Out of pure rage, Karma hurled rock after rock into the small pond with the waterfall. With each throw, she spat curses, calling out to every god and goddess she could name. Omar, tending to the horses, let her vent her frustration.
After a while, he glanced over and called out, "I think you should stop before you fill the pond with every rock in the field." Karma ignored him. She grabbed another rock, this one twice the size of her palm, and hurled it into the water. It splashed violently, droplets soaking her boots.
"Idiot!" she snarled, grabbing another rock. "Moron! How could I let that no-good—" THUNK—"backstabbing—" THUNK—"punk get the best of me?!" Finally, out of breath, Karma collapsed to her knees. She dug her fingers into the damp earth and let out a frustrated scream.
A few feet away, Dennis, Alice, and Star watched in bewilderment. Dennis hesitated, unsure how to approach her. Alice, however, had no such hesitation. She stomped forward, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"What the hell is going on?!" she bellowed. "I have been locked in a cell for God knows how long! I've been wearing the same filthy clothes for months! Now you owe us an explanation, Karma."
Karma shot her sister a dark look. She sat up on her knees, taking her time. She wasn't in the mood for this.
Her world was falling apart, and Alice wanted a chat? Angel, sensing her master's agitation, trotted over, her long blue tongue lolling from her mouth. Alice yelped as the fox-like creature brushed past her.
Karma barely acknowledged her reaction. She simply stroked Angel's ears, feeling the soft fur beneath her fingers. Angel closed her eyes, letting out a content sigh.
Then, Karma's hand slid into the thick fur at Angel's neck—and pulled out a chain. Omar, watching from a distance, stiffened. "You tricked him." It wasn't a question. Karma smirked.
"Did you really think I was going to give him the real one?" she asked, holding the key between her fingers. Omar exhaled sharply, shaking his head.
"Then what did you give Termis?"
"The key to my room," Karma said casually, brushing dirt from her knees. For a moment, Omar just stared at her. Then, he threw back his head and laughed.
"Do you have any idea what he'll do when he finds out?"
"Oh, I'm counting on it," Karma said, striding toward Pepper. "If he wants the real key, he'll have to come for me himself."
She led her horse to the water, letting Pepper drink while Alice's patience finally snapped. Her face turned red, her hands curled into fists.
Grabbing Karma's arm, Alice yanked her around, forcing eye contact. "I've had it up to here with you!" she hissed, lifting a hand to indicate her boiling point. "You start talking this minute, or else—"
"Or else what, Alice?" Karma cut in, her voice eerily calm. Alice faltered. "You were never there for me." Karma's green eyes burned into her sister's. "You ignored me our whole lives. You called me a freak to your friends. You let them mock me. So tell me—why the hell should I tell you anything?"
Alice opened her mouth. Then shut it. She took a step back, her guilt written all over her face. She knew Karma was right. She had ignored her. She had called her a freak.
And she had done nothing when she saw others doing the same. Alice's voice softened. "Karma... I'm sorry." Karma studied her for a moment, then cleared her throat.
"Nine years ago, at the summer fair, I bought a book from an old woman. She told me it held great power—power that could only be wielded by the worthy." She paused, letting her gaze sweep over everyone around her.
"I didn't think much of it at the time," she continued. "But then I learned something. Whatever I drew in that book... came to life." Dennis, Alice, and Star listen intently as Karma retold her journey to them.
"And so," Karma said, voice steady, "Arula was created." She turned her back to them, looking out toward the horizon. "Now, I must defend my world. Or it will crumble beneath our feet."
----
The group moved on toward Orina Field, hoping the elf and dwarf armies would already be waiting. Dennis rode Pepper, his sister walking beside him, guiding the reins. Alice and Star rode on Jack, led by Omar, who also walked in silence.
No one spoke. The silence was too thick, too heavy. Dennis wanted to ask questions—so many questions—but he didn't know where to start.
Instead, he finally settled on: "Who's Termis?" Karma's gaze didn't waver as she answered.
"A man I met years ago, when I first created Arula."
"What did he do?" Dennis pressed. Karma let out a sharp, bitter laugh.
