Morning brought something different on both Kai's and Caspian's sides.
At the position where the Duke was standing, the forest had also stopped advancing. Meanwhile, Kai felt as if someone—or something—was following them.
Alistair told them that he had seen Okrum once from far away but did not approach it.
He knew he couldn't fight it and survive. He also mentioned the Zorvath knights, saying that he had seen one of them alive—but only for a second before Okrum caught the knight.
Alistair had witnessed it while hiding in a bush.
He also believed that Okrum knew about his presence but chose not to attack him. Its focus was solely on the Zorvath knights.
Kai couldn't shake the feeling no matter how many times he turned back. The forest was too quiet. His eyes checking every thing around him, turning to every direction where he felt something moved at the corner of his eye.
His hand never left the hilt of his sword. His senses stretched far, listening every sound coming from any direction. Waiting for something to prove him right that he wasn't imagining things.
But also didn't want to be proven right at the same time.
The trees stood still, watching . Their shadows leaning little too close and yet whenever they stopped for a brief rest , the presence vanished.
It was like forest was playing tricks on them.
On the otherside-
Caspian stood where the magic and curse of forest seemed to hesitate. The forest had stopped its advance at its feet as if invisible line had drawn.
The air was heavy and thick against his chest. Winds coming from inside the forest pushing him backward, like giving him a warning to go back.
He clenched his fist, as he took deep breaths. His eyes twitched in fury and helplessness. He had tried whole night to enter the forest but the unseen force repelled.
For the first time in years, the duke of north, Caspian Draconis was forced to stand still. He stared into the forest that had taken his son and dared to stop him from reaching out.
Every instinct forced him to force his way through, to tear the forest apart if he had to, burnt this forest to dust but his stubborn son is still inside and in danger.
The magic and power meant nothing right now.
His jaw tightened, nails digging into his palms until blood welled up, but he didn't feel the pain. All he could see was Kai's face, all he could hear was his own failure and all he could remember was his last conversation with his son—forcing him into coming here and showing his authority instead of a father's affection.
For the first time since becoming Duke, Caspian understood fear—not for himself, but for the child lost beyond the trees.
Something unleashed inside him.
The dragon blood inside reacted and heated under his skin when the forest once more stopped him. He held his sword and made a swift motion as if slaying the barrier.
He stopped and stood there unmoving , closed his eyes and when he opened them , everything stopped.
The nature, creatures, spirits and curses sensed the awakened dragon somewhere on the land of Sylvara.
His eyes turned golden and a scream broke from his throat.
The ground under his boots cracked, winds changed their direction, roars and howls echoed in valley of barbarians.
Somewhere far away in a damp cave, buried beneath layers of stone and forgotten time, ancient creature's remains flickered faintly as if recognizing something long lost and familiar.
Then it faded like a dream.
The barrier did not shatter, but it vanished in a thin air as if recognizing something it fear.
Caspian stepped forward , once his foot was placed on the ground of forest. A howl echoed deep inside, everyone heard and then silence followed.
Kai and knights stopped as they heard it.
"Was-Was that Okrum?" Jerry terrified said.
"Yeah." Henry spoke while looking in every direction to pinpoint where exactly it came from.
Same awful, rotten smell filled the air as if announcing its arrival. "RUN"
And they ran.
For a second, Louis saw the golden flicker in Kai's eyes. He smiled knowing something.
Their boots crunching the snow, breathing heavy as they ran. Their eyes searching for a place to hide—maybe a cave or some dense bushes but found nothing.
"Everyone. Keep...your eyes and ears open." Remus yell from behind. His pace was slowest, his age was catching upto him. Kai was worried, he turned many times to check on Remus to make sure if he was okay.
They heard some movement on trees above, leaves falling as something moved on them, matching their pace. The little growl sounds alerting them of its position.
Okrum was here.
"There is a clearing up ahead. " Louis continued, " it might give us a moment to act."
Okrum was much more faster than them. Before they could even reach the clearing,it jumped, landing between them and the clearing.
Its eyes were focused on Kai and few times shifted on Valarie.
Then it stepped forward and opened its mouth. Before they could do something.
It spoke.
"C...Crim....Crim...Crimson"