When the light dissipated, Jon saw a young man (perhaps in his mid-20's?) standing in the middle of the room. It wasn't his grandfather. Not even a younger version of him. Jon was tricked!
"Oh, Jon," the man said. "You are so gullible."
"Who are you?!" Jon yelled. "What happened to my grandfather?!"
"My name is Connor. And your pathetic grandfather is dead. And hopefully he'll remain that way."
"What do you want?"
The man waved his hand and the three artifacts floated up into the air and landed in the man's hand. "These, actually. I need their power."
"You want to use the artifacts? You can't!"
"Oh, I don't need to use the artifacts. I just need their power." With that, he clutched the three items in his hand. All three items glowed white hot and when the light disappeared, the man opened his hand. The items were gone, replaced by a ring. He put the ring on one of his fingers. "There. Much better."
"What happened to the artifacts?" Jon asked.
"Gullible and stupid," he muttered to himself. "I turned them into this ring. You must agree that it's easier than carrying them around in my pocket."
"How were you able to do that? I didn't hear you make a wish," Jon said.
"He's a warlock," Athena said.
"Your witch friend is right," Connor said. "But now I'm much more. With the power of this ring, I can do whatever I please. No more spells, no more potions. I just think ... and it happens," he said, grinning.
"No one should have that much power," Athena said.
"I beg to differ," Connor said. "I should." He reached out and grabbed Jon's head. "Let me give you demonstration of my power."
"Let go of him!" Zoe yelled.
"As you wish," Connor said. But he was already done anyway.
"Jon, are you okay?" his mom asked.
"Uh ... I think so," he said.
"Jon, do like that your mother is a witch?" Connor asked.
"Yes. Of course I do," he replied.
Jane grabbed her son. "Jon, you don't mean that. He did something to you."
Jon looked at her oddly. "What are you talking about? I've always liked that you were a witch. I love witches."
Jane let go of Jon and charged towards the mysterious man. Athena and Zoe held their breath. They knew that opposing someone so powerful was very foolish. "Change him back!" she yelled.
Connor smiled. "Oh, I don't think so."
Jane lurched towards him, but before she could grab hold, he disappeared and reappeared a few feet away. He looked fondly at the ring on his hand. "I'm loving this thing." He looked back up at Jon, Jane, Zoe, and Athena. "Before I go, I think I should give you a little going away present. After all, I wouldn't have this ring if it weren't for you."
All four braced themselves. What was he planning?
