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C A L L U M

The start of it wasn't so bad- the lights from other plants illuminated his path so it was easy to get around, and the ground was a lot smoother than it ever would have been in Katolis.

But the hard part?

Thinking logically.

If they had found it near the lava cliffs, the obvious answer would be...

Um...

"Icy ground!" Callum exclaimed aloud. He turned around to see if anyone had heard him. His face now red from embarrassment, he skipped stones across the lake, following its path to find the sun beginning to shine at the break of dawn.

It was rather confusing, really. Where was there in Xadia that you could find icy ground? It didn't come around often, and it definitely wasn't anywhere on the map- so it had to be a weather change. Any place with climate change would probably be in the south, further away from where the warmer areas were.

Callum got up, running his fingers through his hair, determined to find his way and direction across the forest.

He felt something poking his thigh in his pocket, definitely something small and light.

 Reaching down and opening his bag to find a device with a speaker attached to the front and a small screen on the back. It was no bigger than the size of his palm, with a headset that connected against it that allowed him to listen to what was said in through the speakers.

When he flipped it over, a message was written on the screen, saying:

Queen Aanya of Duren has given this to you as a gift, you can communicate with others with this device.

It reminded him of a walkie-talkie, the ones that adventurers would use in books. Queen Aanya had given this to him... how? What did she do?

Did they even have technology here? How did they even collect it? Maybe perhaps through dark magic- he had seen Claudia do a few electricity spells aside from fulminis that was enough to power entire houses.

He was almost certain that the closest thing they ever had to devices was dark magic.

Or ovens.

But he pushed away that small detail aside, assuming it wasn't too much of a big deal- this was Queen Aanya, of course he could trust her.

Static cleared against the speakers, the thought soon slipped his mind. And although there were no visuals on the screen, he could definitely hear a voice.

"Hello?" He asked, hands shaking against the wires the speakers.

"Do not fear. This is the Five Kingdoms Organization." The voice was muffled and in a low voice, sounds of flames crackling and beeping machines echoing into his ears. "We are aware of this disease and are currently looking for a new cure. General Amaya has instructed us to explain to you that you must go to the sea ice platforms to the south and search for the..." the voice continued, now pausing. It then responded, "... the cure."

Callum nodded, allowing the voice to continue.

"You have enough time. You may come back after the next sunrise, but it is crucial that you get it as soon as possible, understood?"

"Yes, I understand." He responded quietly.

"Thank you. And tell no one about this disease or conversation, understood? We don't want any of the kingdoms in a panic," the voice now said it more gently, and Callum could almost hear the smile in the voice.

"Understood."

"Also," he could hear pages flipping. "Janai says, 'Good luck, human.'" Callum had to pinch his nose to stifle a laugh, responding with a smile.

"Okay. Thank you."

And the call ended.

He had to hurry, his goal, after all, was to wake up early and find the cure as soon as possible. He couldn't let it spread around, it had to be in one place and one place only.

But that was in contact with Janai and Aunt Amaya, which he now learned were quarantined in a cell, alone.

Determined and motivated, his feet began to increase in speed and pace as he started panting, sprinting and nearly tripping on the overgrown roots of trees. It was only until later when he heard static from his device cutting through his thoughts.

It must be the Five Kingdoms Organization again.

But...

The screen was on...?

"Hello-"

Looking down at the screen, he could find Janai lying down in a cell with no opening at all, saying in a muffled voice, "It's a lie! It's all a lie, Callum! They're coming to get us-"

He turned off his screen, his heart thumping like a rock against a satchel in his chest. He tried to close his eyes, but all he could see was the madness and desperation in her voice, fingers clawing at the screen, and gasping for air.

This was serious now, and he needed to get help as soon as possible... but if he asked someone, it would put everyone in danger.

Janai had gone mad, now discussing what he assumed what the dark mages would have done.

Then... what about his Aunt?

He shook his head to clear his thoughts, realizing the sun was now sailing in the sky with and orangish-pink tinge, almost like a grapefruit.

Callum took a deep breath, running towards the south and looking at the sun for time reference, he had learned a thing or two from camp.

He leaned against a tree to catch his breath, closing his eyes and taking a sip of water.

What are you even doing this for? 

A voice rang in his head. 

His eyes shot open.

He stopped for a second, hesitating and bearing his surroundings. 

Who was he doing this for? It was for his Aunt, right?

As much as he loved her, it wasn't that. That was not his inspiration, being honest. So who was it that he wanted to protect?

Obviously the kingdom of Katolis.

But was it? Katolis was amazing! Why wouldn't you do it for them?

But he knew it wasn't it.

He took a few deep breaths and closed his eyes- and instantly the thought in his head caused him to grin.

Ha.

With the sun shining behind him and the sky a solid shade of ombre pink, he stood up and exhaled with a warm smile on his face.

"For you, Rayla."

(The schedule for Monster is posted on my announcements page. If you would like information for spoilers leaked through announcements, teasers, fanarts, face reveals, snippets of upcoming chapters or a screenshot of my plot diagram for spoilers; [be sure to follow to get info on future announcements ^_^])