As Ezekiel stared at the Obscure Hunter, he allowed himself to relax, regardless of how befuddled he was at her reaction. All the Hunters had been vetoed by Wolken and several other members of the Prime Guild. She was also an Obscure Hunter, so it wasn’t likely that the Cult of Light recruited her.
His danger sense wasn’t going off either, so there was nothing he had to worry about with any immediate concern. Though he made a mental note to look into things when he got back to Lolend. He didn’t like the look that the Radiant and Cavern Hunters were giving him either.
“Are there any limitations to what we can ask?” The Radiant Hunter asked.
The guardian shook its head. “Each of you may ask a question, as well as indicate whether or not you want the others to be made privy to the answer.”
The three other Hunters glanced in Ezekiel’s direction. He had told them that he had already spoken to the guardian. Seeing this, the guardian also turned to Ezekiel. To which he just shrugged in reply. He didn’t really care if the others knew about what he’d previously asked. It didn’t directly pertain to him, after all.
“I would like my question and answer kept private,” the Radiant Hunter said. “But since he doesn’t care, could you please let me know what the young man asked you?”
The Cavern and Obscure Hunters both requested the same thing.
Ezekiel couldn’t help but feel a bit insulted after seeing the lack of concern or care for himself and Riley. From the indignant look on her face, Riley felt the same. He could already tell that she would be keeping her question and answer a secret from everyone but him.
A moment later, four hallways opened up, and the guardian Spirit gestured to them to pick a path.
“Each one leads to a private room that will be yours to use as you wish, for the amount of time indicated once you enter. After your question is answered, you will be able to examine the texts that have been left there as you wish.” The others moved to leave, but the Spirit didn’t let them go just yet. “Please also be aware, that inside will also be enough mana crystals to reach the peak of what you call the Legendary Tier. However, you may only choose one of these two things. Knowledge, or power. Afterwards, you will be given the chance to proceed with additional trials, far worse than before, or leave this Legacy.”
The surviving Hunters looked pleased, even the Obscure Hunter, and it was obvious that they all wanted to be on their way. But as the Radiant and Obscure Hunters dashed down their respective tunnels, the Cavern Hunter remained behind.
“Why are there only four tunnels?” he asked.
“I would assume that those two, wish to stay together, since they are the only ones that seem to care for the well-being of anyone else in this room.” The Spirit’s blunt reply made the Cavern Hunter turn red, before he walked down the hall in front of him, muttering envious curses as he went.
Seeing that the other three were gone now, the Spirit closed its eyes and released three pulses of light then entered the walls and ran down the tunnels behind them. Ezekiel wasn’t sure what had just happened, but he figured it had to do with the rewards that were promised.
“Come. I will guide you personally to your rewards.” The Spirit turned and began walking down the final tunnel. The other three were now closing up, leaving smooth walls once more.
“This won’t interrupt your duties, right? Or prevent you from answering the other’s question?” Riley asked as she and Ezekiel stepped forward.
“No. I have sent several avatars out to answer their questions as needed. As for duties...” The Spirit paused, and a tired expression spread across its face. “My only duty is to wait here, until those that can fulfill the entry requirements arrive, and answer their questions, should they prove worthy.”
Ezekiel realized that this meant that the guardian Spirit had likely been alone for centuries, only speaking with Wolken decades ago, when the man had first discovered this Ancient Legacy. He could tell that Shine realized the same thing, as a sense of sadness flowed into Ezekiel from their bond.
“Why did you answer so many of my questions already? Will you be answering anymore for me?” he asked in an attempt to change the topic.
“You created a path forward for the Void Mages. That alone would’ve gotten you permission to ask me anything, regardless of the entrance and trials you did, or didn’t, overcome once entering this, Legacy. I simply sent you through the trials of this entrance because I had faith that you would do well.”
Despite the frustration he was now feeling at being tested when he hadn’t needed to be, Ezekiel couldn’t stifle the sense of pride he felt at the Spirit’s words. It seemed that even the Ancients were grateful for his achievements.
