Title: Shadow of the Eternal Flame - Chapter 15 : The beginning of the disaster

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Chapter Fifteen The Beginning of the Catastrophe

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....................

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Two days passed...

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Yet time inside the Village of Aros seemed to have come to a halt.

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The training grounds were no longer filled with the sounds of sparring swords as they once were.

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The children no longer ran through the alleys, pretending to be knights.

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Even the wind...

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Moved slowly between the wooden houses, carrying dry autumn leaves that danced through the air for a few moments before settling upon the damp ground.

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The village...

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Was quieter than it should have been.

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....................

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Inside the dark room...

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Khaled was still sitting in the very same place.

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He had not opened the window.

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Nor had he lit the lamp.

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The morning sunlight slipped through the cracks in the wooden walls, drawing faint lines across the floor...

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Yet none of them reached him.

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He sat with his back against the wall.

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His head lowered.

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His eyes fixed upon the floor.

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As though they had lost the ability to see anything at all.

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There was only one voice he could still hear...

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"You have failed, Khaled."

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Then...

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"You did not keep your promise."

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And every time those words echoed inside his mind...

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His fist tightened even more.

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....................

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Meanwhile...

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The scene at the training grounds was different...

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And painful in its own way.

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Abdulrahman stood before a wooden training dummy.

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His hand gripped the sword...

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Yet it did not move.

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Long moments passed...

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Then he let out a heavy sigh.

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And slowly returned the sword to its sheath.

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One of the trainees looked at him in confusion.

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Then asked quietly,

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"Aren't you training today?"

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Without turning around, Abdulrahman answered,

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"No."

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Then he walked away.

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His steps were slow...

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As though every single one made his heart heavier.

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He no longer felt that fire which used to burn inside him every time he held his sword.

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Instead...

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He felt only an unbearable emptiness.

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An emptiness...

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He had never known before.

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....................

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Catalina watched him through the infirmary window.

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She let out a quiet sigh.

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Then returned to her table of herbs.

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Dozens of medicinal plants were neatly arranged before her.

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The scent of wild mint and lavender filled the room.

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She began grinding several herbs inside a stone mortar.

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Then added a rare blue powder.

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Followed by a transparent liquid that emitted a faint glow.

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The mixture slowly stirred...

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Until it became a clear emerald color.

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She carefully poured it into three small glass vials.

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Then sealed them tightly.

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She whispered to herself,

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"I hope..."

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"We'll never have to use these."

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....................

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She stepped outside.

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And found Abdulrahman sitting alone upon the infirmary steps.

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Silently staring at the sky.

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She sat beside him.

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Then extended one of the small vials toward him.

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He looked at it with curiosity.

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She smiled gently and asked,

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"Do you know what this is?"

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He shook his head.

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She replied,

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"An antidote."

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"For poisons... and curses."

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Then she took out the other two vials.

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"These as well."

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"I spent the last two days making them."

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He looked at her quietly.

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Then asked,

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"Why?"

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Her usual gentle smile returned.

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She answered,

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"Try one someday if you ever need it."

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"I want to know whether they really work."

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Then, trying to lighten the mood, she added,

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"And you're the one person I know..."

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"Who always finds trouble."

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She waited...

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Hoping he would laugh.

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Or answer the way he always did.

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But instead...

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He simply stared at the vial.

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Took it silently.

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Placed it inside his bag.

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Then said softly,

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"Thank you."

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He stood up...

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And walked away.

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The smile slowly disappeared from Catalina's face.

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She watched his distant figure.

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Then whispered,

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"Even you..."

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"You've lost your passion..."

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....................

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Far in the northernmost reaches of the continent...

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Where the sunlight barely touched the earth...

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Violent winds howled across endless frozen peaks.

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There stood a magnificent castle...

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Carved entirely from blue ice.

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Its towering walls reached toward the heavens...

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As though they had become part of the eternal mountain itself.

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Inside the throne hall...

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Silence ruled.

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Dozens of commanders stood in perfectly ordered rows.

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Their heads lowered.

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None of them dared raise their eyes.

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At the very end of the hall...

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Stood the throne.

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A throne carved from a single crystal of pure ice.

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Upon it sat...

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A man.

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His long silver hair flowed over his shoulders.

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His royal blue robe swayed gently...

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Despite the complete absence of wind.

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And his eyes...

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Were the color of the winter sky before the snowfall.

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Calm...

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Yet within that calmness...

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Lurked enough terror to silence an entire army.

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It was...

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The Ice King...

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Salman.

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He slowly opened his eyes.

