A couple of days had passed since Kalos, Raymond and Peeta had defeated Kraeven.

It had become routine that Kalos be gone for most of the day and return around night time.

Crimwal looked far better than before. This was partially thanks to Raymond’s light, which he’d receive daily.

Estella and Keema were as healthy as ever and Peeta would often sneak out to kill any threats that wandered too close to the barrier.

Eevana spent most of her time waiting for Kalos to return and spent most of her time with him when he did.

Crimwal placed a small hand on Raymond’s large chest as they slept. He wondered where Raymond kept all of his power and so he knocked on his chest.

“What are you doing?” Raymond asked before getting up.

“Oh, nothing. I was just wondering where you keep all of your power. Is it your heart, your liver or something?” Crimwal asked as Raymond got dressed. He then knelt before Crimwal before a tiny orb appeared above his head.

“This is the point where all my power resides. A person could break my bones and tear my flesh, but as long as my light shines, I’ll never truly die.” Raymond said as he helped Crimwal up, even though at this point Crimwal was more than capable of moving on his own.

Crimwal got dressed before he and Raymond left the tent.

Estella walked up to them and smiled gently before turning to Raymond.

“Umm… can Keema and I leave the barrier? I know Kalos wouldn’t want me to, but I also think it’s important that Keema gets some natural sunlight, no?” Estella asked.

Raymond turned to Crimwal who shrugged in response.

“Why not? I could also use some imperfect light. Also, I’m sure little Keema would love to see some snow. Isn’t that right?” Crimwal asked as he made a silly face for the little one.

Raymond nodded before escorting Estella and Crimwal out of the barrier.

In an instant, they were exposed to the winter harshness Kalosýni had sheltered them from.

Fortunately, they were all in their winter clothes and Eevana had made special clothing for Keema which was under another set of clothing, so the child was also fine.

As they made their way into the forest, Raymond saw that Crimwal was shivering ever so slightly, so he tried creating a magical barrier, but unlike Kalos, who could make his barriers invisible, Raymond’s barrier could be seen as a white dome.

“Ray.” Crimwal droned, prompting Raymond to destroy his barrier.

Raymond then noticed a rather small animal in the distance. He also felt the approaching presence of Kalos and so he crouched low.

“Shh. There is an animal over there. Stay here for a moment.” Raymond whispered before leaving Crimwal and Estella by a tree.

Raymond quickly zapped over to the animal and killed it in an instant before returning to Crimwal and Estella.

“Let’s go back. Kalos is on his way.” Raymond said as Keema made cute weird noises.

Crimwal looked around for a moment before placing his hand on his waist and walking away.

“Meh, I want to walk some more. I’ve been sitting still for about a week now. It’s not good if I stay still for too long. What if I grow roots?” Crimwal muttered, much to Raymond’s confusion.

Estella patted Raymond on the back before following Crimwal as they headed toward Ianndor.

Raymond sighed before following them.

They walked for about thirty minutes before arriving at the edge of the forest.

There they gazed upon a ruined city.

Thanks to Peeta and Raymond, the amount of elafriá and dark beings had been drastically reduced, but nothing could be done about the lives that had already been lost.

The people were in the process of rebuilding and upon close inspection, Raymond could see a few who stood out. Their life forces were strong and resilient.

Raymond could also see many large black structures that littered the cities outskirts, making a dark city outside the city.

Maybe this is what Kalos wanted. Raymond imagined.

Speaking of which, Raymond felt Kalos as he descended toward them.

He then landed gently next to Estella before sighing.

“What are you doing outside?” Kalos asked with a concerned yet annoyed tone.

Estella turned around before scratching her head.

“Just wanted Keema to get some natural sunlight. Oh and I think this is her first time seeing snow, so…” Estella said as the giant blue Kalos walked right in front of her.

Estella didn’t blink as Kalosýni’s large hand made its way towards her head.

He then plucked out a twig that had gotten into her hair before backing away.

“I’d lie and say that it’s dangerous out here, but Peeta and dad have been killing many of the threats around here,” Kalos said as he walked back to camp.

