From her elevated position atop the market district's ramparts, Ralina observed the chaotic transformation of the streets below. She and others had sought refuge on higher ground as a sea of monsters controlled the streets below. What once was a fight for survival between the four of them now, was an uncanny silence that draped the city, broken only by an exploding light that repelled the intruding darkness.
As the light radiated outward, the monsters halted in their tracks, paralysed by fear and confusion. They no longer wreaked havoc on the city. The citizens, who had initially defended their homes against the monsters, now retreated, seeking refuge in the shadowed recesses.
Yet Ralina ignored the change in the city. Her concentration was elsewhere.
The single figure crafted from clay held Ralina's attention. She had come just in time to save her. Then it had stepped forward, forming a protective barrier between her and the sinister force sweeping the city. This clay sentinel was the long dead Elder of the Night clan, Valfrey of the Felren—her mother.
Even if the resemblance was striking, the sentinel lacked the familiar warmth and scent Ralina remembered from her childhood. Yet, a familiar spark glinted in its eyes that was unmistakable. This was indeed her. Emotions Ralina had long buried welled up.
“Mother,” she whispered. Overwhelmed, emotions welled up in Ralina's eyes.
Valfrey took her daughter in her arms and held her tight.
Beyond the embrace, Ralina saw young Hope battered and bruised, also comforted in the arms of a clay guardian. Their mirrored circumstances stressed the gravity of the situation.
Drawing back, her mother's eyes, imbued with a blend of sadness and pride, met Ralina’s. "Look at you," she murmured. "You've grown into such a formidable Felren. Ah, daughter. My heart… I’m so proud." They both tightened their embrace, enjoying the impossible moment.
Ralina had always sought to be a pillar of strength, but this unexpected reunion stirred depths she rarely acknowledged. Struggling to maintain composure, she asked, "Why appear now? Why today?"
Her mother, with a knowing smile, replied softly, "While protecting you played a part, my dear, there's a greater purpose at hand. Born of two Felren clans, your destiny is intricately woven. You possess the influence to guide our people towards a brighter tomorrow."
She froze in her mother’s embrace. “Me guide? But Father.”
“Your father may be wise but may not understand what needs to be done.” She glanced sideways with a wistful smile playing on her lips as an echo called to her to the west.
Reflecting on her mother's words, she asked. "This is about Karn isn’t it? And the book."
"Nothing gets past you, does it?” her mother smirked. “Place your trust in him. That young man bears a heavy burden. Everything falls on his shoulders, yet he will need those like you to give him strength. In time, you will understand."
As her mother released a heavy sigh, indicating the weight of her waning moments, a sudden commotion arose from the western gate. A familiar procession of warriors, gleaming in gold armour, paraded into the city. Their march was illuminated further by the distinct green gleam of Akanam metal behind them as villagers from Hopes hometown also arrived. From their high vantage point, Ralina and Hope could only guess that these warriors had sought to enter the city for trade but were inadvertently caught up in the conflict outside its walls.
Within the sea of warriors, Ralina's sharp eyes detected a familiar figure. It was Drell, her father. His gaze was already fixed on the silhouette of his long-lost wife and daughter, his expression a cocktail of disbelief and yearning. Even from a distance, Ralina could see him mouthing “Valfrey”.
Before Drell could bridge the gap between them, her mother turned, locking eyes with Ralina one last time. "My time draws to an end," she whispered, her voice imbued with a quiet sorrow. "I must return but know this. I’ll see you again very soon. Just remember—follow Karn." With that, her clay form began to crumble, disintegrating into countless particles as she whispered, “I love...”
By the time Drell reached them, the vestiges of Ralina's mother had vanished. Without hesitation, he enveloped Ralina in a tight embrace, seeking solace in the warmth of his living daughter. "Was it truly her?" he managed to say, his voice broken.
Ralina nodded, her reserve finally breaking as tears cascaded down her face. "Yes, it was."
