Glad to be alive.

Perspective : Conrad Garnier

As I listened to his voice, there was a fleeting sense of familiarity, as if Elkdrack was being his usual self. But then, in an instant, my mind replayed the horrifying scene that had unfolded before my eyes. I witnessed his head being brutally severed from his body, leaving a gruesome trail of blood suspended in the air. I couldn't have been mistaken or hallucinating, yet I couldn't fully trust what I saw either. Despite that, Elkdrack appeared strangely normal, without any noticeable signs of suspicion.

The things we witnessed and fought in this place, I couldn't let pass it, if something or someone was impersonating him.

And he was doing such a hella heck job of it, that no one else suspected.

I had to find out, for my sake.

No, for Regina's sake. She must be protected.

If no one was asking, I had to be the one.

I mustered the courage to confront Elkdrack, seeking answers that had haunted me since I witnessed the events in the midst of battle. Leaning in closer, I posed my question with a mix of fascination and disbelief,

"I want to ask you something... I saw your head being chopped off... How are you still alive right now?"

Elkdrack replied, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness and weariness,

"I don't know, and I rather not talk about it".

Elkdrack continued, with a hint of depression evident in his tone,

"You too huh..... Everyone else asked me the same thing".

"Turns out same thing happened to Kyle".

"And apparently you".

I replied, my confusion palpable,

"What... me?".

Elkdrack replied, his gaze shifting towards Regina, "Well, I didn't witness it".

"It was Regina".

Elkdrack turned to Regina, his eyes urging her to speak up,

"Why don't you tell him about it?".

Regina replied, her voice carrying a mix of hesitance and urgency,

"I was going to".

"He just woke up?".

Elkdrack responded, a flicker of resigned acceptance in his voice,

"Well, now is as a better time as any".

I was baffled, my voice trembling,

"Regina.... what is he talking about?".

Regina looked straight into my eyes, her expression serious and intense,

"It is true, Conrad".

She continued, her words laced with a combination of awe and uncertainty,

"I saw that thing cut your torso off into two".

She asked me earnestly,

"You don't remember it".

"Think about it... try to remember".

I hesitantly replied, my voice laden with confusion and growing realization,

"I... I.... ".

Patrick interjected, his voice filled with doubt,

"Are you sure?".

"You don't remember it".

"That divine moment".

That's when those memories flooded back, that scene, that unbearable pain, and that cold sensation in my belly, as that thing's blade was plunged into it.

I recalled, my voice shaking with the weight of the recollection,

"I also remembered those weird chanting I heard".

Regina continued explaining, her voice taking on a mix of wonder and uncertainty,

"However, in a matter of moments, I witnessed something extraordinary. Your body began hovering in mid-air, emanating a mesmerizing green glow. To my astonishment, your body seamlessly reconnected, and you miraculously came back to life".

"But, I am yet uncertain, whether it was a dream or reality because I don't remember what happened right after".

She continued, her words filled with admiration and gratitude,

"But I know this, that you saved me, no, you... saved all of us".

"And I couldn't be prouder".

Elkdrack smirked as he looked at me, a mix of curiosity and satisfaction in his eyes,

"You remembered, right?".

"Such a bizarre experience".

Then Elkdrack pointed towards Patrick and said, a note of annoyance in his voice,

"This wacko here thinks that was a divine intervention".

Patrick said confidently, his voice filled with conviction,

"Indeed, what else could it be?".

"I had heard tales of people being possessed by gods".

"But I had never seen one".

Patrick said, his voice tinged with longing,

"I wish I was awake, conscious enough to witness that event and be certain about it".

"But I am not doubting it".

"I mean, why would I doubt god?".

Elkdrack then snapped at Patrick, his voice laced with frustration,

"Shut up!".

"You are making me sick".

And as he looked at me, a mix of relief and gratitude crossed his face,

"So, that's that".

"Glad to be alive".

As he slowly tapped me with his fist, a sense of camaraderie in his gesture, he said,

"You should be too".

Elkdrack looked at my face, his eyes searching for something,

"Still unsatisfied, huh?".

Elkdrack says it nonchalantly, but there's a hint of curiosity,

"What I mean is... maybe some God did help".

"Maybe some unusual force caused it".

"I would rather not pry".

"I am just happy I get to see the next day".

Then Elkdrack turns to Patrick, his stance defensive,

"But still, I ain't buying what you're selling".

Then,

I apologized to Elkdrack, my voice filled with genuine regret,

"I am sorry, that was pretty insensitive of me".

Elkdrack replied, his tone softened,

"No, I understand. If a dead person stood before me chatting about being rich".

"I would be spooked too".

Patrick replied, a touch of skepticism in his words,

"That ain't the right word".

"It's more along the lines of thinking whether he is stupid".

Elkdrack retorted, a hint of defiance in his voice, "When I become rich".

"You will eat your words, pal".

Patrick replied, his tone confident,

"We will see about that".

I replied, hoping to save a good impression,

"I wasn't spooked, just curious, that's all".

Elkdrack then explained his experience, his voice filled with a mix of awe and horror,

"Yes, It was truly an otherworldly experience".

"As I charged forward to face that thing".

"Poof! and I blanked out".

"And the next thing I know, there is a numbness in the rest of my body".

"And I see the back of my neck as my severed head flew like a pumpkin in the air".

"A very bloody handsome looking pumpkin, that is".

Elkdrack continued, his voice tinged with uncertainty,

"And then I heard that chanting".

"But I couldn't make heads or tails of it".

"Remember that mysterious lady that saved us by turning our mates back to themselves".

"Remember when they were being healed, they flew in the air, as they radiated a green aura".

"I reckon something similar happened?".

