The Archivist of Forgotten Realms

Chapter 6

The sun was just beginning to rise as Mikasa and Yuki made their way down a dusty path, the remnants of Azura's forgotten world stretching endlessly before them. Yuki, small and delicate with her shimmering white hair, walked beside Mikasa, her steps uncertain but full of determination.

The village they had left behind now seemed like a distant memory, and the castle loomed ahead, a massive silhouette on the horizon. As they walked, Mikasa glanced down at the girl beside her, wondering how she could ease the transition into this strange world. Yuki had been through so much—starved, alone, nearly consumed by the Wraithborn—but now, she had a future.

“Hey, Yuki,” Mikasa began softly, crouching down so she was eye-level with the girl.

“You remember the words I taught you yesterday, right?” She smiled encouragingly, her voice gentle.

Yuki blinked, her pale eyes wide as she nodded hesitantly. “Uhm… ‘thank you,’” she murmured, her voice soft, the syllables clumsy but clear.

Mikasa grinned, patting Yuki’s head. “That’s right! You’re doing great.” She straightened up and motioned toward the sky.

“Now, try saying ‘sun.’”

Yuki furrowed her brow, her small hands clasped in front of her as she focused on the new word. “S… sun?” she said, the word stumbling out awkwardly.

“Perfect!” Mikasa praised, beaming at her. “See? You’re learning fast.”

Teaching Yuki how to speak was a slow process, but Mikasa found a strange joy in it. It reminded her of when she used to teach her little sister, how to read.

That bittersweet memory lingered in the back of her mind as she watched this new Yuki, a child lost in the ruins of a dying world, slowly learn to communicate. It made Mikasa feel like she was doing something right, something good. The language barrier had been a challenge, but each new word Yuki learned brought a sense of accomplishment that eased Mikasa’s heart.

Yuki tilted her head curiously. “Sun… bright?”

Mikasa chuckled, kneeling again. “Yes, very bright.” She pointed up toward the sky.

“The sun gives us light, warmth… just like magic.” She tapped the Key of Light embedded within her chest, though Yuki didn’t fully understand the connection yet.

Yuki stared at the sky for a moment, then turned to Mikasa with a question in her eyes. “Can… Yuki use magic?”

Mikasa paused, thoughtful. "You know, I don’t see why not. Everyone should have a bit of magic in them.” She stood, brushing the dirt off her knees.

“Let’s try something simple.”

She demonstrated a basic spell, conjuring a small orb of light that hovered between her hands. Yuki’s eyes widened in awe, and she held her breath as Mikasa urged her to mimic the gesture. The girl closed her eyes, trying to summon magic, but nothing happened. After several failed attempts, her tiny hands clenched into fists, her face crumpling with frustration.

"Don't worry," Mikasa said softly, placing a comforting hand on Yuki’s shoulder.

"Magic isn’t always easy. Some people just need a little help."

As they continued their journey toward the castle, Mikasa realized that Yuki might need more than just words of encouragement—she needed a way to connect with the magic that seemed so elusive to her. Mikasa herself had struggled with control in the beginning, but she had Lumi and the Key of Light to guide her. Yuki had neither. Perhaps, she thought, the girl needed a tool, something to channel the magic through—a focus.

“Hmm,” Mikasa murmured, scanning the nearby forest. “A wand might help. Yuki, let’s make you a wand.”

Yuki blinked, tilting her head in confusion. “Wand?”

Mikasa grinned, pulling her along toward the edge of the path where the forest grew thick and wild. “A wand is like an extension of yourself, a tool to help you control magic. We’ll find a good piece of wood and make one for you.”

After a bit of searching, Mikasa found a sturdy branch with a smooth, even surface. She sat down on a fallen log, Yuki beside her, and began to shape the wood with a small, precise spell.

Her hands moved skillfully, carving intricate patterns into the wand, letting the magic flow through her fingers. As she worked, Mikasa couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm—a sharp contrast to the chaos that had dominated her life before arriving in Azura.

Back in her old world, everything had felt suffocating, like she was trapped in a narrow tunnel with no escape. Her parents had expectations, her school had rigid paths to follow, and even her friendships felt scripted. She had been a prisoner of circumstance, constantly trying to fit into a mold that wasn’t meant for her.

Yuki watched intently as Mikasa shaped the wand, her wide eyes following the magic as it danced around the wood. “Can Yuki… make magic with it?”

“Not yet,” Mikasa replied with a soft chuckle.

