On warm currents, Kraid glided effortlessly, his gaze fixed on the line of villagers below. Behind them stretched a pristine expanse of untouched beach, unmarred by the memory of battle that stained the cove beyond the cliff face. The villagers' journey through the valley had been long and arduous. For the villagers had brought children and animals with them, slowing their speed drastically.

Along the way, they encountered many Felren migrating in the opposite direction, returning to their homeland beyond. As the group passed through the serene valley, Kraid couldn't help but notice the dazed and bewildered expressions on the faces of the Felren, as if their entire lives had been upended.

The villagers had slowly made it to the beach and with many cries of relief, finding themselves surrounded by a warm and safe environment.

The refugee farmers had established a camp in a neighbouring cove to the west of the green walled city, ensuring their presence did not impose upon the locals beyond. Kraid hoped that their arrival would build a shared understanding of suffering and a sense of unity. Assured of their safety under the vigilant leadership of Rose and her respected uncle Arthur, Kraid knew it was time to talk with the person in charge.

Kraid directed his attention towards the town emerging around the cliff face.

His yellow eyes widened in astonishment at the transformation that had taken place. The power unleashed during the decisive battle, thanks to Karn, had breathed new life into the once-battered town. No longer were the remnants of warfare strewn across the beach; instead, the walls stood fortified with an additional layer of defence spanning the entire beach.

One would expect such a sight to be overwhelming, but the sleek design of the living wood, responding to even the slightest thought, created walls fit for kings. The artistry displayed went beyond mere extravagance. Flapping his wings to gain a better view, Kraid soared closer, his sharp Kraven eyes taking in the astonishing sight. Within the protective walls lay an even greater surprise—gardens.

Every hue imaginable—pink, violet, yellow—decorated the flowers, creating a speckled display that gave the outer section the appearance of a mesmerizing painting from above. Local villagers diligently tended to the blossoms, effortlessly traversing the living metal walkways that formed beneath their feet, allowing them to move from one patch of flowers to another. The entire scene possessed a sense of fluidity, with the villagers working in perfect harmony to nurture the foundations of the town.

How was such a marvel possible? Flowers thriving in sand? Kraid couldn't help but wonder, awe filling his thoughts.

As he approached the outer edge, curiosity getting the better of him, he noticed that both the inner and outer walls now extended their foundations into the shore. Long, needle-like teeth protruded from the clear ocean, poised to ensnare any potential attackers, serving as an additional line of defence against future threats.

Overwhelmed by the astonishing transformation, Kraid turned his gaze towards the towering structure at the centre of the town—the Heart Building. Amidst the bustling activity, he spotted a familiar face in the distance. Farlen, engrossed in his tasks, huddled in front of a stack of papers, while Drell stood by, concern etched on his face, tinged with a hint of pain.

Suddenly, a high-pitched voice pierced the air, interrupting their focus. "I got them, I got them!" squeaked the voice. She was holding a basket of what looked like muffins as she plonked them on the table while shoving one in her face.

Farlen glanced down and beamed at the young girl. "Thank you, Fin. Now run along; you wouldn't want to miss your lessons."

The girl pouted, protesting, "Awww, can't I play with Uncle Drell anymore?"

Drell chuckled, though the action seemed to cause him discomfort.

"No, no. Drell needs his rest," Farlen interjected, casting a concerned glance towards Drell.

Waving off his concerns, Drell turned his attention to the child. "We'll have more time to play the board game later, okay? For now, listen to Farlen and finish your lesson, alright?"

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Awww... Okay," Fin replied, staring at the floor, exaggerating her disappointment for effect.

The voices in the group fell silent as Kraid landed among them. He landed gracefully, his large wings retracting to reveal his human form, and approached Drell and Farlen. They exchanged glances, a mix of surprise and curiosity evident in their eyes.

"What brings you here, Kraid?" Drell inquired; his tone warmth yet showed signs of worry.

"Indeed, we are always glad to see you,” Farlen added, mirroring Drell’s expression.

Kraid offered them a half-smile, but his expression quickly turned sombre. He proceeded to recount the events of his journey alongside Alec, sharing the tale of their encounter with the villagers, the brutal attack by the swine, and the confrontation with the corrupted monster. He spared no details, ensuring that Drell and Farlen understood the gravity of the situation.