Then Elkdrack quickly stopped, his voice suddenly hushed,

"Ohh, what am I doing?".

Then he joined his hands and closed his eyes, as though he was trying to pray.

"I swear, I swear... It was a mistake, I didn't wish to pry".

"I am very grateful ...if you would forgive me".

Then he opened his eyes and turned to me, his tone firm,

"Well, we ain't talking about it no more".

"Forget about it, Conrad, just be happy that you are alive".

He was right, how would he know what happened? If similar things happened to Kyle and me of all people. He was in the dark, just like I was. He was right, though. I shouldn't care how it happened; I should just be glad that it happened and I am alive. As some things are never meant to be known, but yet I cannot shake this feeling, this feeling of morbid curiosity.

[ Conrad and everyone may have disregarded that event as an inexplicable or incomprehensible occurrence caused either by a divine act or the influence of an unusual presence within "the weeping forest". Nonetheless, the actual explanation is quite logical.

By connecting all the dots, one could draw a direct connection to the incident in which Emilia, Marcus, Thor Gild, Keira, Ikbal, and Sheela underwent a horrifying transformation, their bodies morphing into monstrous forms entwined with roots. Considering the severity of their physical degradation - perforated with holes and infested by crawling bugs - it is safe to conclude that they were no longer recognizable as humans, having turned into nightmarish entities.

Following the preceding events, an enigmatic figure materialized, perched atop a colossal, levitating hourglass. As she began chanting a spell, a profound stillness engulfed the room, freezing not only the transformed creatures and Conrad's allies but also Conrad himself. With the conclusion of her incantation, those affected seemingly levitated in mid-air, their injuries miraculously healing, and their consciousness restored. An emerald aura emanated from everyone present, even those who had not undergone the transformation, as their previously menacing wounds began to mend.

This suggests that the spell had a broader impact beyond just those who had undergone the transformation. It affected everyone present in the room, not only reviving and healing those who had turned and appeared lifeless, such as Emilia, Ikbal, Thor Gild, and Sheela, but also bestowing healing upon Conrad and the rest of the group. From this, one could infer that the primary objective of the spell was to revive and heal. While it successfully achieved this for Emilia, Ikbal, Thor Gild, and Sheela, it only provided healing to Conrad and the others.

Upon the revival of those affected, the spell dissipated from their bodies, having fulfilled its intended purpose. Unbeknownst to anyone, even long after the departure of the mysterious figure, the spell continued to reside within Conrad and the others who had not undergone that transformation, yet were still alive during its casting. Consequently, the spell transformed into an enhancing enchantment, augmenting their magical abilities and physical strength. as it could be witnessed that Whenever it automatically activates, it emanates a subtle green aura reminiscent of its initial casting.

So, Conrad, along with those who were still alive when the spell was cast, received a powerful boon. Their spells became more potent, their strength increased, their stamina seemed endless, and their natural resistance grew stronger. Furthermore, it provides an explanation for the unexpected effectiveness of certain spells, while those who were revived retained their normal abilities. Additionally, it sheds light on how Conrad and the rest of the group were able to journey to the lost village without encountering much formidable obstacles after emerging from that ant colony, as they were stronger then before but the forest remained the same.

So, When Conrad, Kyle, and Elkdrack tragically fell at the hands of the seemingly indestructible knight, the spell reactivated as originally intended. Both Conrad and Elkdrack could hear the familiar chanting while experiencing a sensation of floating, reminiscent of Emilia and the others. This suggests that the spell was reconfiguring itself to fulfill its original purpose for which it was cast in the first place.

Following that, the spell dissipated from their bodies. However, in the case of Keira, when he perished, he couldn't be brought back to life since no trace of the spell remained within him. The spell had already fulfilled its purpose on Keira, as he was revived alongside Emilia and the others. Thus, it marked the end of him.

Now, only two questions remained,

Who was that mysterious women?

And why did she decided to save them?]

Elkdrack came back to his previous topic and asked us, a glint of excitement in his eyes,

"Now, back to business".

"What price should I set for these babies?".

That's when Regina asked me, her tone filled with concern,

"Something the matter, Conrad?".

I replied, trying to hide my inner turmoil,

"No, nothing."

And then I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me,

"Where are the others?".

Patrick said, his voice heavy with sadness,

"They are back there, at that chamber."

"Emilia is trying to decipher some ancient murals."

I asked, hoping for positive news,

"I suppose everyone made it out just fine?".

Patrick's response was solemn,

"No, we had a casualty."

I asked, as I expected he would be dead,

"Brandon?".

Patrick said, his voice filled with grief,

"Keira."

Patrick spoke with the weight of loss evident in his words,

"We buried his body and had a sendoff while you were still unconscious."

Then Patrick led me to his grave, his tone somber,

"Follow me!".

Where I saw Thor Gild, my emotions conflicting as I laid eyes on him, I hated seeing his face yet I was glad for his survival, despite my mixed feelings towards him.

I wonder why?

Thor Gild said, his voice tinged with relief,

"Hey, you're awake now, finally!".

I said, my curiosity piqued,

"Thor Gild, what are you doing here?".

Thor Gild spoke, nonchalantly,

"Oh, you know, just getting some fresh air."

Then Patrick showed me Keira's grave, his voice heavy with sorrow,

"Here it is... this stone marks his grave."

Patrick said, his tone laced with bitterness,

"We lost so many people in this expedition that those gold ain't even worth it."

Elkdrack retorted, his remark tinged with a hint of selfishness,

"Speak for yourself."

As Regina and I prayed for Keira, a nagging thought surfaced in my mind. If Elkdrack and Kyle made it out alive, why wasn't Keira spared? Did Elysia have a hand in this? But I quickly retracted that thought, realizing it lacked evidence and was based purely on speculation.