Drell gritted his teeth, his face twisted in agony as the deep, gaping wound in his side seeped blood, staining his golden armour red. Through the haze of pain, he caught sight of Kraid swooping down, his ebony blade emitting an eerie green glow as it struck against Imok’s invisible barrier.
Imok's laughter filled the air, a sinister sound that sent shivers down Drell's spine. With a dismissive gesture, Imok effortlessly swatted Kraid away, sending him hurtling towards the ground, where he crashed with a spray of sand. Imok's grotesquely rotten smile widened on her face as she slowly advanced toward Drell. A surge of green and blue energy pulsed through her, causing her claws to grow in size, transforming into a twisted, rusted metal right before his eyes.
Drell's movements were sluggish, his strength waning. He could barely muster the energy to breath, let alone move. Imok directed her menacing claws toward him, her wicked smile betraying her sadistic intentions. With a malicious grin, she launched herself at him, and Drell clenched his jaw, bracing himself for the end.
But it never came.
A blinding light engulfed the area, causing the chaos to abruptly halt. Drell glanced upward, his eyes widening at the sight of a stranger standing above him. The newcomer had intercepted the First Elder's claws and struggled under her immense weight. There was a vacant expression on his face, as if he were barely aware of his surroundings.
"Out of my way!" Imok's enraged scream pierced the air.
With a grunt, the stranger twisted his body, sending Imok's bulk crashing to the side, narrowly missing Drell. The impact caused the sand to explode, scattering debris in all directions. Before Drell could even blink, a stone Elementlet appeared from the throng, taking advantage of the distraction, swiftly scooped him up from the ground. Carrying Drell, away from Imok’s clutches.
The enraged First Elder stood a step back, her gaze fixed upon the stranger. Drell watched in silent fascination, surrounded by the still and silent Felren of the battlefield. In that frozen moment, all eyes were focused on the young man who remained motionless. His arm was raised, pointing directly at the First Elder.
Could this be the stranger my daughter had spoken of? Drell wondered, his thoughts racing.
Imok growled, channelling two distinct powers into her fingertips. The energy radiated with intense heat and ignited. Imok's savage delight filled the air as she directed the fiery inferno toward the stranger, who watched the display with calm fascination.
The powerful magic fireball exploded, blasting a massive crater in the sand, and transforming its surface into a cone of shimmering crystals. Gasps of awe and surprise echoed throughout the onlookers.
Somehow, the young man emerged unscathed. His clothes appeared untouched, though Drell swore he’d seen them burst into flames just moments before. Drell felt a cold sweat fall down his spine as he spotted the cursed artefact.
The Book of the Known floated right in front of the young man, emitting a mesmerizing iridescent glow.
Drell clenched his hand beneath his armour, feeling the pain of his wound, but determined to bear witness to this pivotal moment. This was the turning point.
"Fire?" Karn's voice sounded ghostly as he tilted his head. "I think I can copy that." He gently caressed the floating book with his hand and repeated, "fire."
Imok's face contorted with rage, yet the words spoken by the young man seemed to have no effect. Karn's skin, however, emitted a faint white glow.
"Scum!" Imok roared, taking a step forward. Her deadly claws raised, poised to strike. Raw hatred twisted her face into a grotesque mask of hysteria. She wanted to utterly destroy the man.
Elder Imok lunged forward.
Karn remained unfazed, his eyes locked onto the Elder's face without flinching. The lethal blow never came. Imok's claw froze in mid-air, a foot away from Karn's face. A shiver ran through Imok's diseased, grey fur, and she let out a trembling breath.
"What's happening?" Kraid's voice sounded worried as he appeared beside the rock creature, offering his arm to support Drell's weakened form.
Drell silently thanked him and replied, "I don’t know."
Elder Imok's arms suddenly retracted, and she clutched her lower stomach.
"Ahhh!" Imok shrieked.
Her piercing cry cut through the crowd, causing many hands and paws to cover their ears. Imok continued to wail, her cries descending into low gurgling whimpers. She coughed and gagged as an unfathomable force surged up her spine. Her claws shot up, desperately tearing at her throat.
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"She's choking," Kraid commented, his voice filled with astonishment.
Drell nodded, his gaze fixed on the monstrous Elder. Imok let out another ear-splitting shriek, and this time, a splatter of blood accompanied the sound. The crimson fluid flowed down her jowls, bubbling. Something was stirring within her chest, expanding and bulging as it fought its way upward.
Imok's fur bristled, revealing glimpses of flesh that glowed with an otherworldly light. With a violent jerk, she threw her hands to either side of her elongated body, and her skull tilted upward.
Torrents of flames erupted from her jaws, golden flashes emanating from the eye sockets as the flesh within was incinerated.
A collective gasp echoed across the blood-soaked sand.
An eerie calm settled in the aftermath. Only the distant rumble of waves disturbed the silence. Imok's entire form turned completely white, freezing in a motionless stance.
Drell's heart raced, his chest heaving with anticipation.