The group walked in silence for a little bit longer, until finally they exited into a large open library. It was simple, and instead of books there were stone tablets that had enchanted Runes on them. Though, Ezekiel could faintly sense the infused [Willpower] left behind by the Ancient Spirits as well.
The room was distinctly divided in half, with one side being the bright scarlet color of Flame mana, and the other, being the pure white color of Void mana.
In the dead center was a large hourglass that had yet to begin counting down.
“Before you begin attempting to [Understand] the mysteries of your element’s magic, please be aware that, should you agree to take the other challenges, I can extend your time here indefinitely. During which, you will be provided all the sustenance and aid you need to remain healthy.”
Riley and Ezekiel looked at the Spirit in shock. The knowledge that was here was enough for them to already greatly elevate their magic. The only restrictive factor was the amount of time they would have to train and study.
“What are the challenges we would face?” Riley asked. “I... nearly failed the last challenge. I don’t know if I could survive the next one.”
This was a fear that Ezekiel felt was rational. It was something that he had briefly considered as well. But he didn’t want to voice his concerns. If Riley chose to face the other trials, then that was her choice, not his. He had no right to influence it.
“I cannot tell you that. All I can say is this,’ the guardian leaned down to look them in the eyes. “Your first trial was about survival against impossible odds. The second was about your ability to face opponents that were a bad match for you. Finally, the third, was about being able to push forward, despite the pain and turmoil you were experiencing.”
Ezekiel had already figured this out, to an extent, but he didn’t know the reasons behind the trials. Nor why they were held in that order. Though, he suspected it was due to the different Tiers of power. He was happy that the guardian was now explaining things.
“These trials were representative of the trials you face as Hunters against the Cruor. At Tier one, there is nothing you can do but run. At Tier two, you have a chance to fight, though it will be incredibly difficult at the best of times. While at Tier three, its mostly about being willing to overcome the pain necessary for developing your soul to reach Tier four.” The guardian’s words felt like a sense of enlightenment for Ezekiel. Each of the trials now made perfect sense to him.
He also suspected he knew what the next trial would consist of, and it made a pit of dread form in his stomach.
“The next trial will not test your magical might, nor your will. It will test your [Understanding]. Though I cannot tell you how.” The guardian gestured to the room filled with knowledge. “Hence the knowledge you have been provided.”
Ezekiel and Riley turned to the room, gulping nervously as they realized the full extent of what was made available to them.
“If our time is unlimited, then does that mean that we can take our time before taking the trial?” Ezekiel asked.
“Indeed. But know this, if you choose to accept the trial, you will not be allowed to leave until you take it. Failure will mean death.” The Spirit glared, knowing that these rules seemed incredibly lenient. “The only ways you will be getting out of here, are if you pass the trial, or surpass my power.”
Given that the guardian Spirit was at the Peak of Tier five, both of the Hunters knew that that wasn’t possible. Not for years to come, at the least.
“I accept the challenge!” Riley blurted out before Ezekiel could say anything. A moment later, a stone bracelet flew out of the ground, and latched onto her wrist.
“I accept the challenge!” Ezekiel spoke without thinking, having simply reacted to what Riley had done. A similar stone bracelet clamped around his wrist as well. The next moment, he was looking at Riley incredulously, while she just looked away, face red and refusing to meet his eyes.
“In that case, I will leave you, for now. Should you have a question ready for me, simply call for me, and I will come to you.” The guardian turned around and began walking away. Another new tunnel formed in the wall.
“What’s your name?” Riley called out before the Spirit disappeared.
“I do not have one. I am simply the guardian, and you can call me as such.” With those final words, the wall closed behind the Spirit, and the room was plunged into silence.
“Why did you do that?” In the back of his mind, he could feel Shine’s frustration and confusion as well as his own. “You didn’t even think about it before you spoke, did you?”
Riley shifted from heel to heel. “I knew you were concerned about me and didn’t want to be the reason you left the Legacy. I know full well that you could make it through to the end. Wherever that may be. So, I wanted to help you reach it.”
