Within the realm, it seemed the rule of gravity was not quite constantly. Some of them were standing on walls, others clung to edges of the platforms, climbing on them rather then falling further away. It seemed it was mostly level, but the walls could be used as floors as well, and depending on what surface your feet last touched is what determined the gravitational pull you were effected by.

"Zuuki, when did you learn how to throw knives?" Esre asked.

"Ah...after the Graveyard incident, I have been learning some self defense techniques!"

"As a maid serving Young Master, considering his living situation and potential threats, I made sure to learn a number of tricks that could easily be hidden. After all, it would be unsightly for a maid to carry around obvious weapons. I made sure to teach Zuuki as well".

The excuses were good and very reasonable. Besides, they were far too focused on the Archive to question it. It summoned several skeletons with weapons, that proceeded to attack them all.

"What are these?"

"...its previous victims, taken right from its stomach" Theo said. He then summoned several sparks of light around him, they looked like small stars. He then thrust his wand forward, having made it take its larger shape.

"Star Shower!"

The stars all shot forward, piercing through the skeletons and impacting the "ground", doing some damage in the area of impact after the initial impact damage. This got rid of a lot of them, but then a black shadowy knight appeared in front of Theo.

Rowyn however quickly took his sword and fought against it.

"Fraudwyn 3rd Style: Upending Launch!"

Suddenly, as Rowyn slashed upwards, the large and heavy looking black knight found itself thrust into the air, doing a bit of a flip and then landing on its back behind Theo.

"I will hold the back! Everyone, get to that book and destroy it! Its the only way to end this and survive! Runo be careful, it got its claws into you, even if only for a moment, so I may try to use that connection against you!"

"R-right!"

A few tried to approach Zak and Zoa from behind, but Zuuki suddenly appeared and thrust his fingers together. At the same time, countless steel strings wrapped around them and sliced them up into pieces, destroying them as he threw a knife and intercepted an energy blast that was shot from the book.

The bookshelves themselves suddenly started to move, as they tried to crush those they could.

"Everyone keep moving! This is its Realm, and its a powerful foe! Dont underestimate it just because its a book, its the Delzar Archive, the scourge of the world! Its corrupted thousands of people across millenia and killed millions!"

"We have the advantage of cornering it before it managed to acquire a human under its control! It hasn't harvested any energy recently, so this is possibly the weakest anyone has ever encountered it!"

They might be mostly young children, but they all had combat training, and some had combat experience. Along with two Imperial Spies/Assassins, and a legendary hero, against an evil book that had yet to even start the chaos it usually would when it appears. This was possibly the most evenly balanced fight anyone had ever had against The Delzar Archive.

The book tried to flee, but Theo got out another spell.

"Shooting Stars!"

He launched the attacks, but the book put up a barrier and moved to dodge. Dodging didn't help as much, as this time the stars turned on their own and began to chase down the book. The barrier protected it, and no real damage was shown, but some wiggling was seen on the impact, so it had some effect.

Several strange objects seemed to fly out of the book. They were all words, three dimensional now, and they came flying right at them. Death, Obliterate, Kill, Destroy, and other words like that. Everyone instinctively felt the terror of danger from them, but managed to not freeze from them and dodged the attack. Zuuki threw a knife into the world Obliterate, which destroyed the knife but also the word as well.

"Seems they can be intercepted at least".

"Be careful, any of those would have instantly killed us!"

At that moment, they saw a large word come over with the Skeletons. Explode.

"Crap....Vortex!"

Theo quickly used the Void Magic he was still not used to, in order to try and create a space to absorb the explosion to protect them. Where Celestial Magic utilized the power and imagery of stars and celestial objects, Void Magic utilized space and emptiness. It could be used to look through walls or even pass through them, as well as create gravitational vortexes and other applications of gravity.

Storm Magic on the other hand, made use of the power of Storms. Lightning, thunder, wind, rain. And there was also Transfiguration magic, which utilized the concept of changing objects, their form and material, and things like that.

These and many more magics made up the world.

"Storm Sparrows!"

Theo and Runo both synchronized and cast the strongest Storm Spell they knew, Storm Sparrows. It created a flock of birds made of lightning, which would fly towards their targets and impact them with a powerful electric shock. Once impacted on a target, the bird would be destroyed.

"Michi, Taka!" Theo announced, summoning two lesser spirits. "Attack the barrier around the book, look for weaknesses!"

