Morning cast its gentle glow across the sprawling city of Sanctum, painting the sky with hues of gold and pink as the sun climbed to its highest. Within the highest tower that pierced the skyline, Everess stood in her office, surrounded by the grandeur of Orderian regalia and statues that adorned the chamber. Despite the disarray of books all around, her attention was drawn to the panoramic view of the metropolis outside, where the city sprawled and the land stretched into the distance.

Turning away from the view, she approached a mirror that stood in the corner of the room. Weariness etched deep lines upon her face, a testament to nights spent immersed in the weight of responsibilities that she had no choice but to bear alone.

“I must find another way,” she murmured to her reflection, a determined furrow creasing her brow. “There has to be another way.”

A knock at the door disrupted her already chaotic thoughts. “Come in,” she called, her voice carrying authority softened by fatigue. As the doors swung open, her councilors filed into the room, their expressions a blend of duty and concern.

She acknowledged them with a nod, settling into the high-backed chair behind her imposing desk, emblazoned with the emblem of the Grand Sage and the revered insignia of the Orderian.

“I understand you wish to speak to us... here,” said one of the councilors, casting a bewildered glance around the chamber, his confusion mirrored by his colleagues.

A wry smile tugged at her lips as she rose from her seat. “What do you think of my new office?” she quipped, gesturing expansively to the opulent surroundings.

The councilors exchanged puzzled looks, some venturing to inspect the room with cautious curiosity. She observed their reactions with a mixture of amusement and understanding. After all, this chamber defied the laws of logic and reality—its existence was a testament to forces beyond comprehension.

“Is this the hidden office of the Grand Sage?” asked an elder councilor, his voice echoing with a mix of awe and disbelief.

Her smile broadened, a glint of triumph dancing in her eyes. “Yes, indeed it is. And I’ve uncovered it at last,” she declared, her gaze sweeping over the assembled senior councilors who wasted no time in delving into the scattered tomes that filled the space.

“It’s astonishing that you’ve found upon the Grand Orderian Library, if that’s truly what this is,” remarked the High Wizard of the council, his tone tinged with skepticism as he surveyed the sprawling city below.

Stepping closer to him, she shared his vantage point, her expression resolute. “This is not the Grand Orderian Library,” she asserted confidently.

The High Wizard turned to face her, his curiosity piqued. “Then what, pray tell, is this place?"

Addressing the gathered assembly, her voice carried a note of authority. “This is the gateway, the office that connects to the Grand Orderian Library,” she proclaimed, her smile radiating assurance, though she noted not all shared her enthusiasm for the revelation.

Five years had passed since she embarked on her quest to uncover the elusive library, a repository of knowledge shrouded in myth and legend, deemed too dangerous for one person to wield.

As she led the group down the ancient hallway, adorned with tattered Orderian banners, the silence spoke volumes, a testament to the passage of eons since footsteps last echoed through its hallowed halls.

“Your Highness,” a voice called out, breaking the reverie.

She turned her attention to the speaker, her demeanor poised. “What is it?” she inquired, her stride unbroken as they continued their journey into the unknown.

The councilors exchanged uncertain glances, their unease palpable as they sensed her disregard for their concerns.

“Grand Sage, I implore you to consider the gravity of this matter,” said one councilor, his voice tinged with urgency. “The Grand Orderian Library has long been relegated to the realm of myth and legend. Our only library sits directly in front of this very castle."

Ignoring their protests, she continued her determined stride. “Councilor, I understand your concerns. But I’ve exhaustively researched every reference to the library, and the evidence is cannot be denied,” she asserted, though she could sense their skepticism weighing heavily upon her words.

“Grand Sage, we’ve scoured the Castle for decades, centuries even. There’s no indication of such a hidden library,” countered another councilor, halting their progress before an imposing wall adorned with the likeness of the first Grand Sage.

“Does the existence of this chamber not suffice as evidence?” Everess challenged, her tone edged with frustration as she turned to face them. “The anomaly between its architecture and that of the Castle itself should speak volumes. It defies logic, yet here we stand.”

“Milady, the discovery of this chamber is remarkable in itself. But to suggest the existence of a hidden library in the same vein is preposterous in itself,” persisted the councilor, his resolve unyielding.

She met their disbelief with a steely gaze. “The Second Grand Sage concealed it precisely because of its contents—knowledge too potent, too dangerous to entrust to any one individual. The Grand Orderian Library remains veiled, its secrets safeguarded by centuries of secrecy,” she revealed, her words punctuated by a sudden tremor that rippled through the chamber.

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

With a flourish of her hand, she directed a beam of light towards the facade, causing it to shimmer before collapsing inward, revealing a hidden door beneath. Emblazoned with the emblem of the Grand Sage, the door groaned open, its weight defying the passage of time.

Within, bathed in ethereal sunlight, stood a grand bookcase upon a platform accessible only by levitation. She drew a breath, her heart pounding with the weight of discovery. She watched as the councilors peered inside, their disbelief giving way to wonder.

There lies before them, the Grand Orderian Library in all its glory.

For her, this revelation marked a turning point. Here, amidst the hallowed halls of the Grand Orderian Library, she sensed the answers she sought, the key to unlocking the mysteries that had eluded her for so long.

“The Grand Orderian Library shall remain hidden,” she declared, her voice resonating with authority. “Its secrets are not for the faint of heart. I will safeguard them at all costs.”

Her words hung in the air, their weight commanding obedience. A hush fell over the assembled councilors, each one visibly stunned by her declaration. “This library is for my eyes and my eyes alone,” she asserted, her gaze sweeping across their faces. “Never utter a word of its existence outside this chamber, or face the consequences. Am I understood?”

