Ellie was paralysed.

An overwhelming wave of energy had swept over them all, stealing precious breath, leaving everyone motionless against its overwhelming power. It was suffocating, and with every attempt to resist, the force intensified, pulling them deeper into its vice-like grip.

Ellie’s vision blurred, shadows encroaching at the edges, as a heart-wrenching sensation of profound loss overtook her. Desperately, she tried to seek out Charles, to call to him, but even the simple act of blinking was impossible.

She called out. But it came out in a rasp.

Dread settled within her, echoing the despair she felt when the Book of the Known had first ensnared her. The memory of that cold, isolating void between Earth and Ren Daral absorbed her.

She screamed in her mind, “Charles! Karn!” Desperate to reach out.

The loved ones she held dear seemed to be drifting further away, lost within an isolated expanse.

However, just when all seemed bleak, a faint glimmer appeared on the horizon. It beckoned her, growing steadily brighter amidst the encompassing dark. And then, with a brilliance that stunned her senses, the speck exploded, filling the abyss, driving away the cold nothingness.

Karn's silhouette emerged from behind that shimmering brilliance. She knew, he wasn't the origin of this radiant explosion but appeared to be its conductor, channelling its boundless energy with his intent. It was a power, vast and untamed, yet held in check, waiting for direction.

Ellie gasped sharply, the world snapping back into focus. Gone was the suffocating void, replaced by the familiar feel of the wooden platform beneath her feet and the sight of the surrounding crowd, their expressions as dazed as hers.

Suddenly, strong arms encircled her, drawing her into a warm embrace. Charles's face nestled into the crook of her neck, his lips showering her with kisses.

"Ellie," he murmured between kisses, voice thick with emotion. Tears wet his cheeks, their paths leaving a chill against her heated skin.

She blinked away her own tears, momentarily overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. The rhythmic cadence of his heartbeat and the steady rise and fall of his chest was all she could focus on.

"Are you okay?" she whispered, pulling back just enough to search his eyes for answers.

He nodded, attempting a reassuring smile. "I am now," he said, though his voice held a tremor.

But as Ellie peered closer, she saw through the facade of forced bravado. Hidden just beneath lay shadows of trauma and exhaustion, betraying his inner struggles as clearly as words on a page.

“Love you,” she spoke softly.

“I love you too,” he said just as softly.

Ellie stepped back, taking a moment to absorb the transformed landscape around them. The courtyard, which had been filled with the deafening chaos of battle and raw energy, now stood bathed in an unsettling quietude. The shadowy, creatures that had taken over Baron and some of the Kraven were nowhere to be seen.

Scattered across the courtyard were the corrupted citizens, their bodies elongated and contorted, scarred by the monstrous transformation of their possession. They gasped and panted, regaining consciousness and grappling with the aftermath of their actions. Their returned autonomy was a relief, but the physical scars and disfigurement remained.

"Will they attack again?"

Charles shook his head, uncertainty clouding his eyes. "I'm not sure."

Ellie, following the direction of the unrest, pointed out, "Look at their eyes. They seem to be coming back to their senses."

"And their skin," Charles added, "it's regaining colour."

Lady Amber's brows furrowed in concern. "Do you think they'll transform back? Human I mean."

Both Ellie and Charles exchanged a glance, the weight of the unknown pressing on them. "We don't know," Ellie admitted.

Even after all they had put her through, Lady Amber released a sigh of sympathy. "At the very least, that thing," she gestured towards the vast fissure that marred the courtyard, "has stopped expanding."

The large crack that scarred the ground that had once pulsed with an ominous energy, now, lay silent and dormant. The malevolent force that had once echoed from its depths seemed to have been extinguished, replaced by a haunting emptiness.

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“Guys?”

Ellie turned to see Karn.

With misty eyes, he walked up to Charles and Ellie, placing a comforting hand on each of their shoulders. "I can't tell you how relieved I am to see you both safe," he admitted, voice quavering.

Charles, his emotions evident, locked eyes with Karn and pulled him into a hug. Ellie wrapped her arms around the two of them. As they stood there, silently supporting one another, Ellie could clearly see the depth of their shared emotions. Words weren't necessary to convey how close they had come to losing each other, again.

But their brief moment of respite was interrupted by the sounds of boots against cobblestones, echoing from the southern gate. Lady Amber turned, her elegant composure in stark contrast to the devastation around her as she nervously glanced towards the gate.

"Please, stay safe," she muttered under her breath, worry creasing her brow. She then raised her voice, "Has anyone seen Fredrickson?"

Charles, Ellie, and Karn shared a quick, puzzled look. In the midst of everything, they hadn't realized that their stalwart clay guardian was missing. Their eyes darted around, trying to spot any hint of Fredrickson amidst the fallen.

"Where did he go?" Lady Amber asked, her voice trembled.

Charles's gaze settled on Karn's book. "I think he might have returned," he replied, pointing.

