A few days had passed since organizing the first patrols, and the system was working, though improvements were always needed.
Draven stood before three mixed patrol groups at the zone perimeter, fifteen humans and nine beasts who'd chosen cooperation despite witnessing devastating tragedy. Some were still nervous, but all were committed to the work.
Behind them, the corruption zone flickered with visibly smaller spatial tears than days ago, purple-white mist thinner and less aggressive as it closed steadily, exactly as predicted.
Progress was visible, hope tangible.
His pack observed from nearby, Velnar's ancient patience approving, Sylvara's gentle presence calming nervous participants, Feyra's cheerful energy encouraging, Zor circling overhead with aerial perspective monitoring. Malvorn stood beside Draven in human form, six and a half feet of crystalline man far more approachable than his twenty-five story Overlord body, his presence demonstrating what cooperation could achieve as an Overlord helped humans directly.
Family supporting while Draven led.
His instructions were practical, based on three days of observation. "Communication is everything. Humans, learn your beast partners' signals. Beasts, understand human limitations, we can't sense mana like you can, so we need verbal warnings."
He gestured toward the destabilizing zone behind them. "Your job isn't fighting corrupted entities, those are gone. Your job is preventing accidents, people wandering in out of curiosity, beasts seeking mana without understanding the danger. Spatial tears are closing but still lethal if touched."
Pointing to mixed pairs in the gathered groups. "Work in pairs always. Human-beast teams covering each other's weaknesses. Humans have tools, planning, endurance. Beasts have strength, senses, elemental abilities. Together you're stronger than either alone."
Simple truth stated plainly: cooperation wasn't weakness, it was multiplication.
"Trust your partner. They chose to be here just like you did. That choice matters more than species."
Malvorn spoke then, his voice resonating despite human-sized form. "I've witnessed coordination failures before. The key is overcommunication. When uncertain, speak. When sensing danger, warn. When needing help, ask. Pride kills more than enemies do."
His crystalline features caught sunlight, reflecting rainbow patterns as an Overlord offered wisdom to mortals, not commanding but advising, treating them as equals despite the vast power gap.
"You're doing important work. Guarding this zone protects everyone. I'm proud to work alongside you."
The volunteers stood taller, an Overlord's respect meaning everything.
Questions came naturally, practical concerns rather than ideological resistance. A human asked about shift schedules, a beast questioned territory boundaries, another human wondered about supply distribution.
Draven answered each clearly, consulting with Velnar for logistics, Sylvara for safety protocols, Zor for aerial coverage patterns, Malvorn contributing earth communion insights as he sensed the zone's stability through planetary connection.
The pack worked as a coordinated unit, each contributing expertise naturally.
The patrols were dismissed, groups departing toward assigned zones, moving together, cooperating, working.
After they left, Draven studied the zone one more time. It was definitely closing, the two-week estimate accurate so far, maybe even less.
Fate's curse was paused, temporarily satisfied by the devastation caused.
But for how long? And what happened when populations recovered, when harmony was attempted again?
Questions without answers yet.
***
Evening found them around the fire, a quiet moment after the day's work.
Draven sat with his pack surrounding him, all five bonded beasts forming complete family. Velnar's bulk settled comfortably, Sylvara's glow providing gentle light, Feyra curled against Draven's side, Zor perched on a nearby rock preening. Malvorn in human form sat across the fire, crystalline skin catching flame's reflection, more comfortable in this shape now.
Genesis Codex floated beside Draven, green-gold light pulsing softly as both Adhivar and the Codex's distinct consciousness remained present within the artifact, two separate entities sharing space.
Comfortable silence filled the camp initially, family together with no words needed.
But questions lingered about Fate, about the curse, about preventing future activation.
Questions that needed addressing.
Draven spoke first, voicing what everyone felt. "The zones are closing. Fate satisfied temporarily. But we didn't solve anything, just delayed it. When populations recover, when harmony attempts again, what stops Fate from activating violently again?"
He looked at Genesis Codex, at the two entities within. "There has to be a way to stop the curse permanently. Not just survive it but end it. We need answers."
Silence followed, heavy but not hopeless.
Then Genesis Codex pulsed brighter.
The Codex's voice emerged, distinct from Adhivar's warmth, more measured and analytical. "We've been considering this question. Draven, when you explored the ruins in Western and Southern Wild previously, we learned critical information."
Draven nodded, remembering those investigations that had revealed so much.
"We discovered records of the failed Earth-Theia merger, learned about the interference from beings who disrupted the convergence, understood that Fate's curse resulted from that cosmic violation."
The Codex continued, light pulsing with each word. "Those ruins held partial answers, fragments of truth, but incomplete. We need more information to understand how to counter the curse permanently."
