**Chapter 5: The Enigmatic Lirien**

As Lirien stepped forward, her dark robes seemed to billow around her like a dark cloud, and her eyes gleamed with an otherworldly light that made Kagome's skin crawl. Professor Palladium's eyes narrowed, his hand on the hilt of his sword, as he demanded, "What kind of proposition do you have for us, Lirien?" Lirien's smile grew wider, and she took a slow, deliberate step closer to the group. "I have information about Valtor's plans," she said, her voice low and husky. "Information that could help you stop him." The Winx exchanged skeptical glances, and Bloom spoke up, "What makes you think we'd trust you, Lirien? You're clearly working with the Trix." Lirien's smile never wavered. "Oh, I'm not working with the Trix, exactly," she said. "Let's just say that I have... interests that align with theirs, for now. But I also have interests that align with yours, and I'm willing to share information with you, if you're willing to listen." Kagome's instincts were screaming at her to be wary of Lirien, but there was something about the girl's words that seemed to resonate deep within her. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she remembered the strange, familiar feeling she'd gotten when she first saw Lirien. "What kind of information do you have?" Professor Palladium asked, his voice cautious. Lirien's eyes seemed to gleam with amusement. "I know where Valtor is headed next," she said. "I know what his plan is, and I can help you stop him, if you're willing to trust me." The group exchanged uneasy glances, and Musa spoke up, "But why would you want to help us? What's in it for you?" Lirien's smile grew wider, and she took another step closer to the group. "Let's just say that I have a... stake in the outcome of this," she said. "A stake that could be lost, if Valtor succeeds." As Lirien spoke, Kagome felt a strange, tingling sensation in her fingers, and suddenly, a memory burst forth in her mind. She remembered a girl, a girl with dark hair and eyes that seemed to gleam with an otherworldly light. A girl she'd seen in a vision, a vision that had been cryptic and unclear. "Lirien," Kagome said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think I know you." Lirien's eyes snapped to Kagome's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Then, Lirien's smile grew wider, and she nodded. "I think you do, Kagome," she said. "I think you do."