As the energy of the village faded behind him, Kamari slipped away, seeking a moment to himself. His mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts, and he needed space to breathe. Finding a quiet spot behind a crumbled stone wall, he sat down and closed his eyes. He delved deep within himself in an attempt to feel the warmth of the Phoenix Core, but it remained just out of his grasp. He continued trying to will the flames to rise, but nothing happened.
His mind drifted back to that fateful night — the Red Massacre. The faces of his people and their dying screams still haunted him, and the weight of guilt tightened his chest.
"I couldn’t save them. I failed."
The thought echoed like a dark mantra.
Anger flared, and he slammed his fists into the ground, releasing a burst of flames that scorched the earth around him, startling a few villagers nearby. They hurried away, casting nervous glances in his direction.
He raised his hands as he apologized.
“Sorry! I didn’t mean—”
A moment later, Malik appeared. Without saying a word, he sat down next to Kamari, crossing his arms as he looked at the scorched ground.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing."
But Malik wasn’t easily swayed. He sat there in silence, his eyes fixed on Kamari—waiting. The quiet stretched until Kamari couldn’t stand it anymore.
"I can't feel the Phoenix Core anymore. It’s almost like... it’s gone. Maybe I’m just not worthy of it."
He quickly glanced at Malik before returning his gaze to the ground.
"That night, I couldn’t save anyone, not even my parents. And now, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive myself for that."
Malik remained silent for a moment. He didn’t speak much, but when it came to Kamari, he always seemed to soften, revealing more than just the stoic warrior. Turning slightly, he locked eyes with Kamari.
"You're overthinking it. The Core's not gone. You're just blocking it."
He glanced down at the scorched ground.
"You're doubting yourself too much. That's the real problem."
Kamari slumped his shoulders.
“How can I not? After everything—”
"What happened was not your fault. You did everything you could, and you have done everything you can since. The idea that you were not strong enough... that is what is holding you back."
Kamari’s fingers curled into the dirt.
"But what if I'm really not good enough?"
"You are enough. You are stronger now than you have ever been. But you have to believe that. If you keep seeing yourself as the one who failed, the Core is going to stay out of reach. It's not about being worthy. It's about trusting yourself."
The words hung between them, and Kamari found himself pondering them. Malik wasn’t one for comforting speeches, but his blunt honesty struck a chord.
Kamari let out a long breath.
“Maybe you’re right."
Malik gave a slight nod.
“Give yourself time. You’ll figure it out.”
----------------------------------------
As Malik and Kamari made their way back toward the portal, their conversation trailed off into a comfortable silence. The sounds of reconstruction— the clatter of tools and the low murmur of villagers returning to their lives—filled the air. However, as they neared one of the open bunkers, something caught their attention.
Eli was there, but something was off. His usual relaxed posture was gone, replaced by a rigid stillness. His eyes were fixed on the bunker entrance where members of the Search and Rescue Division carefully carried villagers out on stretchers.
Kamari turned toward one of the stretchers being carried out. The villager on it let out a faint moan, their skin gray and sunken—eyes hollow and distant. Kamari instinctively reached out, brushing his fingers against the villager’s arm. The moment he touched them, he felt it—a faint, chilling pulse of Knull Energy. It crept up his spine like ice, sending a shiver through him.
Kamari recoiled, his hand trembling.
"What…what is this?"
Eli clenched his jaw.
Knull Poisoning. Once Knull Energy seeps into the body—into the soul—it drains them slowly, weakening them until..."
Kamari’s stomach twisted as he watched more villagers being carried out, each one looking worse than the last. Their bodies were limp—their faces etched with pain and exhaustion.
Eli continued.
"This is bad. If Knull Energy’s affecting this many people, this far north..."
He ran a hand through his dreadlocks.
"We need to inform Dr. Jyro."
----------------------------------------
Zaire stormed into his hideout, his footsteps echoing through the dim corridors. He rushed to the massive vat where his father floated in shimmering liquid, tubes and wires tethered to machines that tracked each fragile breath.
He stood before the vat, his fists clenched.
"System, status report!"
A calm, clinical voice responded, the soft tone of a woman.
"Zion’s vital signs are deteriorating. His condition is approaching critical. Estimated time until vital failure: seven days."
The words struck Zaire like a physical blow, causing his breath to quicken.
"Seven days?"
He slammed his fists against the console. The sound reverberated through the room, and in a burst of anger, he roared, shaking the machines.
His mind flashed back to the village—and to Jermaine.
"Damn you, Thunder God!"
He paced, his thoughts racing. He couldn't let this happen. He couldn't fail now. As frustration mounted, something strange stirred in the air. Whispers curled through the room, barely audible, like smoke twisting around him. They spoke words he couldn't fully understand at first.
