The city had chosen its leader, and the people seemed happy—the light of hope sparkled in their eyes. Yet, questions lingered in my mind, and I had to find the answers.

Then, Collen approached and said, “Where have you been? We've been looking for you. Come with me—we’re having lunch in the garden.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m starving.”

The garden was vibrant, filled with flowers I had never seen before—petals in shades of deep violet and fiery red, their scents mingling in the fresh air. A soft breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the distant chatter of people enjoying their meals.

I sat on a wooden chair as Elanor looked at me and said, “Hey, do you want chicken?”

“Of course. And grab me some stew too.”

She smirked and handed me a plate. The aroma of roasted chicken mixed with the rich scent of the stew, making my hunger even worse. I took a bite—the meat was tender, seasoned with spices I couldn’t quite recognize but enjoyed nonetheless.

Collen leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “What you did yesterday was great. You saved a lot of lives and helped where it mattered.”

I swallowed a mouthful of stew and shook my head. “I only did it because you all had my back. We did it together.”

Elanor grinned. “Yeah, but you were the leader. And in times like these, we need someone like you.”

I glanced at them, their expressions sincere. The weight of responsibility pressed on me, but I managed a small smile. “I appreciate that. I’ll do my best.”

Balin, who had been quiet, finally spoke. “You never told us—where are you from?”

I hesitated for a moment before answering, “My kingdom is different from yours. Its culture, its way of life—it’s far from here.”

Elanor spoke, "Do you have bards in your kingdom? We have famous bards like Rowan of the Lute."

I nodded. "Yes, we have famous rockstars like Art Alexakis and Brad Delp."

She laughed, tilting her head in amusement. "Rockstars? What do you mean? Is that some kind of stone singer?"

I shook my head. "No, it’s a powerful style of music called rock. Bold, intense—our way of storytelling through sound."

She smiled. "Interesting. I would love to listen to it someday."

Balin nodded. "Your kingdom sounds fascinating."

I gave a small smile. "Thank you. But there's something I want to know—Aerandir Sunblade. Who was he?"

Collen replied, "He was a great man, a leader who fought relentlessly to bring equality to the Velkynne. But in the end, his own people betrayed him."

I straightened in my seat. "Then his dream must not die with him. Someone has to see it through."

Collen sighed, his gaze distant. "We still hope that one day his dream will come true. If you're truly interested in history, you should visit Lyonesse Collegium. It lies south of Chester, where many old records are kept."

I nodded. "I’ll make sure to visit."

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

I made my way to Lyonesse Collegium. The building stood tall and dramatic, its intricate design both imposing and mesmerizing. Its thinner walls allowed for larger windows, some arranged in elegant rose patterns, casting a faint glow inside. The stone was a mix of gray and deep, shadowy hues, adding to its somber beauty. Perched on the rooftops were monstrous stone creatures, their watchful gazes frozen in time. Inside, the ceilings were adorned with ribbed vaults, creating an intricate web of stone that made the halls feel even more grand and mysterious.

I felt a strange magical aura pulling me toward something. My eyes landed on a pair of mysterious blades, resting inside a glass box, surrounded by a shimmering magical shield. Curiosity sparked within me—I wanted to touch them, but the barrier radiated a dangerous energy.

Before I could step closer, a mage in a dark robe adorned with glowing gemstones appeared, his voice sharp with warning. "Don't you dare touch it!"

I quickly raised my hands. "I wasn’t going to," I said, though a hint of nervousness crept into my voice.

His eyes narrowed with suspicion. "What are you doing here? You don’t look like a mage or a student."

"I'm here to learn about history," I replied.

He studied me for a moment, then his expression shifted. "Wait... I know you. You gave that speech during the rebellion. I saw you there—your words saved many lives."

I tensed, unsure of his intent, but he simply gestured for me to follow. "If you seek knowledge, come with me."

I nodded, relieved. "Thank you."

We went to the library, where glowing crystal lights illuminated the corners. Mystical books floated through the air, finding their readers. The scent of old parchment and ink lingered, blending with the faint hum of magic that surrounded the room.

"What book do you want to read?" he asked, his voice carrying the calm authority of someone who had spent a lifetime among books. "The Adventures of Sabrina: The Lost Relic, The Breath of the First Gods, or perhaps some fictional fantasy?"

I looked around, amazed. "These books are so cool! But I need something about Aerandir Sunblade."

He gave me a puzzled look. "Cool? Are my books cold? I don’t think they are," he replied.

Realizing he didn’t understand the slang, I quickly corrected myself. "I mean, these books are fascinating."

His smile darkened, his expression turning grim. "Well, we don’t have any books about Aerandir Sunblade," he said, his voice laced with frustration. "That idiot Eredin burned them all." He let out a slow, irritated sigh before composing himself. "But I can tell you about his life. He fought many wars against the Duskvarns—the race of destruction."

I leaned in, curious. "Did he have a destiny? A purpose to fulfill?"

His gaze drifted for a moment as if recalling something distant. Then, he sighed. "His purpose was simple—to unite the people of Yalinya. But…I don’t think that ever happened."

I asked, my voice steady but filled with curiosity, “Why was he betrayed by his own people?”

Man's expression darkened, his fingers drumming against the wooden table. “Because he fought for unity.”

I frowned. “That’s it? That doesn’t sound like a reason to betray someone.”

He let out a slow, heavy breath. “He wanted equality for every race in Yalinya. The noble lords feared they would lose their lands, their power. They saw his vision as a threat, and fear makes men ruthless.”

I leaned forward. “But he was their leader. They followed him into battle. Why turn on him?”

His gaze drifted for a moment, as if recalling something distant. “Power. Greed. And above all, belief. Eredin, the man who led the betrayal, convinced them they were the pure blood of Lucerion, the God of Fire. He told them they were destined to rule, not share power.”

I clenched my fists. “So, they killed him for their own selfish reasons.”

He nodded. “Twenty-three times, they stabbed him. At first, he resisted, fighting back with everything he had. But when he saw Eredin among them, blade in hand, his strength faltered. His voice, once filled with power, turned to disbelief as he whispered, ‘Even you, Eredin?’”

A cold weight settled in my chest. “Betrayed by his own people…” I shook my head. “That’s the worst kind of fate.”

He studied me for a moment, then abruptly stood. “No more talking about history. I have work to do—now go.”

I asked, "By the way, what is your name? In case I need to learn more about history, I’ll know who to ask."

"You don't have to," he replied. "I'm going to Eldoria. My name is Archmage Orndrel."

"Well, my name is Anar," I said. "And one more thing—I want those blades."

With a small smile, he said, "I knew you would ask. But they come at a price—ten thousand Gold Yalins. Will you pay?"

I sighed. "I don't have that much."

"I knew you wouldn’t have them, but I have a quest for you. If you bring me the sacred relics from Velkynne for my new book, I will give you the blades as a reward."

I said, "Fine, I will try my best to get them for you."

"So, he wants the relics for his book… or at least, that’s what he says. I’ll get them, but I’ll keep my eyes open—just in case there’s more to this than he's letting on."