Kalos looked up in search of the mysterious beings Arcturus referred to.

He flew up and a gradually increasing speed before rushing toward the white infinite that lay before him.

He shot through Nesrafaar before reality distorted again.

His speed didn’t change as he broke through the veil.

Everything then went dark and Kalos found himself unable to breathe.

Kalos looked around, but all he saw and felt was nothing.

For as far as his magic reached, he couldn’t hear or see anything except himself.

Kalos then realized that he was in the void which his father described.

“Mmm?” A voice hummed.

“What do we have here?” It asked.

The voice echoed for some reason in the nothingness.

“It would serve you well to keep within the confines of your world, blue one.” The voice said as Kalos floated in the nothingness.

“Lest you lose your way.” The voice said before leaving Kalos alone in silence.

Kalos tried breathing, but there was nothing for him to breathe.

He eventually sensed something in the void. He quickly floated to where it was, to find that it was a tiny magical thread.

It led nowhere, but Kalos was sure that it was from Nesrafaar.

Kalos grabbed the space in front of the nothingness before him and pumped an extreme amount of magic into it.

The chord became more visible and tangible as Kalos continued to pour magic into it.

Kalos then grabbed the cord and pulled it. A portal then opened in front of him.

He dove in head first before finding himself back in Nesrafaar.

He took several deep breaths and noticed that the elafriá were still invading the mortal realm.

Kalos wondered who the voice he heard in the void belonged to. Its existence proved to Kalos that there was more to the world than the three realms, but Kalos lacked the means to confirm if those beings were a threat.

Kalos then made up his mind. He was only going to help those who were strong enough to protect this world if the beings of the void turned out to be evil or destructive.

Kalos completely ignored the elafriá who tried to attack him as he returned to the little camp.

He landed gently and entered the barrier to find a smiling Crimwal.

Kalosýni’s heart shook as he saw Crimwal walk about. The two noticed each other and Crimwal silently smiled as everyone else noticed Kalosýni’s presence.

“Back so soon? How did it go?” Raymond asked.

Kalos sighed before sitting on a nearby makeshift chair.

He then explained everything that happened to him in Nesrafaar.

“Mmm.” Raymond let out an understanding drone as Crimwal sat by his side.

“So you plan on testing mankind?” Neelae asked and Kalos nodded.

“Isn’t that a bit harsh?” Neelae asked.

“I don’t think so. If Kalos is right, then there are bigger threats for us to worry about.” Peeta said.

“Yes. From a tactical standpoint, we’d fare off much better if we had actual soldiers. As they are right now, humans are far too weak.” Raymond said.

Neelae lowered her head, but Kalos placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t worry. I plan on aiding them as best as I can without interfering in their trial.” Kalos said as he walked towards the barrier's wall.

“Where are you going?” Raymond asked.

“I will act as an observer. I’ll watch over them over the coming period.” Kalos said as he turned to leave, but Eevana ran towards him before kissing him on the cheek.

Raymond also noticed that Neelae had something on her mind.

“If you have something to say, now’s the time,” Raymond said.

“I want to help too,” Neelae said hesitantly.

“Oh? I thought you had chosen to abandon the way of the knight.” Raymond said.

“I did, but that doesn’t mean I’ll allow myself to watch as innocents die,” Neelae said.

“Ok, so what do you want to do in your quest to help?” Raymond asked.

“I want to kill as many elafriá as possible,” Neelae said but Kalos shook his head in response.

“I don’t think that would be good. Remember what we are trying to do. If you save too many of the weak, then we’ll be back to square one.” Kalos said.

“I know, but think about all of the people who are going to die,” Neelae said, but Kalos crossed his arms.

“If those people do not have the power and resolve to protect themselves or their loved ones, then they are better off dead,” Kalos said bluntly.

Silence enveloped the barrier.

Raymond then felt something tugging on his arm.

“Don’t you think the boy is being a bit cold?” Crimwal asked.

“He is, but think about this from his perspective. He is the strongest one here. He will protect whoever he chooses to protect and unfortunately that doesn’t encompass all of mankind. However, he is being merciful enough to aid them so I think we should leave him be.” Raymond said.

“Ok, but shouldn’t you be out there? You did cause all of this.” Crimwal said, but Raymond scratched the back of his head in response.

“No. I’m not leaving your side and I’m not letting you go anywhere near the elafriá. So… there.” Raymond said.

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Neelae walked up to Kalos and took a deep breath.

“Ok, but can I at least defend Tolman? There must be an alternative to letting almost everyone die.” Neelae said.

Kalos sighed before nodding.

Neelae ran and grabbed some supplies Raymond had prepared for her before following Kalos out of the barrier.