“But once you have this, it’ll help you feel the magic. Think of it like training wheels—once you get the hang of it, you’ll be casting spells like a pro.”

When the wand was finished, Mikasa handed it to Yuki, who accepted it with both hands, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Now try," Mikasa urged.

"Focus, and let the magic flow through the wand."

Yuki closed her eyes, gripping the wand tightly. A few tense moments passed, and for a second, Mikasa worried it wouldn’t work. But then, slowly, a faint light appeared at the tip of the wand—a small, flickering orb of light, just like the one Mikasa had conjured earlier.

Yuki’s eyes shot open, her face breaking into a wide, joyful smile. “I did it!”

Mikasa grinned, pride swelling in her chest. "You sure did."

As they continued their journey, the castle loomed ever closer on the horizon, its towering spires casting long shadows over the desolate land. The air grew colder, and heavier with the weight of the ancient magic that still lingered in the ruins. But for the first time since entering Azura, Mikasa felt no fear.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

The Key of Light hummed within her, and Lumi floated beside her, ever-watchful. She was stronger now, more confident in her abilities. Every step felt lighter, her connection to the land growing deeper with each passing moment.

It wasn’t long before they encountered their first challenge—a group of Wraithborn, their twisted forms emerging from the shadows like ghosts. In the past, the sight of the Wraithborn would have sent Mikasa into a panic, but now, she barely blinked. With a calm, steady breath, she raised her hand, summoning a torrent of light from within her. The magic flowed through her effortlessly, like water, and in a single, graceful motion, she unleashed a blast of energy that obliterated the Wraithborn in seconds.

Yuki, standing at a safe distance, watched in awe as Mikasa dispatched the enemies with ease. “Mikasa… strong,” she whispered, her voice filled with admiration.

Mikasa glanced back at the girl and smiled. "I’ve had a lot of practice. One day, you’ll be strong too."

They pressed on, and as the day wore on, more enemies appeared—stone giants, their massive forms lumbering through the crumbling ruins. But no matter what challenge they faced, Mikasa dealt with it effortlessly.

She summoned shields of light to block the giants’ attacks, then unleashed powerful spells that reduced them to rubble. The ease with which she fought was astounding, even to herself. Each spell flowed naturally, her magic growing stronger and more precise with every battle.

For the first time in her life, Mikasa felt truly free. Back in her old world, she had always felt like she was following a script, her every move dictated by the expectations of others. But here, in Azura, she was in control. She could carve her own path, and decide her own fate. The magic that pulsed through her veins was hers to wield, and it felt exhilarating. She had never felt so alive.

“Mikasa?” Yuki’s small voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

“Yeah?” Mikasa asked, glancing down at her.

Yuki hesitated, her pale eyes wide with curiosity. “Do you think… Yuki’s old family turned into… those things?”

Mikasa’s heart ached at the question, but she forced a soft smile. She knelt beside Yuki, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“No, Yuki. Your family moved to a better place, far from here. They’re safe now.”

Yuki stared at her for a moment, then nodded slowly, though the sadness lingered in her eyes.

By the time they reached the castle, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a deep red glow across the sky.

The structure before them was massive, far larger than any building Mikasa had ever seen, its towering spires reaching up toward the clouds like the fingers of a sleeping giant. The stone walls were weathered and cracked, but the castle still radiated an air of grandeur, as though it had once been the heart of a great kingdom. It was both beautiful and terrifying, a testament to the power that had once thrived in Azura.

Mikasa stood at the base of the castle’s grand staircase, her breath catching in her throat as she took it all in.

"This is it," she whispered, her eyes narrowing as she felt the familiar pulse of energy. The Orb of Light is here. She could feel its presence, deep within the castle’s walls.

“Come on, Yuki. We’re close.”

As they entered the castle, the air grew thick with magic, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive. The grand hall was lined with towering columns, each one engraved with intricate designs that seemed to shift and change as Mikasa passed. At the far end of the hall, a massive door loomed, its surface covered in glowing runes. But before Mikasa could approach it, the shadows in the room began to move.

A horde of Wraithborn emerged from the darkness, their hollow eyes glowing with malice as they surrounded Mikasa and Yuki. But Mikasa was ready. Without hesitation, she summoned her magic, her hand glowing with radiant energy as she unleashed a barrage of spells.

One by one, the Wraithborn fell, consumed by the light. There was no fear in her movements, no hesitation. She was in control, and her power flowed effortlessly.