"What didn't he do?" Her jaw tightened. "He shunned the Clans. Enslaved them. Had them slaughtered with the snap of his fingers."
Dennis felt a cold chill run down his spine. He asked nothing more.Orina Field was not what Dennis had expected. Most of the grass was yellowed, dead. And in the center...A large stump where the sacred tree once stood.
Karma hesitated at the edge of the field. But then she saw them. The Elven army—waiting. Her heart lifted slightly. She trudged forward, her steps heavy but determined.
A red-haired elf stepped forward. Wiltin. Omar and Wiltin exchanged greetings in Elvish before Wiltin turned to Karma, his smooth voice like flowing water.
"Creator," he said, bowing slightly. "It is finally a pleasure to meet you." He took Karma's hand, pressing a light kiss to the back of it—an Elven greeting of respect.
"The pleasure is mine," Karma said, watching as he beamed at the acknowledgement.
"I have three friends who need medical attention," she continued. "They need food, water, and fresh clothes."
"Of course!" Wiltin said, motioning to nearby elves. They helped Dennis, Alice, and Star down from the horses while others led the animals away for care. Wiltin then turned to Karma, his eyes sharp. "Shall we talk battle plans?"
----
Throughout the night, battle plans were drawn, strategies refined, and preparations made. By early morning, the dwarves finally arrived. "Well, it's about time!" Karma called out as Dagner rode in on his wolf, Hanley.
"Would've gotten here quicker if I hadn't stopped for a quick drink of ale," the dwarf admitted with a grin.
Karma chuckled, shaking her head. As soon as the dwarves were settled, the battle plans were reviewed once more. Given the dwarves' expertise in warfare, a few tactical adjustments were made.
When all was finalized, Wiltin stepped forward. "Rest, eat, and sleep," he instructed, his smooth voice carrying over the gathered warriors. "You'll need your strength for the battle ahead." He then raised his head to the sky, speaking in a reverent tone: "Possano gli dei vegliare su di noi."
The warriors repeated the words in unison. Karma hesitated for only a moment before echoing the prayer after Omar translated it quietly for her. "May the gods watch over us."
As dawn broke, the army stirred—final preparations were being made. Karma approached Omar, her expression troubled.
"I won't be able to protect my siblings when the battle begins," she admitted, her voice heavy with concern.
Omar simply nodded—he had expected this. "What do you suggest?" he asked. Karma exhaled slowly, then spoke.
"I think one of the elves should take them to Bergen. It's the closest village where they'll be safe."
Omar considered this carefully before nodding in agreement. "I'll speak with someone," he said.
He soon returned with an elf warrior named Art, who readily accepted the task. Now, all that remained was telling her family.
Alice immediately bristled. "What do you mean you're not coming with us?" she demanded. Karma met her gaze without flinching.
"I need to be in this fight," she said firmly. "And you can't be. I refuse to lose any of you." She handed Alice a small leather pouch.
"There are twenty silver coins inside," she explained. "It's enough for a cheap inn and some food. Please don't waste it on useless things."
Alice narrowed her eyes, looking at Karma as if she had just insulted her intelligence. Before Alice could argue, Dennis suddenly rushed forward, throwing his arms around Karma.
"Please don't leave us!" he begged, his voice cracking. "I'm sorry for being mad at you—for cursing your name."
Karma froze for a moment, caught off guard by his words. Then, gently, she pried him away and cupped his face in her hands, looking straight into his tear-filled hazel eyes.
"Dennis, I have to do this," she whispered. "I don't care that you were mad at me—you had every right to be. I left without warning, and that wasn't fair to you." She took a deep breath.
"But I promise you," she said, her voice unwavering, "when this is over, and the battle is won, we will go home. I promise." Dennis sniffled, then nodded reluctantly. He gave Karma one last hug before turning to follow Art, who would lead them away.
Omar stood beside Karma, watching silently as Art led Dennis, Alice, and Star toward safety. Once they had disappeared into the distance, he finally spoke.
"You lied," he said softly. Karma licked her dry lips, her gaze never leaving the horizon.
"I know."