James's heart pounded in his chest as he raced through the dimly lit corridors of the castle, the urgent call for his team echoing off the stone walls. "Cassie! Everyone, to the library, now!" His breath came out in ragged gasps, but he didn't slow down. The weight of what he had discovered bore heavily on him, and time was of the essence.

Bursting through the library doors, James skidded to a halt, his boots screeching against the wooden floor. He scanned the room, taking note of Felix's still form standing over a table, a tired smile etched into his features. Cassie stood beside him, her hands hovering above his body, her eyes closed in deep concentration.

"James, what's going on?" Mila asked, concern across he body. The rest of the team had assembled around them, their faces a mixture of anxiety and confusion.

"Something's happened to Felix," James replied, swallowing hard. He stepped closer, examining the bard's petrified state. Felix's eyes were wide open, fixed on some unseen horror, and his skin was unnaturally pale and stiff.

"Is he..." one of the team members hesitated, "dead?"

"No," Cassie murmured, her voice barely audible. "But I can't heal him. It's like whatever's done this is resisting my magic." She looked up at James, her blue eyes filled with desperation. "What did you find?"

James ran a hand through his short, brown hair, his mind racing as he recalled the information he had uncovered. He couldn't help but feel responsible for Felix's plight. If only he'd shared his findings sooner...

"Everyone, listen," he began, his voice cracking slightly. "I've discovered something that might explain what's happening to Felix –" A sudden thought struck him, and he clenched his fists. "But we need to act fast."

"Tell us what you know," Cassie urged, her eyes never leaving Felix's face.

"Alright," James took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. "When we where in the Illusion Keep and found a message that I believe is connected to what's happening to Felix. It...it said, 'Infect to make stronger. To blur the mind. To replicate fears.'"

The room fell silent as the team digested this information. Their eyes flicked between James and Felix, their expressions growing graver by the second.

"Are you saying Felix is infected by something?" Mila asked, her voice tense.

"Maybe," James nodded. "I don't know exactly how it connects, but it could be related to the strange occurrences we've been experiencing lately."

"Then we need to do something!" Cassie exclaimed, her eyes brimming with tears. "We can't just stand here while Felix suffers!"

"Of course not," James agreed, his resolve hardening. He had seen firsthand the devastating effects of similar situations during his time when assigned to search and rescue; he knew how important it was to act quickly and decisively. "We need to find the source of this infection and put an end to it."

"Let's split up," Mila suggested. "James, you and I can go back to the Illusion Keep and investigate further. The rest of you, stay here and keep an eye on Felix. If there are any changes, let us know immediately."

"No it is not there," James nodded, already formulating a plan in his head. One of the last things Felix pointed out was there was a diffrence of the map he gleamed and the one here in the royal library. As he glanced one last time at Felix's petrified form, he steeled himself for the challenge ahead.

The dim glow of candles flickered against the ancient tomes lining the library walls, casting eerie shadows on James' solemn face. He stood at the head of a long wooden table where the team had gathered, his hands gripping its edge with white-knuckled intensity.

"Guys," he began, his voice strained. "I owe you an apology. There was something I saw in the Illusion Keep that I didn't share with you earlier." His fingers tightened around the table's edge, the wood groaning under the pressure.

"James, what are you talking about?" Cassie asked, her concern evident in the creases that marred her usually serene expression.

He took a deep breath before continuing, his eyes locked on the flickering flames. "I found a message there, written in a language I couldn't understand at first. But now...now I can translate it."

"Wait, what?" Mila interjected, her brow furrowing. "How did you suddenly learn to translate it?"

"Not that I translated it was in spanish, a diffrent language from my world. Hell I do not know how I am speaking in yours or if my brain is translating. The note it took me time to figure out the message as I really suck at spanish my kids are much better at it than I," James replied, his jaw set. "What matters is the content of the message. It could be connected to Felix's condition and everything else that's been going on."

"Tell us, then," urged Liam, leaning forward in anticipation.

"Alright," James said, swallowing hard. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if bracing himself for the revelation. "The message says: 'Infect to make stronger. To blur the mind. To replicate fears.'"

Leona spoke up" Yes! you told us that." getting impatient. James paused for a moment" The Heros the original mission we where to help them. I think they some how scarred the dark force or power or what ever it is with this message for any other world travelers. It seems like this dark what ever is something more a kin to something in my world. Trying to explain it completly would be futile but it kind of sounds like a computer virus."

A heavy silence fell over the group, broken only by the distant crackle of burning logs in the fireplace.

"A what?!?" spoke in confusion and anger from Leona.

"James, how does this relate to our situation? To Felix?" Mila questioned, her voice barely a whisper, cutting through the stillness.

"Think about it," he replied, turning his gaze from the candles to meet her eyes. "Felix has been petrified, and we've been experiencing a series of bizarre incidents. It could be that this message is the key to understanding what's happening."

"Are you saying Felix is somehow...infected?" Cassie asked, her voice quivering with emotion.

"Maybe," James admitted, his heart heavy with the weight of his words. "But we can't know for sure until we investigate further. We need to find the source of this infection and put an end to it."

