Hope trailed behind Bolgart, her footsteps sloshing through the shallow waters as they matched his steady stride. The seasoned warrior, draped in his customary white cloth, carried a single block of living wood as he led the procession of troops that stretched out behind him.
As they trailed, Hope's mind wandered, consumed by a sense of gloom. The image of Karn departing in the opposite direction replayed in her thoughts, a bittersweet reminder of the heartbreaking farewell.
"I'll be fine," Karn's reassurance echoed in her mind, brushing aside the disapproving glances from Roven. Karn gestured towards the six all female Feldreken warriors, handpicked by Drell to accompany him.
Adorned in their striking golden armour, which accentuated their sleek and muscular forms, they exuded an air of power. The armour left little to the imagination, with strategic gaps revealing glimpses of their toned physiques. Their long, braided golden hair mirrored the hue of their swaying tails, even in their partially human form.
Hope couldn't shake her unease, a worry that extended beyond the perils of the mission. She observed how the Feldreken warriors eyed Karn, their gaze intense, almost possessive, as if he were a coveted prize. Among them stood Ralina, her expression mirroring Hope's concerns. It was Ralina's reaction that weighed heavily on Hope's heart.
A trickled of jealousy bubbled in her heart.
"Please, be careful," Hope whispered, in genuine concern, as she embraced Karn tightly, tears glistening in her eyes.
Roven stared at Karn clearly irritated.
With a heavy heart, they bid farewell to Karn’s party as he embarked on a green vessel, loaded with supplies essential for the perilous mission. The boat, propelled by the powerful strokes of the Feldreken warriors' oars, glided smoothly over the water's surface, gradually receding into the distance. Hope stood on the shore watching the figures fade into the distance, with fear etched on her face.
"Stay safe, Karn!" she called out, her voice carrying over the water, hoping her words would reach him amidst the vast expanse. She watched as the boat became a mere speck on the horizon.
Bolgart, ever the stoic leader, stood beside her, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the tumult of emotions. He placed a supportive hand on Hope's shoulder and said, "he's strong, he'll be fine."
Hope nodded, although the tears in her eyes betrayed her. "I know."
Bolgart squeezed her shoulder gently. "We all feel it, my dear. But Karn has a fire within him."
Hope's gaze lingered on the distant horizon for a moment longer before she turned to face Bolgart. "You're right. We have to trust in him and in our purpose. We must not let fear cloud our judgment."
Bolgart nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit, kid. And we also have a mission to fulfill, and Karn is a vital part of it. Let's focus on our tasks and have faith that we will all reunite once it's done."
Lost in her thoughts, Hope's foot slipped on the treacherous path, threatening to send her tumbling into the sea. Quickly, Palin, ever watchful extended his brawny arm to catch her just in time. Grateful for his presence, she steadied herself, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
"Ah, ouch," Hope winced, rubbing her shoulder where a sharp object had inadvertently jabbed her. "I mean, thanks for catching me."
Palin offered a sheepish smile, his eyes briefly darting down to the thin metallic necklace hidden beneath his shirt. With a quick adjustment, he concealed it from sight once more.
His voice carried a gentle tone as he spoke, concern etched on his face. "Let's try to be more careful," he suggested, as he grinned. His gaze lingered on the pack securely strapped to her back, an unspoken understanding passing between them.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Hope couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in Palin's presence. There was a familiarity, a shared purpose that bound them together. She knew he cared not only for her well-being but also for the village.
The weight of responsibility rested upon all of them. Their eyes locked for a moment, silently acknowledging the importance of their task and the trust they placed in each other.
With a renewed determination, they continued along the treacherous path, in single file. The rhythmic sound of their footsteps through the shallow waters harmonised with the steady march of the Felren warriors, all united in their quest to protect the book and prevent the King from obtaining its dangerous knowledge.
Hope couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay within the book's pages, and how they could change the fate of their world. Yet, she found solace because she didn't face this daunting journey alone.