Paza proceeded to use knives to destroy the cores of a number of skeletons as they tried to get in the way, while Rowyn faced off against the black knight. Other Black Knights continued to rise, so Theo utilized another two casts of Star Shower as they ran towards the book. Theo jumped from bookshelf to bookshelf, and Zak and Zoa were right in front of him. They kept firing magical lasers from their swords at the enemy. From what Theo remembered, that was from the Noble Magic, a type of magic that uses the power of goodwill and heart. The original people who became Nobles and Royalty had been the ones to use that, and they were its strongest users, and fought in the front lines against The Darkness, an evil god that invaded the world thousands of years ago.

Of course, magic talent was not guaranteed to be hereditary, and naturally between corruption and other aspects, the Nobles of today on a whole didn't resemble those of the legends. They were not all evil and corrupt either, there were many that could be best described as being neutral, not quite pure good, but not evil either.

Incidentally, the twin protagonists have a natural affinity for the magic, and its part of their base gameplay. It seems even at this age, they still had that ability.

"Hear our souls roar upon the great winds of fate! We beckon a great charge towards the light, and to pierce through the darkness and malice that attempts to cloud our path!"

They began to chant. Chanting is required for spells that are complex and powerful, but as it could also leave one vulnerable, it was a risk. In the game, one would often have to manage their party or the terrain well in order to avoid getting defeated, but such spells often showed a good deal of effect. There was also the ability to develop skills to chant faster as well. And although quite expensive and hard to acquire, high quality spell gems and other expensive and hard to acquire spell storage objects could be used to cast them instantly, but they would often be used up or crumble after a single use.

"Let our might be the kind that breaks through the darkness and brings hope and salvation to all! Heroic Blaze!"

The Delzar Archive seemed to recognize the spell they were chanting as a threat, and began to target them. Bookshelves moved to try and smash them, and the very realm itself sought to obstruct their path.

"Hear me, stars of the sky. Break through the transcendent barriers and break through to the enemy!"

As the enemy focused on the heroes however, Theo used that chance to launch his own spell.

"Blazing Comet!"

A small comet appeared behind Theo, and errupted forward, destroying anything in its path as it opened up a way. The bookshelves seemed to adapt, quickly patching up the holes, but they were able to slip through. As they did though, Theo found himself attacked by a Black Knight that had hidden, knocking him to the side and off the platform. He managed to land on another one, but the knight quickly charged forward.

It then got sucker punched by a flying red energy blast.

"Dont hurt my friend, you jerk!" Esre shouted, catching up quickly.

Theo meanwhile summoned two more lesser spirits.

"Raza, parry! Ren, go for the joints!"

Theo said that as he jumped back, and aimed his wand. He looked up at the sky.

Tsk, if only it was nighttime and we had an open sky. I could use that spell, but unfortunately it wont work under these conditions.

Celestial Magic had a unique feature that some of its best spells required one to be outside and at night, but with these conditions they didn't have much of a choice right now.

"I open up the Celestial Path, give me guidance and let me understand the right way to go about things".

Theo chanted a new spell, as a knight tried to attack him. Raza and Ren were helping, but they were not much against the Black Knight. Still, they just served to buy time.

"Lead me to the ideal future! Stargaze!"

Once that spell was out, Theo's eyes began to glow as he could see the actions the Black Knight would take before it made them. The spell drew power from the constellations and how people used them with Horoscopes for fortune telling. In the game, it let one see the attacks that the NPC enemies would make before they actually made them, although only after they had actually initiated them.

With this Theo was able to dodge the Black Knight's attacks, but then he found himself dodging attacks from the Black Book as well.

The book seemed to be mainly concerned about four people. The two heroes of course, as well as Rowyn. They were the biggest threats here.

But without a doubt, the book was blatently murderous towards Theo as well.

In the game, its one of the things that is guarenteed to kill me...could this be related to that?

Theo didn't have the wiggle room to think about it too much, as he saw a bunch of futures where he died, and a few where he just got wounded. He was forced to take a hit, but with a magical barrier to soften the blow, being sent flying into a labrynth of books. He impacted the ground, and the bookshelves grabbed his wrists and ankles to hold him down as three black knights appeared, swords out and charging at him.

And yet, the knights suddenly got frozen in a web of wires, incapable of moving even an inch. Zuuki quickly slipped into the room, and broke the restraints.

