"Talkir! We have guests!" A massive, imposing wooden door swings open with a resounding and weighty swish.
As we step inside the building, the door firmly closes behind us, creating a powerful Bam! that echoes through the hall.
Before us, the hall stretches out magnificently, appearing vast and grand in every sense. The floor beneath our feet is adorned with a deep red carpet meticulously arranged in the form of a cross. On either side of the hall, towering six pillars stand tall and sturdy, providing vital support to the impressive structure.
At the far end of this grandeur, a colossal orange window dominates, its abstract design portraying a dark blue mage cradling a round, luminescent white crystal. The artistic masterpiece fills the hall with an aura of mysticism. Old candles can be seeing floating stationary all around the grand hall area. They looks like brand new candles that just lit. Judging from the looks of it, the candles aren’t really melt as it’s being lit by magic.
Directly in front of us, a massive semi-circular table, embellished with intricate details, awaits our presence. Seven seats are neatly arranged around it, each seat more imposing than the last.
Seated in the second and fifth chairs are two mages who exude an air of prestige. They are adorned in opulent, pointed robes of dark crimson, which only add to their commanding presence.
image [https://gdurl.com/8M5D]
The middle-aged female wizard occupying the second seat slams her hand onto the table, her expression a mix of astonishment and anger. "What is the meaning of this, Grand Warlock Darios? Bringing a cursed Manaless into this sacred place!"
"Calm yourself, Hazel," Grand Wizard Darios responds, his voice steady and assured, befitting his title.
The exchange of uneasy glances between the two wizards speaks volumes about the gravity of the situation.
"H-How can this be...?" Talkir stammers, the other one-eyed elderly wizard in his distinguished dark brown hat and robe. His right eye is closed as he's half-blind.
image [https://gdurl.com/Ex1O]
"Knowing that the spell can be easily dispelled..."
"So, it is true," Talkir continues, his voice trembling with realization. "The beasts have been set loose into the wild..."
Grand Wizard Darios nods solemnly in agreement. "Yes, Talkir. There is no room for doubt. I sensed a potent Mana Signature emanating from this young lady as she dispelled the golem."
"And what about this young lady? I've never laid eyes upon this mage before," questions an unfamiliar voice, filled with intrigue.
Darios, the elderly man who accompanies us, shakes his head thoughtfully. "I have scrutinized her Mana Signature. She is one of the Jinzo Madoshi."
Both Talkir and Hazel are stunned into a synchronized expression of disbelief, their features contorting as if challenging their own knowledge accumulated over countless years.
"Impossible!" Hazel exclaims vehemently, her frustration driving her to take bold steps. She marches towards Ruby furiously, and I swiftly position myself between them, as my protective instinct taking over.
"What are you try to--?" I try to protect Ruby by standing in front of her.
“Stay aside, Manaless.”
[Manaless], it’s what the wizards called us warriors, given that the warriors or the upper-world dwellers do not have mana supply that helps them casting spells.
With an air of arrogance, she brushes off my shoulder and reaches out, placing her right hand firmly on Ruby's head.
"Hey! What do you think you're--"
Before my words can reach their conclusion, a sinister dark purple aura materializes, bridging the gap between Hazel's hand and Ruby's head, unleashing an eerie and foreboding energy.
…
"T-This..."
"Hold on now... please. Can someone explain what's happening here?" I implore, raising my voice in an attempt to bring some clarity to the bewildering situation.
Amidst the tension, I grip Ruby's shaking hands and bring her into my embrace.
"This brat..." Hazel starts to protest. She tried to raise her wand against me.
"Hold it!" Darios intervenes, extending his hand towards Hazel, a gesture of authority. "I believe we owe this kid an explanation."
He then turns his gaze toward me.
"Jinzo Madoshi is essentially a human who was unwillingly transformed into a mage," Darios explains, his voice measured and calm. "Your friend here happens to be one, as indicated by her distinctive Mana Signature. This Mana Signature serves as a means of identification among us wizards."
Darios then directs his attention to Ruby, his eyes probing for answers. "Tell me, young lady. What do you recall about your childhood? Or what memories come to mind when you reflect on your early years?"
...
Her hand trembles even more as the weight of her memories bears down upon her. She lowers her gaze and finally begins to speak.
"There are... eight people lined up... A grand building... a white room... And... And..."
Ruby releases my hand abruptly, clutching her head with a sense of desperation. Her voice quivers, and then she unleashes a heart-wrenching scream of terror.
"AAAAAAAHHH!!!!"
"R-Ruby!? What's wrong!?" I exclaim in alarm while holding both of her shoulders.
Ruby's screams intensify, echoing through the hall. In response, Darios raises his staff and gestures urgently with his hands.
"[Bebaskan ketegangan dan biarkan makhluk ini bebas dari gangguan terdalam.]"
"[Heal!]"
