Charles grunted as he scaled the building, using every bit of strength to climb higher. He spun around, extending a hand to help Ellie ascend alongside him. The last building stood a story taller than the one they had previously climbed. Its impressive presence stood next to the coliseum, and a convenient access ramp led directly into the towering structure's closest eaves.
As he looked back, Charles caught sight of Scarf, effortlessly pulling herself up with astonishing speed.
He turned from the watery Elementlet and focus on his girlfriend. Despite her agile ascent, he could sense the strain she concealed behind her determined expression. Concern etched itself into his own face, and he mouthed the words, "You, okay?" to her.
She met his gaze, her face flushed, and nodded in response as she read his lips.
"I'm good," she whispered, her voice betraying the toll their demanding climb had taken. Her laboured breaths resonated with Charles, reminding him of past moments when the three of them including Karn, had run from the Reapers.
As Charles eyed Ellie, he felt a stab in his heart as he saw the expression she made when she glanced over the side of the building, where countless innocent lives had been extinguished by the King's men.
"Which way should we go?" Charles inquired.
Alec, the tiny stone creature perched on his shoulder, pointed towards the formidable building ahead. "Hope ran into there," Alec replied, his determination shining through his stone eyes.
"Are you sure?" Charles pressed for confirmation.
“I can feel the book even now.” Alec nodded with unwavering resolve, leaving no room for doubt.
Charles contemplated Hope's intentions. "What is she thinking?" he pondered aloud, his voice uncertain. "We have no choice but to help or stop her."
Alec grumbled in response.
Ellie moved closer, positioning herself by Charles' side, ready. He gently pulled her arm, indicating the access ramp located on the lower level of the building on the opposite side. His eyes scanned the surroundings, spotting a stairway leading to a bridge. They descended them, passing by a beautifully crafted stone garden, a testament to the opulent taste of whoever lived within the overindulgent manor.
Ignoring the luxurious carpet and plush cushioned seating area, they ran towards the coliseum.
As they sprinted across the ancient stone arch access bridge, the ground beneath them trembled and fissures formed, causing the stone underneath to crack.
"Shit!" Charles shouted.
He grabbed Ellie's hand and pulled her as fast as he could across the bridge as it crumbled underneath them.
“Ow!” she cried as they ran. Only just managing to reach the other side before the bridge collapsed completely behind them. It pained him to hurt her arm, but if he didn’t, she would’ve surely fallen.
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Alec cast a wary glance at the fallen structure behind them, a knowing look etched upon his stone features, leaving Charles perplexed. "What's up?" he asked. “What’s going on?”
"Something within the ground is awakening," Alec replied, his voice filled with caution. Charles stared at the ground as if it were about to swallow him whole. He nodded, deciding to place his trust in the rock creature's knowledge of all things related to the earth.
"Quickly now," Alec urged. "A tremendous surge of power has been unleashed. Twice now."
Charles's jaw clenched as they raced through the halls, their footsteps echoing in the tense silence. They passed a flight of stairs, but Charles quickly decided against going that way. Hundreds of lifeless bodies littered the floor. Leftovers of the panicked mob lay as a stark reminder of the madness that ran rampant within the town.
Instead, they burst out of the stands, reaching a high point within the grandstand, stepping out into the sunlight. All around the grandstands stood the dark-clothed Kraven warriors, their bows aimed downward, their aim faltering as they stared at the awe-inspiring spectacle unfolding below.
Ellie's breath caught in her throat, and she gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief.
In the centre of the blood-soaked killing floor, a colossal Reaper was being impaled by a giant branching tree. Growing rapidly, its roots tore up the very foundations of the coliseum itself. Monsters below the floor cried out in pain as the roots grew rapidly, collapsing the enclosures below.
The grey-skinned monstrosity roared in pain as the tree consumed its flesh, then after a brief, tense moment it erupted into a shower of ash.
Suddenly, the ground rumbled, spreading tremors throughout the town. The stone steps of the grandstands groaned under the strain, and sections of the seating broke free, tumbling down into the sandy arena below.
The Kraven warriors around the field all dropped their aim entirely, staring at the tree in awe, like it was a deity come from some sort of heavenly realm.
"Karn?" Ellie mumbled, her voice filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
Charles's gaze darted across the chaotic scene below, searching frantically for their best friend. Sensing Ellie's grip on his arm, he felt her anxiety and squeezed her hand in reassurance.
They hurriedly descended the stairs, their movements agile and nimble despite the falling debris and many hazards that surrounded them.
As they ran, Alec's voice broke through. "I can sense something. The book? Where is the book?"
Reaching the edge of the wall, Charles shouted into the air, his voice carrying the weight of concern and relief. "Karn!"
And then there he was. The familiar face of their best friend, looking up and meeting their gaze. A brilliant grin spread across Karn's face as he stood beside Hope. The Book of the Known was securely clutched in his hands. Karn's eyes scanned the floor, his gaze fixating on an exit. With determination, he sprinted towards what seemed like a guard's passageway.
"I believe the way up is over there," Alec pointed out, directing their attention to a staircase behind them.
In a matter of seconds, Karn emerged on the grandstands, a giant smirk on his face as he ran towards them. He threw his arms around Charles and Ellie, enveloping them in a warm embrace. Finally, the three of them were together. The journey had been demanding and filled with hardship, but now their tight family was whole. Charles could feel Ellie's tears as he fought to control his own tears. Karn held them tightly, the book brushing gently against Ellie's back.
In that moment, something coursed between them. Ellie gasped as a warm current of power emerged from the book.
Karn's smile widened as he pulled away, his gaze fixed on his best friends' faces. "How the hell are you guys?" he asked.
"Uh, um," Ellie stammered, her eyes darting towards Charles. "I can. I can..."
Charles trembled, his eyes shifting between Karn's book, Ellie, and Karn himself. "Did it work?" he asked, his voice filled with anticipation.
Karn looked at him with confusion. "Did what work?"
Ellie nodded eagerly; her expression filled with joy. "It did. I… I can hear again."