THE HISTORY REPEATS

The Final Battle

"What do you mean by the final confrontation?" inquired Nat, perplexed.

"Indeed, it's Croclus against me, but the crucial query remains: where can he be found?" Key pondered aloud. "He lies in wait within the depths of Dara's forest," Paul disclosed.

"Wait, what?" Key interjected, taken aback.

"Croclus has taken refuge in Dara's forest. Unless we act swiftly and decisively today, Key, humanity may face its ultimate demise," Paul gravely warned.

"Oh no! Our family's safety hangs in the balance!" Mends exclaimed, his worry evident.

"Precisely, they are all in grave peril. Please, lend me your ears, my friends. I shall transport you to Dara's forest, yet I am unable to accompany you. Destiny deems it unfit for any blood kin to stand by the side of the sword's rightful heir during the impending showdown. With an air of determination, Paul addressed the group.

"It is now in your capable hands, and I have every confidence in your victory. I will rally everyone and do my utmost to regain control over Croclus's formidable army," he assured them, pulling them close for an affectionate embrace.

Key, however, voiced his concern. "But Paul, I still don't have the sword of honour," he confessed, his tone filled with worry. In response, Paul revealed, "He possesses it now. You must retrieve it before proceeding."

Cally interjected, reminiscing about a past conversation they had. "Remember Nat, when you were in the hospital? Lars warned you that if Key ventured into Subterra, your life would be in grave danger,"he recalled. Carefully choosing his words, Paul offered reassurance. "Lars's intention was only to instill fear in Nat. Time is of the essence, let us not delay any further."

They ventured forth for a considerable distance, until Paul came to a halt. "Press on resolutely. This passageway leads directly to Dara's forest. May fortune favor you abundantly. You are our sole beacon of hope," articulated Paul, bidding a heartfelt goodbye to the quartet.

Four of them cautiously navigated through the passage, enveloped in an unsettling darkness. Key conjured a fireball to illuminate their path. Mends curiously questioned why they had not entered this way initially, given its simplicity.

Key calmly responded, "We could not access this route before."

For the next few minutes, there was silence. From a distance, they could see sunlight breaking through the darkness of the path. "Let's hurry there," said Key. The four of them began running towards it.

As they walked, a wave of sadness enveloped them, as if all happiness had vanished. "What's happening? I feel like crying," said Cally, his  voice filled with despair. "I feel the same way," replied Mends, his tone heavy with melancholy. "It's because of Croclus," Nat informed them, recalling Ciara's warning from the previous day. "Whenever you're near Croclus, a palpable sadness emanates." Key interjected, "We must be cautious and vigilant as we proceed together as a group. And keep your voices low and try to be as quiet as you can."

"What's the plan?" asked Cally. Nat glanced at him and replied, "Obviously, we're going to confront Croclus."  "You guys will create a distraction from a distance while I get close and try to take the sword." Said Key . As they continued walking silently, Nat interjected with concern, "No, we should all stick together." "It's too perilous, and I cannot bear the thought of losing any of you, who are so dear to me."Key replied back as he silenced them all with a hand gesture.

"Did you hear that?" exclaimed the puzzled Mends. Curiosity piqued, he inquired, "Hear what exactly?" Key, with a sense of urgency, responded, "Listen closely." Suddenly, a resounding voice reverberated through the dense forest.