----Page 22----
The forest was still heavy with the aftermath of battle.
Broken spears lay half-buried in the roots, and the faint shimmer of green light lingered where Merith had vanished.
The trolls, now bound and subdued by her vines, groaned in defeat, freed from their madness but still dazed.
King Aven stood tall, his snow-white feathers glinting faintly.
"Why did you attack our village?"
His voice was low, but carried the weight of command.
The troll chief knelt, vines coiled around his limbs.
"We do not know.." He said hoarsely.
"We were in the mountains. Then humans came, black robes, one with a skull mask. They spoke strange words, and then our minds burned red. After that, we remember nothing but rage."
Tauren frowned, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the troll chief.
"Hmmm… sounds familiar to me. That is a curse, a spell called Berserk. The same one used on me when I was the Guardian of the Mana Spring on Varnash."
King Aven's expression hardened.
"Then whoever controls this spell has already reached beyond the mountains."
I looked down at the fallen trolls, once our enemies, now victims themselves.
If they were controlled, then what else could be? They also did it to Kael. I will never forgive them.
°°°
Meanwhile...
Far from the forest, atop a shadowed cliff, Zerion stood in silence.
His black cloak rippled in the cold air, four hooded figures kneeling behind him, their faint laughter echoing.
"It is fascinating how easily the Berserk spell bends even the weakest." He said softly.
"Even beasts of low intellect become perfect instruments of destruction."
One of the hooded followers approached, dragging a battered figure and throwing him at Zerion's feet.
"Here's the traitor, Lord Zerion."
Zerion's crimson eyes gleamed beneath the bone mask.
"Kael… the beastkin. How fancy meeting you here. I thought you were already dead. You fought one of the Pageborn, summoned by the Chronicle itself, didn't you?"
Kael struggled to lift his head, breath ragged, his once-proud fangs dulled by exhaustion.
"I… I need more power, my lord. This time, I will kill Kinon and claim the book for you."
"Hmm… let me think about it."
Zerion whispered, voice dripping with mock interest.
One of the hooded men sneered.
"Pathetic. A slave acting highly just because he was given a taste of freedom."
Zerion turned slightly, his gaze sharp as the void.
"Enough. Even broken tools have their use, especially when they still hate the right enemy."
He raised a pale hand. Black tendrils of miasma crept from his palm and coiled around Kael's body.
The beastkin convulsed, his screams echoing into the mountains as the corruption seeped into his veins.
Zerion smiled faintly.
"Well.. I didn't expect much on the trolls in the first place. But it's worth trying.. Now that the seed of life was beyond my grasp."
"Yes, Lord Zerion. The village experiments were successful and show great achievements for our future goal." One of the hooded men explained.
He tilted his head toward the horizon where Kinon's light still faintly shimmered.
"…their hope will crumble just like his flesh."
"Even beasts of low intellect become perfect instruments of destruction. The control is precise, as I once cast upon Tauren when he was the Guardian of the Mana Spring, now Tauranus. That memory returns to me. The technique works."
One of the hooded followers spoke.
"Shall we proceed with the next phase, my lord?"
Zerion turned his head toward the kneeling men and fixed Meon with a slow stare.
"Very well, then, Meon. Now that the experiments in that village were merely the beginning. Soon, Vileria will dance to my will. And the power of the Chronicle will soon be mine."
Black tendrils of cold miasma curled from Zerion's palm and wrapped around Kael. The beastkin convulsed as corruption sank into him, a ragged scream ripped from his throat, then stifled by the wind.
Zerion smiled without warmth.
"The trolls were the dress rehearsal. Humans will provide better patterns. Each village, each ruin gives us data. Each wound teaches us how to bend the world to our design."
He looked out toward the distant horizon where the faint light of the Chronicle still glimmered.
"Let the Chronicle call its champions. Let them come. I will learn from them, and then I will break them."
°°°
Before sunset, golden light washed across the sky as we prepared to depart the Avarian village.
King Aven's gaze was calm but resolute.
"You have done much for my people, Kinon. The Avarian will answer your call whenever you need us."
Prince Raga smiled proudly.
"And now, we will take you to Thalorein."
"Eh?? Fly us?.... Ehhhhhh…"
I blurted, earning a smirk from Tauren.
Raga chuckled.
"You will get used to it, land-walker."
Before we left, Princess Viela approached.
"Please accept this," she said softly, holding out a silk-wrapped gift.
"A token of gratitude for saving our home, also for healing me."
"Ah ...Eh ... well Merith, mostly the one who did everything. I haven't done anything to deserve such gift."
"There's no way that's true!"
I unwrapped it carefully. Inside was a glowing, iridescent egg, warm in my hands. I quickly secured it in my magical inventory box to keep it safe.
Arin leaned in.
"What kind of egg is that? Don't tell me it is—"
Thwack! Nivara's fan came down hard on Arin's head.
"That is not what you think, idiot."
"Ow! I was just asking!"
That hurts for sure.
Tauren snorted.
"GaHahaha, that is one of their sacred treasures, human. Handle it with care."
Elder Volka stepped forward, his owl-like face kind and ancient.
"That egg will aid you when the time is right. Protect it well."
As he spoke, the Codex at my side began to hum softly. Its pages glowed, recording the names Viela, Volka, Raga, and Aven.
A wave of light engulfed them.
Their forms shimmered, feathers folding, bodies reshaping into humanoid forms.
King Aven's white plumage gleamed, Raga's golden feathers radiated warmth, and Volka's brown down glowed with wisdom.
I felt a sudden surge of energy. My heartbeat quickened. My vision sharpened, senses heightening beyond reason.
Raga looked over with a grin.
"You feel it too, don't you?"
"Yeah," I said, breathing hard.