Silent nods and exchanged glances conveyed their compliance. “Of course, your Highness,” the Head Councilor replied, his tone deferential.

“Very well. You are dismissed,” she declared calmly, though tension still crackled in the air, leaving her advisors hesitant to depart.

A bold councilor, emboldened by curiosity and perhaps a hint of defiance, dared to voice the unspoken question lingering in the minds of many. “But, Milady,” he began, his voice trembling with a mix of reverence and uncertainty, “shouldn’t we study the knowledge within? Who knows what truths or paths to peace might lie concealed among the pages, hidden spells waiting to be uncovered?"

Yet, she knew better than to entertain such notions. “There are forces within those hallowed halls that defy our way of understanding things,” she warned, her voice dropping to a grave whisper. “Spells that could shatter the very foundations of our reality.”

“But, Your Highness,” the councilor persisted, his desperation palpable, “surely such knowledge—”

“That is enough!” Her voice thundered, cutting through his protest like a blade. “There is wisdom in the decisions of our predecessors, Councilor. Do not question it.”

The councilor recoiled, his resolve faltering. “N-no, of course not,” he stammered, retreating with bowed head.

Turning away from the councilors, she addressed them once more. “I brought you here to enlighten you on my endeavors and absences. You now understand. You may leave.”

One by one, the councilors bowed in deference before filing out of the chamber, leaving her alone with the weight of her secret and the gravity of her responsibilities.

As the heavy doors sealed shut behind her, she drew in a deep breath, the facade of composure she had maintained for the councilors dissipated. Her shoulders slumped, releasing the weight of her burdens, and the mask of stoicism crumbled, revealing the worry etched in her face.

A strange energy had unsettled her the day prior, leaving her grappling for explanations she couldn't provide even to herself. With a hopeful glance toward the looming library, she silently prayed it held the elusive answers she sought, the culmination of five arduous years of relentless search.

Stepping forward, she hovered into the library's embrace, the doors sealing her within. Instantly, she was enveloped by the warm embrace of sunlight and the musty aroma of ancient tomes, their pages untouched for eons. Dust danced in the air, disturbed by the intrusion of sunlight meeting the grand circular case stretching endlessly from floor to ceiling.

Descending onto the platform, she felt a subtle vibration reverberate through the chamber, accompanied by a soft, ethereal hum. A pinkish maroon glow traced intricate patterns along the pillars, breathing life into the dormant space. With each pulse, the hum grew stronger, as if welcoming her presence and awakening the forgotten sanctuary.

As the radiant light washed over the room like a cleansing tide, dispersing the lingering dust, she found herself surrounded by a wealth of untold knowledge. In the midst of this vast, ancient archive, she felt a stirring she hadn't dared to feel for in years—hope.

Extending her hand, a faint glow emanated from her fingertips, coaxing a book from the towering shelves above. With a graceful motion, it floated toward her, coming to rest before her outstretched hand, a tangible manifestation of the boundless wisdom awaiting her exploration.

She gazed intently at the massive, weathered tome resting before her—the ancient, crimson-bound volume she held as she rubbed the hardbound gently as she read its name.

The secret history of the Orderas.

Its weighty secrets veiled within its pages. A furrow creased her brow as she struggled to place the elusive term. Though it sparked a flicker of recognition, its origins remained frustratingly elusive, buried deep within the recesses of her memory.

With a subtle gesture, she commanded the book to unfurl, its pages turning slowly as if guided by an unseen hand. Yet, before delving into its enigmatic contents, she chose to suspend her study, the tome vanishing from her grasp with a mere flick of her wrist—a promise of future reading.

Drawing a fortifying breath, she braced herself for the unknown and willed herself to a distant locale as she teleporbed away, emerging amidst the relentless gusts of a wind-swept realm. The howling winds assaulted her senses, their fervent whispers akin to the hungry cries of night's beasts, whipping her hair into a frenzy.

Surveying her surroundings, she found herself amidst a dense forest, its towering trees defiant against the tempest's onslaught, their verdant leaves clinging steadfastly to their branches. Beneath the radiant glow of a full moon, realization dawned upon her—the Great Tree stood illuminated in the distance, its brilliance a beacon amidst the darkness.

A sense of foreboding washed over her as she approached the precipice, the stark realization settling heavily upon her shoulders—she stood upon a floating island, suspended within the Gorge of Gorenhurd, the fathomless chasm that lay at the heart of the Mystic Realms, revered as their most sacred of sites.

Her heart quickened its rhythm, a surge of concern flooding her senses as she grappled with the unsettling presence enveloping her. This inexplicable energy mirrored the sensation she had recently experienced within the imperial tomb, heightening her unease. With each step along the winding path before her, she was consumed by an overwhelming sense of dread, her mind racing with unanswered questions.

As she approached a mound of debris, a shiver coursed through her body, sending prickles of apprehension down her spine. With trembling hands, she began to clear the rubble, revealing a sight that filled her with a profound sense of disquiet—the unmistakable emblem of the Mystic Falcons, obscured amidst the destruction.

Her breaths came in ragged gasps as realization dawned upon her—the sacred temple of the Mystic Falcons lay desecrated before her. Who could have perpetrated such sacrilege, and for what purpose, remained shrouded in uncertainty. Yet one truth loomed ominously clear—they were under attack, their sanctuary violated by unknown assailants.

A gnawing sense of urgency gripped her, mingled with a foreboding awareness that she alone bore witness to this dire threat. Uncertainty clouded her thoughts as she grappled with the weight of responsibility, torn between the impulse to act and the fear of what revelations might await her. Especially as the elusive energy, was the same as hers.

End of Chapter X