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"Power—"
The whispers were seductive and dark.
"—enough to defeat the Thunder God and claim the Phoenix Core."
Zaire slowed his pacing and followed the whispers into a larger chamber. There, a small black flame with dark purple hues danced atop a pedestal in the center—the Nether Flame. The chamber was much more elaborate than the rest of the hideout. Massive cylindrical containers lined the walls, humming with energy. Green light pulsed through tubes that connected the containers to the pedestal, casting an eerie glow. At the rear of the room loomed a gigantic, unactivated portal gate. The entire space thrummed with sinister energy, the pulsing light syncing with the beat of Zaire’s heart.
As he approached the Nether Flame, the whispers grew louder and more insistent. The flame flickered in response, casting twisting shadows across the room.
"Together, you will have the strength to seize the Core. Surrender, absorb my essence, and unimaginable power will be yours..."
Zaire stood before the flame, staring into its depths. His hand reached out, trembling as the pull became nearly unbearable. The flame promised everything—power, the ability to save his father, seize the Phoenix Core, and finally accomplish what he had failed to do before. The temptation surged through him like a drug, and his fingers hovered inches from the flame.
But at the last moment, Zaire hesitated. His hand stopped just before touching the flame.
"No. I can’t… I won’t."
He withdrew his hand, breathing heavily, resisting the overwhelming urge to give in. The whispers snarled in frustration, their promises turning bitter, but Zaire stood his ground. He stepped away from the pedestal.
"I will not lose myself to your corruption."
He turned his back on the Nether Flame.
"I’ll save him my way."
----------------------------------------
The next day, Eli and Kamari made their way to the Angel Eye Research Guild. Its sleek, modern structure towered above the bustling streets of Ceiala. The building's gleaming windows caught the morning sun, reflecting it in sharp contrast to the older, more traditional architecture around it. The Guild stood out as a symbol of cutting-edge research and innovation in a city steeped in history.
Kamari glanced back at Eli, who was lagging a few steps behind. His usual laid-back attitude was gone, replaced by something heavier, more serious. He stared at the entrance, his expression unreadable.
Kamari gave him a soft smile.
"You don’t have to go in if you don’t want to."
Before Eli could respond, a familiar voice cut through the quiet.
"Elijah! What a pleasant surprise."
They both turned to see Dr. Jyro approaching. Despite his age, Dr. Jyro exuded an energy that seemed to defy the years. His long, gray beard was neatly trimmed, and his bald head gleamed under the sunlight. The deep lines on his face spoke of experience, but his eyes sparkled with curiosity and warmth. He wore a white lab coat, giving him the air of someone who had seen the world many times over and was still eager for more.
Dr. Jyro’s gaze softened as he reached them.
"It’s been a while since your last visit to the Guild. It’s great to see you again, Elijah."
Eli hesitated, avoiding eye contact.
Kamari stepped forward.
"There’s something we found during our mission in Iysal. We thought you might want to know about it."
"Something from Iysal, you say? Well, I’m always eager to learn about new findings. Please, come inside, both of you."
Eli hesitated for a second, his gaze lingering on the doors. Then, he took a deep breath and nodded. Kamari gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, and together, they followed Dr. Jyro inside. The doors of the Angel Eye Research Guild slid open with a quiet whoosh, welcoming them into the heart of innovation.
----------------------------------------
Dr. Jyro guided Kamari and Eli through the winding halls of the Angel Eye Research Guild. The building hummed with the fusion of magic and technology. Kamari was captivated by the sight. Crystals of various shapes and sizes pulsed with energy, potions bubbled with arcane power, and weapons gleamed with ethereal enhancements. Every corner revealed something new and wondrous. From their vantage point, they could see multiple floors, each dedicated to different types of research—ranging from advanced weaponry to crystal-powered technology.
Even though Kamari had visited the Guild several times before, the sheer scale of innovation always left him breathless.
"Incredible."
Eli, on the other hand, appeared different. His head was down, his shoulders hunched, as if trying to shrink into himself. Kamari noticed but didn’t comment.
They eventually reached Dr. Jyro’s office, which was a far more modest space compared to the grand halls they had just passed. Papers were scattered across desks, and glowing crystals sat haphazardly on shelves. The air smelled faintly of old parchment and lingering magic, giving the room a cluttered but lived-in feel.
Dr. Jyro scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed by the mess.
"I apologize for the mess."
Kamari smiled, waving it off.
"No need to apologize. Honestly, it’s what I’d expect from someone as brilliant as you."
"Is that so?"
Dr. Jyro chuckled, but then his expression shifted to something more serious.
