Karn's chest swelled with an uncontrollable surge of awe, enveloping him in a childlike wonder. Before him stood a towering castle that seemed to transcend the realms of mortals, where mythical god reside. Its immense presence commanded over the city, with massive spiral towers arranged in perfect symmetry around a spherical centre, each adorned with impeccably sharp cone roofs.
The castle's pristine white walls radiated an ethereal glow, seemingly untouched by the passage of time. Atop the pointed roofs, a layer of shimmering gold caught the sunlight, casting a warm, radiant glow that bathed the surroundings in light. Karn couldn't help but be mesmerised.
Lost in the splendour, Karn could almost hear whispers on the breeze, carrying voices of ethereal memories, echoing with ancient fables, weaving a story of forgotten legends of this mythical realm.
"This way," Master Giblet beckoned with a childlike grin plastered across his face. "No matter how many times I see this place, it always humbles me."
Karn nodded in understanding, his gaze shifting skyward to catch sight of a stunning white bird soaring through the air. The magnificent creature gracefully landed on one of the highest points of the castle before vanishing inside. Karn couldn't help but wonder if this bird bore any resemblance to the mysterious Birdman he had encountered in the seaside village. Intrigued, he followed the excited Froggian.
The sheer scale of the steps before them was staggering, yet as Karn began to ascend, he couldn't help but marvel at their intricate craftsmanship. Each step, hewn from pristine white marble, was wide enough to accommodate a crowd of fifty people. The surface of every step displayed a unique pattern, meticulously carved with precision. Karn knew he could easily get lost in the details, for each step held an array of tiny, chiselled drawings and patterns, showcasing the work of countless styles and artists. Not a single line was out of place, and the attention to detail was insane.
The stairs seemed to ascend endlessly, rising high above the neighbouring mansions, granting an unparalleled view of the city. Finally, they reached the imposing castle doors, resembling those of the Polliwog tower, constructed from double oak with exquisite ring handles. However, these doors were fashioned from a rare white oak and adorned with golden handles large enough to allow the passage of an elephant.
As Karn and Master Giblet approached, the massive doors automatically swung open, revealing a sight that sent a chill down Karn's spine. Towering guards, adorned in gleaming golden armour, stood before them with pikes held at attention. These were the very same Bear-men depicted in the Froggian's tapestries—magnificent creatures with fur as white as freshly fallen snow, standing at a staggering twelve feet high. Their stature displayed both sheer power and centuries of honed skill.
The guards' stoic faces betrayed no emotion as they allowed the newcomers to pass. Karn couldn't help but feel a shiver of trepidation run down his spine, realizing that he would never want to face them in battle.
Stepping inside the main hall of the castle, Karn was once again overwhelmed by the sheer grandeur that surrounded him. The interior surpassed his wildest expectations, with a colossal dome roof stretching across the entire chamber. The walls, much like those of the Polliwog tower, were adorned with a timeless mural. These paintings, towering fifty feet in height, captured every minute detail, from the pores in the warriors' skin to the individual eyelashes of the golden Felren. The vibrant colours breathed life into the scenes, immersing Karn in wonder.
"Ah, you have arrived," a voice greeted them.
Karn's gaze descended from the ceiling, landing on a smiling man dressed in warm robes. The man's gleaming white hair mirrored the pristine marble floor he stood upon. He extended his arms in a friendly gesture. “Welcome Karn.”
"You were expecting us?" Karn inquired, curiosity in his words.
The man nodded, gliding towards them with a practiced grace.
"The King is still out at the moment. Unfortunately, the war consumes most of his time nowadays."
"And how is he doing?" Master Giblet inquired.
A warm smile graced the man's face. "Ah, Master Giblet, we weren't expecting you for quite some time."
The Froggian nonchalantly shrugged. "I can spare a few hours since I'm way ahead of schedule."
Understanding flickered in the man's eyes as he smiled warmly. "So, the records are going well, then?"
Master Giblet nodded. "I'm on the final chapter."
Surprise washed over the man's features, and he regarded the Froggian with respect. "Far beyond our expectations."
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The Froggian bowed low in a practiced motion, acknowledging the praise.
"Now," the man turned his attention to Karn. "The steward will see you now. He's the one who knew you were coming."
Karn's eyebrow raised in curiosity before he remembered his first encounter with this land within the book. It was his uncle Theo who had somehow found him. A feeling of excitement lightened his steps as he followed the man.
Master Giblet didn’t move, causing Karn to pause for a moment.
"You're not coming?"
The Froggian shook his head. "This is where I leave you, young man."
Karn didn't argue, but a sense of sadness washed over him. He didn’t want his newfound friend to leave so abruptly but he somehow understood the Froggians' intentions.
