he air remained heavy. The energy that seeped from the cave where Karips was sealed spread like an invisible shroud, thick and oppressive. The ancient village, once home to the transmorphans, lay in utter silence—no signs of life, no buzz of insects, no call of birds. Nothing but dry wind weaving between forgotten homes.
Max stood still at the cave's entrance, eyes fixed on the darkness within. His lips moved quietly, repeating the same words over and over, like a forgotten prayer:
— Purify... exterminate... Mine... mine... Karips is mine...
He took a step forward, deeper into the village. Dry leaves cracked beneath his boots, followed by brittle twigs that snapped under his weight. Each sound echoed sharply, isolated—as if the entire world had fallen silent to listen to his footsteps. With every step, the silence grew more oppressive.
Only two more steps remained before crossing into the cave, when a desperate voice broke through the stillness—uncertain, trembling:
— Max?! Max, is that you? Is it really you, brother?
His eyes cleared. Confused, Max turned around. There stood Soleya, with Clara and Jack behind her on horseback. His sister's voice had stirred memories buried deep within him.
He slowly approached them, gaze locked on Soleya.
— Is it you, Soleya? Is it really you... sister?
Clara stared at Max in stunned disbelief.
— Max...
Without hesitation, Soleya and Clara dismounted and rushed to him. They threw their arms around him, holding him tightly. Soleya was crying, overwhelmed by emotion and still aching from the loss of Kravons. Her voice came out broken, trembling with grief:
— I missed you so much... Why did you have to leave me?
Max wrapped his arms around them both, pulling them close. Eyes shut, he whispered, voice thick with emotion:
— I never stopped thinking about you. Every time I was on the brink of death, I fought to stay alive—for you. I kept going, always hoping I'd see you again.
Clara placed a steady hand on his shoulder, speaking with the calm firmness of a mother comforting her child.
— It's okay now. You're here with us. You're safe. Just breathe, alright?
Jack, watching them, began to struggle for air. His breathing was weak, shallow, his eyes dimming. With effort, he spoke:
— Not trying to ruin the reunion, but... we need to get out of here. I can't breathe...
Clara began to feel the same. The air grew denser, harder to inhale. Soleya staggered, her face pale. Max alone breathed normally, unaffected.
Clara rasped, her voice cracking:
— He's right. If we stay here, we'll die. We need to leave—now.
Soleya, barely conscious, whispered faintly:
— What... what's happening...? Why can't I breathe...?
With effort, they climbed back onto their horses. Max lifted Soleya into the saddle and mounted with her. In silence, they rode away from the cursed village, leaving the cave—and its suffocating power—behind them.
As they rode, Max kept his gaze fixed on the cave's entrance. His fists clenched. Something deep inside still pulled him toward it—but he resisted.
Once they reached breathable air, Jack turned to Clara, still shaken:
— What was that...? What the hell was that place?
Clara took a long breath, her expression tight with worry.
— Whatever's causing that... it started seventeen years ago. No one knows why. But whatever happened back there... it's not something good.
She turned to Max, her tone more serious now.
— By the way... how did you end up there? You knew it wasn't safe. Why go into that village?
Max answered, honestly:
— I was being chased by elves. I had nowhere else to go. It was the only place I could lose them.
He hesitated for a moment.
— And... where's Mom?
Clara sighed.
— We still don't know where Zury is. But she's with Nicia and Lion. We need to find them. She has to know you're alive, Max.
---
Cut to... Northern Gíria – Forest
The wind swept through the tall trees, cool and calming, a stark contrast to the tension hanging in the air. Nicia walked alongside Zury and Lion as they moved cautiously through the forest.
Nicia glanced at Lion, concern in her voice.
— Lion... When Zury tried to find you, she said she sensed something near you. Who else were you with?
Lion looked at Zury before answering:
— Actually... I was with her son. With Max.
Zury frowned, irritation rising. She didn't hide her disbelief.
— What are you talking about? Stop saying nonsense, Lion.
Nicia cut in firmly:
— How about we listen to what he has to say first?
She turned toward Lion.
— Are you sure about this?
— I'm sure. I asked his name, and he said it was Max. He also mentioned Soleya...
Zury's eyes widened. Her heartbeat surged. She stepped toward Lion quickly, grabbing his shoulders.
— Where is he?! Where's my son?
Lion fought to keep his composure, but tears streamed down his face.
— I'm sorry. When I blacked out... he vanished. When I woke up, he was gone. I don't know where he went.
Zury shook him, her voice pleading:
— You have to remember! You have to tell me where he went!
Tears ran freely as she held onto him, desperate. Nicia stepped in, pulling her back.
— You need to calm down, Zury...
She turned to Lion.
— Are you sure you don't remember anything?
— I don't know where he went... but I know one thing: he's not okay.
Zury wiped her tears, still tense:
— What do you mean? What's wrong with him?
Nicia added:
— Can you explain it better, Lion?
Lion paused, searching for the right words.
— From the moment I met him, he kept repeating the same words... over and over. Even before he vanished, he was still repeating them.
Nicia stepped closer.
— What words?
Lion's voice dropped, the word uneasy in his throat:
— Karips.
---
Cut to... Western Gíria – Black Elven Castle
In a dark cell, Kareos sat still, eyes fixed on his own hands. His stare had changed—darker, distant—as if something inside him had shifted. Shadows clung to the edges of his vision.
Suddenly, a sharp pain struck his head. He gripped the bars of the cell tightly. The metal groaned, bending slightly under his strength. Then, just as quickly, the pain vanished.
Kareos exhaled, releasing the bars and stepping back. His eyes remained dark, glowing with something unnatural. And then, a whisper escaped his lips:
— Finally... finally.
---
To be continued...