Kal woke up inside the Star Refuge with a voice shouting his name. He opened his eyes and saw Pudin with tear-filled eyes over his body, screaming for him to wake up. Kal stood up and noticed that all the spirits were around him.
"What happened?" asked Kal, still disoriented.
"You were fine, but suddenly you collapsed. I thought you had died..." said Pudin in a trembling voice.
Immediately, Wise Sage Ogan approached Kal. "It seems you somehow managed to touch part of Astaruin's spirit, my young man," said Ogan, his tone serious and impressed.
"It seems so, suddenly I was before a vast and crystalline sea, with bright stars that filled the skies, and she was there," Kal responded.
Hearing this, all the spirits around Kal became even more impressed. "You achieved something none of us achieved, my young man. Astaruin has been sleeping for half a century and you are the first to speak to her. Not even I, who have been here for over two hundred years, had this luck!" highlighted Ogan, explaining the sudden interest of the spirits in Kal.
"Why do you think she appeared to me?" asked Kal, still trying to process the experience.
Ogan paused for a moment before responding. "Astaruin's connection to this place and its inhabitants is deep. Perhaps she sensed the danger we are in and chose you as the messenger. Your spirit must have resonated with hers, and that is no small thing."
Pudin, still close to Kal, wiped her eyes, turned to the spirits and added, "This is my disciple Kal, you all know I was the one who taught him to meditate like this." she said in a funny way turning to Kal again. "Thank you for not abandoning me and for this... incredible connection with Astaruin." Pudin completed.
Kal, feeling a mixture of humility and determination, nodded. "I'm just glad I could help. But we need to do more than just wait. Astaruin told me that to preserve life in this forest and maintain peace I would need to find Nin as soon as possible, she is not just Astaruin's daughter, but a representation of her will, without her Astaruin's awakening can destroy this entire forest!"
The spirits around him murmured in agreement, their faith in Kal growing stronger. Kal knew finding Nin would be very difficult, but with the support of the Star Refuge and his new connection to Astaruin, he ignored his desire to restore his connection to his own spirit and was determined to set out on this new quest.
Determined, Kal tried to stand up, but when he leaned his metal arm on the floor, it slipped and he fell. Looking at his prosthesis, he saw that it was in pieces.
"When you used Astaruin's starlight over Anubis and his demonic wolves, something strange happened," explained Ogan. "In the middle of the silvery light of the stars, a pulsating golden beam increased the force of the light, making it much more powerful. It seems your mechanical arm could not withstand such energy and broke apart when you collapsed."
Kal realized that the golden stone that Aura had placed in his arm had also fallen apart. He imagined that some of his own mana, which was in the stone, had fused with the dragon of the stars'. This thought gave Kal more strength to continue. He believed that if he fulfilled Astaruin's mission, he could somehow restore the connection to his own spirit.
Despite the situation, Kal stood up determinedly. "I need to find Nin," he said, looking at Ogan and Pudin. "If she is the key to restoring balance, then I cannot waste any more time."
Pudin, still with a worried expression, approached Kal. "We will go with you," she said firmly. "I and some of the spirits will help you. You do not need to do this alone."
Ogan nodded in agreement. "This forest is our home, and we will do everything we can to protect it. Together, we will be stronger."
Kal smiled, feeling grateful for their support. He knew the journey would be dangerous, but with his new allies by his side, he had hope they could succeed. With new determination, Kal began preparing for the voyage, aware that finding Nin would be crucial to saving the forest and, perhaps, for his own redemption.
While Adonis continued selling his wares in the bustling market of Zoarlath, Arphaxad was finalizing the purchase of the last items on the list. At lunchtime, he entered a tavern to eat. The environment was noisy, with various groups of people talking and drinking.
Arphaxad sat in a quiet corner and ordered a simple meal. While waiting, he began to overhear the conversation of the men at the next table. They were speaking in loud and animated tones about the mercenary Hwin's underground arena.