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Then, without raising his voice, asked,

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"Are the preparations complete?"

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One of the commanders bowed.

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"Yes, Your Majesty."

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"The Ancient Gate has stabilized."

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Silence followed for a brief moment.

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Then Salman rose from his throne.

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The instant his feet touched the frozen floor...

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The temperature throughout the hall plummeted.

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Even the soldiers' breaths turned into white mist.

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He walked forward with calm, measured steps.

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Then raised one hand.

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A gigantic magic circle of ice formed before him.

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Covered in ancient runes...

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Whose meanings had long since been forgotten.

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The circle slowly began to rotate.

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Then split open through its center...

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Revealing a glowing blue portal.

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Beyond it...

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Lay a forest...

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At night.

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A faint smile appeared upon Salman's lips.

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Then he said,

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"I will not send anyone..."

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"This time..."

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"I shall go myself."

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He stepped through the portal.

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The elite Frost Knights followed immediately behind him.

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And in the next instant...

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The portal closed.

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As though...

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It had never existed at all.

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....................

Night quietly descended upon the Village of Aros.

The moon was only half full, hiding behind scattered clouds, while the cold wind gently brushed against the branches of the trees, producing a faint rustling sound that resembled whispers.

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On the outskirts of the forest...

Catalina walked alone.

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A small woven basket hung from her shoulder, while an oil lantern in her hand cast its warm glow across the dew-covered herbs.

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Every now and then, she knelt to carefully gather medicinal plants before placing them inside the basket.

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She smiled as she looked at a small blue flower.

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Then whispered to herself,

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"This one will help wounds heal much faster..."

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Before gently picking it.

....................

Only a few minutes earlier...

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Abdulrahman had intended to accompany her.

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He stood outside the infirmary carrying his sword.

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Then said,

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"I'm not letting you go out there alone."

Catalina smiled softly.

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"It's only the nearby forest."

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Before either of them could continue...

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They heard one of the healers calling from inside.

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"Abdulrahman!"

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He immediately turned around.

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"We need your help moving one of the injured!"

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He looked back at Catalina with hesitation.

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She smiled once again.

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"Go."

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"I won't be long."

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He slowly nodded.

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Then entered the infirmary...

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While she continued her journey alone.

....................

The forest was silent.

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Far quieter than usual.

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Even the sounds of the night insects...

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Had disappeared.

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Catalina suddenly stopped walking.

She slowly lifted her head.

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Carefully looking around.

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Then whispered,

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"Strange..."

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"Where have all the animals gone?"

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At that very moment...

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A freezing breeze swept past.

Far colder...

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Than it should have been.

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Every branch trembled at once.

Then...

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A tiny drop of dew froze upon a leaf.

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Catalina's eyes widened.

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"Snow...?"

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She slowly raised her hand.

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A single snowflake landed upon her palm.

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Then another...

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And another.

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Even though...

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It was nowhere near winter.

....................

Suddenly...

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Four men stepped out from between the trees.

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Their armor shimmered with pale blue frost.

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Their eyes were emotionless.

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And a thin layer of ice covered their swords.

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None of them spoke.

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The first merely stepped forward.

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Then said coldly,

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"Do not resist."

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Catalina narrowed her eyes.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8HlwrY1Qn

Then calmly placed her basket upon the ground.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zBahfql9k

And asked,

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBUIP3SefP

"Who are you?"

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5PFq2Qvqv

He gave no answer.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9hReHdJ4Y

Instead...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzNtuT369I

All four charged toward her at once.

....................

Catalina remained perfectly still.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62bIEkS80v

Waiting...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zyOOOZlKz

Until the first soldier drew close.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY49mWLts6

Then she raised her hand.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCDaTryUtQ

A radiant barrier of light instantly appeared before her.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlnw6f9pdj

The soldier's sword crashed against it...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EIyG8EDT5

And shattered.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yF8dL5sNf

His eyes widened in disbelief.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDMxwK4jH0

In the next moment...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX4RsyUh8s

A wave of brilliant light burst outward.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCO2P8Ly5L

Throwing the other three soldiers backward.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujc4ucSaYO

One of them leaped from atop a nearby boulder.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAYQeNclKR

But dozens of glowing threads wrapped tightly around his legs.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB6xkHCEhu

Sending him crashing violently to the ground.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQJl6UQbhW

The fourth attempted to attack from behind.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJLGkhPAeQ

Yet Catalina spun around instantly.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKliyAd19S

Striking him in the chest with her staff.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9uaHLRClg

He collapsed unconscious.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE3SE16n2q

She calmly looked at the four defeated soldiers.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf0EtTQNbM

Then took a slow breath.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKg69iGTHG

And quietly said,

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVDERjmP9C

"If you're merely scouts..."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNuzzOoFb3

"Then where is your commander?"

