The aftermath of the Goleth fight settled heavily in the clearing, the silence only broken by the group's labored breaths. Elara leaned against a tree, catching her breath and glancing at Benji, who stood nearby, his usual grin replaced with an unusual somberness.

Ashar wiped a line of dirt from his cheek and turned to Callan.

"What… was that thing?" he asked, repeating Elara's earlier question.

Callan, still steadying himself after the battle, glanced at the pile of rubble that was once the Goleth. He sheathed his sword slowly, looking thoughtful.

"That, Ashar, was a lesser Goleth," he said, his tone grave.

"It's one of the lowest grades of monsters, created when corrupted earth fuses with dark energy. Though Goleths are the weakest of the creatures, they're still deadly if underestimated."

Elara furrowed her brow.

"If that was the weakest… what else is out there?"

Callan's eyes scanned the forest edge, as if wary of something lurking just beyond sight.

"A lot worse. Monsters like the Goleth exist in ranks, divided by power, intelligence, and resilience. Their forms differ based on their surroundings and the type of corruption within them. The stronger ones… well, they're far more than just mindless brutes."

Ashar took this in, crossing his arms as he glanced at the remains of the Goleth.

"So, are they all created the same way? Corrupted earth and dark energy?"

Callan shook his head.

"Not exactly. Monsters like the Goleth are tied to elemental forces; earth, stone, things in nature. But as you go up the ranks, you start finding creatures with entirely different origins and abilities. The more powerful ones can harness magic-like attacks, and some can even regenerate like living beings. There are even creatures that can control fire, wind, or water."

"Higher up," he continued, "are monsters that possess some level of intelligence. They can strategize, learn from past battles, and even communicate, though it's more of a dark, primal language. Those are the ones we truly need to worry about. They aren't as numerous, but they make up for it in sheer power."

Benji, who had been watching them with a quiet intensity, finally spoke up. "The high-ranking ones… I've seen them," he said, his voice lower. "Trust me, even a dozen Seekers wouldn't be enough to take down one of those. They're called 'Malakims.' And they are deadly." His eyes flickered briefly to Elara, as if to reinforce the gravity of his words.

Elara nodded slowly, her gaze hardening.

"But… if they're so powerful, then why haven't they wiped out everything?"

Callan shifted uncomfortably.

"They're rare, thankfully. But Malakims and creatures close to their level are usually tied to specific locations. Ancient places, like ruins, caves, and other areas of dark magic."

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Ashar frowned.

"So we might run into more of them if we keep going?"

Callan nodded.

"Exactly. Especially if you're near areas where the Veil is thin."

They all fell silent for a moment, letting the weight of Callan's words settle over them. But Ashar's curiosity hadn't yet been satisfied. He looked back at Benji.

"You said that even Seekers couldn't face one of those things. What about people like us, with marks?"

Benji's eyes flickered with an unreadable expression, but a shadow of a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Depends on how many marks you have, and what kind. Callan's right, monsters are graded based on power. People with marks… well, there's a hierarchy there too."

Ashar raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Hierarchy? Of marks?"

Elara looked between them, her face pale but alert.

"I thought one mark was all someone could have."

Benji chuckled softly.

"For most people, yes. But not all. As far as we know, each mark grants two abilities. If you have more than one mark, you unlock more. There's also a… transformation, of sorts."

He paused, as if deciding how much to say.

Callan, who had been listening with clear interest, gave Benji a quizzical look.

"So… there's a limit?"

Benji's smirk grew.

"No one's quite sure where the limit is. But yes, marks can appear more than once on certain people. Each mark represents an elevation in strength. And for every additional mark, a person gains a new title within their class."

Ashar's brow furrowed as he absorbed this information.

"Titles? So, there's a… ranking system for people with marks?"

Benji nodded, glancing at Callan as he explained.

"Exactly. For instance, someone with a single mark might be called an Adept. They're new to their power, still learning. When they earn a second mark, they might evolve into a higher title within their class, like a Weaver or a Savant, depending on their class. Each class has its own unique progression."

Ashar could hardly contain his curiosity, his mind racing.

"And what about you, Benji? How many marks do you have?"

Benji's gaze turned steely, and for a moment, his usual carefree demeanor faded.

"I've got two," he said quietly, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air.

Elara's eyes widened.

"So… you're… a higher-ranked…?"

Benji shrugged, his usual smirk returning.

"You could say that. The mark comes with its own set of… complications. More marks means more power, but it also means the abilities are harder to control."

Callan crossed his arms, eyeing Benji with new interest.

"And… the Seekers? Do they follow the same rules?"

Benji shook his head.

"No. Seekers don't bear marks. Their powers are granted through other means, artificial bonds with the Void. The more powerful ones are called 'Inherents,' and they can control certain dark abilities, but it's nothing like the power of a mark-bearer. Seekers use people with marks for… other purposes."

Ashar felt a chill run down his spine at Benji's words, but he couldn't help but be intrigued. He'd thought the Seekers were the ultimate threat, but now it seemed they were only a piece of a much larger puzzle.

"So," Callan began, looking between Benji and Ashar,

"if the Seekers want people with marks… why don't they try to create their own?"

Benji's smirk grew even darker.

"They can't. They're bound to the Void, and the Void rejects the natural power of marks. It's part of the reason why they're so desperate to control people who have them."

A heavy silence fell over the group, the implications of this new knowledge weighing heavily on them. Elara broke the silence, her voice soft but resolute.

"Then… it's all the more reason we need to stay strong. To survive."

Ashar nodded, his resolve strengthening. He had no idea where this path would take them, but he knew one thing for certain: he wasn't just fighting for survival anymore. He was fighting for understanding. For the power he barely comprehended. And, perhaps, for something greater than himself.

Benji looked at him, something dark and unreadable in his gaze.

"Remember this, Ashar. Every mark you gain, every title you reach… it comes with a price."

Ashar met his stare, unflinching.

"Then I'll pay it."

The words hung in the air, heavy with conviction. For the first time, Ashar felt like he was beginning to understand his path, even if it was lined with shadows.