Raymond fell onto his wooden log of a chair and heavily sighed.

“I still don’t understand why you can’t just go out and kill all of the elafriá,” Crimwal said as he took a sip of tea from one of Kalosýni’s special flasks.

“Kalos has a plan and I don’t want to intervene. Well… that’s the easy answer. Also, in Kalosýni’s plan, at least some of the elafriá get to survive.” Raymond said as cold winds blew beyond the barriers walls.

“Mmm…” Crimwal droned.

“Is it truly that or are you scared of opposing Kalos?” Crimwal asked as Raymond stared into the campfire’s flame.

“Both.”

.

..

Kalos flew towards Tolman with Neelae in hand. She was protected against the harsh winds by one of Kalosýni’s barriers, but once he dropped her off in Tolman, she’d be on her own.

Kalos slowly descended toward the mountain town.

He gently landed and saw that the elafriá had yet to make their move on Tolman.

Many of the buildings he vaguely remembered still stood and knights could be seen marching about.

Kalos gently landed and placed Neelae on the ground as several knights approached him with their weapons drawn.

They then noticed that Neelae was standing right in front of them, but she had lost her rank and so they were a little confused on how to react.

“Head knight Neelae, what are you doing back here? I thought the order… killed you.” One of the knights said as they kept their distance from Kalos.

“I was excommunicated from the order, yes, but I come here, not as a knight…” She then snuck a glance at Kalos who wasn’t paying attention to her. He was instead setting up a barrier around Tolman.

Everyone felt the change in temperature and the snow slowly began to melt.

“… but as a human who wants the continued survival of our kind,” Neelae said and all of the knights dropped their weapons.

“Sorry about what happened, head knight.” One of the knights said.

“Don’t worry about the past. Oh and you can call me Neelae.” Neelae said as she followed the knights who led her towards their barracks.

Kalos flew into the air.

The barrier he erected only altered the temperature of Tolman. It didn’t provide any other protection.

Satisfied with his work, Kalos then flew towards Eslaf. He saw that the city was in a state of ruin as elafriá eerily hung over the city.

Kalos floated above the city before erecting a barrier above it.

This would protect any survivors from the harsh winter winds.

Kalos then realized that Llendor was probably under attack, but Llendor was also full of nasty people. Kalos realized that some of those people might be strong or had the potential to become strong.

He groaned as he flew towards the filthy town.

Some time passed and he eventually reached Llendor. He didn’t want to spend too much time there, so he quickly created a barrier and flew away.

Even as dozens of elafriá flew above the dark town.

Kalos flew high into the sky and gazed upon the world in which he lived.

He wasn’t letting the elafriá attack because he wanted to.

Kalos felt the need to make humanity stronger and he was willing to cull the weak for his goal to be met.

He looked up and thought about what Kraeven said.

At some point in all this, Kalos would have to lose his powers.

Kalos shot across the sky as he witnessed all manner of destruction.

He then descended to the ground as the moon shone through the clouds.

Kalos then took a deep breath.

[Kraeven! I want to talk!]

Kalos yelled in the old tongue and it wasn’t long before particles of darkness gathered before him.

The forest seemingly trembled as Kraeven, Taeana and Divon appeared.

“Well? Is it time?” Kraeven asked, unable to hide his impatience.

“Mmm… about that… can’t we just go with the plan where I rip a hole from Nar' Agrun to Nesrafaar?” Kalos asked as he raised his four arms in a questioning manner.

Kraeven’s face twisted into a scowl as he walked up to Kalos.

He then took a deep breath, calming himself in the process.

“Do you know what’s at stake? Our entire world could collapse if we don’t fix the power balance.” Kraeven said as he gently placed his hand on Kalosýni’s shoulder.

“I know, losing your power sounds bad, but think about it from my perspective. If I don't- if we don’t do this. We’ll all die. Oh and think about it this way, you may not even die at all.” Kraeven said.

Kalos sighed before looking north.

“You know what? Let’s go talk to my dad about this.” Kalos said as he flew into the air.

Kraeven and his entourage disappeared in a black cloud of smoke as Kalos flew to the camp where Raymond awaited.

Kalos landed just outside the camp and called out to Raymond.

“Dad!” Kalos called and it wasn’t long before Raymond arrived.

“What is it?” He asked.

“It’s Kraeven. I think we should go through with his plan.” Kalos said.

“I thought you said that you didn’t want to die,” Raymond said as a cloud of black smoke appeared beside them. From it emerged Kraeven and his entourage.

“I know, but there’s one other person I’d like to consult,” Kalos said as Kraeven walked up to Raymond.

