Race Against Time

The journey to Neomenia was a desperate race against time. Kaelix's eyes never left Eirik, whose pallor grew more alarming with each passing moment.

The relentless flow of blood stained Eirik's cloak and pooled on Kaelix's hands, a grim reminder of the urgency. Every jolt of the horse drew a faint groan from Eirik, spurring Kaelix to push their pace faster, beyond the limits of endurance.

Eirik's brothers, Theron, Lucian, and Julian, rode alongside in grim silence, their faces masks of fear and frustration. Theron frequently glanced back to ensure Sadiki, bound and guarded, wasn't causing any trouble. Lucian's knuckles were white from gripping the reins, while Julian, seemed to have aged years in mere hours, his gaze fixed on his wounded brother.

When Neomenia's towering gates finally appeared on the horizon, a wave of relief washed over them. Neomenia was unlike any kingdom they had seen, a realm of artistic splendor.