As the group steps inside the grand hall, they are greeted by a breathtaking sight. The chamber presents a mesmerizing blend of magical phenomena and surreal architecture. Arcane patterns dance across the walls, and the very air seems to shimmer with potent energies. Magic and reality flow within the grand hall. In the center of the grand hall, the group spots a focal point—an ornate pedestal or dais bathed in a radiant, ethereal light. This pedestal emanates a sense of otherworldly power and importance, a place where the most profound secrets of the Nexus may be revealed.
The group splits up to investigate the grand hall. Lyria studies the arcane patterns in the walls, while Dragbaki and the spirit guide head to the center of the grand hall to investigate the Pedestal. Curious about the purpose of the pedestal, Dragbaki delves into the records of the ancient tome for information regarding the grand hall.
The text within the tome provides Dragbaki with further insights, such as the Heart of Arcanum. The Nucleus of Arcanum is referred to as the "Heart of Arcanum" in the ancient text. It is the central chamber where the most profound secrets of this mystical realm are held. Seekers who reach the Nucleus may gain access to unparalleled knowledge and abilities. Serving as a center of balance and harmony, the Nucleus ensures that the raw magic of the Nexus does not overflow or disrupt the natural order of the realms. It is a place of equilibrium where the forces of creation and transformation find unity.
While the text hints at the Nucleus's significance, it does not reveal the full extent of its capabilities or the nature of the knowledge it contains. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of approaching the Nucleus with reverence and a deep respect for the balance it maintains.
Armed with this newfound knowledge, the group now has a clearer understanding of the Nucleus of Arcanum. It is a place of immense power, balance, and profound secrets, guarded by the guardian spirit and connected to the resonance of the crystalline artifact. As soon as Dragbaki learns the purpose of the pedestal, he quickly calls Lyria to share what he has found.
"Looks like we would have to use the artifact you've found. We need it to unlock the power of the Nexus and create portals from here," Dragbaki explains to Lyria.
"It's a good thing I found it then. You should thank me. Without me, you wouldn't have found it," Lyria replies with a smug look on her face.
"Not really. Besides, I have this scroll of dimension door. I can go back and find it and just redo the ritual," Dragbaki says as he shakes the scroll of dimension door that he found at the Library of Echoing Scrolls while also looking smug.
"You really can't let me have my moments, can you?" Lyria pouts, annoyed at Dragbaki. Dragbaki only laughs in response, which also causes Lyria to laugh.
As the two of them further examine the pedestal, the duo feels the immense power of the Nexus. At that moment, they realize how powerful someone would be if they're able to control this Nexus. They also both understand why the spirit said that the forces of darkness would have detected them either way because once they gained control of this Nexus, the forces of darkness would have detected them.
"Is this how the darkness was able to locate the Sanctuary of Illumination and destroy it?" Dragbaki asks the spirit guide.
"Yes, though the sages that have been here gained the acknowledgment of the Nexus and were given the mark of Arcanum. They were only able to access it for knowledge. When the forces of darkness arrived, they weren't able to do anything, as they're mostly only acolytes. The forces of darkness came to look for those who can control the Nexus with their mark, but they weren't able to. Frustrated, they decided to just massacre the whole sanctuary," the spirit guide explains. Though the body of the spirit is ethereal, the duo can see a pained expression on the spirit's face.
"I... I see. It must've been hard for you all these times to see the fall and live in the aftermath of the sanctuary. Thank you for not giving up on your mission," Dragbaki says as he sincerely thanks the spirit guide.
"Don't worry. Now we're going to them ourselves and kick their butts," Lyria says as she tries to lift up the mood of not just the spirit guide but also of everyone.
After the emotional moment, the duo continues to investigate the pedestal. After their investigation, Lyria places the crystalline artifact on the crevice on top of the pedestal. After placing the artifact, Dragbaki and Lyria proceed to pour their magical energy into the pedestal. As soon as they power the pedestal, a series of enchanting phenomena unfolds before the duo's eyes. The crystalline artifact emits a brilliant, radiant light that matches the intensity of the pedestal's glow. The combined illumination bathes the entire chamber in a dazzling display of magical radiance.
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The resonance of the artifact intensifies, and they can feel its magical vibrations harmonizing with the energies of the pedestal. There's a profound connection between the two, as if they are merging into a unified source of power. The arcane patterns and symbols adorning the walls and floor of the chamber respond to the presence of the artifact on the pedestal. They come to life, shifting and evolving in intricate patterns, creating a mesmerizing display of magic.
The guardian spirit, ever watchful, seems to emanate an aura of approval and anticipation. Its presence signifies that the two of them have taken a significant step toward unlocking the mysteries of the Nexus. The chamber seems to hold its breath, as if the Nexus itself is awaiting the next revelation. The two of them stand before the radiant pedestal, with the crystalline artifact now an integral part of this mystical convergence.
