Karn's heart raced, his gaze like everyone else was transfixed on the ever-widening fissure that now tore apart the courtyard. What ominous dark power he once felt from the corrupted humans paled in comparison to the overpowering surge of malevolence that now radiated from the chasm.

Panic spread like wildfire across the battlefield. The gaping maw expanded further, swallowing countless monsters into its seemingly bottomless depths. The Kraven, in a desperate bid, managed to thrust nearby Reapers into the abyss. While on the other end of the courtyard even the most malicious of creatures hesitated, sensing the ominous energy from the void.

Recoiling, Karn felt the surge of dark energy coming from beyond the chasm. Clutching his Book tightly, it became his shield against the force. Even through the throbbing reminders of his aching neck and limbs, his determination remained steadfast.

The courtyard fell into an eerie silence.

His eyes darted to the Kraven warriors below. Their once vibrant yellowish gaze had darkened, corrupted by the pit's influence. The realization struck him like a thunderbolt, filling him with an overwhelming dread.

Frantically, he turned to check on his friends. The sight that met him felt like a dagger through his heart. Their once bright eyes, symbols of familiarity, hope and determination, had transformed, now consumed by darkness. The corruption was spreading, and the situation was growing direr by the second.

The corruptive force surged, weaving its way through the streets, ensnaring everyone it touched and freezing them in place.

"Baron?" Karn asked, horrified, as he watched the man next to him convulse. Before he could utter another word, Baron was gone as his body stretched transforming into a new reaper. However, this creature's skin bore a shade deeper than its predecessors, its face twisted in a snarl. Yet, this snarl lacked the blind rage of the others. With its angular frame and discerning expression, this creature seemed more astute, more cunning and in control. The human essence that once defined Baron had evaporated in an instant, replaced by a being far beyond the man he once was.

"Baron?" Karn repeated, but it was too late. In its place stood a creature bearing a mocking smile of pointed teeth. It didn't attack, confidently aware of Karn’s inability to act.

A sudden commotion had Karn spinning around to witness several Kraven warriors writhing in agony. One by one, they transformed into the same monstrous beings that Baron had become, but with an added horror—sprouting wings. These creatures didn't just steal their bodies; they consumed their very essence, morphing the once proud warriors into something born out of nightmares.

Karn felt a tremor from his book. Looking down, he saw its deep red cover turning darker, corners tainted with black. Panic welled up when he saw Ellie and Charles, their eyes devoid of humanity, convulsing as the corruption took hold. Time seemed to hang in a cruel suspension. His friends, his family, were being snatched away.

Suddenly, a fiery rage surged within him. This wasn’t a rage born from the surrounding corruption but something pure, fueled by raw emotion and unwavering conviction.

"How dare you touch them!" he snarled, his fury sharpening clearing his thoughts.

His vision turned white as a roar escaped his lips. The creature that had been Baron retreated a step, its smugness replaced by a flicker of fear. Without a second thought, Karn wrenched open his book, caring little for the consequences. As the book's power threatened to consume him, his anger grew. From deep within him, his soul blazed, embracing and illuminating the book in return.

The creeping darkness on the book's cover retreated, and with an earth-shattering boom, a radiant shockwave exploded, washing over the entire courtyard with blinding light.

At that moment, every being, whether man or monster, fell.

Yet there was one who withstood the blast.

Karn bathed in light examined the battlefield and roared.

A blinding light enveloped Karn’s vision, obscuring the world around him as every body lay prone almost lifeless frozen in time. He himself, stood motionless, caught between two realities. Another scene shimmered before him, one laid over the other. He gasped as he recognized the second location in his vision.

The stark whiteness of the room left Karn momentarily disoriented. The marble floors beneath him, and the grandiose throne towering in the distance, confirmed he was once again within the White Dragon’s palace inside the book. The opulence of the room had previously left him in awe, but now, a sense of dread consumed his every thought. His friends were on the brink of transformation, turning into the very monsters they had been fighting, and he felt powerless.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

A tremor of panic began to take hold, and just as it threatened to overwhelm him, a gentle yet firm hand came to rest on his shoulder. Looking up, he met the wise, aged eyes of the familiar old man from the mountaintop — BalDrakkus, the once mighty ruler of Brancourt. The legendary King who was said to be immortal.

"Ah, young Karn," BalDrakkus greeted warmly, his deep voice echoing slightly in the vastness of the room. "You have done well, pushing back against the darkness that sought to claim you."

Karn's eyes glistened. "But I haven't done anything. My friends... they're changing, and I couldn’t do anything."

BalDrakkus shook his head, his grey hair shimmering. "You underestimate your strength, young man. It is not only your inherent power that kept the darkness at bay, but also your conviction. You not only possess the strength to repel the enemy but also the legacy to command the power of the book."

