The council chamber was heavy with tension as Kassp's scroll was carefully laid on the central table. The parchment, once ordinary, now held a meticulous and precise collection of notes, diagrams, and encoded strategies. The air in the room seemed to pulse with the weight of the information, the faintest hum of energy emanating from the scroll, as if it too was aware of its importance. The merman's sharp, methodical mind had ensured that even those unfamiliar with Abyssal energies could follow the intricate details without confusion.
Arman leaned forward, his golden eyes narrowing as they scanned the parchment. His usual composure was strained, the flickering light of concern and curiosity dancing in his gaze. His fingers hovered above the scroll, hesitating, as if he feared it might reveal something too terrible to bear. Beside him, Lysander, the royal seer, stood unmoving, his presence a quiet, potent force in the room. His fingers brushed the edges of the scroll, and he closed his eyes for a brief moment, as though listening for something beyond the physical world. Unlike most relics recovered from the Abyss, this document felt... neutral. It was free from the lingering corruption that usually accompanied such artifacts—almost as if it had been crafted to withstand the malevolent forces that seeped from the Abyss.
"Kassp's work," Lysander remarked, her voice carrying a rare tone of respect. her deep, gravelly voice reverberated through the chamber, each word deliberate. "His telepathic touch is unmistakable. Every detail is organized, precise, layered with mental energy. He's ensured its protection from tampering, decay, or corruption."
Daenerys nodded slowly, her expression softening as she took in the sight of the scroll's neat, orderly columns. It was a stark contrast to the swirling chaos of the Abyss, a beacon of clarity. "This will save us precious time," she murmured, her voice laced with a quiet relief. "No need to parse riddles or dispel malevolence. This is the first real lead we've had."
Lysander unfurled the scroll fully, the crisp sound of parchment unrolling echoing softly in the quiet chamber. The scroll revealed complex diagrams: intricate drawings of Shadowborne troop movements, crude sketches of strange Abyssal structures, and annotations that explained symbols Theros and his crew had encountered during their mission. The diagrams were color-coded—Abyssal glyphs paired with their draconic translations, making the text easier to understand but still laced with an unsettling energy. The diagrams were detailed, but the accuracy of their precision felt like a thread tied to an unraveling future.
"The Shadowborne are far more coordinated than we feared," Lysander began, her voice tinged with a quiet disbelief. her fingers traced the lines of a map on the scroll, her sharp eyes scanning the information with an unsettling focus. "Kassp's notes confirm a central hub—deep within the Abyss—a site where energy converges unnaturally. These structures…" she paused, tapping a section of the scroll where twisting, spiraling geometry was drawn with unsettling precision. "They are anchors, built with purpose—to weaken the veil between realms."
The room grew even quieter, the air thick with the realization of what was at stake. The weight of those words seemed to seep into the walls, wrapping around each council member. General Kealen's face tightened, his sharp gaze darkening as he studied the layout. His fingers curled slightly, as if imagining how those same diagrams might be turned into battle formations. "A deliberate strategy," he muttered, his voice low and grave. "If we had any doubt before, this confirms it. They're building toward something—something massive."
vaelora, who had been sitting near the end of the table, leaned forward, her posture taut with both concern and determination. She had been silently absorbing the information, but now her voice broke through the growing tension. "Kassp also noted their rituals," she said, her tone careful, calculating. "He observed patterns of energy transfer—corrupted life forces funneled directly into these anchors. This isn't just a construction project—it's a siphoning process. They're draining the very life out of whatever they can find, channeling it to fuel their designs."
Lysander golden eyes darkened as the full scope of the threat began to settle over him. her voice was low but steady, resonating through the chamber. "They're feeding the Obsidian Eye," she said, each word carrying the weight of a truth that had been building beneath the surface for far too long.
The room fell deathly silent at his words. The impact of his statement hit everyone like a physical blow, the revelation hanging in the air like a stormcloud. The Obsidian Eye—an ancient malevolent force. The very thought of it fed a cold dread that spread through the council.
Lysander remained unmoving, her fingers still poised over the scroll as he processed the information. she studied the rest of the document with a sharp, discerning eye, and then she spoke again. "Here,"she said, pointing to a series of notes. "Kassp's notes detail the vulnerabilities. The rituals require synchronization—proximity to the anchors. He's marked key points where their efforts could be disrupted. We could sever the energy flows or dismantle the structures themselves."
A glimmer of hope flickered in the council chamber, but it was fragile, like a single thread in a web of uncertainty. Daenerys exhaled slowly, her voice now laced with sharp determination. "We'll need strike teams to target these points," she said, her eyes hardening as she glanced at the gathered generals. "If we act quickly, we may be able to destabilize their efforts before they can reach the kingdom's borders."
Lysander nodded, her eyes narrowing. "Kassp's work has given us a significant advantage," she acknowledged. "But the Abyss... it will not take interference lightly. The Obsidian Eye will retaliate the moment we make our move. We'll be dealing with more than just the Shadowborne."
Arman's figure loomed large as he stood, the weight of command settling onto his shoulders. His golden antlers caught the light, casting a long shadow over the room. "Then we must prepare," he said, his voice cutting through the tension. "Double the patrols. Fortify the wards. Ensure every captain understands these strategies before they leave this room." His gaze turned to Lysander, and a hard edge entered his voice. "Analyze every inch of this scroll. If Kassp has overlooked anything, I want it uncovered before the day ends."
Lysander inclined her head respectfully, her face betraying no emotion. "His mind is sharp, Your Majesty," she said, his voice a quiet promise. "But I will ensure nothing escapes our notice."
As the council broke into hushed discussion, the scroll remained on the table—its secrets laid bare before them. It was a testament to Kassp's brilliance and the crew's courage. What it revealed was daunting, but the kingdom now had the means to act. And that, for the first time in a long while, was a spark of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to consume them all.