Yuki watched from behind a pillar, her eyes wide with awe as Mikasa vanquished the enemies with ease. Mikasa barely broke a sweat, her magic growing stronger with every battle. She was no longer the scared girl who had stumbled into the Grand Archive by accident. She was an Archivist, a protector of forgotten worlds, and with each spell she cast, she felt that title becoming more and more her own.

After clearing the hall of Wraithborn, Mikasa and Yuki pressed on, moving deeper into the castle. The corridors were long and winding, each one leading them further into the heart of the ancient structure. Mikasa could feel the Orb of Light drawing closer, its presence a steady pulse in her chest, guiding her forward. But with each step, the air grew heavier, the magic more oppressive. Something was wrong.

Finally, they reached a set of massive double doors, intricately carved with symbols that glowed faintly in the dim light. Mikasa paused, her heart pounding in her chest. The energy coming from behind the doors was intense—far stronger than anything she had felt before. She took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself.

“Stay close, Yuki.”

With a heavy push, Mikasa opened the doors, revealing a massive throne room bathed in shadow. At the far end of the room sat a figure, shrouded in dark energy, his form barely visible beneath the swirling magic. He wore armor from head to toe, his face hidden behind a helm, and a massive lance rested at his side. Mikasa’s heart skipped a beat as the figure slowly rose from the throne, his movements deliberate and controlled.

“Who are you?” Mikasa shouted, her voice echoing through the vast room.

“Why are you here?”

The armored figure said nothing. Instead, he lifted the lance and charged toward them, his speed far greater than Mikasa had anticipated. She barely had time to react, grabbing Yuki and throwing up a barrier of light to protect them both. The impact of the lance against the barrier sent a shockwave through the room, but the barrier held.

“Run, Yuki!” Mikasa shouted, her voice urgent. “Find somewhere safe!”

Yuki nodded and darted behind a nearby pillar as Mikasa faced the armored figure head-on.

“Lumi!” she called, summoning the book to her side. “What’s going on? Who is he?”

Lumi hovered beside her, its pages turning rapidly before whispering,

This man was once the hero destined to save Azura. He was meant to stop the darkness before it consumed the realm. But something went wrong. The universal script… it failed.

Mikasa’s mind raced. The hero of Azura? The one who was supposed to save this world? How had he ended up like this? There was no time to think—he was already charging again, his lance raised for another attack. Mikasa strengthened her barrier, her magic flowing through her like a flood, but she needed answers.

What had gone wrong?

How had the hero fallen into darkness?

The armored man struck again, but this time, Mikasa was ready. She deflected the blow with her barrier and quickly summoned a blast of light, hoping to knock him off balance. The attack hit, but it barely slowed him down. Mikasa gritted her teeth. She couldn’t keep this up forever—her magic reserves were running low, and this man was relentless.

“Lumi!” Mikasa shouted as she dodged another strike.

“Is there a purification spell? Something to cleanse him?”

Lumi’s pages flipped frantically before stopping on a spell—B-grade purification magic. Mikasa scanned the spell quickly, her heart racing. It wasn’t strong enough to purify all of the dark energy, but it might be enough to free the man from its grip.

She didn’t have much time. The armored figure charged again, and Mikasa threw up another barrier, her mana reserves dangerously low. She couldn’t hold out much longer.

With a deep breath, she gathered the last of her magic and cast the purification spell.

The light enveloped the man, his armor cracking as the dark energy began to peel away. But the spell wasn’t strong enough to purify everything. The man collapsed to the ground, freed from the armor, now lying in his underwear, dazed but alive. But the armor—still possessed by the dark energy—rose once more, ready to continue the fight.

Mikasa, panting from the effort of the spell, glanced at the now-unconscious man. She had freed him from the dark magic, but the true threat remained—the armor itself.

She no longer needed to hold back. Summoning every last ounce of her strength, she raised her hand and called upon her most powerful spell.

“Astra Nova,” she whispered, her voice steady.

The beam of radiant energy shot from her hand, striking the armor with devastating force. The impact shattered the armor, sending it crashing into the far wall, the dark energy dissipating into nothingness. The battle was over.

Mikasa collapsed to her knees, exhausted but victorious. Yuki rushed to her side, her eyes wide with concern. “Mikasa okay?”

Mikasa nodded weakly, offering the girl a small smile. "Yeah, I’m okay."

They had won, but there were still so many questions left unanswered.