Atop Riley’s head, Celia glared at Ezekiel as she protectively bared her fangs in defense of her partner. But Ezekiel felt his frustration and anger fade. Instead, there was just concern.
“Thank you,” he said, knowing that anything else would be the wrong thing to say. “I guess, if you’re going to take the next trial, then we need to make sure your [Understanding] is good enough to pass. So, I’m assuming you know what time it is.”
Stolen novel; please report.
A grin that was too sweet for Ezekiel spread across his face. It was so wide that his cheeks hurt, and he knew he was showing far too many teeth.
“Oh no...” Riley whimpered.
“That’s right. It’s study time!”
As Riley collapsed to her knees at the thought of so much studying, Ezekiel allowed himself to chuckle. The happiness he felt at the knowledge he now had at his fingertips was something he had needed for so long.
No longer would he have to pioneer everything from his mediocre [Understanding]. Now, he could reference the greatest Void user in the world.
Hopefully, it would be enough for him to reach the next Tier and help him finally reach his goals.
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Unknown to Ezekiel and Riley, their acceptance of the additional trials was a unique matter that the other Hunters had ultimately refused. Though, the question would be asked again later on, when their time was up.
Instead, they had asked their questions, keeping the answers private from the others, but had requested the information that Ezekiel had asked for previously. Although, the Spirit kept the secrets pertaining to the Void, in particular, a secret.
To say that the three were shocked at the true origins of the Broodlords, the name of their leader in particular, was an understatement. Although, each of them agreed that the act of removing the Broodlord’s name was warranted.
Each of the Hunters studied for the full length of time provided by the hourglass in each of their respective rooms. Small libraries filled with tablets that directly showed the memories and instances of the Ancients using their magic.
A rain of starlight, twinkling in the darkness of the night, turned into a barrage of corrosive rain. Bleached stone filled with divots was all that remained of a once towering mountain. The fine control of the light was so great that not even glassed remains were present.
An entire forest was covered in shadows, with no light piercing the canopy, an army of shapeless creations writhed in the darkness. All that entered disappeared from the world. They sank deeper and deeper into the abyss, only for an Ancient force to pull them up and out. Halfway across the world, with only seconds having passed.
Gravity was a strange concept to many on Eldramir. They knew that there was some ethereal force that existed, and constantly pulled things toward the ground. But not what it was, nor what its origins were. But as a massive orb of stone filled the sky, compressed to a density that wasn’t achievable without magic, the force of gravity was defied, and trees were ripped from the earth, while animals and loose stone found themselves flying upward, without magic.
The image of the moon being formed, and the tides taking action, were an amazing sight to see.
For hours and hours, the three Hunters found themselves lost in the memories, and poured over the knowledge they had gained with as much focus as possible.
Each of them found a new level of [Understanding] of their elements. So great was this improvement, that they each naturally entered a state of enlightenment. During which, they naturally gathered mana towards themselves.
This, when combined with the mana they had regenerated over the course of their time within their studies, granted each of them a breakthrough. Elevated by a single step, the three Hunters felt like they had truly found the ultimate source of magic.
Hence why it was so hard for them to give it up when their time ran out.
It was a jarring sensation when each of the three were pulled from their examinations of the tablets left behind by the Ancients. But no noticeable damage was done besides a bit of disorientation.
“You have spent one week within these halls. Your time is now up. So, choose. Will you remain; never to leave again, unless you pass the next trial, or die?” the guardian Spirit’s avatars separately loomed over the three Hunters. It was utterly uncaring about their complaints and desire to remain without consequence.
“The fact you have yet to realize the true purpose of this repository of knowledge just shows how wasted it is on all of you.” That silenced most of their complaints, but it was clear that they were still indignant toward the Spirit’s words. “Now, answer or be sent out immediately! Will you take the next trial?”
None of the three Hunters said yes. Not even the Radiant Hunter, who had done incredibly well against the first two trials, second only to Ezekiel, had any desire to continue.
“A shame. It seems like the only Myths to be made will come from the two youngest.”
