Broken recounted everything he had learned from Elaine to Ivana, including the grim details of the curse and the task he was bound to complete to break it for the Moonlight Fae.
“I can’t help but feel so sorry for them,” Ivana said softly. “Isn’t there another way to solve this? Does it have to end like this?”
Broken sighed, shaking his head. “I don’t know, Ivana. But what’s clear is that if we don’t act soon, more Faeries will be trapped by this curse, and the situation will keep getting worse.”
Ivana looked troubled. “I can’t imagine what Lady Elaine has endured, carrying that burden for so long.”
Broken nodded. “It’s a heavy price to pay. But I believe the only way forward is to see this mission through, even if it’s hard.”
“You’re right. We need to help them. Lady Elaine has probably been waiting for this day for centuries.” She paused before adding, “I’ll help you, Broken. I’ll stand by you when the time comes to face her Eternal Flame form.”
“Yes, I’ll need all the help I can get. Elaine’s level is high, and her stats are incredible. But I’ve never seen her in that form… it’s hard to say just how powerful she really is.”
Broken had previously discussed the Eternal Flame transformation with Elaine, and what she had shared was troubling. When the faeries, including herself, transform, they truly become beasts-losing control and unleashing raw power and brutality.
Considering Elaine’s already impressive level and stats, it was clear that facing her in her Eternal Flame form would be a massive challenge. Her level might only be 239, but her total stats exceeded 3,400. That alone would be dangerous enough, but with her more savage form, things could spiral out of control very quickly.
Broken glanced at Ivana, remembering that her stats were similarly high, around 3,300. He chuckled to himself.
They’re both monsters!
But Ivana, with all her power, had her consciousness and control-Elaine, in her transformed state, would not.
“Facing her in that form will be no joke,” Broken murmured. “Her strength, already dangerous, will be pushed to the extreme when she turns into the Eternal Flame. And if we don’t defeat her quickly, we’ll lose the chance until the next month… or worse, we might never defeat her.”
Ivana nodded, her brows furrowing in concern.
Ivana inquired, “Have you thought about asking for more help? Maybe someone from the Ass Guild? I’m sure they’d want to be part of this mission.”
Broken nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve considered it. I’ll bring it up with them, get their input, and see if they’re up for the challenge. This won’t be easy, and the more support we have, the better.”
“I want to go….” came a small voice from the corner of the room.
Both Broken and Ivana turned toward the sofa, where Pawpaw was lying, half-asleep.
“Do you want to go hunt monsters, Pawpaw?” Ivana asked with a smile.
“No, I want to go visit the Princess.”
“Princess Alora?” Broken echoed, curious.
He walked over to the little kitten and sat by the sofa. “Hey, is something wrong with her?”
“No, but it’s boring here. I want to go. I’ll be back before you leave, Broken!”
“You know I need your help to keep Ivana company, right?”
“Yes, I know,” Pawpaw said with a nod.
Ivana stepped closer. “I think I’ll be fine here, Broken. Let Pawpaw go.”
“No,” Broken responded quickly.
“I’ll just be gone for a little while, I promise. I’ll be back before you leave!” Pawpaw insisted again.
Should I let him go?
Pawpaw was asking for permission, and he knew the kitten wouldn’t do anything reckless. But the timing wasn’t ideal, not with everything going on. Still, Pawpaw was adamant he’d return in time.
“Can you really keep your word?”
“I’m the Hell Lord. I never break my word.”
Broken hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.
Pawpaw leaped up, glanced briefly at Ivana, and then disappeared from sight.
Afterward, Broken and Ivana talked for a while, but his mind lingered on what was to come. He was waiting for Cedric and Cecilia, whom he had asked Lady Elaine to send. They were supposed to guide him through Moonlight Land, and he was eager to learn more.
“Hello there, Mr. Broken!” Cedric called out, waving his hand as he approached with Cecilia following close behind.
“Hi, Cedric,” Broken greeted back. “Has Elaine already told you the reason why I wanted you two to come?”
