For the first time in his life, Kaelen felt that living in Zyretheil was truly a curse of curses. Because what now stood before him was his own curse—something born from the First Darkness. Something feared by other Vey'zareth, yet Kaelen dared to challenge it by stepping into a place he never should have.
The young man lowered his head. "I'm sorry. I don't even know how you awakened before I reached the age of fifteen. But the moment I heard the whispers within my body, that was when I knew you had truly awakened. And you told me not to die."
"I was born from the First Darkness, from the last light that shone in Zyretheil. A Vaerloch can only awaken when its host endures deep suffering and despair. But you faced that earlier than expected, forcing me to awaken prematurely as well. Yet I had hoped it would end there, not that you would recklessly push yourself and come here before the appointed time."
"I never wanted to be here in the first place. But this time you must help me, with whatever price you demand of me." Kaelen was earnest. He dared to lock eyes with the being that floated before him with majestic presence. Even though he could not see what form the voice's owner truly took, he still said, "If I die now, then you may also die—and that is the truth."
For a moment, silence reigned—until Vaerloch's voice returned. "Bring me three fire-element Thren. That is the price you must pay for your request today."
"Fire-element Thren? That is something rare in a place like Elyndor—the first layer of Xal'zarioth, which consists only of forests and plants. But if I don't agree, I cannot escape from here," Kaelen thought to himself.
A Thren was a rare treasure, similar to an item gained after venturing into a certain Veraxa, or granted by someone as a gift. It could serve the Vey'zareth, their Vaerlochs, or even other races.
A Veraxa was a territory often used as a trial ground for all Vey'zareth in Zyretheil. It could take the form of unstable wild regions such as ancient forests, bottomless chasms, or anything else. A Veraxa did not necessarily have to exist inside a Forbidden Zone. However, Forbidden Zones always contained Veraxa scattered within.
When his counterpart remained silent, Vaerloch spoke again. "You cannot handle it? Then struggle on your own. I do not need to live to prove my existence. But you need to remain in this world for your ambition that burns so greatly."
As the figure spread its wings to turn away, Kaelen shouted, "I agree!"
The words made Vaerloch pause. He turned back, though only his silhouette could be seen. At that moment, Kaelen continued, "I agree to bring you the fire-element Thren. But I need time. Right now I'm in the first layer—Elyndor, which is nothing but forests and plants. But I saw the second layer: barren lands, almost like hell itself. I'm certain I can find it there."
"So what do I have to do?"
"You only need to show them that my Vaerloch has awakened. Then they will release me."
After a moment of silence, Vaerloch finally spoke. "You have lost your Elarith. I cannot channel my power for you to borrow. But I can borrow your body to demonstrate my power to them."
Without asking further, Kaelen nodded. "Alright, let's do it!"
Kaelen turned to return to his body—until Vaerloch's voice stopped him once more. "It will drain much of my strength. So the price for that is this: the time limit for you to complete Zyretheil's mandate will be reduced by one year. Can you bear it?"
The young man froze for a moment, then looked back at Vaerloch. "So I'll only have ten years from now to conquer the eight Forbidden Zones?"
Forbidden Zones were not ordinary battlefields like Veraxa. They were places where everyone who entered gambled their lives just to survive. Throughout history, those who stepped into a Forbidden Zone faced only two outcomes: either emerge alive as a victor, or never return—lost with no trace of life or death.
"Yes."
Before Kaelen could answer, Vaerloch continued, "Out there, danger is now closing in on you. Someone of masculine gender, of the Drae'vanyth race. Drae'vanyth are Zorgathr that dwell in Elyndor, the first layer of Xal'zarioth. Their height is estimated at about 492 cm, with a core of natural energy. He is someone you've seen before."
---
Outside—one of the tree-bodied creatures native to this place—was approaching Kaelen's body, uncertain whether his soul had returned or not. He was the one they called "Elder." Someone Kaelen had seen before.
Silently, Moinnaphu—the Elder's name—stretched his short branch-shaped ears with leaves sprouting from them. He sniffed with his ears, trying to confirm whether Kaelen was still there.
But when Kaelen's bindings suddenly snapped apart, Moinnaphu quickly raised his large branch—his substitute for a hand—forward to defend himself. His five eyes focused on Kaelen's movements: how Kaelen's body floated in the air, his irises darkened.
"How is it possible you still have power? Your Elarith was taken and destroyed!" Moinnaphu shouted in outrage. Even though his five eyes no longer functioned well, the being still tilted his head upward at the sight of Kaelen floating.
"This body belongs to me. No one can take it—not even you," Kaelen said. But Moinnaphu knew that wasn't Kaelen's voice. How could the voice of a fourteen-year-old boy sound so deep and imposing?
Without delay, Moinnaphu stomped the ground, sending dozens of vines rushing upward—almost striking Kaelen, had his mouth not erupted with fire that burned the plants away.
"Crimson Dragon Flame!" Kaelen roared.
The fire spewed from his mouth spread wide, nearly catching Moinnaphu's roots. The masculine being swiftly evaded, leaping to cling to one of the great trees behind him. Hearing the blaze grow nearer, he spun his staff, summoning droplets of water that gathered into a single point.
"Chill of Tranquil Waters! Extinguish!" Moinnaphu thrust his staff toward the fire, and the gathered water burst forth, quenching some of the flames that spread there.
Kaelen—possessed by Vaerloch—paid no mind. Just as other Drae'vanyth appeared from the smoke, Kaelen soared with two shadowy wings, fleeing eastward.
The scene descended into chaos. The Drae'vanyth panicked, running frantically in every direction. Moinnaphu, furious at seeing Kaelen escape, roared, "Stop him! Help me extinguish this and find that Vey'zareth who just fled! Even if he does not qualify as a sacrifice, no foreign race may leave Elyndor alive!"
---
Elsewhere, Kaelen broke free of the memory of what had happened moments ago, realizing his steps had led him into a cave glowing with green light. Out of curiosity, he walked inside, turning his gaze left and right, carefully observing everything.
"This is still part of Elyndor, so its security level must be low. But right now, I have no choice but to hide here for the time being. I must recover—and so must Vaerloch. Above all, I have to find a way to rebuild my Elarith," he muttered, staring down at his chest.
<
The whisper resounded in Kaelen's ears. But before he could process anything, an arrow shot straight toward him.