're not easily fooled; good to know." Then, he turned to Fonza and ordered him to kill Alejandro since he was now an obstacle. Fonza obediently kneeled before the hooded vendor and replied, "As you command, Cu'serak." He then stood up and got into a fighting stance. Alejandro's eyes widened as he watched his closest friend, now prepared to fight against him.