The bustling city of Brancourt was alive with the midday sun casting vibrant hues upon the buildings and streets. The marketplace teemed with merchants and townsfolk, their voices a cacophonous blend of laughter, bartering, and conversation. With the sudden surge of magical books into the University, the city guards and most influential people were drawn there, engrossed in the new wave of knowledge and power that had swept through the city. This unexpected distraction was the precise moment Charles, Alec, and Maze had been waiting for.

Charles, his sharp features more evident under the harsh light of day, shielded his eyes as he clutched the Sky chapter event book close to his chest under his cloak and out of sight of onlookers. The energy emanating from it pulsed gently, a whispered promise of the energy within, ready to be wielded. Maze had made the decision to give him the more potent tool, and Charles was determined to prove it was the right choice.

Charles adjusted the collar of his shirt, making sure that Alec's illusory form, appearing as a thick stone bead chain around his neck, sat just right. The sunlight played upon his stoney image, causing the tiny elemental to shimmer and sparkle. Every so often, a small twitch or shift from Alec would cause the beads to sway gently, as if stirred by an unseen breeze.

Alec's true form, compact and lively, was a brilliant contrast against the grandeur and stoic nature of the castle's towering stone walls they faced. Though his true form was that of the stone, shaped and moulded by Alec’s core stone, Charles had quickly found his heart was as fiery and adventurous as any human's.

Charles, always impressed by Alec's adaptability, whispered to him, "Remember, stay still when we're around others. We don’t want them suspecting anything."

A tiny vibration from Alec signalled his acknowledgment, a secret code they had made for today.

With Maze leading the way, the two of them relied heavily on their magical tools and their wits, blending in and moving stealthily, all while under the watchful gaze of the midday sun.

Maze, ever the strategist, had chosen to cloak himself using the powers of his green earthen event book with Charles assistance. To any onlooker, he appeared as a mere shadow, blending seamlessly with the environment. Since he was well known as a storyteller and news bearer it would be better if he blended in rather than walk in the open.

Charles watered the gathering locals outside the castle walls, realizing that such a scene would've been unlikely just weeks ago under the tyrant's rule. A haggard-looking merchant stood beside his stall, desperation etched in his face. His goods, a paltry selection of vegetables and fruits, looked more wilted than fresh, resembling spoiled leftovers rather than fresh produce.

The city’s food supply was dire.

A group of thin children approached the stall. One child hesitantly presented a coin for a scrawny Ingad. One by one, the others followed suit, procuring whatever they could with the little they had. Although the merchant accepted the coins, there was a clear guilt in his eyes, regretful of the quality he was providing in exchange.

From behind his shadowy silhouette, Maze murmured an incantation. Before Charles’ eyes, the once wilted fruit within the children’s hands began to rejuvenate, swelling to a ripe and juicy size, drawing Charles's attention to Maze with a crooked eyebrow. "That might've taken more out of you than you'd like to admit."

Amidst the laughter of children delighting in their revitalized treats, Maze replied, "Sometimes, a little magic goes a long way. It was but a minor event."

But Charles's eyes widened when the spell continued its magic beyond the children's fruits, enveloping the merchant's entire stock. Within moments, the once languishing fruits and vegetables bloomed into pristine condition, as if freshly plucked from the best orchards and gardens.

"We should get going," Charles suggested, noting the expanding influence of the spell. It even seemed to leap to an adjacent stall, drawing a throng of eager patrons and overshadowing their presence. Guards, likely driven by hunger, shifted their attention to the suddenly bountiful stalls.

Maze, appearing as a mere shadow, gestured towards the King's keep entrance, “let’s move.”

With a nod of understanding, Charles opened his Sky chapter event book. Uttering an incantation, a hazy mist surrounded them, rendering them virtually invisible to prying eyes. Together, they approached the castle gates, slipping past the guards whose attention was on the bountiful stalls.

Through courtyards and corridors, the trio advanced, the sun’s rays beaming through the occasional window, creating patterns of light and shadow that danced on the castle floors. They were headed to a place few had seen - the personal sanctuary of the dead King.

The design of the Royal castle fascinated Charles. Each layer, each section was meticulously constructed, bearing testament to the countless threats it had withstood over the centuries. High walls, fortified towers, and cleverly designed checkpoints marked the architecture. It wasn't just stone and mortar; it was history solidified, each brick carrying tales of battles, both won and lost.

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Walking closer, Charles could almost hear the whispers of the past, the clamour of steel against steel, the shouts of commanders, and the roar of victory. The castle, a symbol of power and prestige, had shielded generations of royalty from external threats. Yet, for all its grandeur and might, the castle's walls couldn’t protect its last inhabitant from his own hubris.

While the area was clear he mused aloud, whispering, "For all its defence, it's ironic that the castle couldn't save the King from himself."

Maze glanced back with a shadowy smirk, "Walls can guard against swords and arrows, but not against ego and folly."

“And apparently magic,” added Alec.

“That too,” conceded maze with a look of defeat and continued to lead them down the hallway. Charles narrowed his eyes, observing Maze closely as they moved through the corridors. The shadows from the torches flickered across the stone walls, casting fleeting images that played tricks on the eyes. Yet, the one consistent thing was Maze's assured stride, leading the way with an unsettling familiarity.

