Karn unconsciously stepped back, momentarily overwhelmed by Leoric's transformed appearance. The sunlight overhead caught every scale, causing Leoric to shimmer with each breath. Karn blinked rapidly, his heart racing. One pressing question consumed his thoughts: What has Leoric become?

Karn stared in amazement. Leoric's previously gaunt limbs had thickened, powerful muscles now evident beneath the armour of scales. Before this change, Leoric had appeared both threatening and miserable, as though merely existing was a challenge. Now, he radiated both majesty and strength, a palpable beacon of life.

The dramatic transformation left Karn speechless. He'd anticipated that the book would rid Leoric of his corruption, just as it had done for him. Turning back to his original state. However, this was far from what he had envisioned. Preparing to offer an apology, Karn paused when he saw Leoric studying his gleaming hands. A tear rolled down Leoric's cheek as he tenderly touched his transformed face.

"Thank you, Karn," Leoric whispered.

Karn, genuinely confused, responded, "For what? I didn't cure you."

Gazing down at his radiant form, Leoric shook his head, the very movement graceful. "All my life, I was a puppet—believing others, following orders, and letting darkness cloud my judgment. Now, for the first time, I feel light. Strong. Clear-headed."

Recognition dawned on Karn as he connected the dots. He knew this man. This was the same youth from the university who had repeatedly mocked and scorned him—the one who had believed every baseless rumour and blamed him and the Amber sector for the King's crimes.

Karn hesitated, seeking the man’s true thoughts. "Are you certain?"

Leoric gave a firm nod, eyes fixed on his now-scaled hand, which he opened and clenched repeatedly, deep in thought. "This new form... It feels like it's given me purpose."

Raising an eyebrow, Karn asked, "And the others?"

Leoric's gaze shifted to the monstrous figures in the distance, and then back to Karn. "Will you help them?"

Promisingly, Karn looked over at the corrupted beings and said, "Yes, I will."

Their faces—twisted and terrifying—lit up with hope as they looked to Karn.

Thinking on his feet, Karn announced, "I pledge to cure these... Darkling’s." He coined the term spontaneously for the afflicted populace, hoping it would resonate. "To purify them."

Leoric's deep blue eyes locked onto Karn's, gratitude shining within.

Whispers spread like wildfire among the crowd, their awe evident. "He's like a dragon, so pure and white..."

"Perhaps he's a warrior from the..."

"Dragon..."

Karn took in the scattered remarks, realizing that while he'd christened the corrupted, he hadn’t yet named those transformed like Leoric. He knew that 'large white guy wouldn't suffice. Mulling over words, he combined the ancient term for human in these lands, "Ren," with "Dragon." Wanting to signify their close bond with humans, akin to the Felren, he needed a term that captured their essence.

Whispering "Drakenren" under his breath, Leoric's scales shimmered, as if the newly-minted name amplified his power.

Karn felt a deep resonance with the name, recognizing its importance in bridging connections with the original inhabitants of the land. Sensing the urgency of the moment, he declared, “Let us welcome Leoric, the first of his kind: a Drakenren. He stands with us against the encroaching darkness.”

A roar of applause surged from the crowd. Everyone eagerly celebrated the birth of this new, formidable race—truly an unforeseen ally in a world of uncertainties.

Kneeling before Karn, the Drakenren declared, "I will follow you anywhere, my king."

The word "king" sent murmurs through the crowd, growing louder, echoing, multiplying. Karn's heart raced, and his hands instinctively went up, signalling them to stop. Memories of his father's teachings came to him. "Do not aspire to rule," he’d said. A sentiment he whole heartly agreed with.

Karn didn't need his father’s words to know he wasn't made for the throne. But as he tried to dissuade them, the murmurs turned into a tidal wave of voices. In the absence of a leader, the city had succumbed to a reign of opportunists and deceivers. Now, standing before them was a symbol of hope, and Karn realized how difficult it would be to decline their desperate plea for protection.

Karn stood tall, even as a wave of emotions threatened to wash him away. Raising his hands, he addressed the crowd with a determination that surprised even him. "I am no king," he began, voice firm. "But fate has thrust upon me the responsibility to protect this land and its people."

From the sea of faces, cries erupted. "Protect us!" Some shouted, while others, sceptics in the crowd, challenged, "If not you as king, then who is fit to lead us?"

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The weight of potential leadership pressed heavily on Karn's shoulders. The corrupting force that had once dominated the land was always lurking, ready to ensnare any singular ruler. But he had an idea. "We should establish a council, a congress of sorts," Karn proposed, his voice echoing through the assembly. "Representatives chosen by you, for you. Leaders who will serve together, balancing each other out."

His gaze landed on the Ambers, and he boldly proclaimed, "I vouch for the Ambers' inclusion in this council." The crowd's response was immediate. Protests erupted, shouts filled the air—some in support, but many against. Accusations were hurled, the past sins of the Ambers dredged up and paraded before the people.

Lady Amber, her face a mask of determination, stepped forward. "My husband and I have always worked for the welfare of the people," she proclaimed. But the scars of past political deceptions ran deep. Boos and jeers drowned out her words. The wounds of history were not easily mended.

Karn, sensing the need to regain control, raised his voice. "The Ambers were the final defence against the king's cruelty," he asserted. "They offered sanctuary to the defenceless, and for that, the king turned General Amber against his own wife. He was poisoned by the slave tonic as many of you were!"

