Chapter 68

Seka

As Adom and his companions followed Aroth and his orc party through the dense, whispering trees of the forest, the quiet crunch of leaves underfoot was the only sound punctuating their journey. Valiant, trailing slightly behind, kept casting wary glances around, clearly uncomfortable in the vast, wild expanse.

The forest, with its towering ancient trees and dappled moonlight filtering through the canopy, seemed endless. How did the orcs navigate this labyrinthine land with such ease? Adom pondered, his gaze flitting from the shadowed underbrush to the stoic backs of their orc guides.

They must be using portals, he concluded silently. The concept of portals, within the framework of the magic system and spatial magic, was not new to Adom, but the application here was intriguingly subtle. Portals, in essence, were gateways connecting two distinct points in space, allowing for instantaneous travel across vast distances. Creating a portal involved manipulating the fabric of space itself, a feat achievable through the advanced use of spatial magic and runes.

In Adom's understanding, portals required a precise configuration of runes to anchor each end of the pathway. These runes acted as coordinates, defining the start and end points of the spatial bridge. The process was akin to punching two holes in the fabric of reality and stitching them together to form a shortcut. It was a sophisticated use of Essentia harnessed and directed through the runic constructs.

But for such a portal system to exist here, and for none to have seen it... Adom's thoughts trailed, his eyes scanning the environment. It dawned on him that the orcs, known for their deep connection with the forest, must have employed ingenious methods to conceal these magical pathways. The answer lay in the seamless integration of the portals with the natural environment. Using runes that mimicked the natural patterns of Essentia flow in the forest, the orcs could effectively camouflage the portals, making them invisible to the untrained eye or anyone unfamiliar with the forest's unique Essentia signature.

The realization showed the orcs' cunning and their profound understanding of both the magical and natural world. It was a blending of art and science, where the raw, chaotic essence of the forest was harnessed and ordered into a structured, yet hidden, network of passages. This would require a deep knowledge of runic magic and spatial principles, likely passed down through generations, further developed and kept secret from outsiders.

Adom's mind raced with possibilities. Could I replicate this? His curiosity was piqued, not just by the potential knowledge and power such a discovery could offer but also by the strategic advantage it represented. Understanding the orc's portal network could provide invaluable insight into navigating and possibly controlling this vast, mystic woodland.

As they meandered through the forest, Seka, who had been walking beside Adom, broke the silence. "You're pondering over how swiftly we located you, aren't you?" he inquired, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Especially given that my Ka'ui kin are typically ensconced much deeper within these woods."

Adom, with a nod, confirmed his musings, his youthful face reflecting the gears turning in his mind.

Seka let out a hearty laugh, rich and deep, echoing through the trees. "Ah, my young friend, I shall not be the one to unravel that mystery for you," he said, his voice carrying the mirth of one who holds many secrets.

Adom couldn't help but smile in response, recognizing the guarded wisdom in Seka’s stance. He wouldn’t just divulge his people’s secrets to an outsider, one who might return as a foe, Adom thought, appreciating the strategic silence. The enigma surrounding the Ka'ui orcs had always intrigued him. Their symbiotic relationship with the forest, not merely taming it but becoming an integral part of its essence, lent them a formidable presence that even the mighty armies of Atlas would hesitate to confront.

Reflecting on the historical dynamics, Adom considered the what-ifs. Had Atlas allied with Aroth upon his ascension as the orc lord, perhaps the kingdom’s fate would have been different, he mused. The thought extended to his neighbors in Kati, the Akyles, who had suffered the war's collateral damage. Maybe they would not have known such an end...

Interrupting Adom's reflective silence, Seka, for some reason, delved deeper into the annals of history. "You see, the Ka'ui once were part of a grander tribe, the Ash'ari, long before the dark shadow of the Lich King spread across the lands, heralding the Dark Age," he began. Adom, already familiar with the skeletal outline of this history, decided to lend an ear; old tales sometimes carried hidden gems of wisdom.

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Seka's eyes seemed to gaze back through time as he continued. "In those tumultuous times, when the Ash'ari chose to side with the Lich King, aligning themselves with a significant faction of the giants, we, the Ka'ui, chose a different path. We refused to be devoured by our dread of the Lich, especially when whispers of a prophecy spoke of the coming of a hero from another realm destined to vanquish the dark tide and usher in an era of peace and justice unlike any before." His tone conveyed reverence and solemnity, highlighting the gravity of their choice.