"Then let's do it," Mila declared, her determination shining through the gloom. "We'll find a way to save Felix and stop whatever is causing this chaos."

"Agreed." James nodded, his eyes ablaze with newfound resolve."This tells us a few things first but it is on the edge of my mind but I am not catching it... I wish JR was here this would be more in his wheel house.Let's get to work," he said firmly. And with those words, the team sprang into action, each member driven by their shared desire to uncover the truth and restore order to their world.

The dimly lit library held a somber atmosphere as the last echoes of James' explanation faded away. Shadows danced across the worn pages of ancient tomes, casting an eerie glow on the faces of his friends. He could see their shock and concern mirrored in their eyes, as they struggled to process the message he had just shared.

"Wait," Cassie said, her voice trembling slightly. "You're saying that this...infection, it's meant to make people stronger? But how does that even work?"

James sighed, feeling the weight of their gazes upon him. He recalled the countless talks he had from his kids it was all on the edge of his mind, searching for answers in the depths of human knowledge. Now, here, faced with the unknown, he felt an unsettling mix of excitement and fear.

"From what I've gathered," he began, running a hand through his short, brown hair, "it seems like this infection is designed to prey on our fears and manipulate our minds. It might enhance our physical abilities, but at the cost of our mental stability."

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"Like a double-edged sword," Mila murmured, her brow furrowed in thought.

"Exactly." James nodded, his muscular arms crossed over his chest. "And if we don't find a way to stop it, we could lose ourselves in the process."

His words hung heavy in the air, the severity of the situation settling over them like a suffocating fog. They stood there, frozen in their thoughts, until Cassie finally broke the silence.

"James, how can this be related to Felix?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

He hesitated, reluctant to voice his suspicions. But he knew they needed to face the truth, no matter how painful. "It's possible," he admitted, "that Felix was infected, and his petrification is a result of the infection's progression. If that's the case, we need to find a cure before it's too late."

The team exchanged anxious glances, the weight of their responsibility bearing down on them. They had fought countless battles together, but this enemy was unlike anything they'd ever faced.

"Then we need to get to the bottom of this," Mila declared, determination flickering in her eyes. "We'll do whatever it takes to save Felix and put an end to this infection."

"Agreed," James said, his voice firm. He knew they could rely on each other, that their combined strength would see them through the darkest of times. And so, with renewed resolve, they set out to unravel the mystery and restore balance to their world.

A thick tension hung in the air as James considered his words carefully, fingers drumming against the ancient tome that held the cryptic message. The library's dim candlelight cast eerie shadows on Felix's petrified form, making it seem even more unnatural than it already was.

"Alright," he began, drawing a steadying breath. "This infection could be designed to prey on our fears and weaknesses, which would explain the strange occurrences we've experienced lately." He hesitated for a moment, reluctant to share his next thought. "As for Felix... it's possible that his age has caught up with him, using the last of his strength to gather this information for us."

"His age?" Mila interrupted, her brow furrowed. "I never knew Felix was old."

"Neither did I," Cassie added, her voice wavering. "But if that's true, we need to act fast."

"Right," James agreed, shifting his focus to the dark power map spread out before them. "The Savage Lands are marked on this both maps but only this part on Felixs map, but not on any official royal maps. It could be the source of this infection and the key to reversing Felix's condition."

"Then we have no choice," Mila declared, determination burning in her eyes. "We need to investigate the Savage Lands and find a way to save Felix."

"Agreed," Cassie chimed in, her voice full of resolve. "We won't let our friend down."

As they all nodded in agreement, James couldn't help but feel a familiar surge of camaraderie. Despite the uncertainty looming before them, he had faith in their collective strength. They had faced countless challenges together, and this would be no different.

"Before we embark on this journey," James said, his voice steady and confident, "we must prepare ourselves – mentally and physically. We don't know what we'll face in the Savage Lands, but we must be ready for anything."

"Agreed," Mila echoed, her gaze fixed on the dark power map. "We'll gather our supplies and weapons. We'll be ready."

"Good," James replied with a reassuring smile. "Let's do this – for Felix."

As they began making preparations for their impending mission, James couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility upon his shoulders. He resolved then and there to bring all his skills and knowledge to bear, to decipher the secrets lurking within the foreign message and save their friend from an uncertain fate. Together, they would face the unknown and emerge victorious – for it was in unity that their true strength lay.

The sun rised slowly in the sky, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets as James and Mila set off for the Savage Lands. The air was thick with tension, the weight of Felix's frozen state settling heavy on their hearts. Behind them, the remaining team members stayed to monitor Felix's condition, a solemn vow etched onto each of their faces.

"James," Mila began, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "are you truly confident that we'll find answers at the ley line?"

He could see her piercing green eyes searching his face for reassurance, the wind whipping her raven hair about her shoulders. James took a moment to consider her question, his own doubts clawing at the edges of his mind. He recalled the countless of talking and studing while on earth– every piece of knowledge he had accumulated over the years – and finally, he nodded.

"We have to try, Mila," he replied, determination etched in his features. "For Felix."

Mila nodded, her jaw set in fierce resolve, and together they continued onward.