As he relayed the fate that had befallen Bolgart, Farlen's knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists, his face contorted with a mix of grief and anger.

"And Hope? Is she..." Farlen's voice trailed off.

"She's alive." Kraid's response came as a relief.

Farlen sighed audibly, a weight lifted from his shoulders. "But the book was stolen?"

Kraid nodded gravely, confirming Farlen's fears. "The last I heard from them, they were following my people to retrieve it."

Farlen's expression grew glum, and he turned to address someone over his shoulder. "Akana, can you please join us?"

After a brief pause, a figure emerged. Akana, her metallic skin shimmering in the soft light, stepped forward from the shadows with an air of grace. Her flowing white robes accentuated her elegant presence as she approached the group. The table before them seemed to mould itself around her, welcoming her with open arms and offering her an elegant seat.

"Welcome back, Kraid," Akana spoke as she sat down, her voice velvety, sounding like a gentle breeze through a forest.

Kraid offered a cautious bow, unsure of how to react, and replied, "Thank you."

Akana's gaze turned towards Drell and Farlen.

"I'm guessing you overheard our conversation?" Farlen asked.

A polite smile graced Akana's face as she nodded.

Her metallic finger pointed towards Kraid. "Another of his kind is nearly here."

Kraid's brow furrowed in confusion, "Another? Who?"

Akana shrugged, her green-tinted skin shimmering as she spoke. "I have no idea. I can sense the vibrations of wind through the trees, but their identity remains unknown."

Farlen then turned to Kraid, curiosity etched on his face. "When did you part ways with the others?"

Kraid swiftly calculated quickly. "At least a few weeks ago."

Farlen leaned in, hope flickering in his eyes. "Do you think they managed to retrieve the book?"

Kraid's eyes widened, a surge of anticipation coursing through him. Instinctively, he turned his gaze skyward, where a black bird gracefully glided on the currents, descending with purpose. The trio watched intently as the bird made its descent, their attention fully captured by its arrival at the very spot where Kraid had landed mere moments ago.

"Valon?" Kraid stammered in surprise. "What...?"

Valon raised his arms, a reassuring smile adorning his face. "Calm down, brother."

Drell observed Valon with a mix of caution and curiosity. "What news do you bring?"

Valon's smile widened. "News from Karn."

The mention of Karn's name sparked a shared sense of astonishment in them all. Valon nodded, then delved into the specific details of their daring expedition into the city, the downfall of the mad king, and the subsequent reclamation of the forest.

"The book is now in Karn's possession, and he is travelling with his trusted allies to Brancourt," Valon explained, his words hanging in the air with a sense of importance. "His goal is to find a way to end the books hold on the land."

Drell interjected, a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Does he plan to destroy it?"

Valon shook his head, his expression thoughtful. " Karn says it's far more complicated than that."

Farlen nodded. He suspected as much. "I wonder what he hopes to find in Brancourt."

Valon shrugged, acknowledging the uncertainty. "There’s more."

"More?" Farlen echoed.

"The forest is alive," Akana declared, her voice resolute.

Valon met Akana's eyes, and he offered a slightly uneasy smile. "We have been circling Branside for some time now, witnessing the reclamation as it unfolds. There's a tree there where it all began, with a white crystal."

Farlen chimed in, “an Elementlet heart, perhaps?"

Valon shook his head, dispelling the assumption. "No, this crystal is different. It's growing."

The group leaned in, their attention fully captured.

"It's leaking power," Valon continued. "Every day, the power pouring from the crystal grows stronger, like a waterfall pouring forth its energy. The magic isn't dissipating; it's rising."

Farlen contemplated the revelation, his mind racing with possibilities. "So, similar to the Book of the Known?"

Valon's expression turned unsure. "Yes and no. The Book of the Known is like a dam holding back an untapped, infinite supply of power. But this crystal... it's like a seed of power that keeps pouring forth, growing stronger over time."

"Are you suggesting that Karn has released this power into the world?" asked Drell.

Valon nodded then spoke slowly, "the crystal within the tree is infusing magic back into the world. And soon, those who know how to control and harness such power will vie for control over the tree and the surrounding land."

END OF PART TWO:

Part three will continue in Chapter ⚔ 101.