Hewin knew it was stupid to travel to Dan Kat during the night. He also knew it was the only way to separate himself from Falyar and Shenian. Falyar wouldn't leave Shenian alone in Varnutum and she still needed to heal. At least Hewin was betting on that.

At the same time, he felt like a traitorous scum. Hewin believed his motives were pure and altruistic but still, he was well aware that he ditched his closest people in the night. I hope they understand. The chain of saving each other's lives would eventually break, so it is better this way, it must be, he tried to persuade himself. Images of the lifeless corpses of his mother and father flashed before his eyes and he shut them close in an attempt to douse these horrors. But they just sank back waiting for another opportunity, causing a splitting headache in the meantime.

Hewin reached the end of the forest. A vast meadow spread between him and the next tree line. Well, that's unfortunate. No hiding spots for at least an hour it seems, he sighed. So far, he hadn't encountered any dark puppets but Hewin knew that his luck must run out at some point.

The wind turned then and Hewin heard clashing and shuffling sounds carried by it. A battle? he turned to his left, worried. He adjusted his eyes more to the darkness and a terrible realization sank in. The cluster of bushes in the distance was not a cluster of bushes at all. They were people, moving jerkily around something in the grass. Puppets! Hewin despaired and crouched immediately. He watched them from afar, baffled. What in the infernal plane are they doing here? Are those...pickaxes? he wondered and watched more closely holding his breath.

Apparently, the dark puppets, maybe a hundred of them, were crushing a white rock sticking from the ground and melting chunks of it in improvised furnaces. Are they trying to destroy it, what is going on? Hewin's curiosity was unsatiable but Ash danced nervously around, begging mentally that they should run across the meadow.

You are right Ash, no point in lingering here. Thanks for nudging me! Hewin thought back.

A deafening explosion of white light lit up the night sky. The blast appeared right where the rock protruded from the ground. All the people with pitch-black eyes were instantaneously torn apart in the blast wave spreading through the meadow. When it reached Hewin, it carried him a couple of meters in the air. Before he dropped down he heard softly whispered words in the light: "Find a piece of me before I diminish."

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Hewin shook off the dirt and stood up. Fortunately, he was far from the explosion and it only tossed him away. The meadow looked like a battlefield with body parts scattered all over it and there was a crater where the rock stood before. Every fiber of Hewin's body urged him to run back to the forest and hide. But there was something about the voice in the blast. Strangely, it reminded him of how Enyar's words felt inside his head.

You won't like it Ash but I need to check this, he thought to his shadowy companion who was cowering in the grass.

Hewin drew out the Voidsword and approached the crater slowly. The white stone was gone, there was only a gaping hole in the ground. Still, Hewin felt a strange presence.

Here...is, Ash jumped around something. Hewin went there and found a small piece of white stone, as small as a playing dice. Hewin touched it and immediately felt a connection. It was as if a cold breeze ascended from his fingers upwards to his mind.

Oh no, you have no patience at all, that is a pity, Hewin heard the soft whisper again in his head.

What is going on? Hewin thought.

I am diminishing, receding into nothingness. That is what is going on my dear star-touched friend, the voice whispered amused.

But..Who are you? Hewin asked.

I am...Patience. Yes, that is the best translation. I am something that you are lacking. But still, better you than HIM! the voice said.

Hewin shook his head, this was difficult for him to comprehend.

Take your time and come to the realization at your own pace, my friend. But you know the answer already, you yourself are touched by another star, Patience whispered.

But I don't know what any of this means! Fine, I am touched by a star but what should I do with it and who is HIM, and the puppets and Enyar? Hewin felt the headache again.

I know, I know. It is a lot. Only patience will help you to unlock these secrets. Oh no, I feel my essence is slipping away. There is no time. I will try to save a tiny spark from me. But there will be no speaking to each other after this. Please remember, patience is important, so very important. I will be yours if you will carry me with you. Remember, be patient, always. Only when I drop, only then the time for patience is over. Goodbye..., the light of the white stone dimmed.

Hewin sat down rubbing his eyes and forehead. Ash climbed up and sat on his shoulder. Hewin learned that Ash does this when they both feel distressed.

He took the white stone in his paw and looked at it closely. It was still giving some light but it was barely noticeable. Hewin put his arm down but the stone shard remained in the same position and hovered in the air.

Only when I drop, only then the time for patience is over, Hewin repeated in his mind.

Well, that is...I don't know anymore. Let's find cover, Hewin thought to Ash.