Every now and then, the older man would pause, pressing his ear against a cold stone, or placing a hand on a seemingly random brick. Without a word, a hidden doorway would open, or a passage would reveal itself, allowing them to bypass guarded areas and continue their journey unseen.

Alec leaned close to Charles' ear, his gravelly voice barely above a whisper, "Maze knows too much. He's either been here before or had inside help."

Charles nodded. “Knowing Maze, both could be true."

For the time, Charles had travelled alongside Maze he shared both adventures and hardship with him, and in that time, he'd come to regard the elder not just as a friend, but as a mentor. Yet despite the mysteries that shrouded the old storyteller, Charles trusted him.

Maze, seemingly lost in his thoughts, didn't react to their whispered suspicions. Or perhaps, he simply chose not to. As the trio delved deeper into the heart of the castle, the weight of its history and the intrigue of their mission grew more with every step.

Hidden by a veil of shadow, Charles and Maze approached the grand doorway. Every intricate detail carved into the door seemed to hum with stories of the treasures it guarded. Standing vigilant, two guards, their expressions solemn, were stationed to protect the room within. It was a testament to their loyalty; even with the room's occupant gone forever, they remained, bound by honour and duty.

Charles felt a pang of sympathy. They shouldn’t pay for their loyalty with harm. Silently, he placed his hand on a page of the book and mouthed a minor event spell, sending a gentle wave of slumber towards the guards. Without a sound, the two guards' heads dipped, succumbing to a peaceful sleep.

As the magical guise waned, Maze turned to Charles, admiration in his eyes. "Well executed," he praised. Gesturing towards the door, he whispered, "The King’s secrets lie just beyond. Let's unveil them."

With bated breath, they opened the door and stepped into the room, ready to confront the buried secrets of tyrannical ruler.

Maze coughed as he entered. The atmosphere in the King's opulent bed chambers was thick with a powerful energy. The room was decorated with plush rugs, gold-trimmed tapestries, and extravagant relics, suggesting a life of overindulgence. Yet, beneath the splendour lay a darkness.

Alec hoped off Charles shoulder his rock-like feet sensing a disturbance underfoot. "There's a power here below us," he whispered, peering around. "It feels - familiar."

Charles nodded. "It reminds me of the old temple in the forest. The same resonance. A certain... pull."

Maze's expression shifted to one of deep concern. His gaze seemed to pierce through the lavish surroundings, seeing something far more sinister. "I'm not feeling the same energy," he admitted, rubbing his temple. "It's the souls... so many lost souls. This chamber is saturated with their grief and pain." He clutched his green book tighter, its pages resonating with memories of the room. “I fear the King must have killed so many innocents to mask the energy of this place.”

Charles watched as Maze tried to shake off the oppressive feeling. He seemed to be searching for the source of the energy that Alec and Charles had described. His eyes, seasoned from years of adventures, quickly found a concealed latch under a decorative rug. It revealed an entrance to a hidden stairway that spiralled downwards.

As they descended, the chilling ambiance of the bed chambers was replaced with a more earthy, cavernous feel. They emerged into a vast, cave-like structure, built into the castle's very foundation. Stalactites hung from the ceiling, and the distant sound of dripping water echoed nearby.

Alec's reaction was immediate. He cried out, a mixture of relief and sorrow, as his eyes found rows upon rows of Elementlet younglings. They lay dormant upon stone altars, their energy muted but still present.

"There’s survivors," he whispered as he walked among them. "The King must have been siphoning their power, turning their very essence into those damned magic gems. They're still alive but trapped in this suspended state."

Charles clenched his fists. "We have to free them, undo what’s been done."

Maze nodded solemnly, "And ensure that such atrocities are never repeated."

Maze, Charles, and Alec stood together in the dim chamber; the sombre atmosphere heavy with the responsibility of their discovery. The shimmering core stones of the young Elementlets pulsed gently, their soft light casting shadows on the cavernous walls.

Charles knelt beside one of the smaller stones, his hand hovering over it but not daring to touch. "We need to get them out of here. This place, it's... it's a tomb."

Alec's expression grew solemn, his stony eyes glistening with pain. "Moving them isn’t as simple as picking them up and walking out. Many of them are delicate, still in their early growth phases. The wrong movement, the slightest jolt, could be catastrophic."

Maze sighed, rubbing his temple with his fingers. "Then what do you propose? We can't leave them here."

Alec's eyes bore into the core stones of his kin. "I must stay with them. Until we know how to safely transport the heart stones, I can't risk their safety. I'll guard them, keep them stable."

Charles nodded slowly. "You won't be alone for long. We'll find a way, Alec."

Maze approached the secret doorway, his old fingers tracing the concealed mechanisms. "We'll search for a way, anything that can help us move them safely."

Alec nodded, determination burning in his gaze.

"Guard them well, old friend, we will return swiftly," Maze added.

With a final glance back, Charles and Maze made their way out, leaving Alec in the silent chamber, standing sentinel over the younglings. As the door clicked shut, Maze whispered a protective incantation, sealing it tightly behind them.