....................

Silence.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijh7cYXZA2

Then...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIMXO9UWdE

The sound of footsteps.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4H6myazaY

Slow.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimDcVR7P8J

Steady.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNUbwtazRa

Without the slightest hint of urgency.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnl8adJobv

A man emerged from the darkness.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW3Xz6RmJ8

He wore no armor.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXZC1AVuzp

Only an elegant royal robe of deep blue that swayed gently with the wind.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTWHcqTW3o

His long silver hair flowed across his shoulders.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2wYdzmoi0

His eyes...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31MKVxX63c

Were as calm as a winter sky.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv0TEQf6Kw

Yet beneath that calmness...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQyj6y6WPH

Lurked a lifeless cold.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsa6n5zjw0

The wind itself stopped.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVn5TEp3k4

As though the entire forest...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAR3H99FQu

Had begun watching him.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUB2gqDMJT

He glanced briefly at the unconscious soldiers.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlppw5Gdw6P

Then looked back at Catalina.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprYHSdl1ia

Finally, in a calm voice devoid of all emotion, he said,

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV8Jbf8n5u

"Enough."

....................

A chill ran through Catalina's entire body.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn0lDxlErb

His voice was not loud.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgYLFiuo10

Yet...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX6Npk4wHt

It carried a presence unlike anything she had ever experienced.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklZaOUNXgr

She tightened her grip upon her staff.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUrKKnKzDY

Then cautiously asked,

"Who are you?"

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RE70UTWzd

The man calmly raised his eyes toward hers.

Then answered simply,

"I..."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TKtJIIVP9

"Am Salman."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzvcDbLxmb

"The Ice King."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHHv3jRoez

Catalina's eyes widened.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l1KH3ZYsk

At that very instant...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh0gpjE8RX

She remembered the stories the Sage used to tell.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UAeUwgOpl

The king who never left his frozen kingdom.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQP903fbjM

The king before whom mountains themselves fell silent.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2t2oXF2Qz

The king beneath whose snow...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPu92SJAZj

Entire armies disappeared...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvEAa0Uv6x

Without him ever raising his voice.

....................

She tightened her grip upon her staff.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MRX0dYxsY

Then unleashed dozens of spears of light toward him.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPA7IySU79

But...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJI3raPE9c

Before they could reach him...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIeDWX5iiZ

Every single spear froze in midair.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHOkSbNDzD

Transforming into crystal-clear ice.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKoz8jSbC9

Then...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYoDRew3Ca

Shattering.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIJVHrSLnz

Without Salman taking even a single step.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzozfFJB9q

Catalina felt her heart tighten.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJZ7tG9W3P

"Impossible..."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76leGMqOU7

A faint smile barely appeared upon Salman's face.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnr7w7b4E1

Then he quietly said,

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDlzvhMlD5

"It is over."

....................

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCUhDj3FC5

Catalina instinctively stepped back.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvavZRXgU1

Then another step.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rHbUHrzim

She never lowered her staff.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmODC6kjoqd

Yet she understood...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wpZmSdnHe

The man standing before her...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSYuZ6ovlk

Was not an opponent who could be compared to anyone she had ever faced before.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHqo3f473z

He stood there in perfect calm.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpqHqRbAFQ

As though the entire world around him was beneath his concern.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk2JM0KbOC

His eyes...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53tbM1yIWm

Held neither anger...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gf58ss4rj

Nor hatred...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUE0vIqGNX

Nor even the desire to fight.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQZGMNrw9G

Only...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM4TA0jsdm

A terrifying serenity.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Anqh3YdRG

....................

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7gDxn7SFQ

Catalina raised her staff once more.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBpsvWe9CC

Dozens of radiant magic circles blossomed around her.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kWsOtiHYk

Spears of light rained toward him from every direction.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6MilHbvX4

At the same time...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVts7Eygsyr

Walls of light surrounded him.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnXDPR5DpF

She even prepared a healing spell in advance.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHZXTf3fej

She was fighting with everything she had ever learned.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Cnq9deL3i

But...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlOB5JaLQZ

Salman did not move.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BTPBGwshC

He merely raised a single finger.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEUYgMGPp1

The air froze.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39oso8VpAy

Then...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnwXhFmwxJ

Every spear of light stopped in midair.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRADPR3DGS

As though time itself...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qritQqmVt

Had ceased to exist.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyuJSseEsQ

Catalina's eyes widened.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4C8EMyaxL

"What... is this?!"