"Do it Theo, we will protect you" Zuuki said, as Runo and Paza joined them.

"Understood" Theo said, getting to his feet. He then went through with the pose and the action. "I need you, Guardian Knight!"

Rowyn disappeared from wherever he was, and re-appeared in his Guardian Knight form. Theo felt himself fall to his hands and knees, the weight and pressure the spell put on him excruciating. Still, he had just enough leeway to wrap himself in a barrier.

Theo was now down, but Rowyn was at full strength. He cut through all the Black Knights, and charged right at the book with a giant spiritual sword. The heroes also managed to reach it, and had put some cracks in the barrier, but as a response it had doubled and tripped the barriers around it, and reinforced them all. Not only that, but several Shades surrounded it, casting spells at the would be attackers.

Zak and Zoa were able to avoid them, and Rowyn cut right through the spells, but as they tried to attack the shades, the book attacked them with its Words, all of them dangerous. But that was not all...

"...Mom?"

"Dad? How are you?"

"...to think it would show me this".

In front of the twins were their dead parents. And in front of Rowyn, was his dead wife. Even Rowyn lost his pace for a moment, and retreated with the twins as he saw that.

"They are illusions! Fakes! The book is worming its way into our minds now!"

"But this book is also how you could bring us back..."

"You could turn back time, prevent us from dying in the first place".

"You could end the discrimination once and for all with the knowledge in this book".

It spoke words that echoed and resonated with their souls, and their deepest desires.

"We could help you end the calamities approaching. And make no mistake, they are approaching".

"The first event of death is closer then you think. When tears flow, it may already be too late".

"We could help you reveal the truth about Theo and Pelria. You could save him from the suffering he faces in the future".

There was a magic in the words, to make them more enchanting. But also, the very ideas themselves within the words interested them and their goals, their wants, the truth within their minds. It was offering everything they ever wanted.

Rowyn even felt himself allured, but swung his sword and seemed to cut through the enchantment on them in the process.

"This book would twist our desires into something wicked. We cannot trust it!"

"...right".

"Yeah".

The two looked like they took some psychological damage, but they rallied themselves again for the fight.

This was the true danger of the book. This may be its martial power at its weakest, but its mental power. The ability of temptation and desire, of dark knowledge that comes at a cost and from such a sketchy source, that was where it true danger and power lied.

The last time this book fell into the hands of a king, that kingdom was destroyed internally with over 90% of the population dead by the time the chaos was over and it was defeated.

Rowyn made another attack at it, and was able to crack, but not shatter, its outer barrier. The twins did a follow up attack before the barrier regenerated, attacking its weakpoints that were made, and that proceeded to shatter the outer barrier. Once that was done however, the shades hit them with a variety of spells and magic attacks they had used earlier, aside from those under Noble Magic.

"Fraudwyn 5th Style: Unending Annihalation!"

Suddenly, Rowyn seemed to move around the barrier, striking it constantly.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"Keep the shades off me!"

Zak and Zoa proceeded to do so, as the two lesser spirits from earlier, Michi and Taka, guided Rowyn around the sphere. Wherever they identified, Rowyn struck, and Rowyn did not stop striking nor did he stop moving. He made no offensive or defensive actions against any other enemies, but in exchange, his attacks on the barrier forced the Archive to focus purely on defense.

This technique...its better againstt a living creature, but I cant be too picky right now.

Rowyn focused on these attacks, and his unending strikes were doing some nasty damage. But as he did, two Black Knights emerged from a nearby crevice in the bookcases nearby and attacked where he was moving to.

"Power Fist!"

Before they made a hit though, Esre jumped out and punched one of them into another, throwing off their attack.

"I call upon the power within my blood, let them know my true power".

Zoa, Zak, and Rowyn were both shocked by Esre's next words.

"I bring forth the golden age of heroes, which transcends mortal laws and restraints".

Hearing those words, the book suddenly lowered its focus on defense and proceeded to send every Shade around it, as well as launch several attacks directly, at Esre. Rowyn, Zak, and Zoa all moved to defend Esre.

"I call upon the golden light which brings peace and harmony to all, and call upon power even the Gods have no claim over".

The attacks on Theo, Paza, Zuuki, and Runo stopped completely at this point, which let Theo start to try and cast a spell.

"And now, come forth and show the truth of your majesty! Heroic Might!"