Lady Amber stiffened while the trio exchanged nods, a shared understanding passing between them. Ellie then glanced towards Lady Amber and saw pain etch her features as she fought to composed herself. She felt sorry for the woman who looked to have lost something dear to her.

Karn, with a pensive expression, turned to look over at the transformed beings who were slowly regaining their awareness. "What are we to do with them?" he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

Lady Amber cleared her throat, “I’m not sure.”

Seemingly making a decision, Karn descended the platform, the wooden boards creaking slightly under his weight. They glanced between each other and followed him down. As Karn walked, two Kraven warriors fell into step beside him, their sharp weapons glistening in the dimming light, signalling their readiness to defend if the situation called for it.

Approaching one of the creatures, a humanoid figure with twisted limbs and mottled skin it looked like a demon, Karn met its gaze. "What’s your name?" he asked gently.

The creature looked up, its eyes initially reflecting confusion. But upon recognizing Karn, a profound reverence washed over its sharp features. "White Dragon," it breathed, voice raspy and choked with emotion, "I’m called Leoric."

Tears pooled in Leoric's eyes as he extended his malformed claws toward Karn. "Can you... can you cure this?" he pleaded, desperation evident in his voice. His plea seemed to echo the sentiments of the transformed beings surrounding them. Many, upon seeing Karn, began to murmur and look on with a similar mix of hope and desperation.

Karn took a deep breath, surveying the crowd before him. Their eyes, filled with a mix of hope and desperation, were fixed intently on him, waiting for his guidance. The mutated civilians and the Kraven warriors stood still, each bearing the weight of the day's events.

"I don't have all the answers," Karn began, his voice unwavering, "but if there's a way to help each one of you, to restore you... I promise I will find it."

His declaration echoed across the courtyard, not just addressing the changed individuals before him but also the Kraven warriors who stood vigilant, and his friends who had always supported him. It was a proclamation, a vow he intended to uphold.

"We're not just battling physical enemies," he continued, "we face an insidious darkness that seeks to engulf and control us. Its name... is Nahmlen."

Whispers erupted amongst the onlookers. Some looked perplexed, trying to make sense of the name, while others exchanged alarmed glances. Nahmlen – a name spoken in hushed tones, shared as a nightmarish tale parents would tell to caution their children. Now, the very embodiment of pure power stood before them, confirming the reality of the horror and declaring himself their protector.

The atmosphere was thick with emotion when, breaking through the tense silence, the Masters made their way through the crowd. Their presence was commanding, yet their faces bore the signs of the day's exhaustion. The creases of worry and the weight of leadership were evident in their expressions.

Maze, after listening to the exchange between Leoric and Karn, stepped forward. "Karn," he said, his voice firm but weary, "I'll lend my knowledge and expertise. We need to understand this corruption, study it, and find a way to counteract it."

The other Masters remained silent, their faces contemplative, but the resolve in their eyes spoke volumes.

Karn spoke up, his voice carrying a weight of responsibility. "There’s more. We must hold an assembly."

Maze raised an eyebrow curiously. "An assembly? Who are we gathering?"

Karn's eyes held a serious depth. "All leaders. From every race of this land."

They all let his words set in as they nodded slowly.

“Leoric, here shall speak for all of these citizens here.”

“Me?”

Karn nodded smiling softly. “We all must decide what is going to happen next.”

As the massive southern gate creaked open all their heads spun, the rhythmic thudding of marching boots filled the air. The sun's rays glinted off polished armour, and the ground vibrated with the approaching force. Both Charles and the Kraven warriors stiffened, their hands instinctively moving to their weapons. In the heat of the moment. However, as the banners fluttered in the wind, the emblem of House Amber came into sight. Recognition and relief replaced tension.

But before they could assess the situation further, Lady Amber's sharp, authoritative voice rang out. "Hold your positions!"

With a grace that defied her urgency, she weaved through the transformed humans, heading straight for the frontlines of the arriving soldiers. Their weapons, which were initially pointed towards the monstrous forms, faltered as they took in her familiar face within the throng.

"Lady Amber!" one of the leading soldiers cried out in surprise.

“Shaunson.” She held up her hands, signalling them to stand down. "Where’s my husband?" she demanded.

Without hesitation, a tall, armoured figure emerged from the ranks, his helmet tucked under his arm, revealing a stern face with piercing eyes.

“Milady.”

Lady Amber quickly closed the distance between them, as she flung her arms around him, her voice lowered but still fierce. "Those creatures," she gestured towards the mutated humans, "were once our people. They are victims, not enemies."

Lord Amber's gaze studied the scene before him. The realization was evident in his eyes, but he remained silent, waiting for her guidance.

"We must help them," Lady Amber continued, her tone filled with a mix of determination and desperation.

The gathered soldiers, their weapons now lowered, exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unprepared for the situation they had walked into.