“What? How? Who? Why?” I blurted out, my voice bouncing around in the cave, echoing over and over. Mira chuckled, and I felt my cheeks burn, realizing how ridiculous I must’ve sounded. I shook my head, trying to gather my thoughts, and asked more calmly this time:

“What is this doing here, in the middle of nowhere? How did it even get here? Who made it? Why haven’t we seen one before? And... what happened to it?” I rushed through the last part, barely catching my breath, which only made Mira laugh harder.

I couldn’t help it. I was too excited. A hundred more questions were swirling in my mind, but I had to stop to breathe.

“Calm down, Lyon,” Mira said between laughs. “I can’t answer your questions if you don’t let me.”

I straightened up, trying to contain my excitement, and waited for her response.

“Where do I even begin...” She paused, her gaze lingering on the glowing symbols. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke. “Do you remember the theory about an ancient civilization hidden in the Valley of the Beast?”

I nodded eagerly but stayed quiet, not wanting to interrupt her.

“Well, these transportation gates are actually the foundation of that theory. They’re scattered all across Elmore, but most of them are found in the Valley of the Beast. It’s said that they’ve been around since the dawn of life as we know it, and the discoveries in that valley only strengthened the connection between these gates and that lost civilization.”

“Wait, wait wait.” I waved my hands to stop her. “If there is so much evidence, how is it still only a theory? It doesn’t make any sense!”

Was I the stupid one? It was clear as day that this ancient civilization lived here, how and why are we still questioning their existence?

Mira smiled.

“That’s because there are simpler explanations for their existence. Tell me, Lyon, do you know what Irregulars are?”

“Um... aren’t they the Elemancers that can’t make any element?”

Mira nodded. “In a general sense, yes. But do you know the different types?”

I shook my head. “Papa never mentioned them.”

“Oh dear.” Mira sighed, rolling her eyes playfully before turning back to me. “Just like there are four types of elements, there are also four types of what we call irregularities.”

She raised her thumb. “The most common are the Vitalists—more often called Menders or Healers. It’s pretty self-explanatory.“

I nodded for her to continue, and she did so with a small smile.

She lifted her index finger. “Next are the Mediums—also known as Oracles or Diviners, whichever term you prefer. They have prophetic visions in many forms—dreams, divinations, you name it. Each Oracle’s abilities are unique. But,” she paused, “there’s more to their powers than people realize. Because of their secrecy, Oracles are either revered or despised.”

She paused again, giving me room to ask, and that I did immediately.

“Why’s that? And what do you mean by ‘more’? Like what?”

Mira smirked. “Do you like it when your questions aren’t fully answered? Or when the answer is vague?”

I frowned slightly. “Of course not! So are you going to tell me or not?”

A chuckle escaped her. “Now you know how it feels.”

My eyes fluttered. “What?”

After two more blinks, I finally realized what she meant, making my eyes opened wide.

That only made her chuckle into a soft laughter, and my eyebrows turned pointy again. “It’s not funny!”

She raised a hand to cover her smile, pretending I couldn’t see or hear her amusement. “Hey!”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Waving the other hand in a light gesture, she said between giggles, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. But you should’ve seen your expression.”

My cheeks were burning hot again, and I looked away, unable to find any words.

After her laughter died out, she continued where she left off.

Raising the next finger in succession, she said:

“The third type are known as Artificers, Artisans, and Craftsmen—though the term ‘Craftsmen’ is slowly being replaced by ‘Technicians,’ given how much Rhineheart has changed over the past few decades. While not the rarest, their abilities are the hardest to define. In simple terms, they can create special items. Take the Springs Smile for reference,” she said, pulling it from her dimensional ring and handing it to me to study.

Up until now, I had never questioned the existence of the Springs Smile. With so much happening between studying, training and everything in-between I never really had the time, always finding it cool how a small pretty bottle could hold so much water in it. But now that it was brought up, another question came to mind as she adjusted the ring to her finger.

“So, where the transportation gates created by these Irregulars? The... Artisans? Wait, no—why are there so many different names? How am I supposed to remember all of them and why do you remember them?

Mira chuckled. “Each Kingdom uses different terms, dear. You don’t have to memorize all of them, just the one you like the most. After hearing these terms long enough, its not that had to remember. As for your other question, I’m getting to that.”

