"It’s a warning,” said Roven as he eyed the suspicious feather as it rested on the nearby forest floor.

Karn's eyes widened in recognition. It bore a striking resemblance to the ones left behind by Kraid, the mysterious fighter who seemed to be near the Elder Drell. A question then lingered in his mind: Wouldn’t that mean that people like him were allies of the Felren?

Karn glanced towards his ferocious Feldreken bodyguards. Their demeanour had suggested otherwise. Perhaps Kraid was an outcast, disconnected from his people.

"Can we pass through the forest without them detecting us?" Karn asked.

Roven shot him an exasperated glance and knelt to pick up the feather, thrusting it towards Karn. "Don't be so ignorant. They already know we’re here. They don’t leave these behind by accident," he retorted sharply.

Karn swallowed nervously, absorbing the weight of Roven's words, his eye scanning for invisible threats. Seeking an alternative solution, he asked, "Then, can we travel between the beach and the trees?"

Roven scanned the forest, while the Feldreken warriors attentively sniffed the air.

"It seems that may be our only option," replied Roven and with a determined stride, he set off confirming his decision.

The Feldreken followed Roven's lead, their senses sharp and vigilant. Karn found himself walking alongside Ralina, who appointed herself as his unofficial bodyguard. The young warrior's presence brought a measure of comfort.

Amber smirked as she watched the younger Felren’s obvious infatuation. Yet Karn found that he didn’t mind the attention. Amidst the chaos and dangers they faced, Karn couldn't help but appreciate Ralina's captivating beauty. Her features, framed by her vibrant scar, held a certain allure that stirred something within him. Yet, as his thoughts drifted towards Hope's girlish infatuation and towards their perilous mission, Karn knew he had little time to indulge in such aspirations. The weight of responsibility pressed upon him, urging him onwards.

The irony wasn’t lost on him, surrounded by brilliant and beautiful girls who were interested in him, yet the timing seemed almost comical. Fate had chosen this moment to present him with an opportunity he had never sought.

Suddenly, Amber slapped her arm in frustration. "What are these darn bugs?" she spat, clearly irritated by the unseen assailants.

Following suit, Ralina also swatted at a bite on her cheek, her healing scar just inches away. "Ouch! They're everywhere," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with discomfort.

Confusion etched Roven's face as he glanced back at the Feldreken warriors. "What bugs?" he questioned, unable to comprehend the situation.

Karn furrowed his brow, equally perplexed by the Felren's reactions. He strained his eyes and noticed a large mosquito-like insect buzzing near Amber. "Oh, what the..." he trailed off. Her skin was swelling. “Are you okay?”

Karn turned to see the other Feldreken women show signs of similar swelling.

“Damn it,” swore Amber. “Blood flies!”

“Blood what?”

Roven's scowl deepened as he observed the Feldreken, realizing it as another warning.

“Damn,” Roven scowled. He eyed the Felren and eyed the beach. “Looks like the next bay has shelter. Let’s make a break for it!”

Before Karn could blink, the Feldreken women sprinted toward the next cove, seeking refuge from the relentless bugs. Karn raced to keep pace, witnessing the swelling and redness spreading across their skin. The urgency of the situation propelled them through the thinning trees, their eyes fixated on the expanse of white sand in the distance. As they approached, enormous grey boulders blocked their path.

The Feldreken vaulted them as easily as a fallen branch. Karn gasped as he snaked his way through the obstructed path.

Finally, they reached the safety of the cove, and Karn found himself huffing and puffing from the exertion. As he surveyed the Feldreken women, he realised that the bug bites were far worse than he had initially perceived. Their puffy exteriors bore thick, red, worm-like trails under the skin, bringing a queasy sensation to his stomach.

Taking advantage of the sheltered cove, the women hurried to the beach. Karn’s gaze shifted uncomfortably as the warriors discarded their armour onto the sandy shore, safeguarding the metal from the corrosive effects of the ocean's salty bite, then immersing themselves in the soothing embrace of the warm water.

What’s with the people of this land not caring about boundaries? He wondered.

Karn cleared his throat as he averted his eyes.

“What are they getting bit and not us?” Karn asked.

Roven sighed at Karn’s lack of understanding. “There are many races on this land, you should well start to learn about them,” he spat. “Most are not friendly and have developed defensive capabilities against one another.”

Karn shivered in understanding that war was probably the norm.

“If we can’t travel near the forest, what should we do?” asked Karn.

Roven's internal struggle was unmistakable as he bit his lip, torn between caution and urgency. After a moment of contemplation, he released a heavy sigh. "Timing is not in our favour, and we cannot afford to take any risks. We must ensure your safety, especially considering your connection to the book," he explained, his gaze penetrating Karn's eyes.

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"Okay, I’ve got it. Here's the plan," Roven continued, his voice filled with determination. "The Feldreken will travel by themselves at night, along the beach. As for the four of us," he gestured to Karn and his two village companions, "we will stick to the cover of the trees near the shore during the day."

The men patiently waited as the Feldreken warriors washed away the sting of the blood flies, their bodies glistening in the warm sun. Once they had dried themselves off and regained their composure, Roven presented his plan to them. At first, the warriors wore discontented expressions, reluctant to embrace the idea. However, Roven, with his silver tongue, skilfully conveyed his concerns and offered flattering words. Slowly but surely, their hesitance gave way, swayed by Roven's logical reasoning.

It seemed that alongside the unbearable sting of the blood flies, compliments were one of a Feldreken’s greatest weaknesses.

Ralina, though, still sulked as Karn departed with the villagers.

Fate was kind to them as by the time they made it around the second cove after they felt the women warriors behind, the forest rewarded them with a field full of the hairy fruit.

