Prologue II
Solomon stood at the edge of the Soulgate. Beneath him the cold cobblestone bricks were layered with snow, his footprints trailing far behind him. Beside his own were his apprentices, Hymar. The young mylian boy held a firm, confident gaze. But Solomon felt the unease coming from within. Still, he was proud of his student to have gotten so far, to have dealt with the chaos that had led them there. He wasn't so sure he could have done the same at his age.
"This is it? A bit underwhelming." Hymar said, his expression flat. Solomon couldn't help but chuckle, taking in a long breath, smelling the cool winter air.
"The grandeur is what lies inside. I'm afraid it isn't in your cards to see it, though." Solomon did sincerely feel bad, but at the same time didn't. If Hymar was able to join him inside the Soulgate, it would have implied a whole new realm of trouble for them, and everyone. The young boy didn't argue, and simply nodded in acceptance. So eager to please.
"And that's the keyhole?" Hymar asked, pointing at a large opening on the side of the Soulgate. The gate itself was a massive stone arch, smooth on all sides and perfectly rounded at the curves. There was no sense of design or decorative detail. As if the gate was simply a tool, and only the necessities were applied to bring it into existence. No culture or definitive aspects to attach to it. Just a stone gate standing in the middle of a forest, on a platform of cobblestone. And despite it, it was one of the most sought after structures in the world.
"I believe so…" Solomon's words trailed off as he approached the gate. Running his hands along the edges of the keyhole, he could tell it had never really been touched before. It was roughly the size of his head, and was indented only a few inches deep into the stone. It was also the shape of a perfect hexagon. "Bring it here." He added, waving behind him for Hymar. The mylian quickly obeyed, pulling free the key and hauling it over to his master.
"So lugging these things around is finally going to be worth it? This will stop him?" Hymar grunted as he heaved it up into Solomon's arms. The elf smiled at his appearance and shrugged.
"We can only hope it will hinder him. At the very least, we will have stopped his source to create his army." His expression grew increasingly grim. He felt the key in his hand and memories flashed in his mind. It had been years ago, decades even, but it still felt fresh. The sounds of clustered prisoners scrambling in the mud, climbing over each other, trying to reach for freedom above. Then…her…in the middle of it all.
"I can finish this. I'll go to Irongroth myself and-!" Hymar started, only for Solomon to raise a hand and silence him.
"You will do no such thing. You will do as I asked and keep the other key safe. Make sure he can never find it. Travel to New Windcrest if you must! We are giving the world a chance to fight back, to finish off what is left of them. Do you understand? Do you see the importance of this task I have given you?" Solomon glared over his shoulder at Hymar, who was now frozen in terror. He was not fearful of his master, but of what he was asking of him. If he failed, it could mean the end of everything they knew and loved.
"I understand, master." Hymar muttered, nodding slowly. The weight of the second key was still pulling on his back. His master stood in silence for a moment, his expression softening before looking back to the gate. Raising the key, unceremoniously he shoved it into the slot. There were no turning mechanisms, or any real lock to begin with. It simply filled the shape of the hexagon, and the portal sprang to life.
In an instant a portal took form, filling the archway. Hymar stumbled back in surprise, rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things. Sure enough, the portal remained there. It didn't wobble or flash with light, instead it looked like a mirror. A crystal clear image through and through. Curiously, Hymar rounded the arch to see from the otherside it was the same thing, only flipped. Does going into the other side change the direction of the world itself? He wondered.
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The image itself was that of a massive plain, rolling hills off in the distance, with snow capped mountains even further beyond. And behind it all, unfurling across the sky, was a massive storm. Lightning snapped down at the mountains, thunder rumbling distantly with malicious intent. It was by no means a welcoming image, and yet, it was awfully intriguing. And Hymar found himself wanting to step inside.
"Hymar, come here!" Solomon called for him, to which he made haste running back around to his master. "Do you understand what you're seeing here?" He asked. Hymar frowned, knowing that Solomon was about to give him another one of his unsolicited history lessons he'd give even in dire times. But the mylian shook his head in honesty.
"What you see is not a world that truly exists. It exists independently, only within this Soulgate. It is, in essence, the gates very soul itself. Which means…?" He raised a brow, testing the boy's critical thinking as he put it. Hymar sighed but replied anyway.
"Meaning the only way to access the realm is through this particular Soulgate. I hardly see why this is important right now, master. What if they are behind us?" Hymar looked into the forest anxiously. It was not long ago the enemy had been hot on their trail. Surely, though, they had lost them in the water.
"We are safe, for now. Enough that I can tell you this before I go. It is important because no matter what Soulgate you may find yourself at, you can only access this world through this gate. That means if they find the other key, if you fail, they will try to open the gates to find me. He will not be content with only having one." He paused, making sure his student was listening. "If they find the key, Hymar, you must come back here. Gather as much force as you can, as many people that will listen to you. Make allies, build an army you can trust. And wait here. Eventually, they will have to come. And you will have to be ready to fight them." Hymar had seen that serious look on Solomon's face before, and knew better than to say something silly or stupid. Not that he had planned too, sometimes it just slipped out when he was nervous. But now, he was far from nervous, more so a sort of stark fear.
"I haven't even swung a sword before…" Hymar protested, blinking absently. Solomon pursed his lips.
"If you keep moving, you will have time to learn. Find someone who will train you, but never stop moving. You must keep moving. Learn, adapt, survive like you did in the streets of Torchill. I know you can do this." Solomon's words inspired him, but of course, there was still a looming doubt that hung in his chest like an anvil.
"When he is gone…can I come back?" Hymar asked timidly.
"You can come back when you see Uttrals body bleeding across the sands of Coreterra." Solomon responded pointedly, face drained of emotion. He was dead serious. More serious than he'd ever been about anything. Even when the walls of Linnis came crashing down he still made time for jokes, but not now.
"Now, give me the key." Solomon nodded with his head at the bag. Hesitantly, Hymar pulled the second key free and handed it to him. The elf gave him a bitter smile, a farewell smile perhaps, and turned for the gate. He then stepped inside, only a few feet or so. The image didn't so much as ripple as he did it, like he'd simply walked a few feet down the road and nothing more. It was unnerving. And so too were his parting words.
"I'm sorry, my sons." Solomon muttered as he pressed something on the opposite side of the gate. Suddenly the key suddenly fell from the lock, thunking onto the cobblestone. The portal closed with nothing so much as a stirring of the wind. Just leaving a display of the snowy forest beyond.
For a long few hours Hymar sat at the gate, wondering what he'd just heard. He could've sworn Solomon had said 'sons'. Only he had never spoken of having a son. Though he had told Hymar before that he felt like one to him. That had made him more happy than words could describe. But even if that was what he was talking about, that still left room for another one. But eventually the sun began to set in the ocean, and Hymar knew what had to be done. Grabbing the key, he slid it back into his bag and slung it over his shoulder.
Now, he had to leave Greyholde, and hope that he would never have to come back.