"Did you see last night's fight?" one man asked enthusiastically. "They put two demi-human slaves to fight a starving wyvern!"
Another man responded with laughter: "Yes! It was spectacular, but ended so quickly. The wyvern devoured them within seconds!"
Arphaxad felt a knot in his stomach upon hearing the cruelty of that conversation. He observed the men laughing, lamenting at the same time as they took amusement from the brutality and inhumanity of the event. It filled him with disgust. The vile nature of the people in this place disturbed him deeply.
When his food arrived, Arphaxad ate quickly, barely able to savor the meal. With every bite, the men's words echoed in his mind, leaving him more agitated. He finished eating as fast as possible and left some coins on the table, standing up to leave the tavern.
Outside, he took a deep breath, trying to calm down. The injustice and cruelty he had witnessed there reinforced his determination to help those who were suffering. He needed to find Adonis and tell him what he had heard. Perhaps they could do something to help the victims of Hwin's underground arena.
With quick, decisive steps, Arphaxad made his way through the busy streets of Zoarlath, returning to where Adonis was selling his wares. The visions of enslaved people in chains and the misery that permeated the capital of the Duchy of Saladon still haunted him, but he knew he could not give up. There was much work to be done, and he was determined to do his part.
Arphaxad returned to Adonis' tent, carrying the last items on the list. "I got everything we needed," he said, handing the items to Adonis.
Adonis nodded in thanks and said, "Excellent, we'll leave tonight." In the neighboring tent, Catoni, the old craftsman, simply nodded positively to Adonis, as if consenting to his departure. Adonis returned the nod with an understanding gesture.
While helping Adonis organize the items, Arphaxad commented on the underground arena he had heard about in the tavern. "They put slaves to fight against monsters, Adonis. It's inhumane! I cannot accept this."
Adonis looked seriously at Arphaxad. "Our task here is simple, Arphaxad. We cannot risk more than this. We need to return home safely."
Upset, Arphaxad retorted: "Is this how you want to live the rest of your life? Turning a blind eye to the wretchedness this place has become?"
Adonis firmly responded: "We'll leave tonight, with or without you. Family always comes first."
Seeing tensions rise, Catoni approached to calm spirits. "There are many kinds of battle, young man," he said, looking at Arphaxad. "You must discover which is yours." Then, turning to Adonis, he added: "Remember, you can change the world if you know how."
Arphaxad handed the rest of the items list to Adonis and said: "Thank you for bringing me here, my mission is to watch over Kal, but I am not the kind of man who turns his back on such things. I know I'm probably being impulsive, but it's what my heart demands. Please take this back and tell Kal that if I don't return within a week, he can go back to Nannu without me."
Adonis was surprised by Arphaxad's decision. For a moment, his heart burned with the desire to help the people of that place too. However, as the most faithful and dutiful of Hadon's seeds, he always followed King Hadon's orders 100%. As much as he wanted to stay and help, returning home to Hadon's house was his priority.
He looked at Arphaxad with a mix of admiration and concern, and said, "I understand your decision. Take care, Arphaxad. May the gods protect you."
With that, Arphaxad prepared for the difficult mission ahead, while Adonis and Catoni bid their farewells, ready to face the next stages of their own journeys.
In the late afternoon, before saying goodbye to Arphaxad, Adonis requested one last favor.
"Could you help Catoni carry his tent to his house? That way we can say goodbye to his granddaughters as well."
Arphaxad readily accepted. He wanted to properly say goodbye to everyone at Catoni's house before venturing into the dangerous underground arena. Together he and Catoni dismantled the tent and carried the remains of the day's crafts. Meanwhile, Adonis went to the stables to ready his horse for the return trip home to Hadon's forest house.
Upon arriving at the house, Catoni invited the two young men to a last supper. "Why don't you eat with me one last time? After all, I may not get another chance to do this."
