The village basked in the newfound peace that Athena had unknowingly gifted them. The air felt cleaner, the streets livelier, and the once-shadowed corners now bathed in warmth.
Children played freely without parents whispering warnings to stay indoors after dark.
The villagers, especially the elders, knew the truth, the curse had been lifted, and the souls that once wandered in torment were finally at rest.
Though the elders kept their gratitude private, they ensured Athena's departure was met with respect.
Their quiet thanks lingered in their eyes, and a few discreetly left small tokens, flowers, charms, or neatly folded notes, in her belongings as a sign of their deep appreciation.
The show's crew, along with the other participants, remained blissfully unaware of the horrors that had unfolded.
To them, the forest was nothing more than an eerie backdrop to their farming adventure. The mystery of the curse was buried with the ashes of the past.