Beside Ralina, Hope collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her face as the image of the tall, protective figure dissolved into the breeze. As Hope turned, her gaze met Ralina's. Both sets of eyes reflected a shared anguish of loss.
As Branside fell, concealed powers within the book confronted each of them. This sparked a flood of curiosity within, leading them on a quest for understanding. They’d initially thought the university would be the end of their search, but it was their departed loved ones who unveiled the truth.
Though the sting of their loss was raw and immediate, the prospect of reconnecting with their loved ones through the book shone as a beacon of hope.
"Did you feel it too?" Ralina whispered to Hope.
Hope nodded, her eyes misty. "The connection... it's like they're still here with us, guiding us."
Ralina broke away from her father and turned to Hope with a look of determination. "So, we’re following Karn?"
Hope's eyes nodded.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
"Well, I guess nothing’s really changed then."
Hope gave a soft chuckle. “I guess so.”
Drell shifted his gaze between the two girls, eyebrows knitting.
Ralina, place an arm on her father’s shoulder. "Karn has a burden to bear," she stated, repeating her mother’s words, "and it's up to us to support him."
A flicker of doubt clouded Drell's eyes, but as he glanced towards the dissipating dust, the painful reminder of the love he lost he asked, "where’s he now?"
Hope Pointed towards the origin of the exploding light. "Somewhere down there."
Drell exhaled deeply, a sigh of resignation. Just then, Lyra, in her golden armour, walked briskly to his side. She cast him a mildly annoyed look and murmured, "Always running off without me."
He smirked at her comment, then addressed the group, "Did everyone see...?"
Hope interjected, "The vision of Karn? The silhouette in our minds?"
Ralina gave a confirming nod. It seemed that when Karn released the burst of light over the city, an image of him wielding that vast power imprinted on everyone's mind. Lyra's expression betrayed that even she’d also witnessed the same.
Eyes firm with resolve, Drell asked, "Then, ladies, will you lead us to him?"
In no time, they found themselves navigating the city streets, weaving through dazed monsters that were no longer dangerous. They joined a robust assembly: the golden-armoured Felren warriors and villagers wielding Akanam metal, all converging towards the royal district.
Their entrance into the central courtyard stirred a buzz among the soldiers and residents. However, at Karn's gesture, the murmurs ceased. The respect and obedience the crowd showed Karn startled her. Clearly, they too had seen that vision of him, giving him newfound authority.
Within an instant Karn's position had changed from obscurity into one of admiration and authority.
Ralina and Hope locked eyes with Karn. He smiled warmly at them, though his eyes showed a hint of worry. Hope, her heart swelling with relief, dashed into his embrace. Ralina paused, staying a few steps back. Drell let out a soft laugh and teasingly nudged his daughter.
"You always were the cautious one," he whispered to Ralina.
Ralina rolled her eyes playfully. "Someone has to be," she replied.
Lyra, observing the scene, remarked, "It seems not much progress has been made then."
“It’s good you all have arrived as you did,” Karn began. “We’re going to hold a meeting.”
“For what?” asked Hope.
"For the sake of our shared future," he responded.
Ralina’s ears perked up.
Without hesitation, a vast crowd began to gather, guided by the soldiers who efficiently organized them into the courtyard. A feeling of both curiosity and excitement filled the air as the mass of bodies moved in. When Karn raised his hand, the assembly fell into focused silence. Representatives from all corners of the city and beyond came forth. The diverse races of the land now stood together ready to face the challenging times ahead.
As the attendees filled the spacious courtyard, the sky darkened momentarily. From above the Kraven, Valon, and Kraid swooped in. The Masters, venerable leaders in their own right, took their seats on a raised platform, eyes scanning the sea of faces below, while Lady and General Amber, followed by another unfamiliar military leader, took their positions at the forefront.
“Here, Marcus.” Lady Amber said pointing to a seat beside her.
The man looking weathered yet determined sat beside her looking visibly pleased to take the load off his feet. “Thanks, milady.”