"But my friends," Karn said his voice filled with panic. "Can I save them?"

The King's lips curled into a comforting smile, eyes twinkling with a mix of kindness and wisdom. "Worry not. They’re more resilient than you think, especially with a friend like you by their side."

Karn took a deep breath, hoping against hope that BalDrakkus's words would prove true.

The King's eyes turned to the distance, the wrinkles of countless years etched into his face. "We have another, more pressing matter to discuss," he began, his voice echoing through the vast chamber.

Karn straightened.

"The fissures that has emerged in your world greatly troubles me, and tells me two things. One we have little time left and two, we only have one choice at our disposal," the King sighed. "The nightmarish creatures that have sprung forth come from a realm far darker than anything our worlds have ever encountered. They come from Nahmlen."

Karn's heart skipped a beat, recognizing the word. "Nahmlen," he whispered, recalling the name associated with the slave tonic and the very man who created the Book of the Known.

The King nodded gravely. "Nahmlen is an entity of tremendous power, yet it lacks a form of its own. Instead, it works through others." The King hesitated for a moment; pain evident in his ancient eyes. "The first ever to be ensnared was my own son."

A chill ran down Karn's spine. "Your son?"

"Yes," the King sighed deeply. "He sought to become immortal, to emulate my legacy. In his relentless pursuit, Nicolaus left himself vulnerable to Nahmlen's corruption. It took time, decades, perhaps centuries, but his fall to its malevolence was inevitable."

The room grew quiet, the weight of the King's admission pressing down. "That corruption," the King continued, "still plagues us to this day. This book, which was originally crafted as a prison for souls and magic, has now become the last refuge against Nahmlen's influence. And whenever its dark tendrils approach, a fissure erupts from within the book. My warriors and I risk our very souls to repel these incursions and protect this sanctuary."

Karn felt his resolve hardened as he listened yet there was a sliver of fear ever present. He clenched his jaw. If this book was their last hope, then he would do whatever it took to safeguard it.

"Soon, this book will be more than just a refuge for us souls and magic. It will become a sanctuary for all."

Karn's brow furrowed. "I don't understand," he admitted.

The King continued, "Nahmlen's grasp is relentless. Its hunger unending. For now It's seeking the book, lured by its immense power. But once it takes hold of it, there would be nothin in its way to consume everything else. Yet there's hope as the book can provide us a way out. For everyone."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in, before continuing with an analogy. "Imagine the book as a ship. Right now, it sits anchored, waiting for its final passengers to board. Once they're aboard, it will set sail."

"Set sail? To where?" Karn asked

"To a place beyond Nahmlen's reach," King BalDrakkus answered solemnly. "We will leave this plane of existence entirely, moving to a realm where Nahmlen cannot follow. By doing so, we abandon the remnants of our world to Nahmlen's dominance."

The weight of the revelation settled heavily on Karn.

Sensing Karn's distress, the King added, "Remember the crystal in Branside? The one that purified Lorthac’s corruption?”

Karn paused and nodded slowly, acknowledging the corrupt King’s demise.

“It's a beacon of hope. Shaped by the ancient spirits, its magic is one of the few barriers holding back the tide of darkness tearing apart Ren Daral."

Karn's hands clenched. "So, the crystal's buying us time?"

"Exactly," the King replied. "But its protection is finite. It won't hold forever, and the ancient spirits who might offer guidance remain unreachable. We're racing against time and the choices we make now will shape the fate of countless souls."

Karn's voice trembled as he asked, "What needs to be done?"

The King leaned forward, his eyes locked onto Karn's, illuminating the path ahead. "The crystal's boundary is our saving grace. Once every trace of corruption is purged within its confines, you, the chosen bearer of the book, must utter the select words. Everyone inside will then be transported into the book."

Karn's eyes widened. "And then?"

"Then," the King continued gravely, "we'll sever ties with the world and with the universe beyond. There we will create our own universe, isolated and protected. Every soul within will have the chance to begin anew."

Karn's heart raced. The whole plan sounded extremally drastic, but the King was right. They were running out of options.

"Would I... Would I be reborn as well?"

The King shook his head slowly. "No, Karn. Mortals like you who are still alive during the transition will bear a different destiny. You'll be the stewards, the guardians of the new universe the book births. You will oversee the rebirth of every soul, ensuring the harmony and balance of the new world."

Karn swallowed hard, grappling with the implications. "And that means... you'll be reborn?"

A sad, distant look came over King BalDrakkus's eyes. "Yes. I, and countless others, will be entrusted to the care of mortals. It's a great responsibility, one that can't be held lightly."