The journey back to Valtros was filled with a mixture of exhaustion and triumph. The resonance point they had secured had given them a boost in power, a tangible reward for their efforts, and Ethan could feel the changes within himself. His muscles felt stronger, his senses sharper, and the energy of the Ascendant's Gift seemed more potent than before. But despite the success, he knew that this was just the beginning. The High Continent would continue to test them, and the challenges they faced would only grow more difficult.
Aria walked beside him, her gaze focused on the path ahead, her eyes scanning the forest for any signs of danger. She seemed more relaxed than before, her confidence bolstered by their victory at the resonance point. Kael, however, remained a step behind, his demeanor calm but guarded, as though he was always calculating, always watching.
Ethan couldn't help but feel a lingering distrust toward Kael. The man had proven himself useful, his knowledge of the High Continent and its resonance points invaluable, but Ethan knew there was more to him—an agenda that Kael kept hidden beneath his calm exterior. For now, they were allies, but Ethan was wary of the day when that alliance might fracture.
As they approached the village, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of deep orange and violet. The fires of Valtros flickered in the distance, a beacon guiding them home. Garrick stood waiting at the edge of the clearing, his expression a mixture of hope and worry. When he saw them, his face broke into a relieved smile.
"You made it back," Garrick said, stepping forward, his eyes sweeping over them. "And you seem... different. Did you find the resonance point?"
Ethan nodded, his heart swelling with pride. "We did. It's secure now, and we managed to gain some power from it. The village is safer—for now."
Garrick's smile widened, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you. You don't know what this means to us." He gestured towards the village, where the other villagers had gathered, their expressions a mix of curiosity and admiration. "Come, the people want to hear about what you found."
Ethan, Aria, and Kael followed Garrick to the fire pit at the center of the village. The crowd of villagers parted to let them through, their eyes wide as they took in the sight of the three of them. Ethan could feel the weight of their gazes, the hope they held for him, for all of them. He knew that they had placed their trust in him, and he was determined not to let them down.
"We found the resonance point," Aria began, her voice clear and steady. "It was guarded by a creature—something strong, something dangerous. But we fought, and we defeated it. The resonance point is secure now, and the village is safer because of it."
A murmur ran through the crowd, the villagers exchanging glances, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and relief. Garrick stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "These three have done more than we could have hoped for. They've protected us, given us a fighting chance. We owe them our gratitude."
Ethan felt a warmth spread through him at Garrick's words. It wasn't the energy of the Ascendant's Gift this time—it was the warmth of knowing that they were making a difference, that they were helping people who needed them.
As the crowd began to disperse, Garrick pulled Ethan aside, his expression serious. "There's something else," he said, his voice low. "While you were gone, a group of strangers arrived at the village. They said they were participants in the Conquest, like you. They seemed... different. They didn't cause any trouble, but they're staying at the edge of the village. I thought you should know."
Ethan frowned, a knot of unease forming in his stomach. "Did they say what they wanted?"
Garrick shook his head. "No. They kept to themselves. But I have a feeling they're waiting for you."
Ethan glanced at Aria and Kael, both of whom were watching him, their expressions curious. He nodded at Garrick, his mind racing. "Take us to them."
---
The strangers were camped near the edge of the village, their tents set up in a small clearing. There were four of them—three men and a woman—all wearing clothing that had clearly seen better days. They looked up as Ethan, Aria, Kael, and Garrick approached, their expressions a mix of curiosity and caution.
The woman stepped forward, her eyes locking onto Ethan's. She was tall, her hair pulled back in a tight braid, her gaze sharp and assessing. "You're the ones who've been securing the resonance points?" she asked, her voice calm but carrying an underlying edge.
Ethan nodded, his eyes meeting hers. "We are. Who are you?"
The woman gave a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "My name is Lyra. We're participants, like you. We've been traveling through the High Continent for a while now, trying to survive. We heard about you from some of the other villages we passed." She paused, her gaze flicking to Aria and Kael. "We're not here to cause trouble. We just want to talk."
Aria stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. "Talk about what?"
Lyra's smile faded, her expression turning serious. "About alliances. About survival. The High Continent is growing more dangerous every day. The resonance points are valuable, but they're also targets. If we're going to make it through this, we need allies—people we can trust."
Ethan glanced at Kael, who was watching Lyra with an unreadable expression, then back at Lyra. "And why should we trust you?" he asked, his voice cautious.
Lyra sighed, her gaze softening. "I know you have no reason to trust us. But we're not your enemies. We've been trying to survive, just like you. We've lost people—friends, allies. We're not looking for more bloodshed. We're looking for a way to end this, to find a way out."
Ethan studied her for a moment, his mind racing. He could sense the desperation in her voice, the weariness in her eyes. He knew what it felt like to be lost, to be searching for hope in a place that seemed determined to crush it. He glanced at Aria, who gave him a small nod, her eyes filled with determination.
"We'll talk," Ethan said, his voice steady. "But know this—we're not afraid to fight if we have to. If you cross us, you'll regret it."
Lyra nodded, her eyes meeting his. "Understood. We just want a chance—a chance to survive, like everyone else."
Ethan felt a flicker of something—hope, perhaps—at her words. The High Continent was a place of trials, a place that tested them at every turn. But maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to survive together. To build something that went beyond the Conquest, beyond the endless struggle for power.
For now, they had new allies, and with them, new challenges. The journey ahead would not be easy, but Ethan knew that they would face it together.
The High Continent was unforgiving, but it was also a place of opportunity—a place where strength could be forged, where alliances could be built, and where hope, however fragile, could still exist.