Jiro carefully helped Haru and Aurora into the carriage, making sure Haru was steady before taking his place at the reins. The afternoon sun bathed the academy grounds in a warm, golden light as they set off. The journey started smoothly, the rhythmic sound of the carriage wheels rolling over the cobblestones adding to the tranquil atmosphere.
Jiro guided the carriage smoothly through the winding paths of the campus, the sounds of nature growing louder as they left the busier parts of the university behind. Haru and Aurora sat comfortably, the afternoon breeze lightly tousling their hair as they passed through a serene part of the campus. The quiet atmosphere was occasionally broken by the enthusiastic waves and curious stares of students from the other university, who seemed eager to catch a glimpse of the Arknights.
Haru couldn’t help but notice the excitement in their eyes, especially when they spotted Aurora. She returned the attention with polite nods, her grace evident in every movement. Haru, on the other hand, kept his focus ahead, occasionally waving back but more interested in the conversation with Aurora.
As they rode past a central courtyard, Haru spotted Angel, who was in the midst of entertaining a group of girls, his charisma drawing them in like moths to a flame. Haru sighed, shaking his head with a small smile.
“That guy never stops,” Haru remarked, amused.
Aurora glanced over and then back at Haru, her expression thoughtful. “He has a way of making people feel at ease. It’s a skill, in its own way.”
“Yeah, but sometimes I wonder if he takes anything seriously,” Haru replied, leaning back in the carriage.
Aurora nodded, understanding his point. “We all have our ways of dealing with things. For Angel, maybe this is his way of coping with the expectations on him.”
Their conversation tapered off as the carriage drew closer to the library. The sight that greeted them was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The Great Library stood tall, a magnificent structure that was a testament to the blend of different architectural styles. Grand columns, reminiscent of Aurelian design, supported the front, while the intricate carvings from Kalkan culture adorned the archways. Stained glass windows depicting legendary Arknight battles splashed colorful light onto the cobblestone pathway leading to the entrance.
Surrounding the library were meticulously maintained gardens, with winding paths that invited visitors to explore the beauty of the area. The tranquil setting provided a stark contrast to the intensity of the battles that had taken place earlier in the day.
As the carriage came to a stop in front of the massive oak doors, Haru turned to Aurora, a playful glint in his eyes. “So, what are we going to research today? Something typical, or are you up for a little adventure?”
Aurora raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “An adventure? What did you have in mind?”
Haru leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. “Why don’t we look into Zane? The Conqueror Arknight.”
Aurora’s eyes widened slightly at the suggestion. Zane was a name that commanded both respect and curiosity. Known as the greatest Arknight in history, his life was a mix of legendary feats and mysterious events, especially surrounding his ominous end.
“Zane…” Aurora echoed, her excitement growing. “He’s a legend, but his story has so many layers. There’s a lot that’s not in the official records.”
Haru nodded, a grin spreading across his face. “Exactly. There’s got to be more to his story. If anyone had secrets worth uncovering, it’s him.”
Aurora nodded in agreement. “Alright, let’s do it. I’ve always been curious about what made him so powerful and what really happened at the end.”
The two exchanged a look of mutual understanding before stepping out of the carriage, ready to delve into the hidden history of Zane, the Conqueror Arknight. As they approached the grand entrance, the massive oak doors creaked open, inviting them into the vast, labyrinthine corridors filled with the knowledge and secrets of generations.
Haru and Aurora wandered through the vast aisles of the Great Library, their eyes scanning the countless shelves packed with books. The grandiosity of the place was overwhelming, but so far, their search for any substantial information on Zane had been fruitless. Every book they pulled from the shelves seemed to tell the same well-known stories, without any of the deeper secrets they hoped to uncover.
The further they ventured into the library, the more isolated and quiet it became. The hustle and bustle of the main reading rooms faded, leaving them in a secluded area at the back of the building. The shelves here were dustier, the books older and more worn. It was clear that this section didn’t see much traffic.