The Savage Lands loomed before them, its ancient stone walls radiating an eerie sense of foreboding. As they entered, James' keen instincts guided them through the labyrinthine washes and waddis, his eyes darting around for any sign of hidden passages or traps.

"Wait," he whispered suddenly, pressing his hand against a seemingly ordinary section of earth. "I can feel a faint draft coming through here."

Mila raised an eyebrow, impressed by James' perception, and watched as he carefully traced the outline of a concealed door. With a soft click, it swung open to reveal a hidden chamber.

"Resourceful," she murmured, following him inside.

The room was dimly lit, dust motes dancing in the air as they disturbed centuries of undisturbed silence. At the center of the chamber stood a strange device, an intricate network of wires and crystals pulsating with dark energy. James felt a shiver run down his spine as he examined it, his mind racing with the possibilities.

"By the gods," Mila whispered, her eyes wide. "This must be the source of the strange occurrences."

"Indeed," James agreed, his fingers itching to analyze the device further. "But there's more to it than that – look at these inscriptions."

He pointed out the etchings on the base of the machine, which seemed to depict a swarm of orcs emerging from its depths. The words 'infomas Brutas' were scrawled beneath the figures, and James couldn't help but feel dread clawing at his chest.

"Infomas Brutas," he murmured, the realization dawning on him. "These orcs aren't just any ordinary foes – they're clones, sharing their knowledge upon death. That's why they keep getting stronger."

Mila paled at the implication, her grip tightening on her weapon. "We need to destroy this device, James. And quickly."

"Agreed," he nodded, his mind already formulating a plan. As they prepared to dismantle the device, James knew that every ounce of his resourcefulness would be needed. He steeled himself for the task ahead, determined to save Felix and put an end to the growing orc threat.

For in the face of adversity, James Patterson was nothing if not resourceful – and he would see this battle through to the bitter end.

"Stay close," he whispered, igniting the torch and illuminating the narrow corridor before them. Shadows danced on the stone walls, revealing intricate, ancient carvings of battles long past. James felt a shiver run down his spine, as if the weight of history bore down upon them.

"James! Look out!" Mila's voice cut through the eerie silence like a knife, her warning coming just in time as a colossal Brutas lunged at him from the darkness. Its mottled green skin was covered in scars, evidence of its numerous battles. The orc snarled, revealing jagged teeth that dripped with venomous saliva.

"Damn it!" James cursed, barely dodging the beast's powerful blow. He rolled to his feet and braced himself, his heart pounding in his chest. Beside him, Mila sprang into action, her sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. But this Brutas was different – faster, more cunning – and it anticipated her every move.

"Focus on its legs!" James called out, remembering that most of the Dawn Guard always aimed for the head and hopefully this trick would work. He retrieved a small, makeshift explosive from his pack and hurled it at the orc, momentarily distracting it with a deafening blast. Mila seized the opportunity, her blade finding purchase in the creature's sinewy calf.

"Ha! Got you!" she cried triumphantly, but the Brutas merely roared in anger, swiping at her with renewed vigor. James could see the strain in Mila's eyes as she parried each blow, her muscles trembling from the relentless assault.

"James..." she grunted, sweat beading on her forehead. He wracked his brain for a solution, his eyes scanning their surroundings for any possible advantage.

"Throw me your sword!" he shouted, suddenly struck with an idea. Trusting him implicitly, Mila tossed her weapon to James without hesitation. He caught it deftly and wedged it into a crack in the wall, creating a makeshift lever.

"Get ready!" he warned, before wrenching the sword downwards with all his might. The stone above the Brutas cracked and crumbled, burying the creature beneath a shower of debris. As dust filled the air, the orc's unearthly roar was silenced – replaced by the heavy thud of its lifeless body hitting the ground.

"Is it dead?" Mila asked, panting heavily. James cautiously approached the fallen Brutas, nudging its corpse with his boot.

"Seems like it," he replied, relief washing over him. "But we need to tell the others about this – about these infomas Brutas."

"Agreed," Mila said, her expression darkening. "This changes everything."

*****

Back at the library, the team gathered around the table, Felix's petrified form standing over his table. Cassie focused intently on the healer's task, while the others listened to James and Mila recount their discovery.

"Infomas Brutas…" mused Leona, stroking her hair thoughtfully. "Clones that learn from one another… This will make our battles even more difficult."

"Indeed," Mila concurred, her eyes flicking to Felix. "But we have to find a way to reverse his condition – and put an end to this threat."

James nodded solemnly at the other end of the small magical device, understanding the gravity of the situation. As the team discussed strategies, he couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility upon his shoulders. "Let's do this," he said firmly, determination etched in his features. "For Felix – and for our world. Well we use to have saying back home sometimes you need a bigger hammer." As James dug out Thartis's blacksmith hammer and just started to swing with all his might at this device. "You two tell me if there is any changes to Felix once I start." As James put his might into destroying the device a flash of light filled his eyes." The small cave was dark, just him and Mila standing there. Their magic comms burned away and there was no entrance or exit to the space. The only fate glow came from a lantern Mila lit as everything was silent.