Catoni's granddaughters, Hilda and Hella, greeted Arphaxad and Adonis with smiles. All sat around the table, where a simple but flavorful meal awaited them. Catoni served everyone a hot soup, and the girls cheered in joy at being able to eat soup that night. Adonis and Arphaxad remembered the feasts they had had at Hadon's house but noticed the happiness in small things.
Arphaxad, moved, said, "You are all so happy with so little. It is truly inspiring."
Catoni smiled and replied, "Happiness lies not in great things but in simple ones. It is something I have learned over the years."
After supper, Arphaxad helped Catoni clean the kitchen while Adonis talked with the girls. When all was ready, Catoni called everyone to the living room for a last moment together.
"I want to thank both of you for your companionship and help," said Catoni. "Remember, no matter where you are, always follow your hearts and do what is right."
Adonis and Arphaxad agreed, feeling inspired by the old craftsman's words. With one last hug to the girls and a warm farewell from Catoni, the two young men departed for their destinies. Adonis mounted his horse and began his journey back to the forest house, while Arphaxad mentally prepared for the dangerous mission to come.
Thus, with heavy heart but determination, Arphaxad bid farewell to Catoni and his family, promising himself he would do all he could to help those suffering under Saladon's cruel regime.
Arphaxad and Adonis greeted each other one last time. "I do not know if we will meet again, so it was an honor to be in Hadon's house with all of you," said Arphaxad.
Adonis squeezed his hand and nodded positively, displaying a smile wishing the young warrior well. It was now night and dark; the alleys of the ghetto where Catoni lived were even darker. Adonis, still holding Arphaxad's hand, only wished him good luck again.
As the young Arphaxad turned to leave, he heard Adonis murmuring: "Arcane Magic of Fourth Circle: Deep Sleep!" As he turned, Arphaxad saw Adonis conjuring a sleeping spell over him. The young man felt a deep sleep overtaking him and could not stand. "Why?" Arphaxad asked Adonis before falling asleep on the floor.
As Arphaxad lay on the floor, deep in slumber, Adonis leaned over him with a cold look. "You know too much; I cannot risk letting you be captured!" said Adonis, justifying his action.
Then, he dragged Arphaxad to the young man's horse and tied him securely. With his own horse, Adonis pulled Arphaxad's horse back to Hadon's house. He knew this was the only way to ensure everyone's safety, even if it meant betraying his friend's trust.
Meanwhile, at the edge of the forest, twelve mercenaries prepared to enter. They dismounted from their horses before entering the dense woods. Among them was Dash, Kopa's nephew who had escaped the forest, and the leader of the mercenaries himself, Hwin. "You really do know where this place is, don't you?" asked Hwin with a threatening, nasty voice, quite different from the tone he had used when speaking to Saladon. "Yes, sir, I'll lead you there!" finished Dash, clearly nervous.
The mercenaries slowly entered the forest, their silhouettes disappearing among the trees as the sun began to set. Hwin, with a grotesque, malignant smile, was the last to enter, walking calmly. "Fortune smiles on me once more," he murmured to himself, savoring the anticipation of what he would find.
The men advanced cautiously, following Dash's directions. Every snapped twig and movement in the shadows put the group on alert, while Hwin seemed more confident with every step. He knew that if they found what they sought, the reward would be valuable. The desire to capture and sell the inhabitants of that mysterious forest shone in his eyes, fueling his ambition and cruelty.
As they deepened into the forest, the air grew denser and darker, the vegetation thicker. Dash led the way, his heart pounding fast with the pressure of guiding the mercenaries without error. Each step seemed heavier, every breath more difficult. He knew a mistake could cost him his life, but the promise of survival drove him forward.
The mercenaries followed attentively, their weapons ready for any sign of danger. The hostile environment seemed conspiring against them, but Hwin was not intimidated. His confidence was unshakeable, his thirst for power insatiable. He was determined to capture those hiding in the forest and reap the fruits of his cruelty.
Thus, the hunt continued, ever closer to Hadon's house.