Fear and outrage were the last thing the three Hunters displayed on their faces before enchanted stone wrapped around each of them. There was a rumbling sensation that filled the darkness within the rocks that surrounded them. Each one separated by several meters of thick earthen walls.
They struggled and fought against the pull and push of the ground around them, but nothing could be done. It was only after a couple of minutes that they three reappeared on the surface. Exactly where they had been before entering the Legacy.
“You have been rewarded for facing the first two trials. Leave this place, and never return.” The guardian Spirit’s voice filled the massive stone bowl, and the ten pillars that stuck out of the ground began to sink.
Each of the Hunters could only watch as the earth shook, and the dips and hills evened out. Now, all that remained was a flat surface, with the white stone ground that matched the snowy landscape.
A shift occurred in the air, and the wind barreled into the area. Without the pillars to hold the enchantment, the environmental effects that held back the storm that surrounded the Legacy’s entrance were gone. No traces indicating the presence of the Ancient Legacy’s entrance could be seen. Even the white stone was being covered in snow, to the point of no longer being recognizable as stone.
All that remained was ice and wind.
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Beneath the earth, thousands of kilometers of tunnel systems collapsed in sequence. Any remnants faded away and were worn down by the magic that had once been used to create them.
Unseen by all but the guardian Spirit that oversaw the Legacy of the Ancients, were the tunnels that stretched through tubes that connected the outer core to the crust through the mantle. A massive structure, formed within the outer core, drifted slowly through the molten liquid.
Huge Runes that flickered in and out of existence covered its surface. The mana flowing through them slowly faded away as the events above occurred.
“Hmm...”
Watching from within the enormous structure, the guardian Spirit closed all five of its eyes before letting out a deep breath. It stood inside a complex chamber with several strange devices that shifted and
“And the second connection is severed.” Holding up one of its hands, the Spirit examined several cracks that ran through its body. They were only there for a moment before sealing shut with an ample use of mana, but it was clear that the injuries were painful.
“Ten chances. Yet now, less than three remain.” Turning to face the center of the room, the Spirit looked at a model of the Ancient Legacy. A hollow sphere made of metal, with several layers, sat in the middle of a raised platform. It depicted the super continent and the Archipelago on the outermost layer.
Within the center of the sphere where the Legacy was placed were connections leading to the continent and Archipelago above. Held in place by ten massive tubes. Only three were lit, with a fourth having faded away just a few seconds ago.
Imperceptible to any that were below the Mythic Tier, there was a sharp drop in the amount of mana that flowed through the Runes and enchantments that held the Legacy together.
Prior to this, the Legacy would’ve lasted at least five hundred years, maybe longer, if the Spirit’s maintenance remained top notch. But now, it might survive for half that time, before the destructive forces bearing down on it caused it to collapse.
“It is a shame that all the others died. With only one receiving anything of note from these ruins.” Moving to the side, the Spirit stared at a wall. It lit up, revealing that it was a screen. Images of Riley and Ezekiel, who were absorbed in the knowledge of the Ancients alongside their Spirits.
The two Hunters sat back-to-back as they witnessed the memories infused in the tablets. Subconsciously standing guard over one another, even as they focused on other things.
“I wonder if you will discover my lie... Perhaps you will be the one that the Void has sought. Unlike the others, you have a Spirit to aid you, and hold onto your friends, rather than use them as a means to an end.” Cutting the mana to the screen, the Spirit was cast into darkness, before it began to move to a tunnel that formed in the wall. “Maybe you will even be able to save this place before it collapses.”
Walking down the tunnel it had made, the guardian ran its hands along the wall. Cracks and holes that had appeared as the tunnels above collapsed began to close. The Spirit’s figure taking on the damage itself, only to disappear in moments.
Though, with every step the Spirit took, it grew more and more weary. A sense of tiredness emanated from its slowly hunching figure.
The strong and powerful facade that it had displayed before was now gone. It was still a Mythical being, but rather than an awe-inspiring Spirit that could crush mountains beneath its feet, it more closely resembled an old man running his hands along his childhood home. Sad at the disrepair that the structure had fallen into.