A brilliant yellow light surrounds Ruby, and she gasps for breath, her body trembling as if in the aftermath of a tempest. After a few moments, her tremors subside, and she clings tightly to me.
"H-Help me... I-I don't want to go back there..." she sobs, her voice filled with fear and vulnerability.
"As I suspected," Darios remarks, his wise gaze fixed on Ruby.
The other two wizards display unease, their expressions mirroring the gravity of the situation.
I gently stroke Ruby's head and return her embrace, choosing not to press her further about her harrowing memories.
"Ahem! Kids these days should show some respect for their elders, don't you think so?"
Startled, we both release each other in embarrassment.
…
"Now... about this Prophecy you keep mentioning... what does it mean?" I inquire, my curiosity raises as I seek to unravel the mysteries of this enigmatic revelation.
"Talkir," Darios directs his attention towards Talkir, who acknowledges with a nod, lifting his head to prepare for what's to come.
"Alasta!" Darios calls out, a name that rings a bell, invoking a sense of familiarity within me.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Huh.
That name sounds familiar.
Before long, a radiant sphere of light descends gracefully from the ceiling, gliding towards us with an ethereal grace.
Oh.
It's the... book fairy.
A sudden realization dawns upon me, recalling a rather awkward encounter.
"There I am~! Alasta at your service—Hey! You're the..."
"Shh!" I urgently interject, placing my finger against my lips, signaling the book fairy to maintain silence.
...
"Do you two have a history?" Darios inquires, a hint of curiosity in his voice as he observes our interaction.
"Well... sort of," I respond, a touch of uncertainty in my tone, recalling our previous encounter with the book fairy.
Witnessing my aura fluctuate wildly, Darios can't help but burst into laughter, his amusement momentarily overtaking him. He clears his throat and regains his composure swiftly.
"Ahem! Very well. It's probably best for you to experience it yourselves," he suggests, making a sweeping gesture. "Allow these young ones to be guided to the History of Prophecy."
"On it!" Alasta eagerly complies, raising her hand and beginning to float gracefully, leaving a trail of glistening dust in her wake. Ruby and I follow her closely.
"Close your eyes, Ruby," I advise gently, grasping Ruby's hand tightly as we prepare to go on this mysterious journey. We obediently shut our eyes, ready for whatever lies ahead.
In an instant, I feel a peculiar pulling sensation, as if being drawn towards an unknown destination.
...
"When the story commences six hundred years ago, right after their triumphant victory over Ergardia!"
I cautiously open my eyes, finding myself in a surreal and astonishing dimension. Ruby, however, appears visibly shocked, her gaze fixated on her own transparent hands, as if questioning the reality of this place.
"It's alright," I reassure her, my voice filled with understanding. "We're in the book dimension, so we're perfectly safe here."
"O-Okay..." Ruby responds hesitantly, seeking comfort in our shared presence. I can almost sense Alasta's mischievous presence nearby, even though she remains unseen.
Together, Ruby and I survey our surroundings. A grand, circular royal table commands attention in the center of the space, and two figures draw our focus—a white-bearded elderly man clad in gleaming golden armor and a wizard, despite his age, appearing surprisingly youthful in his thirties. Their weapons are pointed at each other in a standoff that crackles with tension.
But then, something astonishing catches my eye.
...
Wait.
Rue!?
My astonishment knows no bounds. I can't help but voice my incredulity. "Hold on, hold on! How is it possible for Rue to be here, six hundred years in the past!? Is that truly the same Rue I encountered in the Capital?"
"Yup, that's the one who ignited the war between Warriors and Wizards," Alasta's voice echoes, sending shivers down my spine. "Well, I won't spoil the fun though. Let there be mystery for you, tee-hee!" Her playful voice carries an unmistakable sense of mischief, as if she's smirking from the shadows.
"After emerging victorious in the Great War of Destiny, that individual distributed the three Slayer weapons that had been instrumental in sealing Ergardia's might. Regrettably, discord arose among the Warriors and Wizards regarding the distribution of these potent artifacts. Instead of unity, both factions harbored desires to possess all three for themselves. The King of Warriors took a decisive stand, declaring anyone who sought an artifact not meant for warriors as a traitor," Alasta narrates, recounting the turbulent events of the past.
She continues, "Enraged by this declaration, the wizard made his initial move towards the king. It was then that a young man in yellow attire intervened, absorbing all three weapons into himself and vanishing from sight. Thus, the Distinguished War ignited, a direct aftermath of the Great War of Destiny."
I watch the unfolding tale with growing unease, my eyes locked onto Rue's enigmatic figure.
"Let's fast forward to the truce, four centuries after the conclusion of the Great War," Alasta suggests, and I nod in agreement.
...
The scene undergoes a dramatic transition, morphing into a single black orb that subsequently detonates, revealing a radically different setting—a vast, sprawling plain that I recognize as the upper world, the same expanse that stretches beyond the boundaries of the Capital.
Once more, I see three figures standing on that plain, their identities shrouded in mystery.