With Karn's pack snugly resting on her back, with his familiar scent, Hope found solace in its comforting embrace. She tucked herself behind the protective wall of soldiers, a long line of Felren warriors hailing from the Earthen and Snow Clans, their presence commanding and formidable.
Their mission was no ordinary journey. It was a perilous expedition, the fate of the book hanging in the balance. It was paramount that it remained out of the clutches of the power-hungry King, for the knowledge it contained was too dangerous to be wielded by such a ruthless ruler.
Hope carried with her the scars etched deep within her soul, serving as a testament to the King's relentlessness. Her entire village had suffered at his hands, a casualty of his insatiable thirst for power and control.
⚔
Alec found himself in the dimly lit lower reaches of the Heart building, his hands tightly clutching the silent Heart stone of Akana. The room hummed with an eerie energy, the walls pulsating with the living metal that encased the village and the faint glow emanating from the magical moulding wood. Yet, despite the familiar sights, something felt off. The Wooden Elementlet, usually full of life and chatter, remained eerily silent since the fierce battle they had faced.
Sitting cross-legged on the cold stone floor, Alec ran his fingers over the smooth surface of the Heart stone. Its once vibrant glow had dimmed, mirroring the heaviness that weighed on his heart. He longed to hear the comforting voice of Akana.
"Come on, young one," Alec whispered, his voice betraying his desperation. "Speak to me, don’t leave me all alone."
But the Elemental remained motionless, lost in a deep slumber. Its silence now felt like a void, a void that mirrored his desperation.
Alec's mind raced with questions and doubts. Had the battle taken too great a toll on her heart stone?
As he sat there, his thoughts consumed by the absence of the Elemental's voice, a faint sound caught Alec's attention. It was a whisper, so soft it could have been mistaken for a mere breeze.
"Patience, Alec," a gentle voice murmured, barely audible but filled with a reassuring presence. "The sheer power of the book has exhausted me."
Alec's heart skipped a beat as he recognised the familiar tone. The Elementlet had awakened.
Relief washed over him, and a renewed sense of hope ignited within his chest. The Elemental may have fallen silent, but it had not abandoned him.
Alec reached out, carefully cradling the Heart stone in his smooth, stony hands. "What did you see? " He asked.
As if responding to his words, a soft glow emanated from the Elementalet, its presence growing stronger. The once-silent Heart stone of Akana pulsed with renewed energy, echoing the resilience within Alec's own heart.
"The book lent me sight," Akana spoke softly.
Alec's yellow crystalline eyes widened, absorbing the weight of Akana's words. The realisation that they were not alone in their struggles brought a glimmer of hope.
"A young Elementlet of water is on its way here," Akana continued, her voice tinged with a hint of anticipation. "Although dormant and barely a flicker in this world, she is making her way towards us."
Alec's mind raced with possibilities. The presence of another Elemental meant they had a chance.
"So, we are not alone?" Alec's voice held a mixture of relief and curiosity.
"No, we are not," Akana confirmed. "Voices from the Book of the Known have spoken to me, revealing that she holds knowledge of the whereabouts of the younglings."
Alec's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the younglings, their fate hanging in the balance.
"They are alive?" he asked, his revealing his desperation.
"Barely," Akana replied. "Many have perished, but there are still those who cling to life."
Alec's determination solidified, his resolve strengthening with every word. A mission began to take shape in his mind, fuelled by his desire to create a future for his kind.
Akana's worried voice echoed, carrying a note of caution. "Without the book, your power will slowly diminish."
Alec nodded, acknowledging the importance of the book's presence and the role it played in his ability. But his conviction remained unswayed.
"I will find this young one," Alec declared. "I will help her recover and together, we will find and save the younglings."
“You mean to restore the balance?” Akana asked.
Alec nodded. “I do.”
As his words hung in the air, a sense of purpose filled the room.