Stopping for a moment, the Spirit took a deep breath once more before continuing forward. Repairing the Ancient Legacy with every step it took.
Thoughts of the Void Hunter that had come here, the first of his kind, ran through the Spirit’s mind. They reinforced its resolve, which had been worn down over many centuries.
Its duty had not yet ended. But its hope had been rekindled.
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As Ezekiel sat with his back to Riley, he found himself immersed in an endless expanse of darkness. There was nothing to be seen, nothing to be felt, beyond the cold lack of anything that would provide a sense of life and wonder like what was present in a living world.
Then, a flash of light, followed by a swift and seemingly everlasting swirl of energy filled his vision. A spiral composed of many different collared lights came into being. The speed at which it twirled in the emptiness of space was too great for Ezekiel’s eyes to follow.
But as time passed, the spiral slowed, and the energy condensed into different forms. Different elements appeared and coalesced into a variety of things. A star formed in the distance as the greatest amount of energy created the center of the newly formed heliosphere.
The remainder formed smaller bodies in the void. None of which could match the might of the star in the center. But what they lacked in scale, the exceeded in scope of complexity.
A countless number of different forces pushed and pulled and warped these different stellar bodies. Destroying them all, and reforging them anew, only for the process to be repeated.
Until finally, a single sphere floated in the nothingness, having reached a balance that allowed it to exist within the endlessness of space.
Jerking backward, Ezekiel found himself once more inside the room filled with tablets. The memories of the Ancient Void raised more questions than they answered.
“Just what are you...?” he muttered while examining the memory with a greater intensity than before. “How could you have witnessed something like that?”
Ezekiel knew, logically, that the formation of the world, of Eldramir, should have preceded the birth of the Ancient Spirits. Yet the Ancient Void had apparently witnessed its birth and formation.
Not only that, but the actual creation of the world was far different from what he could recall of his science lessons in his previous life. Unlike on Earth, Eldramir was apparently formed when an accumulation of mana reached a tipping point and exploded outward.
Not too different from the formation of stars from cosmic dust igniting, but still distinct, since mana didn’t have a physical form on its own.
‘Find anything new?’ Shine’s voice filled Ezekiel’s mind. ‘I felt a shift in my mana. Did you achieve a new [Understanding]? We’re kinda falling behind.’
Ezekiel sighed. He hated to admit it, but Shine was right. Riley had entered a state of enlightenment three times now, and he hadn’t entered such a state even once.
His own [Understanding], up until this point, was fairly simple, but it was clear that the Ancient Void had comprehended so many different things, on a far grander scale at that, that Ezekiel’s own experiences weren’t enough to figure everything out on his own.
‘Not just yet. It’s taking time. I have heard of these things before, but to actually comprehend and incorporate these concepts into our magic will take time.’ Holding out a hand, he telekinetically sent the tablet in his hands back to a shelf. A second later another tablet flew toward his hand.
Behind him, Riley shifted, coming out from her own study of the Ancient Flame’s memory. She took a deep breath, leaning against Ezekiel as she stretched from her hunched over position.
“Good show?” Ezekiel said with a smirk. He turned around to look at her directly.
“Yep! I never thought that such wonderful sights would be something I could see,” her voice was filled with joy and wonder. “What about you?”
Ezekiel’s smile grew softer, and he thought about the different things he’d witnessed during his time in this study. Riley easily noticed the change in demeanor, and her smile faded away.
“It’s taking some time, but I should be able to figure things out soon.” Ezekiel wasn’t even lying. His comprehension was reaching a boiling point, but it was just outside his grasp. “For now, let’s take a break. I don’t know about you, but I could use a bit of sustenance.”
Riley smiled, and off to the side a table with basic meals was set for the two Hunters. It had been there for a while, but the two had been so absorbed in their studies that they hadn’t yet eaten.
As the pair went to the table, Ezekiel’s thoughts went back to the memories he had just witnessed. He knew there was a mystery to be solved. A mystery that would undoubtedly help his progress. Yet, it wasn’t one that he felt he was any closer to figuring out.