The crowd, taken aback, grumbled amongst themselves. Some looked perplexed, struggling to reconcile this new information with what they had been led to believe. Others remained sceptical.

Karn inhaled deeply, realizing he had to lay bare a profound truth if he wanted the Ambers to gain the people's trust. "Lady Amber’s mission in Branside was to overthrow the king. But someone else got to him before she could."

Whispers filled the air. "Who?" many voices asked, a blend of curiosity and fear.

Karn's voice, soft but carrying the weight of his confession, silenced them all. "It was I who ended the life of your king."

The revelation sent shockwaves throughout the assembly. The crowd, once divided and clamorous, now stood in stunned silence, processing the enormity of Karn's revelation.

Karn straightened, his voice clear. "The mad king's intentions and actions were unforgivable. Consumed by his own paranoia, he sought to enslave every one of us. Darkness threatened, and instead of rallying together to fend it off the threat, he let it consume him. He trusted the Duke and Duchess, individuals who were more interested in exploiting us than in helping."

A voice from the crowd interrupted, challenging, "Lady Amber wasn't any different. She just played the game better."

Karn responded, "It was Lady Amber who helped release slaves. She risked everything to do what was right."

Suddenly, an angry shout pierced the air. "Murderer!" A man pointed accusingly at Karn, causing whispers to ripple through the assembly.

Unfazed, Karn addressed the man directly. "Tell me sir, if someone bound you, tortured you, threatened your friends and family, wouldn't you defend yourself? If I stood before you now, as that same tormentor, wouldn’t you want to strike me down?” Karn’s eyes bored into the man’s in challenge. “Yes, I ended the king's life, but he was the one dragged me into the fight. I may be responsible for the deed, but my hands aren’t stained with blood."

As the crowd processed his words, Karn added, "I have no desire to be your king. I'm here to defend against the coming darkness. And the Ambers won’t rule; they'll help guide the council for a better future."

A thoughtful silence settled before Karn posed his final question, "So, who among you will step up to help our people?"

The atmosphere was thick with contemplation, as they all considered their future and who should be entrusted with leading them through these uncertain times.

From the back, an elderly figure looking battered and bruised, draped in tattered robes, rose to his feet causing the crowd to hush. "I Theodoric and the Masters of Brancourt University," he declared, his voice surprisingly strong for his age. "And we who have been the keepers of history and events, preserving the stories and truths of our people. We offer our guidance and wisdom to the council."

A youthful voice then rang out, "The artisans and craftsmen of our city should have a voice."

Karn nodded. “Well said.”

A woman, representing the farmers and harvesters, stepped forward. Her sun-kissed skin and calloused hands told tales of toil under the open sky. Charles leaned closer to Ellie, keeping his voice low. “Is that... Rose?”

"The land struggles, and we need a voice in how our crops are managed," she began earnestly. "Some villagers and I have discovered methods to cultivate crops within the city walls. A voice for cooperation and unity is our only path to survival."

Ellie glanced at the woman the nodded. “How did she get here?”

Overhearing their conversation, Hope added, "I saw them arriving with the villagers and the Felren. They intended to trade but got caught up in the fighting."

Charles's eyes widened slightly, recognizing another face. “And there's Arthur.”

Several more voices chimed in, Valon and Drell among them. Each community, profession, and district felt that they held a distinct viewpoint essential to the council's deliberations.

Ralina stepped up. "We mustn’t forget the Drakenren.”

Drell cast a look of pride towards his daughter, and Karn's face broke into a warm smile. It was clear that Ralina was growing into a considerate and effective leader.

"You're right," Karn responded, "Leoric, we will greatly benefit from your perspective."

Leoric, the towering figure, acknowledged with a nod.

Subdued voices of agreement spread among the gathered crowd. With a resolute mindset, Karn recognized the pressing need to continue purifying the remaining darkling’s. Those yet to undergo purification remained wild cards.

Karn's eyes scanned the vast crowd, taking in the multitude of faces that looked back at him. The majority radiated hope and enthusiasm, a shared eagerness to unite towards a common purpose. But as his gaze darted from one individual to another, he caught fleeting glimpses of doubt, apprehension, and perhaps even fear in a few pairs of eyes.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed Theodoric's stern gaze. Their eyes locked, and Theodoric gave a discreet nod, the smallest of movements but charged with meaning. They had each fought their fair share of battles, both physical and political. Memories of nights spent discussing ideas and sharing personal stories after a day of study, with Theodoric's occasional light-hearted jests breaking the tension. The silent exchange between them now was a clear indication that while the foundation of the council was strong, their first challenge already awaited them.

Amidst the clamour and hopes, there was a pressing issue Karn needed to discuss, one so delicate that it demanded the utmost discretion. The people had already endured so much; they sought light in this new dawn, not further shadows.

As the sun rose high into the sky, Karn made a mental note. Once the public council session concluded, he'd summon a select few. Those he trusted, those who had weathered storms with him. In the confidentiality of a secluded chamber, they would address the mission he had been given.

Feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, he pushed his worries aside for the time. He took a deep breath and, with a genuine smile, waved to the crowd, symbolizing their united front.

Their response was deafening – a chorus of cheers, a palpable faith in Karn's council.