Esre suddenly was basked in a golden energy, with some of it focused right on his fists. He launched forward and proceeded to make a single punch on the magical barrier, and the barrier shattered instantly. Suddenly, a word of Death came out of the book, but Esre dodged that and used his other fist to break the next barrier.

Esre had just used Noble Magic, and quite a big one at that. His hair and eyes had turned golden, and he was eminating a great power.

It was said that many heroes of the Empire had been produced from Yasuri. Everyone knew their fame, their legend. But certainly, without a doubt, seeing something like this in person was different.

The moment the second barrier broke though, Esre's golden light vanished and he seemed to collapse upon the ground. Rowyn didn't waste this chance, and attacked the book directly. He cut it right in two, defeating it and ending the battle. The enemies faded and disappeared, and the Realm that was established began to dispand, as everything came back together and formed a normal room.

With the tension dissipated, Theo unsummoned the Guardian Knight form, and Rowyn turned back to normal.

However, Rowyn looked around.

"...that was too easy. How did..."

Suddenly, Runo shouted and pointed at something.

"The word! Its still there!"

The Death it fired out earlier, that Esre dodged, was still there. The word then transformed, and it turned into the Black Book, the Delzar Archive. The doors swang open and it rushed out as Esre came to.

"Rowyn, Zoa, Zak, Paza, Zuuki, dont let it escape!"

Theo was too weak from the summoning, and Esre was weak from using a magic that was well beyond the ability of a seven year old. Runo had nearly been ensnared, and he was the slowest of those left. Besides, someone had to stay back in case it returned.

Therefore, those five chased after the book. They ran into the duke, who saw the flying book pass him along the way.

"That is the Delzar Archive! Its running away!"

The moment he heard those words and saw who was absent, August drew his wand immediately.

"Shooting Stars!"

He used Shooting Stars, although his version was clearly more powerful then Theo's, and fired them right at the book. It dodged and put up barriers, as it quickly went into the living room and went up the fireplace chimney. The group ran to the nearest balcony, where they saw it flying off. They fired long range attack magic, but the Delzar Archive managed to evade it all and escape.

"Tsk. It got away!"

"We wounded it at least, so that should make it difficult for that book to act for quite awhile. We should let everyone know its been sighted in the area. How are Theo, Esre, and Runo?"

"Safe. Theo and Esre are exhausted, and Runo is guarding them".

"Whew....where did that book come from?"

"It was from your daughter's packages that she sent here".

"Paza, please get me the Towerkeeper, I need to know if this book attacked or possibly affected my daughter".

"...understood".

"I will be in the library, I need to hear from everyone exactly what happened, and investigate if anyone might have been affected".

----------------------------------------

In the end, Runo, Zak, and Zoa all ended up needing to be watched more then the others. Rowyn had been the only one attacked that broke free of his own, so he was not included in that list. Theo and Esre were brought to Theo's room to recovery. To be safe, everyone involved all had to be fully examined by medical and curse specialists, from every inch of skin head to toe, and would remain that way for awhile to monitor for delayed curse signs. When one was sick or had been afflicted with a curse of any kind, it was standard practice to keep them naked so their condition and symptoms were easier to monitor, and it was believed to help them recover. Especially curses, which are considered to be one of the most dangerous and most difficult things to deal with in this world.

It was also in case the curse was transformitve in nature, to avoid clothes being damaged.

Even if they didn't appear to have been attacked telepathically and targeted by the book, there was a chance they had been affected in secret, so everyone had to be monitored for awhile and tested. Even if Rowyn broke free on his own, this book was known for being crafty and clever. There are rumors that it could implant curses or charms that might not appear until well after it attacked them, but it usually required more time with a victim first. But the Duke was being overly protective since Theo had been attacked by such a thing.

Curses were also just overwhelmingly dangerous, and that book probably had knowledge of all curses that existed. It is said it knows all academic information, and can answer any question. It even knows of secrets that it should not know, and to some extent it knows the people around it. Especially the deepest desires of those who get close. But even basic curses were often difficult to remove unless you learn of the specifics behind it, so such a book that knew such a wide array of them, all safety protocols would be followed.

Thankfully, one limitation of curses is that with few exceptions, they leave some sort of mark on the body. Those marks may not always be present, it may require moonlight or sunlight on it to make it appear, or to make it wet. As such, those who may be cursed often have to go through various paces and be observed throughout all these tests, since it could appear anywhere on the outer body. From a fingernail to in one's eye, to on one's butt, to the skin inbetween the big toe and the second toe.