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxKAet7L0E

The next second...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0hLLJOWMw

The spears transformed into frozen crystals.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM3jxUgbJ9

Then...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPYHNEJxl9

Every one of them shattered.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kSI2LHlKW

As though they had never existed.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaLc1FtF8J

....................

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgwfHyJzb4

She refused to let herself hesitate.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgswdqaEQiD

She rushed toward him.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFD0ctn99R

Gripping her staff with both hands.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNL2r7CTYY

Then struck the ground with all her strength.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSCvt6Zorv

Dozens of pillars of brilliant light erupted beneath Salman's feet.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCejap27NHg

But...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRLazXDubB

He disappeared.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fUZlrG95J

In the very next instant...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOXHxf2xvq

She felt a freezing breeze...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPccpZEr7IA

Behind her.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy8T14uUfq

Her entire body froze.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgOeQyUsgc

She tried to turn around...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjJvHKZvk9

But she couldn't.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHjwFU6lPY

Her eyes dropped to her arms.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ7CFyXp3u

Ice was rapidly spreading across them.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG3kls8lVp

Then over her legs.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiat3bJNmCk

Then across her shoulders.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPArd9RtBQ

Within moments...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdyLxWmUWG

She was completely unable to move.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPYa9jigLF

Salman's calm voice echoed behind her.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDeKaFGeSE

"I told you..."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIDs2ljx6n

"Enough."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtwdnxgBKy

....................

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaDcH2NAP8

Catalina struggled desperately against the ice.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaaHygjzjp

Light burst from within her body.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdNTm1luRr

The frozen shell cracked slightly.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3FOEte8l8

But...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoopuRL8fu

It froze solid again the very next instant.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxVyiAoKBw

Salman slowly raised his hand.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVb4sJYm0P

Then...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0MSs5FDkO

Delivered a light strike to the back of her neck.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtKu0XRNPM

It wasn't a violent blow.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJddw3elti0

Yet it carried enough force to make her vision spin.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmqpz1YhOx

Her body trembled.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3cRzGO2BT

Then she collapsed...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKU7AjWJMj

Unconscious.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q6xT94Dys

....................

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp98dlgTmf

Salman looked down at her for several silent moments.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzf2jTQM9e

Then calmly said,

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu2ubTEaF6

"Take her."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYH71Q7q4C

Four more soldiers emerged from a small icy portal behind him.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekjZQYQ0Up

They had not been there a moment earlier.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy1p20cMsP

Each one bowed respectfully before his king.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeBQ1a0PxU

Then carefully lifted Catalina.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UmT5Fws8q

One of the commanders asked,

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sEdeSgCk5

"Your Majesty..."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT171FPnyo

"Shall we return now?"

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8r0GMApFQ

Salman slowly lifted his gaze toward the night sky.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliNCzKEET4

Then answered,

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXVnWS9htY

"Our mission is complete."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkX9suQujR

He raised one hand.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIyITL4Lc1

The glowing blue portal appeared once more.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmuio5zHBm

The soldiers entered first.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQenHUR8Zi4

Salman stepped through last.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4ZNSzx0iy

Just before the portal vanished...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5x1t2ik6X

A brief snowstorm swept across the forest.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhXWWYnEqn

And when the wind finally settled...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKD1wf9Qvk

Nothing remained...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2qJBQjSr7

Except the abandoned basket of herbs.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBoziGURxU

And fragments of ice...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQR7DMIJV1

That had never belonged to the forests of Aros.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA6aXnOy4w

....................

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSboDolRo5

An hour later...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1FYr17W0o

The Sage arrived.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSmBekz4m2

He had sensed something strange since the beginning of the night.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGRLWZlY45

He stopped in the empty clearing.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6wkkCQuF3

Then slowly bent down.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjYsRJ2ApP

He picked up the basket.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bPUfhu8AR

His fingertips brushed against the ice.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAXnE3cVBN

He closed his eyes.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7hKSwURav

Then whispered,

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4L4TMtDBv

"Royal magic..."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHq4bYEXNX

His eyes suddenly opened.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0BzhMlUbu

For the first time in many years...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyVOpfNy6M

They widened.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW8FRZYVUu

"Salman..."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesXbTuCWJY

He immediately turned around.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq1xnvea3U

Then rushed toward the village...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjCqmCuxQa

Faster than anyone had ever seen him move.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgGiE25rZa

....................