Ralina's eyes darted around, recognizing faces from Hope's village and, even members from the Sun Clan, stood among the crowd. A group of the previously transformed monsters, now conscious, huddled in a corner, attempting to blend in. However, they couldn't escape the wary and subtly hostile glances from the crowd. Some shot venomous looks at the monsters, spitting at their direction. The diversity of the assembled crowd was unparalleled, a gathering unlike any other Ralina nor any assembled had witnessed in their lifetime.
Beside her, Hope exchanged anxious glances with Charles and Ellie. They, like Ralina, were waiting for Karn's address with bated breath.
Stepping onto the platform, Karn looked out over the crowd. The sea of eager faces stared back, many seeing this enigmatic leader for the first time. "Ah, welcome all! Citizens, allies, friends," Karn began, his voice echoing throughout the courtyard. "Our land stands at the edge of darkness. A corruption, evil and persistent, threatens us all. From crack like this." He pointed to the now dormant crack within the courtyard. “They come. The darkness wants to take us, change us, control us! But we won’t let it.”
A murmur grew in the crowd as a shared determination filled their hearts.
Valon stood forward, his powerful silhouette casting shadows over the crowd. "During my recent patrols," he announced, capturing the rapt attention of the audience, "I've seen the places where our magic weakens at our shared borders. Beyond this protective barrier, the very land splinters and gapes open into chasms, much like the cracks you see here." He pointed to the fractured ground of the courtyard, causing an uneasy stir amongst those gathered.
Murmurs swelled through the Felren clan; previously dismissed rumours now carried an unsettling credibility.
"The cracks are created by the darkness that threatens us all! We need to strengthen our defences together," Karn asserted, "to repel this shadow, we must cleanse our land of the corruption, and secure our future. Together, united, we can fend off this threat!"
His proclamation ignited a fire of purpose in the crowd, filling them with hope. However, Ralina, Hope, Charles, and Ellie exchanged glances, sensing an underlying gravity in Karn's words, a nuance that suggested there was more than he let on.
"We must protect this magical boundary," Karn continued, "drive out the darkness, as one.”
A voice from the crowd, spiked with scepticism, asked, "And what of them?" pointing to the transformed monsters.
Karn followed the gesture, acknowledging their presence. "These beings are not just what they seem on the outside. They, too, are victims," he declared, beckoning one of the monstrous figures “Leoric.” He called out. “Now’s the time.”
Leoric, his bulky form and hunched shoulders evident, threaded his way through the crowd, his movement drawing a mixture of curious and wary glances. As he reached Karn, the murmurs grew louder.
Karn, seeking to quell the rising doubts, reached for a blood red book at his side, presenting it for all to witness. Gasps echoed from the crowd. Turning to Leoric, he asked, "Do you trust me?"
Leoric nodded hesitantly.
"Then kneel."
With a gentle grace that belied his size, Leoric knelt, a tremor of anticipation running through him. Karn touched the book's cover to Leoric's forehead. A hush fell.
A brilliant white light radiated from the book, pulsing with an energy that rippled throughout the crowd. The force felt pure and invigorating. The crowd could sense the potent magic contained within, channelled by Karn through the creature. Instead of returning Leoric's human form, the magic purified it. His terrifying exterior shifted, replaced by a mesmerizing light.
Many shielded their eyes from the brilliance, but when the light faded, the transformation left them in awe.
A divine force from the book had touched Leoric, not reshaping him but refining him. His menacing features had vanished, replaced by an almost celestial angelic presence. Now standing tall, his body shimmered with pale scales, his large eyes a vibrant blue, revealing a breathtaking beauty that no one, not even Karn had anticipated.
The ancient spirit from within the book had given the young man a gift, another chance of life. Another chance of fate.
The crowd burst into a mix of cheers and tears, crediting the miraculous transformation to Karn’s own power. However, his friends, watching closely, understood the truth. It wasn't Karn who had healed the cursed man, but a force that had reached out to each of them in the past. It was a sign that their true mission was just beginning.