Lucien looked at the girls, his eyes filled with concern and determination. "Ayaka's previous hypothesis might be correct. I don't think anybody dares to enter Nightmare's Forest, so it leads to one conclusion..."
Maya quickly grasped the situation, her eyes narrowing as her tone turned serious. "The Demon King's subordinate!"
"Correct! Only that demon has the power in this forest to command such a shift," Lucien exclaimed.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from behind them. "It's the forest spirits. They have long since fallen into the hands of that Demon General!"
All three of them turned around, their faces lighting up with joy. "Ayami! Aeliana!" Ayaka and Maya exclaimed in unison, sprinting towards Ayami and Aeliana. They embraced the two, relief and happiness evident in their expressions.
Ayaka, still holding Ayami tightly, asked, "How did you guys find us?"