As soon as Akana’s surface brushed against the smooth, green velvet covering the Book of the Known, a surge of energy coursed through the spherical room. Instantly, the chamber came alive with a brilliant glow, casting dancing reflections across the walls. Karn's breath caught in his throat as he beheld the sight.
Beneath his feet, the village unfurled, not just a mere image but a physical scene of vibrant life. Tiny metallic figurines, intricately detailed, shimmered with a vibrant array of colours. They moved with a semblance of life, bustling through the miniature streets, each minuscule gesture and action caught in the iridescent light.
Karn stood in awe, his eyes widening in wonder. It was as if he had been granted a glimpse into a world within a world.
His mind filled with questions and curiosity.
“Akana what is this?” he asked.
“I, I’m not sure,” Akana replied, sounding as confused as Karn felt.
For a moment, he forgot about the weight of the impending battle. He knelt forwards for a better look and slipped on the smooth floor. His hand fell sharply on the floor from beyond the gates to the east. Where his had hand landed a massive gaping hole was left.
"Oops," Karn muttered sheepishly, looking around for his stoney friend, but finding no trace of him. Assuming that his friend had joined the others in the fight, Karn turned his attention to the giant hole he had created and marvelled at the sight before him. Thousands of tiny roots squirmed and twisted within the hole, as if yearning to be planted and take root.
Lost in the spectacle of nature's intricate dance, Karn's voice escaped his lips in a breathless whisper. "Incredible... simply incredible. Wait, that's Ralina."
Kneeling down, he spotted the diminutive figure of Ralina scurrying to the top of the gate, engaged in conversation with the miniature Bolgart. A man leaped from the wall and swiftly closed the gate behind him.
Mesmerised by the unfolding scene, Karn's gaze darted from one event to another. He flinched as a line of white lions raced along the walls, ready to pounce. His instinct urged him to swat them away, but he hesitated. To his surprise, the lions halted before the wall, seemingly communicating with the defenders.
In a swift and seamless motion, the lions turned away, forming a protective formation facing outward, away from the village. A surge of joy washed over Karn as he witnessed the Felren changing sides and coming to the aid of the villagers.
However, his elation was short-lived as his eyes shifted upward and beheld thousands of tiny black heads emerging from the cliffs beyond.
"Shit," Karn cursed under his breath. Without wasting a moment, he and Akana sprinted down the cliff side and onto the sandy floor, rushing to confront the impending slaughter. The sheer number of enemy forces made it clear that the white Felren alone would not be enough to fend them off.
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Gritting his teeth, Karn swung his hand, slashing at the sand before the white Felren. As his hand connected with the ground, a massive trench exploded into existence, ensnaring the Night Felren within its depths.
A surge of triumph filled Karn as he watched his trap work flawlessly. He prepared to dig out another trench, but Akana's voice interjected.
"Wait," Akana pleaded. "The power is too much. Give me a moment."
Realizing that the power he wielded was tied to Akana's guidance, Karn nodded apologetically. "Sorry!"
"It's okay, just give me a little time," Akana reassured him.
Karn fell into a patient silence, surveying the battlefield with a mixture of determination and concern. Blood chargers surged onto the shore while the Golden warriors valiantly defended their position. The enemy forces were overwhelming both the north and west flanks. Karn's attention shifted to
Ralina's progress through the chaos, as he observed a tiny golden warrior engage in a fierce battle with a much larger foe.
With bated breath, he awaited Akana's signal, ready to unleash his power and turn the tide against the relentless horde of Felren that lay just outside the field of battle.
A subtle shimmer in the dense tree line caught Karn's attention. His eyes widened as he beheld the astonishing sight of tens of thousands of miniature furred creatures slinking in the shadows, their menacing presence impossible to ignore. In an instant, a surge of adrenaline coursed through Karn's veins, propelling him into action.
Without hesitation, he leaped towards the nearby cliff face and planted his hands firmly over the canopy of the towering trees. In response, a wave of vibrant energy surged through the trunks, causing the forest to burst into life. The dormant trees awakened, their branches sprouting forth, stretching in every direction.
The sudden growth of countless branches formed an impenetrable barrier, effectively halting the advance of the relentless Felren. The miniature creatures, momentarily caught off guard, hesitated at the unexpected obstacle.
Amidst the chaotic throng of fur creatures, a solitary figure stood tall, its imposing presence casting a shadow over its surroundings.
Karn couldn't help but feel an unnerving energy emanating from the figure, intensified by the eerie green glow that surrounded it as it effortlessly cut through the dense forest.
Curiosity compelled Karn as he approached the creature. He cautiously knelt down, inching closer to get a better look. But as his eyes met the piercing gaze of the figure, a shiver ran down his spine. Karn flinched.
The figure looked up and into Karn's eyes. In that fleeting moment of eye contact, Karn sensed a dark and primal power lurking within the depths of the figure's gaze.
His heart pounded in his chest as he scurried away, retreating from the unnerving presence.
"Karn," a faint voice spoke, barely audible amidst the chaos. "This power... it's too much."
Karn's heart sank as he witnessed the Heart stone tipping precariously to one side. His eyes widened with concern. "Akana, are you alright?" he called out.
The vision of the surrounding village dissipated.
In that moment, the stone rolled off the altar, plummeting toward the ground. Karn’s heart stopped, then his instincts kicked in, propelling him forward with lightning speed. He lunged, his hand outstretched, snatching the Heart stone mere inches from impact. The dust surrounding him billowed, causing him to slide on the slick floor, inadvertently knocking over the altar. The ancient book tumbled from its resting place, its pages flipping open as it struck the ground with a resounding thud.
A shockwave reverberated through the small room, rippling outwards unleashing a surge of power. Akana, miraculously unharmed, rolled from Karn's hand, coming to a rest safely on the floor.
As the shockwave dissipated, an eerie force seemed to emanate from the open pages of the Book of the Known. It appeared as if the very fabric of reality was warping, pulling at Karn's legs with an inexplicable magnetic force. A mixture of confusion and fear flooded his mind as he found himself unexpectedly propelled towards the open book.