Karn grinned as he bit into the Ingad. The wonderfully revitalising fruit revitalised him as surely as a fresh pot of coffee.

With their spirits lifted, the four men pressed on throughout the day, marching steadily eastward, determined to reach their goal. As the hours passed, Karn's mind wandered incessantly. Unease crept over him when he pondered his complex relationship with Hope. Then he couldn't shake thoughts of his lost friends, praying for their safety. Despite never being particularly religious, in that moment, Karn silently offered a prayer to any deity that might exist in the world, seeking guidance and protection for the ones he cared for.

He paused in thought and stared at the man before him. Roven was a stubborn young-looking man but as Karn had recently leaned, he was far older than even Farlen, who looked ancient. Maybe he could answer some of his questions.

Karn took a deep breath, gathering his courage before requesting Roven’s attention. He carefully chose his words, aiming to be as polite as possible. "Roven?" he called out and anxiously waited, uncertain of how the usually irritable man would respond.

Roven, taking his time, finally acknowledged Karn's presence. "What is it?" he grumbled, his tone reflecting his weariness.

With a grateful nod, Karn launched into his questions, attempting to maintain his respect. "Ah, could you please spare a moment to answer a few questions for me?"

Roven let out a long sigh, his breath heavy from their arduous march. Reluctantly, he consented, "Fine, go ahead."

A warm smile graced Karn's face. "Thank you," he said politely. "I was just wondering; do you worship any kind of god?"

Roven halted in his step, his expression shifting into a mix of surprise and confusion. He stared at Karn for a moment before responding, "Why would I do that?" His voice held a hint of scepticism, as if he found the notion of worshiping a deity puzzling.

Karn listened attentively, his curiosity piqued by Roven's response. He then waited patiently for him to elaborate.

Roven took a moment to gather his thoughts, his voice filled with a mix of conviction and cynicism. "There has yet to be any being on this," he paused to stomp his feet firmly on the ground, emphasizing his point, "who has ever reached what you would call godhood. Many have tried, but all have failed."

Karn's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Reached godhood?" he repeated, seeking clarification.

Nodding in affirmation, Roven continued, pointing directly at Karn. "The man who created your cursed magic was the closest anyone has come. But even he failed in the end."

A chill ran down Karn's spine, his mind racing with thoughts and questions. He had never known the true motivations behind the creation of the book, but it seemed that the sacrifice of so many lives had been in pursuit of one person's ascent to godhood.

"I see..." Karn murmured, his voice tinged with unease.

"Ren Daral will never have a god," Roven declared. His words carried a sense of defiance, as if he refused to let any individual or entity attain such power or authority.

Karn's mind grasped the gravity of Roven's words, recognizing the deeper meaning behind his statement. The idea of a single individual, no matter how noble or well-intentioned, attaining godlike power sent shivers down his spine.

He pondered the implications, envisioning a world where one entity held absolute control. The thought alone filled him with a sense of dread. It was the essence of tyranny, where the whims and desires of a single being would dictate the lives of countless others. Such a concentration of power seemed inherently dangerous, as history had taught him.

“There’s a saying from where I’m from,” Karn said. “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Karn's remark hung in the air, carrying with it the weight of centuries. It was a timeless truth, a reflection of the inherent dangers that accompanied the accumulation of unchecked power. Roven's eyes met Karn's, and for a moment, a flicker of amusement danced within them. It was a subtle expression, almost imperceptible, but enough to suggest a shared understanding.

"A truer statement has never been spoken," Roven finally conceded. With that, he resumed his steady march, his gaze fixed on the path ahead.

As their journey progressed, Karn's curiosity grew, prompting him to barrage Roven with a flurry of questions. The older man, though initially reserved, found himself gradually warming up to Karn's inquisitive nature. With each inquiry, Roven would pause, considering his words before providing the best answers he could muster.

As they walked, the two villagers accompanying them mostly remained silent, their presence blending into the background. Yet, as the conversation between Karn and Roven flowed, the villagers felt compelled to join in, offering their own perspectives and insights whenever Roven took a break to catch his breath.

In this exchange of knowledge, Karn became a sponge, absorbing the information like a thirsty traveller quenching their thirst. Among the many titbits he learned, one revelation stood out: the true meaning behind the name Ren Daral. It turned out to be derived from the ancient language spoken by the people of this land. Ren denoted "people," while Daral referred to the Earth. Thus, Ren Daral was a translation of "the land of the people." The same linguistic pattern applied to Fel, which meant "Feline."

The language was basic but was necessary in an age where Elementlets and Humans coexisted.

The simplicity of the language fascinated Karn, evoking images into his imagination painting vivid scenes of a forgotten era. He then recalled Alec’s remarks. Alec was from that distant age.

It must’ve been quite the shock to find out that the world he knew of no longer existed, Karn thought darkly as his mind fell on the fate of his dying world.

A flicker of hope swelled in his heart as he remembered the many souls he felt within the Book of the Known. And he knew he had a higher mission to help those he sensed in the miniature world hidden within the pages.

As the conversation continued, it shifted towards darker topics. Soon, Karn broached the topic of the King. An unsettling stillness fell upon Roven and his companions as they walked. Their discomfort was palpable as they reluctantly divulged the dark truths surrounding the ruler.

Karn listened intently. A sense of dread grew with each word and each atrocity.

According to their collective memories, the current King was the descendant of the man they all saw in the vision after the battle with the Felren. A monster in his own right who treats others like toys only to be thrown away when they break. He had used Alchemy to prolong his life and increase his power. Another being who wished to ascend to Godhood.

Karn wondered at the revelations of the man he assumed to be his true enemy. In his mind, the man was no King, just a tyrant. Either way, Karn knew that the blood of the royal line had been corrupted.

“Someone needs to stop him,” he whispered.