Ralina's gaze followed Alec as he guided Karn out of the room and down a set of stairs. Her heightened senses felt a disturbance in the distance as a sense of unease washed over her, causing the hair on her neck to stand on end. She hurriedly made her way to the side of the meeting room, peering into the distance and sniffing the air.
Time had run out. She turned to the assembled villagers and said, "they're here!"
"Damn it!" Farlen said, his appearance dishevelled. He took a moment to collect himself before shouting, "Bolgart, take charge of the sentries and defend the walls! Roven, gather the crafters and prepare any defences, instruct them to arm the roofs. Hope, round up the children and anyone unable to fight and lead them to the Heart chamber."
Without wasting a moment, the bustling crowd scattered in every direction. Ralina, however, kept her focus fixed on the lines of trees in the distance to the west. Hundreds of ominous shadows flickered amidst the shade, preparing not for a battle, but for a massacre.
She knew she had to act.
Her jaw clenched with determination as she followed the large, lumbering man they called Bolgart. He sprinted through the halls, dressed in nothing more than a loose white robe while clutching a small wooden handle in his hand. Clearly, ill-prepared for battle. Ralina effortlessly maneuvered through the racing villagers, catching up to the man.
Dark thoughts clouded her mind. If the rest of the men were as weak and sluggish as Bolgart, the villagers were surely doomed.
The flicker of hope within her chest dimmed as she surveyed the fortifications. Though sturdy, she knew they would crumble like a sandcastle before a storm.
Bolgart ascended the stairs of the western wall, taking them three at a time, and immediately began barking orders to the assembled men stationed there.
"Move, men! Send the signal! We're about to be attacked," he commanded.
The soldiers, surprised to see Bolgart, wore expressions of disbelief, momentarily frozen in confusion.
"Move, now!" Bolgart's voice thundered, roaring like a beast.
Startled into action, they sprang to their feet and wrapped their hands around their wooden handles. Ralina watched, initially puzzled, until she recoiled in surprise as the wooden handles burst to life, transforming into a dense network of vine-like steel, encasing the soldiers in formidable armour. Long spears materialised in their hands, and leaf-like shields unfurled before them.
"We are facing a full-scale invasion, people! Sound the alarm!" Bolgart's voice boomed.
"Yes, sir!" one of the men shouted as he rushed toward a large bell, swinging a massive hammer against its surface.
Ralina's ears perked up as the resounding clang of hundreds of sets of armour awakening reverberated throughout the entire village.
"Close the gates!" Bolgart commanded.
A diminutive figure encased by a set of the living armour nodded and leaped into the air and off the side of the high walls. His amour thudded to the ground, and he ran towards the gates unharmed. Ralina was about to question how such a small individual could close the massive gates when he effortlessly slammed them shut.
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A sliver of hope crept back into Ralina's heart.
"What is this material?" she inquired, turning her attention to Bolgart.
Bolgart ignored her question, focused on issuing further commands. "We need the ballista and arrows immediately!"
Ralina's gaze shifted to the busy villagers, and she spotted Roven below, directing the locals who were already hard at work. Dozens of statues representing various sea creatures had been erected instantly throughout the town. Ralina marvelled at the living steel protectors as they guarded every street corner and rooftop.
A short distance away, she spotted Hope guiding a large group of children and a few elderly women towards the Heart building in a surprisingly organised manner.
Ralina couldn't help but admire the speed at which the village had rallied together in the face of danger.
Returning her gaze to the west, she let out an involuntary growl through human lips. There was more movement now. Large figures with black fur and red eyes were emerging from the tree line. The Felren of the night clan were readying themselves for battle.
⚔
"Where are you taking me?" Karn asked, his voice filled with apprehension.
Alec ignored the question and guided him down a long, twisting corridor. The heart building was far bigger than what Karn expected. Somehow, the lower levels reminded him of the spiralling insides of a conch shell.
"Come, come," Alec replied cheerfully, as if they were simply embarking on a leisurely stroll, rather than being on the brink of war.
Abruptly, they halted at the entrance to a small, spherical chamber. Alec gestured for Karn to enter. Karn hesitated and examined the room as if it were a trap. Before them stood an exquisite altar. Resting atop it was a green stone adorned with a golden rune, nestled in a cushion of velvety green cloth, raising it a few inches above the altar's surface.
Karn was just about to ask where they were when a deep vibration rumbled through his chest.
"Alec, I can sense stolen magical power," a feminine voice resonated through Karn's body, the vibrations carrying the words directly. It was a remarkable sensation, leaving Karn speechless.
Alec paused, glancing at Karn, before gently pushing him into the room. "Karn, meet Akana. Akana, this is Karn," he introduced.
"What?" Karn exclaimed, bewildered by the sudden introduction.
"Well met, fleshling," Akana's voice filled the chamber. "Alec tells me you bear the burden of the Book of the Known."
Karn nodded, slowly approaching the altar. The stone bore a striking resemblance to Alec's original heart stone. "Nice to meet you, Akana," he said softly, admiring the intricate patterns on the stone that seemed to hold her very essence.
"We need your help," Alec interjected abruptly.
Akana hummed, her vibrations resonating throughout the entire structure. "I know," she replied. "I can feel them, thousands, if not more."
"Do we stand a chance?" Alec asked.
Akana took a moment to consider her response. "I could encircle the village and cut off the attackers. Bah! Even if I were to barricade the villagers, it would only be a matter of time before they break in. I hear the trees cry out in agony around us. The beasts wield sharp claws and dark magic."
Alec's expression turned grim, but determination flickered in his eyes. "Karn, take out the book," he instructed.
"Alec, I thought you understood my plan," Karn interjected abruptly. "I wanted to try and—"
"Create another stone dragon?" Alec finished his sentence.
"Well, yes," Karn replied, a mix of hope and uncertainty in his voice.
Alec let out a sigh. "You heard Akana. That won't be enough. Come closer to the altar."
"What are you about to do?" Akana asked.
Alec emitted a low vibration, attempting to reassure the Elementlet. "Karn, hand me the book."
Karn hesitated for a moment, his suspicion lingering, but he eventually pulled the red magic book free from his pack and handed it to Alec. As the stony creature held the book, there was a momentary glow that seemed to emanate from within him.
Alec then swiftly grabbed Akana's heart stone from the altar, causing the Elementlet to let out a startled cry.
“Karn, take the green cloth,” Alec said.
He nodded and ripped the velvety green cloth from its resting place. Karn's eyes widened in surprise as he caught sight of the green tome hidden beneath.
"Wait, what are you—" Akana protested, but the room began to shift and turn involuntarily, as if responding to the struggle of the Elementlet within.
Alec placed the Book of the Known on top of the green tome.
Instantly, the green covers emitted a radiant white light, while the red tome hummed with what seemed like excited energy. In the blink of an eye, the red book absorbed the green tome.
"What in the world?" Karn stammered.
Alec snatched up the green cloth and threw it over the red book, then placed Akana’s heart stone on top.