After the mystical event, some of the magic energy and reality flows toward the artifact, which then emits two rays of purple magic energy. These rays form a brand or a tattoo on the back of the duo's hands, representing the acknowledgment of the Nexus. The same brand that caused the ruin of the sanctuary is now also on their hands, though there's a difference. This brand on their hands would allow them to access the Nexus whenever they want. Curious about their newfound power, they ask the spirit guide how to use the brand.
"Hey, uh... Oh, shoot, this is a problem... I've been adventuring with you for like four days now, and I still didn't know your name," Dragbaki says, scratching their head, genuinely perplexed.
The spirit guide lets out a soft chuckle, his voice carrying an otherworldly wisdom. "Ah, my name... I did mention that I had forgotten it, and that's true. However, for your sake, you can call me 'Auric' for now. It feels right."
Lyria, who had been listening, couldn't resist chiming in. She crosses her arms, a mischievous grin forming on her face. "Oh, 'Auric,' huh? It only took you four days to remember to ask. Bravo, my friend. You're truly a paragon of curiosity."
Dragbaki blushes and stammers, "Well, I was a bit preoccupied with, you know, finding my mother and all that."
Auric chuckles again, the sound like distant wind chimes. "Indeed, you've been rather busy, and my memory isn't what it used to be. But names are just labels, after all. Now, about your newfound power, to access the power of the tattoo, you need to channel your magic to it. Though I'm not entirely sure, for the reason that never before has there been an incident like this, but I would guess that the method is the same, and that you would need to think about what you need to use."
Auric explains, recalling how the previous sages of the sanctuary used their mark. Now with the understanding of how to use the mark, Dragbaki and Lyria use it to access the knowledge of the Nexus. Dragbaki uses it to learn how to find his mother and where they should go next, while Lyria uses it to conquer her inner demons and help her patron redeem themselves.
Dragbaki learns that his mother is safe for now and has retreated to her realm. To reach her, their group would need to go to the Temple of Astral Wisdom. To get there, they would need more companions, and they would need to seek them out. As this information appears in his mind, two names also appear: "Burgenshak Stoneheart" and "Skadii of Fralsherya." This is where the information stops regarding Dragbaki's inquiry in the Nexus.
Lyria, as she uses her mark to access the knowledge of the Nexus, begins to remember her past trauma, the people she trusted who betrayed her, and how she met her patron in her times of need. The Nexus only gives her a vague solution, to continue her mission of guiding her patron to virtuousness and to use it as a guide on how she can solve her trauma and how her patron can also come to terms with their own sins. Learning this, Lyria and her patron hexblade form a much deeper bond, causing her to unlock more power and her patron to grow stronger.
After understanding her mission more and growing a deeper bond, her patron in return gives her a Pact of Boon, the Pact of the Blade. This boon allows her to create a weapon of her choosing in her free hand. She becomes proficient in using the created weapon, even though she has no prior proficiency in using it. This weapon counts as a magical weapon, overcoming resistance to non-magical attacks and damage.
She can also transform one magic weapon into her pact weapon by performing a special ritual. Dismissing the transformed magic weapon would cause it to be stored in an extradimensional space.
After both use their marks to access the knowledge of the Nexus, they exchange knowledge on what they learned. Dragbaki shares that they would need to find two more people to continue their journey according to the Nexus.
Dragbaki shares the names of the two people with Lyria, who then gives a summary of what she asked of the Nexus and what she gained. Dragbaki congratulates her on her new ability.
"So this place is also a portal room, right?" She asks for confirmation, noting how the runes on the floor are a stronger version of what they made at the Chamber of Celestial Balance.
"Yes, according to the Nexus, this would lead us to a temple in Lumindale, though I'm not sure where that is. Do you?" Dragbaki nods to confirm what Lyria said.
"Hmm, nope, I haven't heard of any city like that. Maybe it's in another country or region? Let me take a look at the ancient tome," Lyria replies as she borrows the ancient tome to look for information.
"Hey, Auric, do you perhaps know where Lumindale is located?" Dragbaki asks Auric, curious about the place since that's where the Nexus would send them.
"Hmm… Lumidale…" Auric murmurs as he remembers information about the city. "Ah yes, Lumindale, I quite remember now. It's a city located in the country of Eldoria. The country is located in the middle of the continent, quite far south from where the sanctuary is located," Auric explains.
"It's said in the ancient tome that it's quite an ancient city with a millennia of history, and it's also in the ancient tome that there's quite a number of races living there," Lyria chimes in with the information she found in the ancient tome.
"Hmm, I guess we should end the day here for now since it's getting quite late," Dragbaki says as he feels the tiredness creeping in after the adrenaline rush from the events. Lyria also agrees to rest for now before they go to the next location. After setting up camp and eating, the group finally ends the day.