The sun cast, long shadows over the serene clearing, where Freya's transformation was in full swing. The atmosphere seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly energy, mirroring the profound changes happening within her. The mana, once a mere current coursing through her veins, now surged with newfound vigor, seeping into every crevice of her being.

Freya's meditation had intensified, her body becoming a vessel for the primal forces at play. Bones infused with mana became like forged steel, muscles pulsed with enhanced vitality, and even her skin radiated a luminous glow. The faint silver aura that once surrounded her had given way to a shimmering darkness much like her hair.

As the transformation progressed, the very impurities within Freya were expelled, manifested as a rotten corrupted pool pooling beneath her. Her appearance shifted too, as if time itself was reversing its grip on her features. The scar that marred her left eye faded, leaving only a delicate line that spoke of past struggles. It was as if her body was shedding its burdens, rejuvenating and evolving all at once.

In the midst of this metamorphosis, Freya's consciousness slipped inside Silverwind. It was a state of pure connection, visions flickered—ancient ruins, vibrant landscapes, and starlit skies—like threads of knowledge weaving a tapestry of enlightenment, speaking of forgotten times. In this state, Freya felt truly free, unburdened by titles and responsibilities, embracing the boundless potential of her existence along with memories of a bygone era.

Yet, beyond Freya's radiant cocoon, uncertainty thrived. Elisia, Alaric, and Alderic exchanged bemused glances as they witnessed the unprecedented spectacle. The clearing's air seemed to hum with energy, almost sentient in its resonance.

Alderic's wisdom guided their actions, suggesting they make the most of Freya's transformation. "Let us each focus on our own journey in the meantime. Elisia, delve into the depths of your healing abilities. Alaric, attune yourself to the currents of mana Freya emanates. Who knows what truths may reveal themselves in this?"

Elisia nodded, her eyes shining with a determination to fathom her unique connection with healing magic. Alaric's analytical mind approached the phenomenon with both curiosity and caution, striving to grasp the nuances of mana manipulation. Each of them retreated into their own quests for understanding, the clearing becoming a crucible of exploration and potential.

As night's curtain unfurled, Freya's meditation reached its zenith. Her eyes, once obsidian, now glowed with a luminosity that seemed to pierce the veil of reality. A profound calm enveloped her as the currents of mana wove an intricate dance around her form. In that suspended moment, she sensed a whisper—a beckoning call that resonated deep within her soul.

A whisper heard, a call profound,

A destiny unveiled, a mission unbound.

To settle the debt, the scales to mend,

A journey beckons, the past to transcend.

With a slow exhalation, Freya's feet touched the ground, and the glow receded, leaving only a faint trace of its brilliance. She stood as a testament to the enigmatic powers coursing through her. The transformation was complete, and in its wake, she emerged with a newfound clarity, her purpose crystallized.

Her gaze turned toward her companions. "Thank you all for waiting," she said softly, her voice infused with an otherworldly resonance. "I had an epiphany! I've learned of the true history behind the ancient civilization decline. I've also learned of what my role is to break the corruption plaguing the east and appease the sufferings of the past."

Elisia, Alaric, and Alderic exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

"To that end I will have to ask the Council and King to come to Oakheart so I can share the knowledge with everyone," Freya continued, her aura radiating an intensity that held them captive.

Alderic stepped forward, his eyes twinkling with intrigue. "You make me very curious, Freya what could you have possibly learned?"

Freya's lips curved into a serene smile, her gaze unwavering. "The world requires closure for an ancient conflict that left its mark on it, unfortunately for me I must be the one that does it. This spear here is the legacy of the ancient civilization, their will, power and wisdom is recorded in it. I need to share this with the kingdom, then I will travel beyond the wall and find a way to purify the corruption plaguing the land."

"We have so many questions..."

"I know, but let's hurry back, and all your questions will be answered." Said Freya as she began walking back.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

They got back at Oakheart at night while Freya went to her office and called Bryndor to inform him about what would happen, Alderic sent the summon to the remaining member of the Council still in Tyr Annwyn and to the king.

As this was an urgent call, all of them arrived by morning to Oakheart where Freya greeted them and invited them to the library. Freya banned everyone from being near the library and set up sentinels to prevent curious people from approaching.

