Karn's eyes slowly opened, as a strange sensation engulfed him. He wasn’t sure if he’d awakened from a dream or had drifted to sleep and entered one. His mind caught in a fog, tried to remember if he fell asleep or not. What he didn’t expect was to feel like he lost something.
As Karn studied his surroundings. He stood in a wide valley covered in a carpet of moss-like grass. Before him stood a towering mountain. Lush greenery blanketed the mountain's slopes, creating a vibrant contrast against the dark rocks that jutted out from its peak.
It looked as if the rocks had somehow emerged from the very pinnacle of the mountain, defying gravity to reach for the heavens. Yet, some of them had been pushed too far, unable to maintain their precarious positions, and had tumbled down into the expansive valley below.
The colours of the scene were so vibrant it was almost as if nature itself had absorbed ink, placing him into a painting. The greens were so rich and deep, they enveloped him in a verdant embrace.
He stood in awe, captivated by the grandeur of the mountain and the landscape. It was a sight that stirred something deep within him, a longing to understand the secrets that lay hidden within this delicate realm.
As he cautiously ventured forward, his gaze fell upon a figure walking aimlessly in the distance. The man's tall, muscular frame caught Karn's attention, drawing his intrigue. However, with each step he took, it seemed as if the man moved farther away, as though reality itself was playing tricks on him.
Confused, Karn struggled to make sense of it. Was this place real, or was it a construct of his own mind?
Seeking clarity, he closed his eyes, allowing his other senses to guide him.
Beneath his feet, he felt the softness of the grass, warm and comforting. It was a sensation that contradicted his foggy memory. Ignoring the conflicting signals, he focused on the task at hand.
Where am I? His mind strained to recall.
Then a surge of warmth coursed through him, resonating with familiarity. The air around him was welcoming him like an old friend. It was a power he had felt before. Recognition dawned on him. He was within the pages of the Book of the Known, a realm teeming with a collective of souls and an all-consuming power.
Karn's head tilted back and eyed through the mist beyond the peak of the mountain. Massive white clouds floated in the sky; a mesmerizing assembly of souls bound by the book. He took a deep breath, drawing in the valley's scent, its earthy fragrance filling his lungs.
The world within the book felt more tangible than ever before, more vibrant and alive. Determined to make sense of his existence within this realm, Karn ventured forward, his steps echoing softly in the silence. Once again, he noticed the enigmatic figure in the distance, always just out of his reach.
Deciding to leave the mysterious man behind, Karn turned his attention to exploring the valley floor, hoping to uncover a clue that would unravel the mystery of his presence in this realm. As his memory faltered, he knew that finding answers was crucial, even if the path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty.
After what felt like hours of walking through the sprawling grasslands, Karn's eyes widened with relief as he stumbled upon a new landmark. Before him lay a vast and imposing still lake, its surface so clear and reflective that it appeared as if the very ground itself gave way to the heavens above, mirroring the expanse of the sky.
In the distance, standing majestically beside the expansive lake, was a solitary building. Its dark stone surface resembled the rocks of the mountain Karn had left behind. As he approached the structure, he realised that it was no ordinary building but rather a towering castle keep. The rectangular edifice rose to great heights, like a medieval skyscraper, dwarfing even the tallest structures he had encountered before. Though it appeared to have the height of a ten-story building, the windows suggested it contained only four or five levels.
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Wandering around the massive keep, Karn eventually found himself standing before the entrance. Two colossal oak doors, adorned with ancient ring handles that served as both knockers and levers, commanded his attention. He reached out, grasping the cold metal in his hand, and struck the door three times. A resounding thump reverberated through the entire structure, filling the air with a thunderous boom.
Footsteps echoed from somewhere above, gradually growing louder as they made their way to the ground floor. Finally, the giant doors cracked open, emitting an audible creak that seemed to mimic the anguished cry of the doors themselves. Karn peered through the opening, perplexed to find no one in sight.
"Ahem," a voice cleared its throat, capturing Karn's attention.