As they turned a corner, they stumbled upon a small desk with a young male librarian seated behind it. He looked up as they approached, adjusting his glasses. The young man was a bit pudgy, with round cheeks and a kind face. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose gave him an air of intelligence. He wore a simple brown sweater over a white shirt, and his eyes held a certain warmth as he greeted them.
“Hello,” he said, standing up as they neared. “This section is typically restricted. May I ask what you’re looking for?”
Haru and Aurora exchanged a glance before Haru stepped forward. “We’re Arknights in Training,” he explained. “We’re looking for something specific… information on Zane, The Conqueror Arknight.”
The librarian’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Ah, yes! I remember seeing you both at the stadium. Quite impressive.” He looked them over with renewed respect. “Well, if that’s the case, I suppose I can let you in.”
He gestured for them to follow him deeper into the back section. The shelves here were more cramped, the books older and more mysterious. Haru and Aurora followed closely, with Jiro trailing silently behind them, his usual energy subdued in the sacred atmosphere of the library.
The librarian, whose name tag read “Jamie,” finally stopped in front of a particularly large bookshelf. He scanned the spines for a moment before pulling out a massive tome with a dark, leather-bound cover. The title, embossed in faded gold letters, read *The Intricate History of The Arknight That Fell From Grace.*
“This is what you’re looking for,” Jamie said, placing the heavy book on a nearby table. “But I should warn you… it’s not in a language you’ll likely understand.”
Curious, Aurora opened the book. Sure enough, the pages were filled with text written in a language neither she nor Haru recognized. The characters were ancient, flowing in a script that seemed almost alive on the page.
“Can you read this?” Haru asked, turning to Jamie.
Jamie nodded, a small smile on his face. “Yes, I can. It’s an ancient dialect, one that’s not spoken anymore. But I have a gift—one that allows me to decipher languages.”
Haru and Aurora exchanged a look of surprise. “That’s incredible,” Aurora said. “But if you can read it, does that mean you know the whole story?”
Jamie shrugged modestly. “I’ve read bits and pieces. But there’s so much here, even I haven’t gotten through it all. I was never talented enough to become an Arknight, so instead, I was recruited to work in the library. Most Arknights don’t have much interest in reading, so I’m usually left alone with these books.”
Haru and Aurora both nodded in understanding. “Well, we’re definitely interested,” Haru said. “Could you read some of this for us?”
Jamie’s face lit up with enthusiasm. “Of course! I’d be happy to.”
Jiro, who had been standing quietly to the side, finally spoke up. “This should be interesting,” he said, his tone unusually serious for once. He pulled up a chair and sat down, clearly intent on listening.
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As they all settled in, Jamie began to read from the ancient text, translating the mysterious words into a story that held the secrets they had been searching for. The room grew quiet, the only sound the soft, melodic cadence of Jamie’s voice as he brought the history of Zane to life.
//////////////
Jamie adjusted his glasses, leaning slightly closer to the book as he continued reading aloud to Haru, Aurora, and Jiro. His voice was steady, but there was a weight to it, as if he understood the gravity of the words he was about to share.
"The earliest accounts of Zane have him hailing from what is now known as The Zaurelias Empire, but back then it was simply The Kingdom of Zaurel, a powerful yet small country stationed in the far east of the continent, close to the ocean strait that leads directly to the Elven Continent," Jamie read. "Zane was supposedly of mixed heritage, half-elf and half-human, and he wasn’t blessed with much physical ability in his early years. Considered a recluse due to his nightmarish looks—pale as a ghost, with features that gave him the appearance of a dead man walking—he remained an outcast, especially since he didn’t develop his powers until his late teenage years."
Aurora leaned in closer, her attention fully captured. Haru, too, listened intently, picturing the lonely, grim figure described in the text.