The middle of the library had been accommodated with a round table and chairs to allow for a proper meeting. After each of them sat down, Freya began her story as she placed a book on the table, 'The Ancient History' was the tittle on the cover and it smelled of fresh ink.

"Esteemed guests, I thank you for your presence here." Began Freya to say as she looked at each of them, "I am sure you all are well aware of the discovery of mana, but what I found out yesterday is something even more unbelievable than that. As you know in this world we have evidence of an ancient civilization that once rulled the continent wich disappeared mysteriously. The legends speak of their hubris in challenging the power of gods and being wiped out by them but the truth is much more than that... The truth was recorded in this little guy here all along." Said Freya as she put Silverwind on the table and imbued it with mana causing it to project a hologram in the air.

The hologram depicted humans dressed in strange clothings like robes adorned with strange markings and symbols most of them had long flowing hair let loose or kept in a ponytail. Some of them were walking while others were riding on flying carriages, the buildings were hundreds of metres tall and across the streets were big panels advertising different stuff.

"Long ago the Avalonian people rulled this land, they had civilization far above our imagination. Thanks to the understanding of mana which was ever present in the world at that time anything was possible. After learning everything there is to learn about the world, eradicating all diseases and illnesses and conquered nature they began to think of themselves like gods and sought to experiment on the very essence of mana and with time and space itself, the experiments had the potential to tear apart the fabric of reality itself. This led to the Avalonians to split in two, one side in the west wanted to continue with the experiments while the others in the east thought that the danger they posed wasn't worth the risk and since they already had everything they could wish for there was no need for reckless experiments. In time this led to extremists on both sides who sowed the seeds of war..."

As Freya told the story the hologram began to change it showed those ancient people first debating peacefully then gradually becoming more and more heated, as the members on both sides began to shout and point at each others. Eventually the one in charge of the eastern side who had long red hair and was around 1.80 meters tall with a mature face left the building and on his way out an assassin attempted to take his life, the red haired man escaped but that sparked the beginning of war between both sides. After that the hologram showed the ongoing war, with the western side soldiers riding huge metal golems and metal birds fighting against the eastern side which had cultivators flying in the sky launching thunderbolts and fireballs on the enemy.

"Eventually the eastern side with the help of the old immortal sages who had an unimaginable cultivation base were starting to win despite the overwhelming war machines of the west. It was then that the researchers of the west developed a weapon that attempted to seal or take away the mana in a certain zone to counteract the cultivators from the east that relied mainly on the mana present in the air..."

Said Freya as the hologram showed a huge room on top of the Avalorian mountain range. The researchers in the room were busy tinkering and calibrating a huge device moving about in their white lab coats.

"The news from the war front prompted their leader to order the activation of the weapon. The researchers tried to argue that the weapon is still unstable and they haven't managed to calibrate the firing range yet, but the one in charge ordered them to start anyway. The weapon was a tremendous failure...", continued Freya as the hologram changed showing images of the huge Avalorian mountain range with a huge canyon in its middle, and a shockwave covering the whole continent with a black wave sweeping over the eastern side.

"It exploded leaving behind what we now know as Tir Nannong Pass, the immense power it had caused natural mana to disappear, in it's place a more corrupted version was left that twisted the nature and lifeforms on the eastern side of the continent, the Avalorian mountains served as a protection for the people in the west but not entirely, as the corrupted creatures made their way past the mountains they began to spread their tainted essence all over the continent. In the face of their demise the previous leader came out of seclusion and used his life force as well as remaining mana to create a device in which he recorded the history of the Avalonians along with all his mana and wisdom."

The hologram showed a group of old people in a circle pouring their blood and mana in a spear with a black handle adorned with mysterious runes and silver tip.

Beneath the weight of choices unwise, we inscribe this tale with heavy sighs.

Through arrogance our path was marred,

Choices made, our world scarred.

In regret, we stand forlorn,

Seeking redemption, a new dawn to adorn.

Our sacrifice, blood and mana bled,

Into the spear of sorrow, where stories spread. Cryptic echoes of remorse we impart,

For one to mend our mistakes.

After this an image where a young boy picks this spear up is shown before the hologram is cut off and Freya finished, "And this ladies and gentlemen is the story of the Avalonians. Eldric unlocked a bit of this relic potential when he picked it up but it seems that only after 900 years did this spear chose me as it's wielder."