The week ended too quickly. Reality returning with reports about the eastern territories.
"The shadow beasts have spread further," Theron reported. "More villages abandoned. People are starting to panic. We need to take decisive action."
"What kind of action? We tried destroying shadow pools. That didn't work. We tried killing the beasts. That made things worse. What's left?"
"Communication. The speaking beast said they exist as consequence of your actions. What if we negotiate? Find out what they actually want?"
"They want me to give up my curse. Remove the stolen power. That's not happening."
"Then maybe we find a compromise. Something that satisfies them without you becoming powerless."
"What compromise could possibly work?"
"I don't know. But it's worth trying. Better than endless war against opponents who multiply every time we kill them."