“Yes, Lady Elaine mentioned that you wanted us to accompany you to see the Eternal Flame Faebeasts, right? We’re here to fulfill your request.”
“Eternal Flame?” Ivana asked as she glanced at Broken.
He nodded. “Yes, the Faebeasts are here, locked away. Elaine said we could visit them and see
them firsthand.”
“Is that safe, Broken?”
“Elaine said it’s safe, so I’m trusting her judgment.”
“Yes, Ms. Ivana, don’t worry!” Cedric chimed in with a wide grin. “We visit that place regularly. It’s not a problem, especially since the full moon is still a ways off. Haha, there’s nothing to worry about!”
Ivana, though still uncertain, nodded slowly, trusting Broken’s decision.
Afterward, they set out on their journey. Broken and Ivana rode atop Polly, who sprinted nimbly and swiftly along the forest floor, while Cedric and Cecilia darted skillfully between the tree branches overhead.
As they traveled, the towering trees of the forest slowly began to thin out. The ground beneath them grew more uneven, the path becoming steeper and rockier as they ventured deeper into Moonlight Land. Eventually, they found themselves in a more barren, sparse area, the thick forest behind them replaced by jagged terrain.
“Mr. Broken, our destination is near, hahaha…” Cedric called out enthusiastically as they pressed forward.
Soon enough, the group came to a halt, standing before a massive, imposing volcano. Its mouth opened wide at the top, and from within, faint embers and glowing heat rose steadily into the sky. The sheer size of the volcano was enough to make them pause in awe. Cedric stepped forward and pointed towards the volcanic opening. “That’s it, Mr. Broken,” he announced. “All the Eternal Flame Faebeasts are inside that volcano.”
“Inside the volcano?” Broken echoed, glancing back at Cedric.
“Yes,” Cedric confirmed with a grin. “It’s where they’re confined. And don’t worry, they won’t attack- at least not until the full moon.”
As Broken drew closer, the deep rumbling of the earth and the clashing of stones grew louder, more intense. The deafening roar of the volcano was joined by a chaotic chorus of snarls and growls, filling the air with the eerie cries of some monstrous creature.
“Can we go there, Cedric?”
“Yes, Mr. Broken,” Cedric replied. “We can visit the place.”
“Will we need to fight them if we get closer? Are they roaming freely?” Broken asked, his gaze
drifting up to the volcano’s summit.
“I’ll let you see for yourself, Mr. Broken,” Cedric answered.
Broken and Ivana climbed onto Polly’s back, with Cedric and Cecilia settling in front of them.
“Polly, can you do this?”
“Yes, Master, I can handle it.”
Surprisingly, Faeries did have a much lighter body weight, a fact that Broken reconfirmed after helping Cecilia up and settling her down in front of him.
With a strong leap and a few powerful flaps of her wings, Polly launched herself into the sky,
swiftly heading toward the volcano. As they soared higher, cutting through the thick clouds, the peak of the volcano slowly came into view, revealing the scene that awaited them.
**
Five Faery Knights were gathered in one room. Morel, the Knight Commander, led the discussion, the mood heavy with concern.
One of the knights spoke up, “Sir Morel, I understand why you tested that man. But I’m still hesitant to accept him so easily. He doesn’t seem strong enough, and I don’t believe he can
break this great curse.”
Another knight chimed in, “He may have contracts with two spirits, and yes, he’s the Champion of Sloth, but he’s still too weak. There’s no way he can defeat Lady Elaine in her Eternal Flame form. It’s impossible! If he fails, the disaster we face will be huge. We need to reconsider-this is about the survival of our tribe.”
“If it were King Elandorr we were talking about, that would be different. He’s incredibly strong, but that foolish king refused to help us.”
“Exactly, and this current Champion of Sloth is just some clueless newcomer who’s barely
been a Divine Champion for any time at all.”
“Letting him handle this curse is foolishness.”
“I agree. He wouldn’t stand a chance against Lady Elaine, especially in her Eternal Flame form. Honestly, I doubt he could even defeat the four of us, let alone her.” “The prophecy… I don’t think it was ever meant for this man,” another knight concluded.