"You might already be familiar with three of them," Alasta suggests, her words filled with a sense of anticipation.
I shift my gaze toward the figures before me, and recognition dawns upon me.
It's... Horroundeous and Darios, but in their younger forms. They stand there proudly, each with their respective troops in tow—warriors following Horroundeous, and wizards behind Darios. The disparity in numbers between the two factions is striking, with the warriors clearly outnumbering the wizards.
But what truly catches my attention is the figure standing beside Horroundeous.
...
It's Rue again.
Seriously, how? This thoughts can’t stop interfering with my mind.
…
"Now, I shall utter the Prophecy," proclaims Rue with a commanding presence.
Rue's eyes radiate a brilliant, celestial white as he ascends several meters above the earth, reciting an incantation that resonates through the air.
"On this day, the Warriors shall lay claim to Ergardia as their native land. As for the wizards, they shall be exiled from the Motherland, alongside the creatures that harness the essence of Mana. They shall find their abode within Naga, where they shall slumber for countless centuries."
During that time, Darios maintains his composure, seemingly in accord with this solemn decree.
Rue proceeds, his words carrying the weight of prophecy. "Let the seal of the Mana-wielder be unbound by two united and distinguished beings. Let the wielders of Mana emerge anew in the Motherland, under the rising blood moon, centuries hence, to confront the imminent return of the impending calamity itself."
With this, he opens his eyes, and his voice assumes a deeper, echoing resonance.
“Those who possess and complete the [Relic] shall attain victory. However, there will be a price to pay."
...
As Rue concludes his chant, he reverts to his usual state. The mages surrounding us are bathed in a brilliant white light before vanishing into thin air.
...
"To prevent the annihilation of the Wizards and the creatures who once stood united during the Great War of Destiny, the Slayers forged a truce, sealed by this very Prophecy," Alasta explains.
The scene gradually brightens, and I sense myself being drawn away once more, returning to the expansive great hall.
...
Both Ruby and I gasp in unison.
"How was it?” the elderly man inquires, his gaze fixed upon us, curious about our reaction.
"So, that's the Prophecy," I comment, taking a moment to digest the information, drawing connections from the historical account Alasta shared with us.
"Rai...?" Ruby interrupts, her grip on my hand firm, drawing my attention.
I meet her gaze, my eyes widening in anticipation of what she's about to say.
"Oh. I apologize. I was reflecting on the events and the figure in yellow. I think I know him. He was part of the same mission as me in the past, and then he vanished without a trace. I believe his name is Rue--"
"RUE!" Darios exclaims, his voice filled with surprise. "Such a familiar name. So, you do know him!"
"Yes," I affirm with a nod. "I... I am the sole survivor of Ezlea Village, which recently endured the red moon incident. And now, with all these revelations... perhaps I'm beginning to understand..." I mumble, lost in contemplation.
"Now, that's quite the revelation. I initially thought you were just a swordsman who appearing out of nowhere," the elderly man remarks, slowly comprehending the depth of the situation.
I refrain from saying more as they come to grips with the unfolding circumstances. Meanwhile, Ruby regards me with an unexpected expression, her eyes holding a newfound sense of curiosity.
"Very well then. I believe you are already acquainted with most of the essential details. Now, it's time for me to send you back, while the young lady remains here," Darios announces calmly.
"What!? Absolutely not!" Ruby and I exclaim simultaneously, our shock evident in our voices and expressions.
"Please, do not fret," Darios reassures us, urging us to accept this decision. "Once I've completed my study of her Mana Signature, you two lovebirds will undoubtedly be reunited. And I believe we are not destined to meet yet, on the first place."
"No, wait! We're—"
But before I can finish my protest, Ruby cries out my name, her voice filled with desperation. “R-Rai!!”
Darios raises his staff and casts a teleportation spell, whisking me away in an instant. In the blink of an eye, I see a blinding flash of brilliant light, and then...
...
"-not..."
…
As I complete my sentence, I find myself back on the sandy beach, my fists clenched tightly in frustration.
"Fantastic," I mutter bitterly. "Just fantastic..."
The first light of dawn breaks, casting its soft glow upon the world around me. In the distance, the haunting howls of various creatures pierce the morning air. However, the cave that once provided access to the magical islands is nowhere to be found.
The plains have taken on a new vibrancy, coming alive with a multitude of magical creatures freely roaming the overworld. Towering turtles leisurely traverse the sandy terrain, joined by enormous crabs with massive pincers.
...
Seriously... I am all alone again.
I gradually regain my sanity as I look above.
"Ruby... I hope we can meet again one day… just as that damned old man suggested," I mutter with frustration, my voice carrying a tinge of anger at being abruptly cast aside.
I hoist my spear, secure my backpack, and set off in the direction of the capital, intent on swiftly reporting the outcome of my quest.
And damn, I start to miss that girl already as I begin walking while avoiding the creatures.
#
End of Chapter 33…