“Ugh. This realm is in shambles. Come now, we must act quickly.” Kraeven said as Kalos sat down on the cold snowy ground.

“What’s he doing?” Kraeven asked.

“I’m going to take a nap,” Kalos said as he closed his eyes.

“We do not have time for this!” Kraeven yelled as particles of darkness gathered around him.

Raymond summoned his white armour, created a fosblade and pointed it at Kraeven’s neck.

“Listen, Kraeven. My son is more than willing to go along with your plan, but I suggest you be a little more patient. Especially when you consider what we’re about to do.” Raymond said as he practically stabbed Kraeven.

A thin line of black blood ran down Kraeven’s neck as he slowly raised his hands.

“Sorry. It’s just-"

“I know. You want to save the world, but give Kalos some time.” Raymond said as he lowered his sword.

Kraeven sighed as he looked at the napping Kalos.

His power levels were at their highest, yet his control over it hadn’t diminished.

Kraeven trembled before the boy who seemingly had sway over the very fabric of reality.

.

..

Kalos awoke in a certain dark forest.

His quickly raised his arms, shielding his eyes from the blindingly bright blue light in front of him.

"Hey!" Kalos called out.

He could almost see something in the light, but it didn't respond to his cries.

"Who are you?" Kalos asked before falling to his knees as visions of a certain hill flashed in his mind.

He watched as a his dream self awoke and like before, he left a certain cave only to he confronted by two dark beings.

Kalos bit his teeth.

He wondered why the identities of the two beings were being obscured.

He wondered who the being within the light was.

Kalos felt a sharp pain in his mind as his dream self suffered countless injuries at the hands of the dark being.

His vision slowly faded, although the pain persisted.

.

..

Kalos woke up and took deep breaths before quickly standing up.

“Calm down, son. Are you ok?” Raymond asked as he held Kalos.

“Yes, I’m fine,” Kalos said as he looked at Kraeven, who had an impatient expression.

“What did you learn?” Raymond asked.

“I feel as though this has happened before. I’m not sure how, but what we’re about to do ends with me being alone in the cave we saw in my dream.” Kalos said as he stretched.

“So…?” Raymond asked.

“Sorry, Kraeven. My dad and I aren’t giving up our powers.” Kalos said.

Kraeven tilted his head.

“What?” Kraeven asked as his face twisted.

“No. No! NO!” Kraeven yelled.

“Calm down. We’ll find another way.” Kalos said as he reached his hand out to Kraeven, but Kraeven walked away as particles of darkness gathered around his body.

“Dammit!” Kraeven yelled as a whirlwind of darkness gathered around him.

Raymond readied himself for battle.

Kalos did the same.

“I’m tired of this!” Kraeven asked as his body was covered in dark armour.

Kalos didn’t hesitate as he zapped toward Kraeven with Reu drawn.

Kraeven’s body froze as black blood sprayed out from his neck.

“What have you done?” Taeana screamed as she charged towards Kalos, but Raymond dashed towards her before kicking her in the face, sending her flying backwards.

He followed her into the forest as she crashed through several trees before ripping off one of her arms. She screamed as she threw black fireballs at Raymond, but they had almost no effect.

Raymond raised his fosblade but hesitated. Taeana was Eevana’s sister after all.

Raymond sighed before cutting her legs off. She cried out into the night as her body was coated in her blood.

Raymond then carried her back to where Kalos was, only to find a headless Divon on the ground.

Raymond dropped Taeana before sighing again.

“What do we do now-“ The ground rumbled as Raymond spoke.

Both he and Kalos could feel the unimaginable amount of darkness as it made its way toward the mortal realm.

Kalos flew up and saw numerous gigantic red portals in the ground. From them, spewed tens of thousands of dark beings.

Kalos dropped down to Raymond as dark tentacles reached out to Kraeven.

Kalos did his best to chop them up, but he couldn’t stop their darkness from reaching Kreaven.

Kraeven’s head then slowly reattached itself to his body before Kraeven let out a gasp.

“Arrg! You bastards!” Kraeven yelled as his body was pumped with even more darkness.

Kalos charged up Reu to its limits before slashing away at Kraeven’s body.

A massive thunderbolt of magic hit Kraeven head-on, disintegrating his body in an instant.

This also created a canyon sized hole in the ground, but Kalos paid it no mind.

Particles of darkness started gathering where Kraeven’s body once was.

“You cannot kill me! Nar' Agrun will not let me die until I take my rightful place on the throne of the lords and you know what? I tried. I tried to do this peacefully, but you just wouldn’t sacrifice yourself for the greater good. Now I will show you the cost of your selfishness.”