"Now, tell me about what you found in Iysal."
Kamari glanced at Eli, who remained quiet, clearly not ready to speak. So, Kamari took the lead.
"We found several villagers suffering from Knull Poisoning."
Dr. Jyro's face dropped.
"Are you certain of this?"
For a few moments, the room was quiet. Then, Dr. Jyro quickly became serious.
"That shouldn't be. The situation with the Void Rift on Seliak has been stable—or at least, that’s what we thought. All of our readings show no significant increase in Knull Energy around the Rift, and it’s been mostly dormant."
Eli finally spoke up.
"When was the last time the Knull Analyzer was checked?"
Dr. Jyro hesitated, stroking his gray beard.
"Three months ago."
"Three months? How can we trust those readings?"
"I understand your concern. However, as you're aware, the high concentration of Knull Energy near the Rift poses a significant danger, even lethality, for prolonged exposure. Sending someone for inspection is not a decision we take lightly. Nevertheless, you make a valid point. It's conceivable that the readings may be inaccurate."
He stroked his beard again, deep in thought.
"If your father were still with us, Elijah, the Void Rift might no longer be a threat to the Realm. His understanding of Knull Energy was unparalleled."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Eli's jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened.
Dr. Jyro quickly realized his mistake.
"Elijah, I didn’t mean—"
But it was too late. Without saying a word, Eli turned and stormed out, the door slamming behind him.
Kamari shifted awkwardly, glancing between Dr. Jyro and the door.
"I’m sorry about that. I’ll go talk to him."
Dr. Jyro nodded slowly.
"I shouldn't have brought up his father. Please, give him my apologies..."
Kamari gave him a brief, understanding smile before hurrying after Eli. His footsteps echoed through the hall as he rushed to catch up.
----------------------------------------
Kamari dashed out of the Guild’s entrance, his eyes fixed on Eli’s receding figure. It didn’t take long for him to catch up, and he gently grabbed Eli’s shoulder.
"Eli, wait. Talk to me."
Eli stopped but didn’t turn around.
"There’s nothing to talk about, Red. I’m fine."
Kamari stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
"I know you, Eli. You’ve been off ever since we got here. I get it. This place brings back some bad memories—"
Eli’s jaw clenched as he looked away.
"I said I’m fine, alright? Drop it."
Before Kamari could say more, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Hey there, stranger!"
Kamari's face instantly lit up as he turned to see Imani A'ven standing nearby, her faint smile drawing him in. Her long black hair, tinged with deep blue at the ends, was pulled into a high ponytail. Her sharp, catlike features were striking, and her warm blue eyes seemed to shimmer with the same depth as the ocean. Graceful and strong, her beauty matched the quiet power she carried as a warrior.
"Imani!"
Without thinking, Kamari leaped forward and enveloped her in a tight hug. Almost immediately, he pulled back, grinning sheepishly.
"Sorry, I forgot you’re not big on hugs."
Imani chuckled.
"It’s fine. It’s been two years. I’ll let it slide this time."
Eli, who had been brooding just a moment ago, suddenly perked up and nudged Kamari—clearing his throat.
"Aren't you going to introduce me? You know, your best friend?"
Kamari laughed, noticing Eli’s sudden shift.
"Imani, meet Elijah Fel’norae. Eli, this is Imani A’ven."
Eli stepped forward, flashing his most charming smile.
"Eli will do just fine. I’ve heard a lot about you. All good things, of course."
Imani barely glanced at him, her expression unreadable—clearly unimpressed by his attempt at flirting.
"I’m sure you have."
Eli was undeterred. But before he could say more, Malik appeared behind him, grabbed him by the collar, and dragged him away.
"Alright, lover boy. Let’s not embarrass ourselves."
"Hey, wait! I wasn't done!"
Kamari and Imani both chuckled as they watched Eli being dragged away. Once he was out of earshot, Kamari turned back to Imani.
"There’s someone else you need to meet—Leon. But he’s in Kabora today visiting family and his girlfriend."
He paused.
"It’s so good to see you again. How’s Amara?"
"She can’t stop talking about you. She misses you a lot. You should really visit her."
Kamari blushed slightly.
"Yeah, I know. I’ve been meaning to, but... I made her a promise a while back, and I don’t feel like I’ve fulfilled it yet."
"That’s a terrible excuse, and you know it."
She crossed her arms, giving him a pointed look.
"If you don’t visit her soon, I’ll drag you back to Ahwahl myself. You’re breaking her heart."
Kamari scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly.
"You're right, I know. I'll visit her soon. I promise."
Imani’s expression softened, a gentle smile spreading across her face.
"Good. I’ll hold you to that. Now, in the meantime, why don’t you show me around?"