"The prophecy came to fruition three millennia past," Seka recounted, "when this hero emerged, defeating the Lich King, only to vanish as mysteriously as he had appeared." Adom listened, absorbing the narrative that bridged historical lore with the present. "Finding sanctuary in the ancient domain of the giants, the Great Salamander Forest, we forged an alliance with the House of Salamander. Their aid was crucial for our survival through the dark times, and in this mutual struggle, we found strength and resilience. In return, a bond of aid was sealed with a single word, 'Ghratak,' a call we Ka'ui would answer without hesitation."

The air seemed to thicken with the weight of history as Seka paused, his gaze piercing Adom. "And that word, uttered by your lips earlier, it has not graced my ears for centuries. It stirs the dust of time and makes me wonder, who, young Adom, was the venerable elder who passed to you such a sacred word?"

Caught off guard by Seka's inquiry, Adom scrambled through his memories for details about Silas, the old soldier. Silas seemed so ordinary, a mere soldier among many, Adom reflected, his thoughts a whirlpool of confusion and curiosity. "His name was Silas, I did not know his family name," he said, addressing Seka. "In this timeline, he might still be alive since the war hasn’t yet begun."

Adom's hesitation was palpable as he ventured further, seeking a connection he had previously overlooked. "Is he... someone you might know?"

Before Seka could respond, another orc, a soldier who had been quietly walking beside them, interjected with a heavy note of finality in his voice. "The House of Salamander has fallen, obliterated in Mandrake under a deceitful treaty over four centuries ago. All its members were either slain or captured. We left no stone unturned in our search, yet found none. If any had survived, they would surely have sought us out, wouldn’t they, Master Seka?"

Seka, stroking his beard thoughtfully, nodded in agreement, his face etched with a blend of sorrow and resignation. The conversation had obviously taken a turn into deeper, more ancient waters of history and mystery.

It was then that Aroth, leading the group, turned to join the conversation, indicating that even he had been listening intently. "Immortal," he called out to Adom, "do you have any notion of where this old man might be now, in our present time?"

Adom felt the weight of every gaze upon him, realizing the significance of his next words. "He mentioned growing up in Old Salamander, but I’m not certain of his exact whereabouts," Adom admitted.

"Well, we'll have to find him, then," Seka mused, his eyes narrowing in thought. "An old man, you said. How old was he precisely when you met him?"

Adom's thoughts raced. He had encountered Silas some 25 years in the future, a timeline where the old man appeared to be in his mid-fifties. This meant that in the current timeline, Silas would be in his thirties, far younger than the figure Adom had described. The discrepancy in age was a glaring issue, especially since Adom had previously claimed to have traveled only five years into the future. Realizing the potential for suspicion, Adom quickly formulated an explanation. "He seemed to be over fifty-five years old, quite active for his age. Now that I think about it, he might have used magic to conceal his true age," he suggested, hoping to deflect any doubts.

Seka nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information. "I see," he responded, then added, "Once we arrive at the village, we may need to inquire further about your knowledge of the future. Time travelers are rare, after all. And while you guard many secrets, you also speak truthfully about certain matters," he said, a knowing wink directed at Adom.

Adom’s eyes widened, realizing Seka had discerned his earlier circumvention of the truth spell. The old orc’s laughter filled the air, warm and understanding. "Don't look so alarmed, young one. I never expected you to reveal everything. But, I must admit, your method to counter my spell was fascinating. A mind so vibrant, yet so enshrouded. Perhaps you could teach this old orc your ways someday?"

Adom swallowed hard, his gaze shifting to Aroth's broad back leading the group. Silence had fallen, punctuated by the subtle sounds of the forest. It dawned on him that despite his relative age and experiences, he was still a novice in the eyes of beings like Seka, who had witnessed centuries unfold. With a soft chuckle, he conceded, "I will, someday."

The group's sudden halt caused Valiant to voice his concern, his normally perky ears now drooping in unease. "Uuh, guys? Everything okay?" he queried, his eyes darting around the unfamiliar surroundings.

Aroth turned, his expression serious, and announced, "We will have to dampen your senses before we proceed." Adom's mind clicked; they were likely at the threshold of one of the hidden portals he had speculated about. This precaution ensured that no outsider could retrace the path to this concealed entrance. While Adom's curiosity surged, desiring a glimpse of the portal's mechanics, his thoughts were interrupted as Seka placed a hand on his shoulder.

"To ensure you won't return here on your own, we need you to be unconscious," Seka explained, his palm exerting a gentle yet firm pressure. Before Adom could react or protest, a subtle electric sensation coursed through him, his body going limp, his senses dimming rapidly into nothingness. The last thing Adom registered was Valiant's alarmed exclamation, "What the fuck?!" echoing in the encroaching darkness of his forced slumber.