"During a rebellion that shook the Kingdom of Zaurel, Zane was nothing more than a simple soldier, a name among thousands, who had fallen in battle. The people believed him to be dead, another irrelevant soul lost to the chaos of war. But that was not the end for Zane Azashina," Jamie continued, his voice growing more intense. "When he next appeared, he did so with a power that was unparalleled—he emerged from obscurity to single-handedly slay the infamous Leviathan, a feat that would forever mark him in the annals of history."
Jamie paused, allowing the weight of those words to sink in. Haru and Aurora exchanged glances, both of them understanding the significance of slaying a creature as powerful as the Leviathan.
"Zane’s weapon, a dual-sided sword known as Twin Peaks, was said to be so sharp and powerful that it could slice through mountains like they were made of butter," Jamie read. "He was fast, strong, and his battle wit was unmatched. He spent hours in a grueling fight against the Leviathan, earning him the admiration and fear of all who witnessed or heard of the event. This was the prelude to his rise—Zane Azashina went from being a powerful Arknight to a superstar, from a hero who changed the world to a king who ruled with an iron fist, and eventually an emperor who sought to unite the continents under his banner."
Aurora's eyes widened at the mention of Zane's rise to kingship and then to emperor. This was a man who had not only achieved power but had ascended to the highest levels of authority and influence.
"But Zane's story did not end there," Jamie continued, his voice lowering as the story took a darker turn. "He proclaimed himself a god, declaring that his power was absolute and that he was chosen by the heavens. This marked the beginning of his descent—he became maniacal, his ambitions growing more twisted as he sought to reshape the world in his image. Zane Zaurelias turned against his own brothers and sisters in the Arknight Order, leading to a great schism that would fracture the unity of the order for generations."
Haru felt a chill run down his spine as Jamie read these words. The idea of an Arknight turning against his own was disturbing, but the implications of Zane's actions were even more so.
"His descent into madness was as rapid as his rise to power," Jamie continued. "Zane, once hailed as a world-changing hero, became a genocidal maniac, responsible for untold atrocities in his quest for dominance. He was a self-destructive force, consumed by the very power that had once made him great. By the end of his life, Zane was a lost, broken man—a mind shattered by the weight of his own ambitions and the countless lives he had destroyed."
Jamie finally closed the book, looking up at Haru, Aurora, and Jiro, who were all deep in thought. "This book, titled The Intricate History of The Arknight That Fell From Grace, was written by Ali-Solomon Demir, the Wisdom Arknight and founder of the Arknights Academy. It serves as both a historical account and a cautionary tale—a reminder of what can happen when power is left unchecked and ambition turns to madness."
The room was silent for a moment, each of them processing the story they had just heard. Aurora finally broke the silence, her voice quiet but firm. "This... this is more than just history. It's a warning."
Haru nodded, his mind racing with thoughts. "If Ali-Solomon Demir thought it was important enough to write this down, there must be something here that we need to understand."
Jiro, who had been sitting quietly, added, "I've heard of Zane, but never like this. The way he fell... it's almost like he was consumed by his own power."
Jamie nodded. "It’s a story that has shaped the very foundations of our academy, and the way we understand power and responsibility. Not many come to this section of the library, but those who do often leave with a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be an Arknight."
As they sat there, contemplating the gravity of what they had just learned, one thing was certain: the story of Zane Azashina was not just a tale of power and downfall—it was a reminder of the fine line between heroism and madness, and the dangers that lay in the unchecked pursuit of greatness.
Aurora and Haru sat silently as the weight of the words sank in. The thought of an Arknight, someone who was supposed to protect the world, becoming its greatest threat was both terrifying and fascinating. This wasn’t just a story of power but of how absolute power could corrupt even the greatest of heroes.
"This is just the intro chapter," Jamie said, glancing up at them as he closed the book for a moment. "And there's so much more to uncover."
