North of Gíria
Lion was trapped inside his own mind — a vast space, entirely white. In front of him stood a colossal dragon-like figure. Its shape was not fully visible, as if it, too, were made of light, but the eyes... the eyes glowed with a piercing white intensity.
With a trembling voice, Lion spoke:
— You said... that I would become a complete dragon. Does that mean... I'll stop being human? Will I lose my form?
The figure replied with a deep, honest voice:
— Exactly. You will shed this fragile body. You will return to what you truly are. You will become... what you've always been.
Lion clenched his fists, his face tense, full of confusion and denial.
— And what if I don't want it? What if I refuse it all?! What happens then?
The entity didn't hesitate. Eyes firm, voice like stone:
— That's impossible, Lion. You cannot run from what you are. Your human body is doomed to fade. As your memories return and your powers awaken, you will ascend — and your human form will vanish. You will become nothing but the dragon you've always been.
Lion stepped forward, furious:
— I never asked for this! Do you hear me?! I have a friend who's like family to me! I would NEVER abandon him! I won't let this happen. I will NEVER become a complete dragon! Are you listening to me?!
The creature responded with a cold, serene tone:
— You don't choose your destiny. Nor does time bend to your will. Lion... you are not human. Nor elf. Nor shapeshifter. You never were. You are the dragon. And you always have been.
Before Lion could answer, the light exploded around him. Everything went dark.
He awoke, lying on the ground, breathing heavily, gasping. He screamed:
— NO! I won't be you! You're wrong! I won't be you!
His voice lowered to a whisper.
— I won't become him...
He sat up slowly. The forest was quiet, isolated. The wind rustled through the leaves as if time itself had paused.
He looked around.
— Max? — he called. — Max?! Where are you? We have to keep going!
But Max was gone.
Lion fell to his knees, pressing his hands to his thighs, staring at the ground.
— Dammit... where the hell did you go, Max?
---
West of Gíria – Black Elven Castle
Valtherk sat upon his throne, spinning a small piece of metal between his fingers. His gaze was distant. The black elves around him stood like living statues, motionless.
The door opened. Nelan entered and knelt before him with respect.
— Father... forgive me for making you wait.
Valtherk replied with a firm voice:
— Rise, my daughter. Tell me... did you find the sorcerer?
— Yes, Father. I've brought him here.
Valtherk smiled, satisfied.
— Excellent. Bring him in.
Nelan signaled outside the chamber:
— Let him in.
The doors opened once again.
Kareos entered. His eyes, black as night. He walked straight toward the throne... without kneeling.
— Kneel! — Nelan barked, furious.
But Kareos, his voice arrogant and distant, replied:
— I refuse.
Nelan drew her sword.
Valtherk raised his hand, his voice booming:
— Stop right now.
Then he lowered his tone:
— There's no need to kneel, my child. But I didn't expect to see you like this. You feel it, don't you? The pure, immense power of Karips. You feel it, don't you?
Kareos staggered. A sharp pain pierced his head. His eyes returned to normal. He looked around, disoriented.
— Where... where am I? What did you do to me?
Valtherk answered coldly:
— I see you're still resisting. But the more you resist... the more it will hurt. This will destroy you, child.
Kareos stared at him with rage.
— Who are you?
Valtherk stood from his throne. He walked up and gripped Kareos' chin tightly.
— I asked myself that question for centuries. But I found the answer. I am Valtherk. Son of something greater. Something that, even in death... remains perfect. More perfect than any human. Purer than any flawed race.
He leaned in, voice intense:
— I am the son of Guenorl. And you, my child... carry the gift left by him. You sealed Karips. And that mistake... is unforgivable.
Kareos pushed him away in anger.
— You're no salvation. You're the disease.
— Your sin — said Valtherk — is that you exist. You were born impure. And now... you poison the world with that impurity.
— Go to hell! — Kareos shouted. — You are the true curse!
— Enough talk. — Valtherk glared. — Tell me where Karips is.
---
North of Gíria – Forest
Clara, Soleya, Jack, and Alex rode in silence. The mood was tense.
Jack broke it:
— That Kareos guy... he's not okay, is he?
Clara answered without looking:
— It doesn't matter anymore.
Jack pressed on:
— But his eyes... they looked different. Like a black elf's. Do you know what's happening to him?
Clara was silent for a moment, then replied coldly:
— No more questions. Got it?
— Alright... sorry.
Soleya rode quietly. Her thoughts still haunted by Kravons' death. A tear slid down her cheek.
Jack moved his horse beside hers.
— You okay?
She wiped her face quickly.
— Just dust in my eye. It's nothing. Stop asking, please...
Jack muttered under his breath:
— Everyone's in a bad mood today...
---
North of Gíria – Forest
The forest was still. The chirping of insects blended with the whisper of leaves.
Lion was walking, distracted, until he tripped over a hidden root and rolled down a small hill, landing among dry leaves.
He got up slowly, brushing himself off — and then saw...
Nicia and Zury, riding past on horseback.
— HEY! Nicia! Zury! I'M HERE!
But they didn't hear.
Panicking, Lion grabbed a long branch. A makeshift spear. He glanced at it, breathed deep.
— Screw it...
He threw the spear. Unknowingly, his eyes glowed white. Energy surged into the branch.
The spear shot forward, piercing three trees before lodging deep in a fourth.
Nicia pulled her horse to a stop, startled.
— What was that?!
Zury turned back.
— Look! It's Lion!
They turned around and rode to him.
Lion, still in shock, stared at his hands.
— What the... hell was that?
Nicia embraced him.
— Thank the gods. You're alive!
Zury approached.
— Are you okay?
— Not really... — said Lion. — Something's wrong with me. I hear voices. I see things. There's one voice... it keeps repeating, "Guenorl has returned. Guenorl has been reborn." But... I don't even know who Guenorl is. Am I going crazy?
Nicia swallowed hard.
— How many times have you heard it?
— Maybe six... maybe more.
Zury exchanged a look with Nicia.
— That doesn't sound like a hallucination.
Nicia tried to reason.
— And those... visions? Can you describe them?
— It happened when I passed out. Everything was white. And there was... a dragon. He said Guenorl had returned. That if I didn't stop him... the world would end.
The two women froze, their voices trembling.
— Lion... — Nicia whispered. — That wasn't a dream.
— Maybe it was the dragon... warning him — Zury muttered.
— If Guenorl really is reborn... — Nicia added — ...it won't be long before he finds Karips.
---
North of Gíria – Former Transmorph Village
The air was heavy. Burnt ruins surrounded them. Silence reigned. No animals. No wind.
Max stood before the cave where Karips had been sealed. His blackened eyes stared at the entrance.
The energy was suffocating.
He chanted, entranced:
— Purify... exterminate... impure races... Karips is mine. Karips is mine. Karips... is mine...
---
To be continued...