The young man took a casual step forward, closing the gap between him and the towering figure. With a single swift motion, he struck the Elder's shin with his hand.
"Begone," Karn's voice rang out, breaking the silence.
Imok’s shin collapsed inward, dissolving her leg into ash. The colossal figure swayed sideways, then toppled. Night Felren scrambled over one another, desperately attempting to avoid being crushed, only to be enveloped in a billowing cloud of white ash.
A resounding horn blew, its echo reverberating through the cliffs. Drell's eyes shot upward, tracing the source of the sound. There, on the horizon, he saw a dark line of brown fur. It was Elder Shirveese and her clan, emerging at last. His gaze swept the edges of the clearing, only to find that the earthen clan had surrounded the entire region. What shocked him most was the sight of a golden flag flying alongside the painted banner of a white dragon leading the army.
The Night and Blood Felren around him transformed back into their human forms. It was a sign of surrender—a white flag, a last desperate plea. Drell's eyes scanned the battlefield as everyone reverted to their human appearance, their faces etched with a mix of fear and awe.
A cry of victory erupted from within the city, and Drell exhaled a sigh of relief.
With urgency in his step, Drell left the two supporting his weight and limped forward, making his way towards the stranger. He needed to speak with him. Kraid silently followed, concern etched across his face, as he watched over his injured friend.
As Drell approached, the young man turned to face him. "Thank you."
Karn’s face seemed to twitch as the young man came to his senses then managed an exhausted smile. "You look a bit like Ralina.” He stated flatly. “You’re her dad, aren't you?"
Drell nodded, confirming, "I am. I presume you’re Karn?"
Karn smiled. "I am. Nice to meet you, properly I mean." He chuckled nervously.
"It’s an honour." Drell gave a respectful bow. "With your permission." He gestured toward the Night Felren.
Karn shrugged. "Go ahead."
With a determined step, Drell began to move forward, but suddenly found himself losing balance. Karn swiftly extended his arms, catching Drell and preventing him from falling.
"Careful," Karn cautioned.
"Our thanks, Dragon," a female voice sounded beside Drell. Lyra, her bare arm slipping under his, helped him regain his balance. A dozen Feldreken warriors clad in golden armour had surrounded them. Their faces wore expressions of worry and astonishment as they beheld their injured leader.
"Lyra," Drell spoke softly. "I need to speak to the Clans."
"No, you must rest," she protested.
He attempted to shake her off. "No. Now."
Lyra emitted a disapproving growl from deep within her throat but eventually nodded in acquiescence.
"Quickly then," she commanded.
He chuckled, appreciating her compliance, and replied softly, "Yes."
Lyra and the circle of women parted, allowing Drell to limp forward. His gaze fell upon the silent multitude before him. Drell cleared his throat and coughed to capture their attention.
"Felren of the Night. Elder Yurven is dead. The First Elder Imok has been defeated," Drell's voice resonated with passion. "There’s a choice before you. You could follow the teachings of madness laid out by these two power-crazed cultists and live as fearful slaves. Or learn from what has transpired today and act with courage and strength. Embrace the ancient heritage of the Night clan and reclaim your pride!"
The human faces of the shocked Felren around him reflected confusion and uncertainty. Suddenly, a lone figure pushed her way through the throng from within the city. Drell turned to see his daughter, battle-worn and smeared with blood, as she cleared a path and stood beside him, shoving aside a fallen Blood charger.
Drell sighed. It was time.
"I once knew a Felren who was strong and beautiful," he began, his voice carrying a hint of sorrow and nostalgia. "She was intelligent, kind, and her obsidian fur gleamed as she ran. She led her clan with love, and they loved her in return. And so did I."
The crowd shuffled, and many took hesitant steps forward, drawn by his words.
"However, one of your kin, Yurven, killed your true Elder—the one I loved, my wife, and the mother of my daughter."
Silence enveloped the clearing as Ralina stared at her father in shock. Drell surveyed the Night Felren until his gaze locked onto the man he had been searching for.
"You there," he called out.
The Felren looked around, initially confused, but then stepped forward with realisation dawning on his face.
"Um, yes, Elder?"
"You are one of the surviving Night commanders."
He nodded shyly.
"I have something I must show your clan. Will you bear witness?"
"Uh, yes, Elder."
Drell turned back toward the town, his gaze scanning the assembled clans.
"Blood Felren, come forth."
A group of blood-splattered men cautiously made their way through the destroyed gap and stood amidst the crowd of Night Felren. The warriors in rusted armour above observed the scene in silence.
"Will you all bear witness to this? What about you, Karn?" Drell inquired.
The young man faced the Elder and nodded his assent.
Drell lifted his hand from his wounded side and retrieved a small package hidden beneath his armour. He had safeguarded this message for over two decades, its purpose unfolding in this very moment. The clans of Blood, Snow, Sun, Night, and Earth watched as one, anticipation hanging in the air.
At last, the time had come.