Raymond, Estella and Crimwal followed him.

It was beyond obvious that Kalosýni’s behaviour had changed and even though Crimwal did manage to convince Kalos to help out humanity as much as possible, Kalos still hadn’t changed his mind on letting most of mankind perish.

They eventually reached the camp and Raymond made quick work of the animal he’d caught.

Kalos made his way to the bath.

He sank into the warm water and contemplated the existence of void and the beings who possibly governed it.

Kalos entertained the possibility that there were other worlds in the void and that not all of the beings of the void were as merciful as the one he heard.

Kalos sighed as he didn’t know anything for sure. He’d have to return to the void and confront the otherworldly beings, but what if they were hostile?

According to Arcturus, there were beings as strong as Kalos out there and so Kalos decided not to poke his nose in the businesses of other worlds.

Kalos hopped out of the bath, dried himself and made his way to the campfire where he found everyone devouring a small roasted animal.

Kalos sat by one of the nearby makeshift chairs and accepted a piece of meat from his father. He made quick work of the meat before noticing that Peeta was restless. He fidgeted with his hands and tapped his feet as the morning sun danced across the sky.

“Are you ok?” Kalos asked.

“Mmm? Yes, I’m good. It’s just that I’ve got a ton of energy I wasn’t able to shake off since our big fight with Kraeven.” Peeta said.

“Oh? Is that why you’ve been killing elafriá without my permission?” Kalos asked with narrowed eyes making Peeta freeze up completely.

“Umm… yes. It’s too much for me at times. It’s like an itch-"

“He wants to help people Kalos. I think that’s a good thing.” Crimwal said.

“Mmm… fine. Come with me.” Kalos said as he got up.

Peeta turned a frightened eye to Raymond who looked at Kalos with a concerned expression.

“What are you going to do?” Raymond asked.

“Peeta says he has a ton of pent up energy, right? I might have a way for him to shed it.” Kalos said as he walked out of the barrier.

Peeta nervously got up and followed Kalos.

“Follow them. Oh and Raymond. I think it’s time you spoke to Kalos." Crimwal said.

Raymond nodded before running out of the barrier. He followed Kalos and Peeta as they made their way to an open area.

“So… what do you have planned?” Peeta asked as his voice trembled.

Kalos turned to face Peeta, revealing his cold yet searing gaze.

Kalosýni’s two extra arms then popped out of his back. The shirt Eevana had made for him perfectly allowed his extra arms to easily pop out.

“I’m going help you get rid of your excess energy,” Kalos said flatly.

Peeta slowly backed away.

Kalos didn’t emit a single pulse of magical energy as he walked towards Peeta.

“Kalos, wait!” Raymond yelled before emerging from the woods.

“Crimwal thinks- I think it’s time to stop,” Raymond said.

Kalos sighed before crossing two of his arms.

“Why do you think that?” He asked.

“I mean, think about all those who are hurting right now. Don’t you think they deserve help or at least some rest?” Raymond asked.

“They deserve what they earn, no?” Kalos asked, his face expressionless.

Raymond wondered where the innocent boy from before went.

He wondered where the Kalos who carelessly read Romulus’s journal was.

Where the Kalos who only ever thought about Estella was.

“You’re right, but we don’t even know if stronger threats even exist. For you to torment humanity like this… it’s too much.” Raymond said as Peeta finally reached his side.

Kalos frowned before sitting on the snow-covered ground.

“Are you going to your dream?” Raymond asked and Kalos nodded as he closed his eyes.

Peeta then let out the breath he’d been holding in for a while.

“Ray!” Peeta said as he grabbed Raymond.

“I thought he was going to kill me,” Peeta said as he trembled.

“I-" Raymond tried comforting Peeta, but even he didn’t know what Kalos was going to do.

“Let’s just see what he learns in his dream."

.

..

Kalos awoke in a certain forest as his body bathed it the light of a bright blue being.

Kalos tried to approach it only for him to fall to his knees.

