"How long do we have?" Frouhn, the Elder of the Snow clan, inquired, her slender form leaning forward with concern etched on her face. The others listened attentively.

"If we delay, won't these casters have the advantage?" Frouhn continued, voicing the worry that lingered in their minds.

Farlen, unable to contain his frustration, emitted a sound of exasperation, acknowledging that they were all grappling with the same uncertainty.

Before them, a meticulously etched map displayed the topography of the region. Tiny blue dots marked the corrupted King's mages, stagnant in the town of Branside, their movements yet to extend further eastward. Beside the mystically crafted map, resting on the living wooden surface, lay two precious gems. One shimmered with a deep blue hue, while the other emitted a vibrant green glow.

The Elders, their eyes drawn to the jewels, exchanged glances filled with anticipation and curiosity.

Ralina, her gaze fixed on the gems, couldn't help but voice her thoughts. "Remarkable."

Karn, standing closest to the gems, felt a magnetic pull, as if the stones held a hidden message meant only for him. His fingers twitched with a mix of apprehension and intrigue.

Kraid, his finger tracing the outlines on the map, expressed his concerns. "What worries me is not their departure from the town," he tore the attention away from the gems and began, his expression clouded with concern. "You see, I flew over this area a while ago..."

Elder Drell, seated nearby, nodded in agreement, a silent understanding passing between the two.

Kraid continued. "Drell had sent me to search for potential replacements for our clan's weaponry. While the local armoury was disappointingly lacking, they were constructing several buildings on the outskirts of the town."

Curiosity piqued, Bolgart interjected, "and what’s got you all spooked?"

Kraid's voice lowered, "they have built a massive coliseum, with cages large enough to hold beasts the size of this room."

A hush fell over the assembly as they surveyed the depth of their surroundings, gauging the size of the coliseum.

"And the mages?" Farlen asked, his tone heavy.

"I believe they are assisting in subjugating those very beasts," Kraid replied. "The fighting pit is situated right next to their militia fortifications. Naturally, I swooped in for a closer look."

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"And?" Frouhn pressed.

"I overheard a trainer," Kraid revealed. "They are preparing to enslave beasts from across the northern ocean for battle. The coliseum serves as their training and testing facility."

Farlen's frown deepened, his mind racing with the implications. "Severing the event lines may be the least of our worries," he muttered.

Alec, his stones clicking softly as he nodded, spoke up. "I believe we may have a solution, but we may need more warriors to accompany Karn."

All eyes turned toward the stony creature. "I believe now is as good a time as any. Karn, I sense a connection between you and the Known."

Karn shifted uneasily, his gaze meeting Alec's. He nodded, acknowledging the truth in the Elementlet’s words.

In the centre of the room, the two gems retrieved from Imok's remains sat as remnants of their recent victory. Alec approached, plucking the green gem from the collection and gently rolling it toward Karn.

Instinctively, Karn reached out and caught the gem as it rolled, his open palm tingling upon impact. The onlookers gasped in astonishment as the gem glowed white-hot before vanishing, seemingly absorbed into Karn's skin.

Karn yelped in surprise, his eyes wide with disbelief. Alec, with a calm demeanour, delivered the revelation. "The connection has indeed been made. The Book of the Known can absorb lesser texts, and since those gems have absorbed smaller volumes, Karn can absorb the gems into the Book."

Karn turned in his seat and at his pack that rested a few yards away.

“How far will that connection go?” Karn asked.

“Far enough,” Alec responded with confidence.

Hope, her face etched with shock and concern, couldn't help but ask, "Do you feel any different?"

Karn shook his head. "I don't know." He flexed his fingers with uncertainty over his features.

Ralina chuckled. "Of course, he's fine," she said, while looking at Karn with reverence.

Farlen, taking charge of the situation, addressed the Felren Elders with a firm resolve. "We will send Karn to intercept the mages and disrupt their plans. Roven, you will lead the team."

Karn felt a pang of unease at the mention of Roven's name. The young man had harboured resentment towards him ever since his arrival in town.

"I don't mean to offend," Elder Shirveese interjected, her tone lined with scepticism, "but what qualifications does this youngling have to lead such an important mission?"

Roven remained silent, seemingly unaffected by the questioning gazes.

Farlen chuckled, breaking the tension. "Roven here was the first among us to be tainted by the curse."

A wave of caution and curiosity washed over the assembled members as they directed their attention toward Roven.

Farlen gestured towards the rest of the group. "We are all test subjects of different ages. You see, our King, the one who sits on the throne, has lived for hundreds of years, not solely by his own power, but through the secret arts of Alchemy."

Farlen continued, recounting the King's history. "When he assumed the role of King at a young age, a stranger from the long-lost southern nation arrived at his doorstep, gifting him with books of his ancestry—books of Alchemy. For years, our King immersed himself in those dusty tomes, eventually experimenting with the potions within them."

Ambition seeped into his mind, and the King began testing the potions on himself, enhancing his strength and speed. However, some of the concoctions proved too perilous for self-experimentation.”

Farlen pointed to Roven, a living testament to the King's trials. "Here sits the first test subject." Then he turned the villagers' attention to the rest of the group. "We who live here are all victims, once labelled test subjects."

Roven, undeterred by the scrutiny, crossed his arms and surveyed the crowd. "So, who's coming with us?"