Adhivar's warmer voice followed, paternal and encouraging. "The stable ancient zones exist across Theia, forty-seven of them, and each contains ruins from before the curse activated violently. Some have records, some have inscriptions, some have mechanisms we don't fully understand."
His presence within the Codex intensified, green-gold light brightening. "You've explored zones in Western and Southern Wild, found artifacts, learned history, gained fragments of understanding. But there are unexplored zones remaining, regions you haven't investigated."
He paused, letting the implication settle. "Eastern Ocean holds an ancient zone. Unexplored by humans for millennia. Remote. Difficult to reach. But potentially rich with information."
"If answers exist about stopping Fate's curse permanently, they may be there."
Sylvara spoke first, her analytical mind working. "It makes sense. Ancient zones predate the violent activation. Their ruins might contain pre-curse records, methods developed before Fate responded so extremely."
Velnar clicked agreement. "Four hundred years I've existed, and I've never heard of anyone investigating Eastern Ocean's stable zone. Too remote, too dangerous for most. But if information exists there, it's been untouched."
Zor added his tactical perspective. "I can scout ahead during the journey. Aerial reconnaissance makes approaching easier."
Feyra's gentle voice carried certainty. "We should go. Together. Family investigates together."
Malvorn's deeper voice resonated, crystalline features thoughtful in firelight. "I agree. If there's even a chance of finding solutions, we pursue it. My earth communion might sense things in underwater ruins that others can't. I'm coming with you."
Draven looked around at his family, all five bonded beasts, at the Genesis Codex housing two ancient entities, at the bonds connecting them all.
"Then we go. Eastern Ocean. Investigate the ancient zone there. Search for answers about stopping Fate's curse permanently."
Determination settled into resolve. "We leave tomorrow. Patrols are functioning here. Local leaders can coordinate. The region is stabilizing. We're needed elsewhere now."
"Searching for solutions. Finding ways to end the curse rather than just surviving it."
Genesis Codex pulsed approval, Adhivar's warmth evident, pack nodding agreement as all five committed.
Decision made, journey decided, family moving together.
***
Morning came with purpose.
Draven organized quickly as Genesis Codex stored supplies internally, the artifact's pocket dimension holding everything needed. Food, water, camping gear, medical supplies, all weightless, all accessible whenever required.
The pack prepared individually, all five members readying themselves. Velnar's ancient experience needed no instruction, Sylvara gathered medicinal herbs, Feyra's cheerful energy was infectious despite the early hour, Zor was already airborne scouting eastward.
Malvorn maintained human form for the journey, six and a half feet of crystalline man proving more practical than twenty-five stories of Overlord titan for easier travel through populated regions, drawing less attention, moving more efficiently. Though he could shift to Overlord form if needed for combat, speed, or intimidation, human shape suited long-distance investigation better.
Family complete, all five bonded beasts accompanying their bearer, no one staying behind, everyone contributing.
A brief meeting with settlement leaders preceded departure, explaining the absence, the investigation of ancient zones for answers, assuring them that patrols would continue without him and contact was possible through Overlord network if emergencies arose.
The leaders understood, grateful for help provided, confident in systems established. "Thank you for organizing the cooperation. We'll maintain it while you're gone."
Human and beast leaders stood together, partnership functioning, proof that harmony worked.
Draven was leaving the region better than he found it, service complete, new service beginning.
Goodbyes were brief because the work was ongoing.
***
They left the settlement as sun cleared the horizon.
Walking east toward territories unexplored, toward ocean never visited, toward ancient zone holding potential answers.
Draven led while his pack surrounded him, all five bonded beasts forming complete family. Velnar's bulk moved steadily, ancient scorpion never tiring. Sylvara's nature magic left blooming footprints behind. Feyra darted energetically around the group, small fennec fox radiating life. Zor circled overhead, Thunder Raven's purple lightning crackling faintly. Malvorn in human form walked beside Draven, crystalline features catching morning light, rainbow reflections dancing across his skin.
Genesis Codex floated between them, green-gold light steady as both Adhivar and the Codex remained present, both guiding.
Seven traveling together: Draven, five bonded beasts, cosmic artifact. Family united.
Purpose was clear, hope maintained despite recent grief.
Five hundred thousand deaths were remembered, burden carried by all. Malvorn felt each loss through earth communion, Sylvara mourned ecosystem collapse, Feyra sensed life's absence, Velnar's ancient experience contextualized tragedy, Zor's tactical mind calculated cost.
But not paralyzing, not defeating.
Moving forward, searching for solutions, refusing to accept Fate's curse as eternal.
Eastern Ocean lay ahead, unknown waiting, answers hidden somewhere.
They would find them together, all of them.
Family complete, purpose shared, determination unified.
Always together.
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