After the mysterious voice echoes through Lion's mind, he releases Max and takes a deep breath.
Lion: Damn it! What's happening to me?
Max wakes up, and the black mark on his body becomes even more visible.
Lion: Are you okay? It looked like you were having a nightmare.
Max: It was nothing. I'm fine. Let's keep moving, the sooner we go, the faster we'll find them.
Lion: You're right. Let's go on.
Max: Great.
Lion: Can I ask you something? If it's not too much trouble…
Max: Sure, go ahead.
Lion: When you were asleep and I found you, you kept repeating the name "Karips" over and over. Are you having strange visions too? Nicia told me there's an artifact the Elves are searching for—it's called Karips. Why were you mentioning it?
Max: It was just a dream. It's nothing. Let's keep going. No more questions!
Lion: Got it...
---
Cut to: Southern Gíria, Forest
Aaron kneels, places his hands on the ground, rises, and says:
Aaron: We need to take a detour. We can't continue this way.
Sasha: And why is that? After all this walking?
Belguiner: If Aaron says so, we turn around.
Sasha: I'm not doing something just because some "uncle" says so.
Aaron: If we keep going this way, we'll all die. I sensed the presence of several Dark Elves heading this way.
Sasha: So you want to back off just because you're scared? How cute. But go ahead, uncle—feel free to walk off alone.
Aaron: If you want to continue, go ahead and die alone. The rest are coming with me.
Sasha turns to Alex.
Sasha: Hey, pretty face, are you going with him too? If you turn back now, I guarantee you won't reach the north in time to save your dear friend.
Belguiner: Don't listen to her, boy. If you go, you won't save your friend—or yourself.
Aaron: Judging by the energy I sensed, there are at least two hundred Elves. You'd stand no chance.
Sasha: Are you really going to believe him? You're so close to the north—and you're going to turn back now, just on his word?
Sara: I'm going with you, Sasha.
Amélia: Me too.
Sasha: Good choice, girls. Now we just need you, pretty elf boy.
Alex (to Sara and Amélia): This is a bad idea. If the Dark Elves really are out there, you need to think twice.
Sara: Victor—my brother—might be there. You know that.
Amélia: We're going. You should come too, Alex.
Sasha: You should listen to your friends.
Alex: I know how important Victor is to you both... and to me. But we have to think clearly. If we die, it's all for nothing. So I'm sorry... I can't go.
Aaron: Smart choice, kid.
Just as Aaron finishes speaking, a white and red snake, hidden in the leaves, bites Alex's foot. As it tries to escape, Sasha shoots it with an arrow, killing it.
Alex starts choking, short of breath. He falls to the ground as the venom spreads through his body.
Aaron grabs Alex's head as saliva drips from his mouth. He channels magical energy through his hands and places them on the bite.
Aaron (shouting): Peter! Give me the rest of the Carcotes—now!
Peter hands over the Carcotes flower. Aaron chews it and applies it with magic to the wound, but the venom keeps spreading.
Sara and Amélia (panicking): Do something! He can't die—please!
Aaron: I'm doing everything I can, but it's not working!
Sasha: Haven't you figured it out yet?
Aaron: What are you talking about?
Sasha: Look at the snake—it's different from any other serpent. Your magic won't work. If you don't let me help, he'll be dead in under a minute.
Amélia: Then do something!
Sasha steps forward, draws a knife, and cuts the wound, draining the infected blood. She tears part of her clothing and ties it around his leg to stop the spread.
She pulls out a small vial of purple liquid.
Aaron: What is that?
Sasha: A mix I made… with spiders and other insects. I'm not wasting time explaining it to you.
She applies the liquid to the wound, drinks some of it, and kisses Alex, transferring the remedy through her mouth.
Sasha stands up.
Sasha: Where's my round of applause, huh?
Peter: Was kissing him really necessary?
Sasha: Probably not... but it was nice!
---
Cut to: Western Gíria, Dark Elven Castle
Draquia flies in with an injured wing and lands before Valtherk, groaning in pain.
Valtherk gently holds her snout.
Valtherk: It's okay... I know they hurt you. But the pain will pass, and they will all pay.
Draquia continues groaning.
Valtherk: Rest now. Heal. You'll be fine.
Valtherk turns to the Dark Elves behind him.
Valtherk: My sons and daughters, you are witnessing your sister Draquia, wounded by unworthy races. We weaken more each day without Karips. If we don't recover it soon, we'll be defeated by those who should never have existed. Find Karips!
The Elves mount beast-like horses and set off in search of the artifact.
Valtherk (to himself): I will protect what my father left me—my children. All of them. From the impure creatures of this world.
---
Flashback – 2000 years ago
Valtherk stands over Guenorl's poisoned body. As Guenorl fades, Valtherk lifts a sword with tears streaming down his face.
Valtherk: I don't want you to hate me, Father. But I can't let you kill my brothers. You'll understand in the afterlife...
Valtherk stabs Guenorl through the heart, weeping. He carries the body to a silver table and wraps it in a white cloth.
Valtherk: I'll finish what you started—purifying the world. I'll remove the flawed races. I'll protect and raise a better life for my brothers—my children.
He leaves the room and shuts the door.
As the wind blows, Guenorl's hand slips out from under the cloth. The ring on his finger dissolves into dust and drifts out the window.
---
Present...
Valtherk: So... the dragon didn't return in its original form. But as a boy. You'll die in my arms, boy. Believe that.
---
Cut to: Northern Gíria
Nicia and Zury ride, searching for Lion.
Zury: Do you think he survived? Maybe Draquia took him.
Nicia: That's impossible.
Zury: Then let's keep looking.
Nicia: You can sense beings. Focus on Lion.
Zury: I can try, but I'll need something he touched.
Nicia: I don't have anything of his.
Zury: Wait—I have the pendant he gave me.
Zury holds the pendant, closes her eyes, and concentrates. She sees Lion—but also a figure with black eyes, a powerful Dark Elf-like presence, not fully revealed.
Zury tries to see more, but a sharp headache strikes her. She drops to her knees.
Nicia: Are you okay? What did you see?
Zury: I saw Lion… but something was near him. Whatever it is, he's in danger.
---
Cut to: Northern Gíria, Forest
Lion and Max walk together.
Lion: Have you thought about what you'll say when you meet your mother?
Max suddenly clutches his head and drops to his knees, his eyes turning pitch black.
---
Cut to: Malonia Forest
Kareos leans against a tree, his mind vibrating with pressure. He too falls to his knees, eyes black as those of a Dark Elf.
To be continued...