Arth had no idea such a thing existed; making humans become demons. He had never seen a human turned into an actual demon … only a possessed one; when Dethnar’s spirit had taken over Lucas’ body. How on Earthos was it possible? That could relate to how the undead had come into life. No … not alive … a demon was only controlling those dead beings. But for Ka’erns; demon-turned humans—they had their way of thinking, consciousness, and perhaps … feelings. Once humans before, but their bodies, power, and purpose had changed after becoming Ka’erns.“These Ka’erns …” Arth said as he and Edric entered the General’s Den. “They trouble me more now that you’ve told me.”“Just as your father had been,” the General replied. “But his life’s end came sooner than we expected.”Mentioning his father’

The pain lingered beneath Kael’s ragged clothing, as he had finished wrapping his wounds with the garments given to him. He dried the jug of water and ate the loaf of cold bread. As he chewed its hard texture, a series of flashbacks of what had happened to him earlier clouded his thoughts. He had come to endure every slap, scratch, spit … every shout and curse that barked out of their mouths … every little harm that they’d done to him. His public execution would come on the next day. However, Kael had no plans of making an appearance.Ever since they’d thrown Kael in this lonely cell, he became quieter than the cold silence in the dark, only words of shame about him kept on repeating in his mind. It pushed him close to madness. But then Robert, the son of Chief Gregor Doran from Frostwood, had come under a guard’s disguise to ask about the King’s whereabouts.“Answer me, Sir Kael,&rdquo

A loud crash of waves hit the left board at the same instant the Pirate Lord swung his glowing sword. Tristan blocked and grunted at the vibrating impact as both swords clanged, but the sudden sway of the ship triggered his nausea, distracting him. With a flash of a grin on his face, the pirate grabbed Tristan’s head and gripped it downward to meet his knee. Tristan heard a break of a bone in his face as the knee hit him hard. It was his nose; he realized. The pirate pulled Tristan’s head upward to look, smiling wickedly with one golden tooth, then he dragged Tristan by his hair, swinging until he smashed against a black cannon.Tristan squeezed his eyes shut, curling himself on the floor as he suffered from the pain. He thought he had heard his back crack against the cannon. This wasn’t turning good. He’s too overpowered by the strong and unwounded Pirate Lord. And he could not use his swordsmanship style without Snow and

Sweat trickled down Arth’s forehead, down to his face and neck. He couldn’t stand all these books piled up on the desk while he’d been forcing himself to read the one opened to him. It made him recall his sessions with Maester Irvine when he’s still in the castle. Books had been too much for him. Reading had been too much for him. “I can’t …” Arth said under his breath, wiping the sweat on his forehead. The air inside the den had stayed hot, far from the weather in Glacia. “This isn’t working for me, Eli.” Seated at the opposite chair, Elicantris pulled her head up from reading her book. “If you really desire to join us on our missions, Your Highness, you have to know our enemies very well. Part of it is trying to understand where they got their massive strength and power from. This applies most to the Ka’erns.”“You mentio

The market square in the Lower Ring proved as lively as a festive night. Kael and Lucas, the upper half of their faces hidden under the shadows of their hood, joined the crowds along with the buzzing noise of the warm air. Above them, moonlight bled in the night sky. Kael’s suspicions of Lucas grew since they left the Grand Mage’s estate. It was Harith’s prized possession that made him curious of what Lucas could be attempting to achieve, given his freedom. The man always had hidden intentions out of every external goal he’s trying to show. And Kael doubted it was all for the good.Tents and stalls lined up on four sides of the square, with the people inside roaming along the line of stores like ants. Kael followed Lucas as the man seemed to know where he’s going. But this better be important … as Kael could not afford to waste any more time when Janshai and Luna had been missing.