That was why placing curses on people was incredibly dangerous, and essentially illegal barring rare circumstances. Curses were not something anyone could just wave off or dispel, they were given the name "Curses" for a reason after all. Its because of how difficult they were to deal with, or even identify. Of course, most cases of Suspected Cursed often end up being fake, just someone overly worried or mistaking something as a curse. But they had to be safe, in case its a time when it is an actual curse.

As a note, Rowyn had been given cursed poison when he was eleven, and because of that he was never able to get any bigger or grow beyond the frame of an eleven year old cat beastkin, or even grow body hair. He lived for over three decades after that incident, and he never once found a way to remove the curse. Noble Magic, ancient rituals, even threatening the one who cursed him, nothing worked.

Curses were easier to break the earlier you noticed them and identified them, as it could take days or weeks before a curse fully imbued itself in the host. Rowyn hadn't even been aware it was a cursed poison at first, he thought it was just a poison. After all, it wasn't apparent until years and years later, when it became clear he stopped growing. By that point, it was far too late, the curse was already fully imbued. Perhaps had he known originally, it might have been possible to subdue or weaken the curse at least, if not remove it entirely. That was also why doing all of this right after a potential cursing was so important, and why Rowyn made sure they followed through with it.

Of course, it was difficult, sometimes impossible, to place a curse on top of someone already cursed, so Rowyn was actually the most protected out of everyone there. But since no one outside of The Enigma Solution knew his identity, no one was actually aware of that and he had to go through it all anyways. Well, he considered it just being a good friend by going through the same embarrassment and unpleasant tests that they did.

In the game, Curses were incredibly difficult to cure. Even the Protagonists could not always solve the curses. It required properly investigating the curses, building upon that information, finding the core aspect of the curse, and then having that person confront it while utilizing special items only made from extremely rare and hard to find ingredients. It also required a ritual, which could be different depending on the curse. And this was only possible due to special powers inherently possessed by the protagonists, a rare and legendary power. Just like how Delzar Archive could create a Realm, a pocket of warped space that was like its own mini-reality, the protagonists too have a unique ability to create a Realm, known as the Realm of Hearts.

Yes, the very name of the game itself. That underlined just how important it was. It was often used to help bond more quickly with their friends and romance targets, but it can also be used to help break curses. Provided you met all the proper requirements that is.

Since I dont have that power myself, I should probably play it safe and have Rowyn handle any cursed objects for me. His already existing curse makes it difficult if not impossible to curse him anyways, though I should check with him to be sure.

Theo looked over at Rowyn, who was standing there with a sword in his hand. He looked a bit ridiculous, holding a sword while naked like that, since there were guards outside the doors already, but he was determined.

"You know Rowyn, you could sleep with us, if you feel so worried" Theo offered.

"Oh, I will. But, until I get tired, I will protect you..."

"I dont think it will come back".

"That is not what I am worried about. For your sister to have that book, and she just sent it back by chance? When she probably got information about how often you go to the Library alone?"

Theo paled.

"You think it was a trap set for me?"

"It was at least an option she would have known about. But considering what I know from your memories, its possible she was also the one who distributed it two years in the future".

As they spoke, Esre and Zuuki came in, tired. they plopped their naked bodies on the bed, exhausted.

"Curse Examinations suck".

"Uhg...that was terrible".

"...Esre, you speak like you have gone through this before?"

"Yeah, my mother made me because she found my behavior weird. She thought I was under some sort of curse. It took an entire month before I was fully cleared".

"A month?!?!"

"She was in denial. She had tests repeated over and over".

Zuuki then looked at Rowyn.

"The Duke wants to see you next by the way".

"Hmm? But I went through all of tonight's tests already?"

"Nah, I dont think thats what he wants to talk about. He didn't say anything, but he apparently ordered two bottles of wine, so I think its a long one. Maybe on security, and your opinions on how to deal with such a threat?"

"I see. Well, I will be back soon. If anyone starts to act weird or tries to strangle each other in your sleeps, make sure to shout. There will always be guards outside this door, ready to respond to any danger they hear".

Rowyn said that, as he went to go meet the Duke to help increase the security. Still, there was a minor sense of satisfaction. It was two years early, but they managed to fight off one of the ways Theo dies in the future. It was progress, at the very least.

He was able to walk with such satisfaction.