Aurora exchanged a look with Haru, both of them realising the gravity of the story they were about to delve into. Haru felt a chill run down his spine; the idea of an Arknight falling so far was almost unthinkable, yet here it was, documented in what seemed to be painstaking detail.
Jiro, who had been quietly listening, looked between them and asked, "Do you think it could happen to someone else? Could an Arknight today fall like Zane did?"
Aurora shook her head slightly, still absorbing what they had just heard. "I don't know, but this book might have some answers. We should keep reading."Haru nodded, leaning forward with renewed determination. "We need to understand what happened to Zane. If there's anything we can learn from his story, it might help us avoid the same mistakes."
Jamie smiled, clearly pleased with their eagerness to continue. "Whenever you're ready, we can dive into the next chapter."
The three of them sat there, knowing they were on the cusp of uncovering something both dangerous and enlightening. This wasn’t just history—they were about to explore the dark side of what it meant to be an Arknight.
//////////////
As the day came to a close, Haru, Aurora, and Jiro left the library, the weight of the story they had just uncovered still heavy on their minds. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the campus as they walked back towards their university. Each step was accompanied by silent contemplation, the gravity of Zane's tale lingering like a storm cloud over their heads.
Haru walked with his hands in his pockets, his thoughts racing. He had always known the broad strokes of Zane's story—the rise to power, the tragic fall—but the intricate details had painted a picture that was far more complex and ominous. It was hard not to draw parallels to his own life: the feeling of being an outsider, the immense pressure of living up to expectations, and the struggle with power that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day. But Haru knew he was different. He had to be. He wouldn't let himself fall down the same path, no matter the challenges ahead.
Aurora walked beside him, her expression thoughtful. She too was processing what they had learned. The idea that someone so revered, so powerful, could lose themselves so completely was terrifying. It was a stark reminder of the dangers that lay ahead for all of them. They were all on a path to great power, but with that power came risks. Risks that could not be ignored.
Jiro followed slightly behind, uncharacteristically quiet. Even his usual cheerfulness was subdued as he considered the implications of Zane's story. It wasn’t just a tale of caution—it was a mirror, reflecting the potential for both greatness and ruin that lay within every Arknight.
As they approached the gates of their university, the sprawling campus bathed in the golden light of dusk, there was a palpable shift in the air. The day had been long and grueling, both physically and mentally, but now there was a new sense of seriousness among them. They had started the day eager to prove themselves, but now they were faced with the reality of what it meant to wield the power of an Arknight. It wasn’t just about strength or skill—it was about responsibility, about control, and about making sure they didn’t lose themselves in the pursuit of greatness.
They passed through the gates, the familiar surroundings of the campus coming into view. Other students were milling about, some heading to dinner, others preparing for the evening's activities. But for Haru, Aurora, and Jiro, there was a newfound resolve. They knew what they had to do. They had to take everything they had learned today—about themselves, about Zane, and about the path they were on—and use it to guide them.
As they made their way to their final lesson of the day, Haru could feel a determination building inside him. He was different from Zane. He had to be. He wasn’t just fighting for himself—he was fighting for those he cared about, for the future he wanted to create. And he wouldn’t let anything, or anyone, take that away from him.
Aurora glanced at Haru as they walked, sensing the change in him. She could see the seriousness in his eyes, the way he carried himself. It was as if something had clicked into place, a realization that had solidified his resolve. She felt it too—a renewed sense of purpose, a determination to face whatever challenges lay ahead with her head held high.
They arrived at the classroom building, the doors looming before them. This was it—their final lesson of the day. But it wasn’t just another class. It was a chance to put everything they had learned, everything they had experienced, into practice. To prove to themselves, and to each other, that they could rise above the challenges, that they could control their power, and that they would not be consumed by it.
As they stepped inside, the weight of the day still hanging over them, there was a quiet understanding between them. They were ready. Ready to face whatever came next, ready to continue their journey as Arknights, and ready to forge their own paths, free from the shadows of the past.