He took a step back in surprise as a squat figure peered through the gap in the door. The creature, with a large frog head yet the bearing of a man, stood at around three and a half feet tall, its green skin contrasting against the vibrant white and blue jester-like clothing it wore.
"Um, hello?" Karn greeted uncertainly, offering the creature a peculiar bow. He wasn't sure why he felt the need for such courtesy, but the creature's bizarre appearance had caught him off guard.
The frog-like being gazed up at Karn with suspicion, jabbing a long, green finger with a bulbous tip at his chest. "What are you?" it inquired.
Karn's head tilted in confusion. "I'm human," he replied quickly.
Rolling his eyes, the frog man sighed in exasperation. "I know that silly. I mean, how did you get here? You're obviously alive."
Karn's hand instinctively pressed against his own chest. "I...I'm alive, yes. Well, I think I am," he replied, a tinge of uncertainty colouring his words.
The frog creature studied Karn for a moment before his features softened. "Ah, I apologise. I've been a bit jittery recently with the war and all. Please. Come in, come in."
War? Karn wondered, his curiosity intrigued as he followed the frog creature inside the keep.
Karn’s jaw dropped.
The interior defied his expectations by far. The ceiling soared to incredible heights, and in one corner, a grand staircase ascended to the next level, disappearing behind a wall adorned with rich tapestries. In fact, every inch of the walls had been lavishly adorned with silky embroidery, captivating Karn's gaze.
The tapestries depicted the history of a race of frogmen, a civilization of which he had never heard of. Each thread told a story, from the origins of their race to the trials and triumphs they had endured. As Karn's head swivelled, he found himself immersed in a visual narrative that proudly displayed a rich and captivating history.
"Where is this place?" Karn inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.
The frogman looked at Karn with an air of importance and gestured proudly to his home. "This is the Polliwog Tower," he declared.
Karn nodded, appearing to understand, though he had no clue what the peculiar creature was talking about. Still, he didn't want to appear ignorant as the frogman awaited his response with a sense of accomplishment.
"I have meticulously documented every single moment of our vast and proud history," the frogman explained, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Never again will our story be lost to the passage of time."
"You did all this?" Karn asked, astounded by the undertaking.
The frog creature nodded, a look of satisfaction crossing his face that only an artist who had poured their heart into their life's work could possess.
"Alone?" Karn probed.
Once again, the frogman nodded, a touch of melancholy now mingling with the pride in his gaze.
A profound sense of loss and sorrow washed over Karn as a realisation began to take shape in his mind. Afraid to voice his thoughts, he waited for the frogman to provide what he feared to be the truth.
"The name's Master Giblet," the Frogman introduced himself, his voice filled with both reverence and sadness. "I am the Lore Master of the Froggians, and I am the last of my kind."
Master Giblet bowed deeply, his wide grin betraying the fondness he held for preserving the legacy of his people.
Karn returned the smile and mirrored the bow. "I'm Karn, and I believe I’m human."
The Froggian nodded with exasperation, as if Karn's statement was obvious.
The Froggian cleared his wide throat. "I assume you're lost? Otherwise, you wouldn't find yourself all the way out here.”
Karn shrugged. "I don't know where 'here' is."
The frogman chuckled and patted Karn on the leg reassuringly. "Well, the good news is that you’re safe here. We are at the edge of the world, far from the war that rages in the centre of the continent."
Karn froze, his eyes widening with alarm. "Continent? Since when is there a continent in the book?"
Master Giblet stared at him, a mix of confusion and curiosity etched on his face. "You truly aren't from around here, are you? Where exactly are you from?"
Karn felt himself shrink under the weight of the frogman's inquisitive gaze.
"I think I got sucked into the book again," he admitted quietly.
Master Giblet gasped, his eyes flickering to the ceiling momentarily, a glimmer of hope illuminating his features. "An outsider? Here and now?" he murmured to himself.
"What do you mean? What's happening?" Karn asked.
The Froggian burst into laughter, his joyous croaking filling the air. "Finally!"