Master Giblet sighed, his gaze scanning the mural that enveloped the chamber. A silent decision crossed his mind. "I'll need to finish what I've started before the end. And I believe the story of my people will not end with me."
Karn nodded, fully comprehending the significance of Master Giblet's work.
"Good luck, Master Giblet," Karn said sincerely.
The Froggian’s face lit up with a wide grin as he bestowed the same courteous bow upon Karn.
"You too, young lad. My job is a labour of love. Yours is a battle against darkness. It is you who will probably need all the luck he can get."
And with that, Master Giblet turned around and vanished, retracing their steps baxk through the city alone.
Karn sighed, his encounter with the cheerful lore master had been both uplifting and bittersweet.
As the castle's guide led him onward, they approached a spiral staircase located in the heart of the chamber. The stairs descended deep into the ground, leading to another room adorned with a massive archway. At the end of the room stood a tall, golden throne upon which sat the steward of the city, clad in flowing white robes. His uncle was nowhere to be seen.
Karn froze. He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.
As he tentatively moved through the room, Karn's eyes welled up with tears as he recognised the face of the man occupying the throne. It was a face he had not seen since he was but a child. Slowly, Karn approached the seat, locking eyes with the man. He searched his memories. It was the same cheeky smile on his face, the same kind eyes that had always brought him comfort.
"Dad?" Karn's voice trembled, his composure barely held together.
His father nodded, a warm smile spreading across his face. He moved towards Karn, enveloping him in a tender embrace.
"Son..." His father's voice conveyed a mixture of love and worry.
Karn held onto his father, cherishing this long-awaited reunion, and feeling a sense of belonging that had eluded him for far too long.
The embrace between Karn and his father stretched on, yearning to make up for all the time they lost. Karn's arms clung tightly to his father's strong frame, not wanting to let go. The weight of their shared history and the pain of their separation seemed to hang in the air, filling the room with an unspoken sorrow.
As Karn's tears flowed, he whispered, his voice barely audible, "Dad... I've missed you so much."
His father's voice trembled with emotion as he responded, his arms still wrapped protectively around his son, "Oh, my boy, I've missed you too, more than words can express."
It was a nostalgic reunion, filled with both joy and sorrow, knowing that they could never truly make up for the lost time.
"Dad," Karn said, his voice trembling with a mix of concern and fear as he blinked away tears. "How are you..."
His father interrupted him with a sense of urgency. "Steward?" he interjected. "Ah, long story. Theo has told me all about you and your life."
"He has? Where is he?" Karn inquired, hoping to catch up with his uncle and find some reassurance.
"With the King," his father replied, his face clouded with worry. "The war..."
Karn nodded, understanding the weight of the ongoing conflict and its heavy toll.
"How much do you know of it?"
Karn felt a pang of sorrow, realizing that their reunion was overshadowed by the urgency of their situation. "Not much, I'm afraid," he admitted, his heart sinking.
His father let out a sigh, his eyes filled with a hint of sadness. "I'm not sure how much you’ve ventured here in this place," he gestured to the grand walls surrounding them, "but this realm’s like a world unto itself. And when it was created, it didn't just draw in the just from the world, but every creature with a spirit from both worlds."
Karn's brows furrowed, his mind grappling to comprehend the implications. "Which means..."
His father nodded; his gaze fixed on his son. "The enemy and their followers are attempting to gain control of this realm. They seek dominion over the very essence that binds us all."
Karn nodded, the gravity of the situation sinking deeper.
"Now, I would like more than anything to have you stay here, to reminisce about the old days and make up for lost time," his father spoke. "To tell me everything about you. But..."
"But I have a pivotal role to play." Karn finished his father's sentence, knowing the reality that awaited him.
His father sighed, his voice heavy with regret. "Son, you have a foothold in both realms, possessing a power that extends beyond either. You bear the burden of our family. Our blood was used to create the spell that binds the original book."
Karn's face contorted in disbelief. "That can't be true," he protested.
His father nodded solemnly. "I'm afraid it is. And now, you must travel."
"Go? I just got here," Karn pleaded.
A look of pain crossed his father's face as he spoke. "If you fail in the task the White Dragon has entrusted to you, if you don’t fulfill your destiny, you will die."
Karn's eyes widened, his heart pounding. "Die? What do you mean?"
His father's expression turned grave, his gaze unwavering.
"The White Dragon has sensed what has befallen your body," he revealed, his words striking Karn like a lightning bolt.
Panic surged within Karn, his breath catching in his throat. "Wait, what has happened? Tell me!"
His father waited patiently for his son to calm down when he spoke.
“You know what’s happened. You should be able to feel it.”
A distant memory flickered in his mind, then faded. An image of a laboratory momentarily dissolving into darkness.
“You do not have full control of your body. To regain that control, you must embrace our bloodline.”