The Call of the Void

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As Boern and Arielle are silently escorted to their horses, the weight of powerlessness settles upon Boern's shoulders. He clenches his fists, grappling with the stark reality that, despite his Ethernite nature, tonight he wishes he were anything but. While his people boast enhanced strength and durability, they are not immune to the pervasive influence of the world's magic.

The enchanting yet treacherous Garden of Memories fades into the distance as they mount their horses, leaving behind the fiery aftermath of Lord Aesthelstan's malevolent display. In the quiet journey through the sprawling lands of Loakanarê, Boern reflects on the limitations of his Ethernite heritage. His proud identity as a warrior shaped by Mother Nature clashes with the harsh reality that even creations of nature can become instruments of destruction.

As the rhythmic hooves of their horses echo a sombre melody, Boern contemplates the deeper questions of purpose and consequence. Was this what Mother Nature intended? A cycle of unending wars, a discord that marred the beauty she birthed? The weight of his thoughts mirrors the heaviness of the night.

Boern shook his head contemplating the challenging conversation that awaited him upon their meeting with the dark king who had already begun the march toward Loakanarê. The dark king, his best friend, might be a formidable and intimidating leader but, beneath that exterior lay a man who cared deeply for those under his command. The death of his warriors, that he no doubt had already felt, his umbrakinetic energy had been intertwined with all those who he had taken in. His power was not merely destructive but also bestowed an enhanced strength unto those who would let him and his darkness in.

The words of Lord Aesthelstan ran around his head, he had destroyed the scrolls. The dark king will stop at nothing to find out the entirety of the prophecy, and now the lord of Pyrokinesis will only have stirred the pot unnecessarily, how could he risk the lives of his people like that?

"Look!" Arielle exclaimed, diverting Boern's attention from his contemplations. Ahead of them, the dark king's army had assembled in a menacingly vast camp. The moonlight bestowed an ominous glow upon the extensive encampment as if weaving a haunting melody through the shadows.

Arielle absorbed the scene unfolding before her, the memory of the beautiful Garden of Memories fleeting through her mind. She yearned to freeze that moment before everything unravelled, the enchanting memories dancing in the air like ethereal faeries, crafting beautiful melodies with their whimsical presence. Wishing she could return to that serene time, savouring the delectable fruits and carelessly wandering through the vibrant garden, the current foreboding sight churned her stomach with sickness. Swiftly, she shook off such thoughts, berating herself for entertaining such notions. How could she entertain such desires in the same place the lord had murdered those warriors?
He was just protecting his kingdom, her thoughts countered and before she could form a response Boern called out over his shoulder to her, it seemed that while she was lost in thought he had continued the now short journey to the camp ahead.

"Are you coming or planning on admiring the scenery all night?" Boern's gruff voice interrupted her thoughts and Arielle quickened her pace to catch up to him.

As they approached the king's camp, a sentinel accompanied by his formidable Echowraith stood as silent guardians watching over the king's camp. The Echowraith emitted a low growl, a warning that echoed through the air, signalling their proximity. The creature resembling a formidable dog, the size of a large horse, with a ghostly white/grey coat adorned with delicate intricate patterns, gazed at them with eyes reflecting the moon's ethereal glow, its three tails elegantly flicking behind it. Its canines were bared, and large ears twitched with acute sensitivity, capturing every sound in the vicinity. Elegant curved horns adored its head. A mesmerising yet terrifying presence.