Saying that she lifting her ring finger, completing the quartet.

“Now, the last and rarest of the Irregulars are known as Cosmo-Weavers, Choromancers, or Space Meddlers. Their abilities are the most... abstract. It’s hard to identify something universally accepted for them other than the fact their abilities are spacial in nature, therefore hardly any information is know about them, both publically and in secret. The Vorici and Zana Families are known for their Choromancer linages, and there are a few Elven and Dwarven names that come to mind, but I don’t know much further than that. I’m sorry, Lyon, I promise I’ll ask them if given the chance, although , I doubt they’ll ever reveal anything of importance.”

I blinked, shell-shocked while she shook her head before continuing, “Anyway, now that we’ve covered the Irregulars, I can explain about the transportation gates—”

“What!?” I shouted, my voice bouncing off the cave walls. Birds outside scattered, the rustling of their wings loud even within the cave."

“What happened Lyon?” she asked, her voice painted with worry as she quickly knelt beside me.

“I should be asking that!” I yelled again.

“Excuse me?” She tilted her head, concern giving way to confusion.

“You just said you knew two of the Eight Great Families of the Human Kingdom!” I blurted out before I could stop myself, which work in my favor this time. If I didn’t we’d still be playing the questioning game.

It was Mira’s turn to blink, realizing her slip-up. And what a slip it was.

Clearing her throat, she responded, “Of course I know of them, Lyon. Everyone does. This is public knowledge. What startled you so much?”

“You are avoiding the subject! Mira don’t lie! Lying is bad! You said you’d ask them when you get the chance!” I pointed an accusing finger at her.

She gently took hold of my finger and my hand in hers. “Lyon, dear, I meant it in the form of a letter. As two of the governing families of the Asmit Kingdom, they receive all sorts of correspondence. But as I said, I doubt they’d share anything important. They likely have a pre-written script for these things, offering well-known facts or politely denying any other inquiries.“

I found myself at a loss for words. Had... had I misunderstood? What she said did make sense.

“So, you weren’t lying?” I whispered, feeling embarrassed.

“I...”

But before she could finish, I grabbed the sleeve of her robe. “I’m sorry.” I said looking down.

How could I yell at her like that? Mira was Mira, she would never lie to me.

Her hand hesitated for just a split second, but then she gently patted my hair, as she always did.

“It’s alright, Lyon. Everyone makes mistakes... everyone.”

For a moment, the cave fell into silence. Only the forest outside seemed alive—the rustling leaves and the distant sounds of beasts echoed faintly through the cave.

Eventually, Mira let go of me and broke the stillness. “Now, back to your original question. A simpler explanation for the transportation gates, instead of the ancient civilization theory, would be the Zana family. Renowned since the Second Epoch for their unique ability to create small portals for easy transportation, it’s not far-fetched to think they might have experimented in the past. In doing so, they could have created artifacts like the gates. Historical records from both the Blood Wars and the Beast Wars support this claim.”

I would have preferred if she’d held me a bit longer instead of answering, but I couldn’t be greedy—it was still something.

“Then how is this even here?” I asked, trying to refocus on the small mystery at hand.

“It could be one of those artifacts used during the wars, and now, after so many years, it’s simply out of energy.”

I frowned, looking at the strange symbols.

For some reason, I couldn’t accept that explanation. Not that I thought Mira was lying—she always answered to the best of her ability—but it just felt... wrong.

The leaves outside rustled again, louder this time and I believed their was a growl coming from outside the cave, but didn’t pay it much attention.

If it were true, why wasn’t it confirmed yet? Why hadn’t the Zana family come forward to announce it? And if they could really do it once, why can’t the do it now? Wouldn’t that only strengthen their position?

‘Thinking like an adult is so difficult! I never want to grow up!’

Maybe if they did announce it, they’d become too powerful and the other families would go after them? No, no... that wouldn’t happen. That’s just something out of books.

“Dear...” Mira’s soft voice snapped me from my thoughts, making me jump.

I turned to her, her eyes filled with concern as she pointed behind me. It was only then that I noticed the shadow beneath my feet.

“...we have company.”