Mientras Durin se recuperaba de sus heridas, los médicos examinaron a Alex en busca de cualquier lesión, pero para su asombro, no encontraron ningún daño físico. Parecía estar en perfecto estado, lo que desconcertó a todos los presentes. Lyria, con una expresión de profunda preocupación, se acercó a la cama de Alex y murmuró con voz temblorosa: "¿Por qué arriesgaste tanto, Alex? ¿Por qué lo hiciste?"
Mientras todos esperaban el regreso de Alex a la conciencia, él yacía en un estado de sueño profundo, su rostro tranquilo como si estuviera en un profundo descanso. Lyria, debatiendo consigo misma sobre las decisiones de Alex, se retiró de la habitación en silencio.
Días pasaron sin que Alex mostrara signos de despertar, lo que aumentaba la preocupación en todo el reino. Lyria visitaba a Alex cada día, a veces hablándole en susurros sobre los eventos que ocurrían afuera, compartiéndole noticias de esperanza y fortaleza. Sin embargo, las paredes del castillo parecían contener un eco de incertidumbre y tensión.
Fue durante una de esas noches en vela que Lyria buscó consuelo en la sabiduría de Lord Arion y Elren. Utilizando un antiguo cristal de comunicación, tallado con runas antiguas, Lyria estableció una conexión mágica con ellos. El rostro preocupado de Elren se materializó en el cristal, su voz resonando con determinación mientras expresaba: "Lyria, debemos mantener la esperanza. Alex es fuerte y superará esto".
Lord Arion, con su mirada sabia, agregó: "Elren tiene razón, Lyria. Nuestro destino está entrelazado con el de Alex y el reino. Juntos superaremos estos desafíos".
Lyria asintió con gratitud, sus ojos reflejando determinación y anhelo. "Sé que es así. Pero aún así, cada día que pasa parece una eternidad. Necesitamos una solución, una respuesta que nos guíe hacia adelante".
Mientras tanto, en la profunda oscuridad de las montañas que rodeaban Forjgris, un misterioso eco resonaba, un eco de magia antigua que aguardaba su momento para revelar sus secretos. Este susurro de poder desconocido mantenía a todos en vilo, tanto dentro como fuera del castillo, anticipando un giro en los acontecimientos que marcaría el destino de todos.
Lyria found a quiet moment by Alex's bedside to explain why she had handed over the medallion. "Alex, I made a difficult decision to seek Durin's support for our future kingdom," she murmured, her voice filled with emotion. "I envisioned a new realm where we could reign together, but I never wanted to risk your safety."
Even in his unconscious state, Alex seemed to sense the weight of her words. His brow furrowed slightly, a sign that Lyria's intentions were not lost on him.
Meanwhile, the castle trembled as if forewarning the impending chaos outside. The earth shook as a new threat emerged from the depths of the surrounding mountains. The commander of the putrid demons, a grotesque figure cloaked in darkness, emerged from a newly formed crevice.
"Greetings, pitiful mortals," his voice hissed like venom. "Where is the one who dared to wound me? Where is Elren?"
Renn, standing tall and resolute, stepped forward to meet the demon's gaze. "Elren is gone, demon. You will find no satisfaction here."
The demon's laughter echoed through the courtyard, sending chills down the spines of all who heard it. "Then I shall amuse myself by destroying everything you hold dear until he reveals himself to me. Starting with you, brave warrior," he sneered, his eyes fixated on Renn.
Renn squared his shoulders, drawing his sword with a determined glint in his eyes. "You'll find only your Death since I Renn would end your life here"
As the confrontation intensified, a deep rumbling echoed through the courtyard, signaling the beginning of a fierce battle between Renn and the putrid demon. Renn's sword clashed against the demon's darkened blades, each strike leaving a mark on the demon's grotesque form. With each blow, Renn carved deep scars into the demon's flesh, causing it to snarl in rage and pain.
But the tide of battle shifted swiftly when a single, devastating blow from the demon sent Renn flying backward, crashing heavily against the castle wall. As he struggled to rise, pain etched across his features, the demon chuckled darkly.
"Well, well, this is shaping up to be quite entertaining," the demon sneered, a wicked gleam in its eyes. "It's almost a pity to lose these delightful scars you've gifted me, but I suppose it's time to reveal my true form."
With a sickening twist of magic, the demon's wounds began to knit themselves back together, and its form swelled, becoming even more grotesque and menacing. Its tongue lolled out grotesquely as it leered at Renn, who watched in disbelief and growing alarm.
Renn braced himself as the transformed demon lunged forward with incredible speed, wielding its two daggers with deadly precision. Surprised by the sudden change, Renn swung his sword in a desperate attempt to defend himself, but the demon's dual-dagger assault was relentless, forcing Renn onto the defensive.
"Why rush, dear warrior? Let's savor this moment," the demon taunted, its voice dripping with malice. The commotion drew Lyria's attention, prompting her to leave Alex's side and rush outside, where the clash of battle unfolded before her eyes.
With determination in her heart, Lyria drew her bow, firing arrows at the demon in an attempt to distract or harm it. However, to her dismay, the demon seemed unfazed by her attacks, its attention focused solely on Renn as they engaged in a deadly dance of blades and dark magic. The situation grew dire as their combined efforts struggled to contain the monstrous adversary before them.