The wizard guided by Masi's words, "travel to the wondering grass, where the light failed to shine. The call of insects silent. And the shadows reigned," dutifully follow. This was her second message to him. He is scared to ask anyone. This place seems foreign to him. The slow pace of his walk resounding. The echoes interrupts by the same large Takati. The new companion glides. Its chirping is sometimes replied in return. Thedis is on edge.

He doesn't like the idea of going to a dark place. With the company of the large Takati bird, he felt more confident. After all, it helped him. Thedis decided to call it, "Barro (yellow)" due to the color of its head. Barro is always in sight of Thedis.

As the robed youth go further, Masi could only watch. She knows the dangers ahead. But she couldn't intervene against another god. Especially her own son, who dominates the mentioned land. In order for Thedis to win over, he must do so without the gods. Masi want to wait on it. But it was necessary.

The deities of loneliness and doubt are hard to please. They manipulate mortals daily. The deity Mangi (doubt) loves entering wars and affairs of his victims. And Loneliness (Sourlu) messes with lone strangers. However, Sourlu gets bored easily. Why Sourlu picked being the entity of loneliness is due to fact of a trick. Masi taught Thedis much about Sourlu. Because he often visited by Sourlu alternative appearance.

Today, Sourlu stayed away. The Takati guardian dispelling her efforts. Much of Sourlu's magic depends on being alone. Barro being around is a courageous encouragement. The risk of a Red-Tailed hawk is high. But it prefers being around, despite the dangers. As the clumsy youth finds a boulder on a hill, the worst happen.

Barro dived off. A shadow chases it. Faster, Barro swerve. The hawk swoops past. The mighty talons strikes the ground. Barro fly up. The chase resume. The Takati banking left as the hawk misses. It cries in anger. Barro glide at Thedis. The pursuer follow. Barro snaps backwards into the youth's chest.

The hawk pulled upwards. In his arms, Barro squawks. The shadow dives at Thedis. "Gai! (Push!)" And the hawk slapped the invisible wall. It flew in painful regret. The robed youth sigh in relief. His well timed incantation of gai saved Barro. Afterwards, Barro stays inside the hood of the cloaked robe.

From that scare, Thedis hoped Barro to stay safe. It almost died. The robed youth was glad to save Barro. It's dangerous to the bird. A realization, this world is a mysterious realm filled of hidden dangers. He stops. If he continues, will he die? A frightful thought grips him. Is it worth dying for the restoration of the runed pathway. Doubt of his success, worry the young man.

Most of his obstacles were mental. And his success of obtaining the key words from the god of space, from the aid of other gods. And he's about to undertake a challenge without any help. Should he abandon the task? He is not sure. Two close calls to their lives, he worries. Thedis might end up meeting Atota as a ghost.

As the thought of dying rummage into his head, a ghost briefly appears. He points ahead. Then the mysterious being disappeared. The youth doesn't know. Maybe he should trust the spirit? Cautiously, he steps. Inching forward, Thedis prepares for the worst. The tall grass made it hard to see. Thedis almost stepped onto a stone slab.

Cut and engraved words freshly made into the stone. Thedis approaches. He felt the hard edges. Ancient words says "Reet Basat (Draw courage)." He needed to see it. The young man kneel. He resite the words. "Reet Basat," he proclaims.

There was no light, no change of environment. Thedis confidently smile. He feel braver. The robed youth thinks about this power. Maybe he could use this in combination. "Reet Basat, Barro! (Draw courage, yellow!)," he shouts. But nothing happens. Barro still hides. Why did it failed? Thedis consider the possibilities. Maybe it just doesn't work. He caves on the idea.

With the new bravado, Thedis marches forward. The hawk watching from afar. It was watches for a change to get the Takati prey. And at a distance, all three are observed. The mysterious gaze carefully notes their actions. Soon this pest needs to be dealt with, the observer thought. The robed youth soon feel his courage waning as he went.