He his teeth as he desperately tried to fave the light, but nothing he did worked.

He felt helpless and terrified.

Kalos though about all he had learnt.

The void, Nar' Agrun, the autarch spoken of in the prophecy.

He needed to figure out how it all pieced together.

Kalosýni’s mind stretched to its thinnest and he promptly blacked out.

.

..

Kalos awoke with a skull-crushing headache.

His eyes popped open to find a concerned Raymond and Peeta.

“So… did you learn anything new?” Raymond asked as Kalos dizzily stood up.

“No, but I have a strong suspicion that out final enemy will be an autarch.” Kalos explained as he rubbed his temples.

“Didn’t Kraeven’s stupid prophecy say something about an autarch?” Peeta asked.

“Maybe the prophecy wasn’t talking about him. Maybe the autarch, or autarchs are out there in the void and have yet to show themselves or their goals.” Raymond said as the afternoon wind howled.

“So… what does all this mean?” Peeta asked.

“Not sure. Everything I do leads up to that point in my dream where I face that nameless being on a hill by myself. I don’t want things to end that way and that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing. I know it may sound cruel, but if we had more eminence level beings then I’m sure we’d be able to take on the autarch.” Kalos said.

“I know you mean well, but there’s got to be a better way-" Raymond was interrupted as a certain presence revealed itself.

Kalos looked at Raymond with an eyebrow raised.

“See?” Kalos asked as he flew to the northeast.

Raymond grabbed Peeta by his arms and followed Kalos into the sky.

Kalos, Raymond and Peeta hurriedly flew over to Marf where they saw it was bustling with activity.

A dark wall lined its perimeter and countless dark cubic structures littered its interior.

Kalos and company then landed in what they assumed was the town centre.

Numerous guards dressed in dark armour quickly surrounded Kalos and the others.

“Isn’t that Kalosýni the blue?” One of the guards asked as a certain presence made its way towards them.

“Kalos?” Trevenor asked as he emerged from the small crowd that had gathered.

“Hey, Trevenor. You look… different.” Kalos said as he noticed that patches of Trevenor’s skin had become rather dark while other parts of his skin were almost purely white.

Kalos also noticed that Trevenor’s hair was also a mixture of black and white, but one thing that didn’t surprise Kalos was Trevenor’s magic.

“Yes, some things happened and poof, I’m like this now.” Trevenor said even though his tone was serious.

Kalos slowly paced around him before loudly applauding.

“This is what I’m talking about!” Kalos said as the sun shone above him, illuminating his blue hair and arms.

“Phew! I honestly thought no one was going to make it for a second.” Kalos said as a tear ran down his face.

Trevenor looked at Raymond, but even Raymond didn’t know how to react.

Kalos then hugged Trevenor tightly before raising his left arm.

“Look at this! This is what I want all of you to aspire to be. The worthy. The willing! The strong!” Kalos said with a bright smile, but everyone around him maintained their gloomy expressions.

“Now, where is Neelae?” Kalos asked as he calmed himself down.

“She’s… gone. Alis too.” Trevenor said, his expression sorrowfully composed.

Kalosýni’s smile disappeared.

“Mmm… That’s… terrible. I’m sorry.” Kalos said.

“You should be,” Trevenor said as he glared at Kalos.

“Mmm... are you busy?” Kalos asked as he looked around to find a concerned Reeca standing in the crowd.

“No, not really. The people of Marf are really autonomous.” Trevenor said.

“Then would you mind if we sparred a little?” Kalos asked.

“Why?” Trevenor asked as he tightened his fist.

Kalos raised his hands dismissively.

“I just want to check something, that’s all,” He said as he walked towards the northern gate he’d built in Marf.

Trevenor followed him with Reeca in tow.

They all reached the outside of Marf and a small crowd gathered on the dark wall that Kalos himself had built.

“What’s the point of this again?” Trevenor asked as streams of light and darkness flowed around his body.

“There are beings far stronger than you and I out there. I want to make sure that our world is properly defended should they visit us with malicious intent." Kalos said.