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWraPwMHDhv

BANG!!

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO5mAxQFH3

Khaled's bedroom door burst open.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpZ0eHVNCR

The Sage entered without hesitation.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXysE9zOTcx

Khaled immediately stood up.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheAi0eOwOS

Anger flashed across his face.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLXSnSesgi

"What are you—"

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSr685nXCc

But the Sage cut him off.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnla3MBBFJT

"Catalina has been kidnapped."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XFYBrohJo

Silence.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnyIbuLaJD

Khaled froze where he stood.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2sjhwZnVh

Then...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vcd4z5kKf

Slowly lowered his head.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYGPkq9XZG

And quietly said,

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPDHkDijWc

"Go..."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBNCxcFxrk

"Without me."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n39R1SSYX

....................

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ90yDQYcL

A sharp slap echoed through the room.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMYVHoUN0t

Khaled staggered back a step.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEhc2hS9rv

His hand instinctively rose to his cheek.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRrvsWw7E3

His eyes filled with disbelief.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH44UyRN61Z

It was...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKuIWEV4ag

The first time...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qHoCN2nSd

The Sage had ever struck him.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2XeXofove

The Sage stepped forward.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpKODqQr38

His eyes burned with anger.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2kgy0F5L3

"Enough."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgKE38NJoH

"I am no longer..."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr5jkjsxWP

"The Sage of this village."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFFOJFC2VI

Then he moved closer...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuIvdcgu0t

Until they stood face to face.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGgq2oDG4j

Khaled instinctively lowered his head once again.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkYXCxac2B

The Sage firmly grasped his chin...

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3q5tqCiAw

And lifted his head, forcing him to meet his eyes.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqtk8uO6wK

Then he said,

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNtGfBW6if

"I am..."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZHw7Hdo2w

"Your grandfather."

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7ypgLbWGL

Silence filled the room.

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Then he continued,

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"Are you planning to run away again?"

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"Is this the Khaled who promised me he would protect his companions?"

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"Is this where your journey ends?"

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Khaled lowered his eyes.

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But this time...

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He could not lower his head.

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Because his grandfather was still holding it up.

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He couldn't answer.

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....................

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The Sage spoke more calmly.

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"I told you before..."

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"A leader does not carry the whole world alone."

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"And I also told you..."

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"To trust those who walk beside you."

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Then he gripped Khaled's shoulder firmly.

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"And now..."

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"This..."

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"Is your final step."

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Khaled looked at him silently.

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The Sage continued,

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"The final step before you..."

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"Either save yourself..."

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"And correct your mistake."

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"Or..."

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"Allow the darkness to consume you forever."

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....................

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Khaled remained silent.

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But this time...

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His eyes were no longer empty.

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Deep within them...

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A tiny spark appeared.

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Something...

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That resembled determination.

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The Sage noticed it.

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Although his expression did not change...

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He quietly whispered to himself,

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"He still has emotions..."

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"Then..."

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"The darkness has not completely taken hold of him."

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....................

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Outside...

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Abdulrahman had arrived.

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He glanced at Khaled.

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Then immediately looked away.

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He said nothing.

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Not even a greeting.

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The wound inside his heart...

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Was deeper than the wound upon his shoulder.

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The Sage spoke,

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"Prepare yourselves."

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"We leave immediately."

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Abdulrahman looked toward him.

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"And you?"

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The Sage sighed.

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Then turned his eyes toward the infirmary.

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Where dozens of wounded villagers still rested.

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"If I leave..."

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"There will be no one left to protect the people of Aros."

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"And the portal Salman used..."

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"I can no longer trace it now that it has been sealed."

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He pulled out an old map.

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Pointing toward a long northern route.

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"He will return to the Kingdom of Ice through the northern passes."

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"It will take you..."

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"Three days to reach them."

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He extended the map toward Khaled.

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But Khaled...

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Did not reach for it.

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So Abdulrahman silently took it instead.

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....................

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The two of them walked through the gates of Aros.

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Between them...

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Hung a crushing silence.

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Neither looked at the other.

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Neither spoke.

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Each one...

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Walked alone.

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Even though...

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The journey had begun with two people.

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High above the village walls...

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The Sage watched them until they disappeared among the trees.

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Then he slowly closed his eyes.

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And quietly prayed,

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"Bring her back..."

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"And bring yourselves back as well."

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The wind rose.

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The branches of the forest swayed.

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And with the very first step of their journey...

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The most difficult adventure of their lives...

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Had begun.

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To be continued...

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75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl39YaKGAC
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffUi4NhNjz

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