"Everything feels clear."
Volka nodded.
"The Chronicle binds us all. Our essence flows through you now, Kinon. I mean, Young Master Kinon."
Great, now more people will call me Master…
I let out a deep sigh.
"Now, Hope in Young Master Kinon we were ready to fly now to Thalorein. Hahaha"
"Now then, Young Master Kinon, we are ready to fly to Thalorein."
Prince Raga said, laughing heartily.
"Hahaha!"
Looks like we really be flying to Thalorein after all.
°°°
By the time we were airborne, the sun had dipped low, casting the forests below in molten gold.
I turned to Raga, who carried me through the clouds. "Prince Raga, what kind of egg did the princess give me?"
He glanced at me, amused. "Too excited? You cannot even wait to see it hatch?"
Eh-heh, well, I am not quite fond of surprises, I thought, scratching my cheek awkwardly.
Raga chuckled. "I suppose telling you will not make Viela mad at me."
"Huh!?" Arin shouted from behind. "Really!? Princess Viela would get mad!?"
"Hahaha, yes. Despite how gentle she appears, when it comes to discipline, she is stricter than even the king."
"Oh, so Lord Aven spoiled her too much!" Tauren said, grinning.
Raga laughed softly. "Perhaps. As for the egg, have you ever heard of the Sunwing?"
"Ohhh!!! Yes! Of course!" I nearly shouted, unable to hide my excitement.
"They are majestic creatures. I saw one once gliding above the peaks when I was a child."
Raga smiled.
"Then you know why it is special. That egg belonged to a Sunwing. Viela befriended one of them. It was given to her to maybe cheer her up during those times she was being succumbed by her illness. But no matter what we try the egg wont hatch."
Inventory open!! I shouted.
And then, a black rift opens up. I inserted my hand trying to grab the egg out.
I looked through the majestic egg in my hand, its faint glow reflecting on my fingers.
"So this little thing might hold a Sunwing within it…"
Nivara nodded.
"A fitting gift for the one chosen by the Chronicle."
Raga smiled again, wings tilting as the horizon darkened.
"Just do not drop it, Young Master Kinon. Even Avarian cannot catch what falls from the sky."
"Hehe, I will try not to," I said, laughing nervously. He is right. My luck with surprises is not great.
We descended fast.
The village below was silent, smoke still curling from its ruins. As we landed, ash drifted around us like snow.
The air was heavy with death.
I walked forward and stopped. There, half-buried in the dirt, was a shard of black crystal, faintly pulsing.
Nivara frowned. "What is that?"
I knelt, staring at it. The edges of my vision sharpened. The faint glimmer in the dirt had drawn me from hundreds of feet above. My Keen Eye skill, enhanced by the Codex recording of the Avarian royalty, had noticed it instantly.
Tauren's tail flicked.
"How did you see that?"
Nivara folded her arms.
"As expected, Master. Your sight has grown keener."
I held the crystal tightly. Pride flickered briefly in me but faded fast.
Did I really gain strength, or am I borrowing power I do not deserve? Why does it feel like every victory moves me farther from my own strength?
I clenched my fist. If I am not truly growing, what am I fighting for?
Raga stepped beside me.
"We will find whoever caused this. Although Avarians doesn't much interacts with humans, but this time we will help"
I nodded silently in agreement, eyes fixed on the ruins. The smell of burnt wood and sorrow lingered long after we left.
If the tyrant hands were involved. Then we needed more help as much as possible.
°°°
And then, out of nowhere..
Merith's wisp appeared briefly before us, shimmering in the green light as it hovers around us. Her gentle voice echoed in my mind.
Kinon, corruption still lingers nearby. A dark miasma festers deep in the forest near the burned village. If left unchecked, it will spread and consume all life within its reach. You must deal with it before it grows stronger.
The wisp's glow returned briefly.
Yes, Merith I can sense it as well that this miasma has to be dealt with immedeately or else..
"So, who shall accompany you Master? If I were the one who will be asked it's better to have Lysera and Tauren to stay. Then the rest of us will go straight to Thalorein."
Rynveil said. For the first time he calls me Master and his suggestions seems to be fair enough.
I nodded, understanding the weight of the tasks.
"Yes your right, thanks Rynveil that helps a lot."
"Oy.... Old man why are you the one whose deciding?" Arin complained.
"No more talk Twig your coming with us."
Arin's face was anxious.
"Are you sure you're okay, Master? I can stay if you—"
"Enough of your drama, Twig. Hop on, we'll be flying now."
Rynveil interrupted again.
"Wait! Master!!!" Arin screamed as she struggled.
Nivara's calm voice reassured.
"If you have trouble, Master, contact me through telepathy."
"Uhm… I will. Don't worry," I said calmly.
Tauren puffed up proudly.
"Gahahaha, don't you worry! Tauranus is here. I'll protect Master Kinon the great guardian!"
I whispered in my mind, Huh… Tauren really gets carried away sometimes.
Prince Raga led the Thalorein-bound team, Arin, Nivara, and Rynveil with him.
I glanced at the forest ahead, the dark miasma swirling faintly in the distance.
We followed the faint hum of the miasma as night deepened. The air grew colder, thicker with every step. Strange sounds rustled between the roots, and shadows twisted unnaturally in the dim light.
So this is the corruption Merith warned about… It feels alive.
Lysera, Tauren… let's move carefully. This corruption will not wait.
Lysera nodded silently, eyes scanning the shadows. Tauren grinned, tail flicking.
"Let's go, Master. Time to show what Tauren can really do. Gahaha!"
The forest hummed and echoed around us, alive yet tense. Everything had changed, and the journey to restore balance was only beginning.
Now… what danger lies behind this thick, corruptive miasma?