Trevenor noticed that Kalos wasn’t holding his blue sword.

“I see…” Trevenor said before lowering his stance at an unbelievable speed.

Kalosýni’s eyes widened before he too assumed a battle stance.

Trevenor tried moving forward but found that his movements were extremely slow. He took one step after the other and the time between them felt like an eternity.

Kalos straightened himself before walking toward Trevenor as casually as ever.

“What do you think, dad?” Kalos asked.

“He's got potential to be a valuable fighter, but it will take some time,” Raymond said as he and Peeta moved at normal speeds.

Trevenor reached out to touch Kalosýni’s arm as streaks of white-hot light and pitch-black darkness flew out of his body.

Kalos playfully moved to the side before time went back to normal.

Trevenor shot forward, tearing apart the ground as he moved.

“What the-?” Trevenor exclaimed as Kaols spoke with Raymond.

“Hey, some progress is better than no progress. Come, let’s look for others.” Kalos said as he turned to leave.

“Wait! What about our match? What do I do now?” Trevenor asked.

“Continue fighting. The day will come when the world needs our help and I hope you’ll be ready because I’ve seen glimpses of the future and I don’t think I can do this on my own.” Kalos said as he flew away.

Raymond waved everyone goodbye before grabbing Peeta and flying away as well.

Kalos sighed as he moved through the clouds.

“What now?” Raymond asked as he and Peeta caught up to Kalos.

“We find others.”

.

..

Crimwal playfully poked at Keema, who had finished feeding. He enjoyed poking at the face of the little bundle of joy, but unfortunately for Crimwal, Keema finally grew tired of his antics so she started crying.

Crimwal tried apologizing, but Keema rejected his pleas. He then tried singing but even this failed, leading to his exile from the carriage.

Crimwal walked over to Eevana, who calmly gazed at the flickering embers that floated about.

“Phew! I swear to you, that girl knows not the concept of play.” Crimwal said as he looked up at the evening sky.

“That’s because you’re too rough. Keema prefers a gentle touch. If you’re going to pull at her limbs and make funny faces all day, she’ll eventually get tired of that. Try simply holding her and see what reaction she gives you.” Eevana said.

“Oh? When exactly did you become the baby whisperer? But then again, maybe you’re right.” Crimwal said as he scratched his ear.

Eevana noticed that his white hair had grown considerably over the past couple of days.

“I imagine you’d be a great parent,” Crimwal said with a sigh.

“What makes you say that?” Eevana asked as she struggled to contain a smile.

“I don’t know exactly. It's like- you’re gentle and kind, but at the same time you’re smart and capable. If you and Kalos had a kid, I’m sure you’d do fine If Kalos flew off and left one day.” Crimwal said, but Eevana’s face hardened.

“He is allowed to do as he pleases, no?” Eevana said.

“Does that include letting others suffer? Eevana, you know Kalos. You know he isn’t cruel, but what he’s doing… it's wrong.” Crimwal said with a pained expression.

“We have no right to question what he does!” Eevana said unreasonably loudly.

“What does that mean? Do you see him as some sort of god to whom we should bow or do you see the boy you fell in love with?” Crimwal ask weakly.

Eevana’s face twisted, seemingly in pain as she thought about what Crimwal said.

“I’ve seen it, you know. I’ve seen the way you greet him when he returns. You present yourself as some sort of prize for him to claim as the day ends and you congratulate him for doing what is obviously quite… quite evil.” Crimwal’s voice faded as he spoke.

“I- am I not allowed to support him in whatever he does?” Eevana asked as Crimwal walked over to her.

“Yes, but everything has its limits. Now please, I’ve already asked Raymond to talk to him. Help me talk to him before it’s too late.” Crimwal said before a cold chill ran up his spine.

“And who are you to oppose an autarch?” A low, but smooth voice said.

Crimwal turned to find an extremely tall woman with bright red eyes, pure black hair and smooth skin.

She wore strange clothes and had a strange air to her.

One that belonged to an absolute being.