In the meantime, within the deep halls of Christina's lair, where silence seems to dominate every surface, a pair of muddy footprints stain the blood-red carpet. The footprints seem to move, walking forward as if they were being printed. Then, they come to an abrupt halt.

     Slowly, a figure appears, fading in like a watercolour stroke. The owner of the footprints is none other than Jean, standing by the corner of the hall. As Jean's eyes drop, he notices his transparency is losing, his body turning opaque. Realization dawns upon him as he learns that his invisibility concoction has worn off.

     Jean pauses momentarily, gathering his resolve as he ponders his next move. Taking a quick peek from the corner, he looks to the right hallway and spots a group of armed wardens standing as stubborn sentries in the area. Gasping faintly, his eyes snapping open, Jean pulls back and hides. Immediately coming up with a solution, he digs his hand into his pocket.

     A ball rolls down the hallway, advancing towards the wardens. Seeing the ball rolling towards the wardens causes them to step back, their eyes fixed on the object, distracted by its cruising motion. Suddenly, the ball explodes, and a cloak of thick grey smoke envelops the hall, shrouding the wardens' visions.

     Taking the opportunity, Jean rushes forward and hurries to the left hallway. He quietly sprints down the corridor and halts briefly. Inhaling deeply, he cuts to the right but encounters wardens. Jean's eyes widen as he realizes he is caught, his heart feeling as if plummeting from a great height.

     Outside, Oliver, Josephine, and Gregory find a backpack lying peacefully on a tree's base. Oliver grabs the bag and inspects it, digging his hand inside. As Josephine steps closer, her gaze fixed intently on the object, a painful realization sinks in, causing her to gasp sharply.

"This backpack..." Josephine mused. "It belongs to Jean," she said.

"Look," Gregory interrupted, pointing at a cave-like opening on the mountainside of Sierra Umbria.

     Following Gregory's finger, Oliver and Josephine behold the cave-like opening in the mountainside. They squint, observing the darkness that looms within. Oliver, Josephine, and Gregory turn their heads, facing each other, seeking thoughts from one another.

"Could that be..." Gregory began.

"Could that be the witch's lair?" Oliver ventured, pondering aloud.

"If so, with Jean's backpack lying nearby, that means... Jean could be inside!" Josephine thought, her heart growing faster.

"We must hurry now," Gregory suggested, his steely glare fixated on the horizon.

     Oliver, Josephine, and Gregory set forth, sprinting towards the slope and climbing it. As they ascend the mountainside, their knees on the verge of crumbling, they pant and succumb to hyperventilation. However, they set their worries and weaknesses aside and focus solely on their mission. They quicken their pace, hoping they get inside before Jean does. Little do they know, Jean is already caught by the wardens, and his life is in danger.

     Though they are still slightly far from the opening, Oliver, Josephine, and Gregory can sense Jean's presence already. They know he is nearer than ever. And their success in getting him back is around the corner. Yet, they must face the inevitable, as they will be standing before the lair of the one that seeks to hurt Oliver.