The terror that had gripped Eldrida under Malakhai's rule was unimaginable. Not only were the Shaperlings and Luminari hunted and persecuted, but the Eldrians themselves were no longer safe. Princess Sophia, once a symbol of hope and light, was now confined to the castle, unable to escape the darkness that had consumed the land.
Malakhai's desire for power and worship had become an all-consuming force, driving him to torture and brutalize anyone who refused to bend to his will. Kaelin's heart had broken as he witnessed the terror inflicted upon the Shaperlings and Luminari, and he knew that he had to act.
But the consequences of Malakhai's actions went far beyond the suffering of the Eldrians and the ancient creatures. The very fabric of the realm had been torn apart, allowing ancient evil creatures to rise from the shadows. The Evaklims, a malevolent force that had been banished when Eldrida was created, had returned, bringing with them darkness and terror.
These creatures had joined forces with Malakhai, and together they had unleashed a reign of terror upon the land. Anyone who refused to submit to Malakhai's rule was tortured, and the land was left in a state of despair.
Kaelin, Armen, and a small group of loyal allies had managed to escape the terror, fleeing with their wives and children to safety. But the war between Norbert and Malakhai had raged on, leaving the land scarred and hopeless. The once-great kingdom of Eldrida was now a shadow of its former self, and it seemed that there was no escape from the darkness that had consumed it.
The memories of that fateful day still haunted Kaelin. The sound of screams, the smell of smoke and fire, and the feeling of desperation still lingered in his mind. He remembered the chaos and panic as they fled the castle, unsure of what lay ahead.
But it was the loss of their children that had left an unhealing wound. Kaelin's own child, a mere baby, had been taken from him, and Armen's toddler son, his nephew, had also perished in the chaos. The pain of that loss still lingered, a constant reminder of the horrors they had endured.
Kaelin's mind often wandered back to those moments, replaying the events in his head, wondering if there was anything they could have done differently. The guilt and grief weighed heavily on him, and he couldn't help but think of what could have been if only they had been able to protect their children.
The war had left no household in Eldrida untouched, and the memories of that day continued to haunt Kaelin and Armen, a painful reminder of the devastating consequences of Malakhai's actions.
The sound of the door creaking open broke the silence, jolting Kaelin out of his reverie. He blinked, his gaze shifting from the distant memories that had consumed him to the present moment. Armen stood in the doorway, his eyes locked on Kaelin's, a hint of curiosity etched on his face.
"Armen, you're back," Kaelin said, his voice a little rough from the sudden transition.
Armen nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I am. And I have some news about the strangers."
Kaelin's interest was piqued. He leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Armen's. "What did you find out?"
Armen took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he began to recount his conversation with the three strangers. "They're not from around here, that's for sure," he said, his voice low. "No whiskers, no cat ears, no pig snouts. They're...different."
Kaelin's curiosity was growing. "What did they say?" he asked, his eyes locked on Armen's.
Armen hesitated, collecting his thoughts. "They claim they're not soldiers, not spies. They say they're travelers, from...elsewhere."
Kaelin's eyebrows shot up. "Elsewhere?" he repeated, intrigued. "What does that mean?"
Armen shrugged. "I don't know, but they seem genuine. They're scared, Kaelin. They're not trying to hide it."
Kaelin's thought's drifted to the three strangers, who were huddled together, looking anxious. He wondered what their story was, and what had brought them to their hiding place.