End of Arc 1: Awakening Arc

----------------------------------------

Arc Epilogue: Rowyn's POV

Rowyn entered the baths, but although a bath had already been drawn, there was no one there. He didn't have anything to take off in the changing room, so he was able to enter just fine, but everything seemed empty. There was a maid standing there though, one that Rowyn didn't recognize.

"...who are you?"

"I am the Duke's personal attendant. I was away on business until recently, so we have not met yet. It is a pleasure to meet you, please enter the bath. The Duke will be in shortly".

Rowyn thought it was strange he arrived first, but decided to enter the bath anyways. He was unusually cool and fresh, as the baths were normally heated. There was also a smell in the air as well that was not quite normal. There was also a book and some folders nearby, but he didn't touch those.

It was only then that the Duke appeared behind him. Rowyn had not heard or sensed him coming, but he peeked out from around a corner with his hands behind his back.

"Its a pleasure to finally meet you properly, Rowyn".

"You call meeting in a bath 'properly', Cromwell?" Rowyn blurted out, but there was something about it that surprised him. That was when Cromwell revealed his hands, and there were two bottles of wine there. They were old bottles from an old brand. The moment Rowyn saw them, he felt a wave of nostalgia.

"How about a drink to break the ice?" August said, causing Rowyn to look a bit surprised.

"You know we are underaged...well, I am anyways".

"No one will know out here in the woods" August replied, passing Rowyn a bottle after he took a big gulp of it. "See, you can trust it. Not poisoned. Besides, you are older then I am, and I am drinking".

Rowyn couldn't help but smile, as a wave of nostalgia came over him.

"Uhg, is this how you nobles think we commoners meet each other and act regularly?"

"Ahahaha, come on, we are both kids and the same age, so we might as well enjoy it" August replied as he playfully splashed Rowyn with water while giving him a shoulder rub with his own shoulder, causing Rowyn to look at the water.

"Your grandfather told the story well. How long have you known who I was?"

"That your full name was Rowyn Fraudwyn? The moment we met" he said, as he took out a sketch from the folder. It was of Rowyn, a man who looked a lot like August and Theo, and two girls playing in the river naked. One of those girls looked like August's Knight Commander, perhaps a younger sister sort of resemblance, and the other also shared some similarities to Duke Cromwell.

"To think that old sketch was still around. Elias did love to sketch a lot, he didn't even need to have it with him when the events occurred. He could sketch perfectly from memory".

"Certainly. There are a lot of them of you naked..."

"it was very hot that summer, and we all trusted each other and were very close. I mean, two married couples came out of those sketches. That said, ill have to ask that you either destroy many of those sketches, or never ever let them see the light of day ever again. If I know Elias, he sketched some things better left forgotten".

"Certainly. Grandfather told a lot of stories, and there are many journals about all of your journeys together. I have read them all of course, even the embarassing parts for you. Like when Zarlyia and you were celebrating her twentiest birthday, and you snuck into her room. You had been dating regularly ever since you both became adults, but her father still didn't approve of you. To be fair, he didn't approve of any of her boyfriends, so you snuck into her room. Anyways, mid action he storms in, catches you both in the act, and then was a very odd and comedical chase across rooftops, where he chased you, and she chased him, all across town".

"Oh gods, please burn those pages. I am so glad the legends of the great skin chase never got recorded in any history books".

"There was also the time you decided to send her one hundred roses, because you thought you would need a good distraction for her father to hide the fact you were giving her a sword with engravings which was what she really wanted, only to learn that not only was one hundred roses clearly overboard, but you didn't realize that its a famous proposal technique from a fairy tale".

Rowyn covered his face.

"Everyone in town was gossiping after that, it was so embarrassing! Wherever we went, people congratulated us and made other various comments!"

"Oh, but I didn't even get to the story of the fact when you did a proper proposal, you gifted each other matching engraved swords which had words and vows written on each other? Just so you know, both of those swords are on display in your family's estate".

Rowyn sunk down into the bath water out of embarrassment, before emerging again and taking a good long chug of the wine.

Incidentally, the Duke had three favorite things he loved to do with his family. Coddle and support them, enjoy close moments and cherish occurrences together, making sure they were always close and comfortable with each other and shared many amazing moments, and of course, he also loved teasing his family over embarrassing moments, lighthearted teasing but still. He could be incredibly embarrassing.

The two drank some of their wine right from the bottle. Rowyn felt the nostalgia of it.

"You know though, if you really wanted to recreate the moment...".

"I know, at the very least we would need a stream or river in the woods. That was where you and grandpa first met after all. You didn't trust anyone at the time, because you were already given the cursed poison, and he was very annoyed at that, especially because of how capable he saw you as. So he decided to forcibly become friends with you. In fact, he drank the first gulp of your wine to prove it wasn't poisoned. I would also need a tree to hang from, because that was how he appeared. From behind a tree, hanging off it a bit, naked, with two bottles of wine".

"Yeah. He told it well enough that you almost perfectly re-created the conversation. He was so weird".

"He was just compassionate and open. And you were the one to mess up first".

"Well yeah, because I was pretending to be younger still".

"You had to know I knew the truth by that point. You were the one to mess around".

"This is true...so, how did Elzu live? Did he die a peaceful death?"

"No, grandpa fought to the bitter end and stubbornly refused to submit. He fought so fiercely, we though he might even beat death".

"That guy...yeah, that sounds like him. Good, dependable, reliable, but stubborn as a mule".

"He said the same thing about you".

"What?! He was the one that kept pulling me into messes! I mean, he was the one who made us go to that one brothel, before we even came of age, so we were 'properly experienced' when we finally did the deed with our girlfriends!"

"You really paid the price for that one".

"The brothel was a legitimate one, not an underground one, so they had us undress, and had us drink some wine, but that had sleeping drugs in it. They let us think we went through with it, charged us the full amount, and then we went on our way confused but believing them for awhile".

"Yeah, because they were legitimate, they wouldn't break the law and accept underaged customers. But they didn't want to risk two minors trying to go to an underground brothel after being refused, and something happening to them".

"Not to mention, there was the time your grandfather made us enter that one tournament. All the guy did was call me dirty, I had heard that plenty of times and frankly didn't care, but no. No one insults his dear friend, so we ended up getting involved in a tournament none of us practiced for!"

"Still, you won didn't you?"

"Yeah, but it completely ruined the plans we had already made! Plus, it was a fashion tournament!"

Rowyn cradled his head, and sighed.

"Elias was still around then, we were supposed to meet him but we were late. He said we would have plenty of time when we were full adults...but then that incident occurred".

"And then you never saw him again".

"All we found were his clothes. It was like he just ceased to exist, and they fell to the floor. No one saw what happened".

"And that is why I want to talk to you Rowyn, aside from just catching up and having some fun. My grandfather never stopped looking for Elias, even after you died in battle. My father also kept up the search, and even I did some digging".

"He was never found right?"

"No, we know where he is. The issue is where he was imprisoned".

Rowyn looked over at him.

"Hold on, are you saying....Elias is alive?!"

"From my research, he was given a powerful curse. It shrank him down, imprisoned him within time and space. We wont know the full effects of what happened to him until we get him out, but I think I found out where he is".

"Imprisoned in time and space?"

"He is trapped within a very specific gemstone, one so beautiful it was gifted to the Royal Family. One that will be on a Ring on display at Summer Hall. One hundred years of research it took, but we think we know how to break the curse. The issue was, we didn't have that means...until you arrived. You two were close like brothers right? You knew everything about each other?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, we will need someone with a strong connection to him to break the curse. Because from what I understand, a Vampire turned him into a gemstone, siphoning off some of his time itself, to maintain its own power and lifeforce, and then sold the actual gemstone to royalty to gain power. The issue is, I cant find who gifted the gemstone, but I confirmed that is the gemstone. Using some Truesight Glasses and the right ingredients, I was able to detect the faintest essence of his lifeforce".

Rowyn shivered for a moment, as he remembered his friend.

"...a chance to save Elias...to think it was still possible".

"Breaking that curse was my grandfather's biggest desire. He wanted to try and break yours as well, but said you actually seemed to enjoy tricking people, so it was always less of a priority since you already had a happy marriage and many friends, while Elias had been trapped...plus you died before he could".

Apparently the research had still continued even after that, but Elias had taken priority as he was a life that could still be saved, while Rowyn had died.

"Alright. Lets do it. Lets save Elias. Is there anything else you need to tell me?"

"There is, but I have dropped enough bombs on you for one night. We can save the rest after Summer Hall".

"Agreed. We have a lot to work on after all".

And so the two proceeded to start making plans and schemes into the night.