The shard she had received as a reward was unlike any other gem she had seen. It was translucent with a slight blue-green tint and pulsed with an inner light, as if holding a tiny star within. When she held it, a faint warmth emanated from it, and it felt almost like it had a heartbeat of its own.
Curious, she held the shard close to her eye and tried to peer deeper into it. Within the crystal's depths, she could discern tiny swirls of energy, moving and shifting, creating patterns reminiscent of celestial constellations. It was clear that this shard was not just a mere decorative stone but something imbued with ancient cosmic power.
Recalling the new mission's objective, she decided that her first stop would be the Grand Library of the Nexus. Libraries had always been her refuge, filled with knowledge from countless civilizations and eras. And the Nexus library was said to be one of the most extensive and renowned across realms.
However, as she thought of the Library, she was reminded of Twilight and Natasha. Who, should Venin learn that Dawn was still alive, would likely be sent after her.
Dawn was resolved to deal with Venin before things escalated. She feared that Natasha and Twilight might both end up as powerful but uncaring entities within the galaxy. Each shoved to the brink in different ways.
She knew how Natasha ended up that way, but Twilight was a mystery. The only real thing that any players knew about Twilight was that she was from Venin, used armies of summons and elementals to do her work for her, and she had a younger sister called Dawn, that had died while young.
That Dawn was the very person she was now. However the fact that the original had died, and nobody knew how or why, was a weight on her shoulders. She wouldn't let it slow her down, lest she follow in the original's footsteps.
Dawn tucked the shard securely in a small pouch that hung from her belt. She took a deep breath, the cool, crisp air of the morning filling her lungs. With a newfound sense of purpose, she began to make her way towards the Grand Library of the Nexus. The Library's looming spires could be seen from a distance, touching the roof of the cavern with its ancient majesty, appearing like a combination of massive stalagmites.
As she walked, the bustling streets of the city came alive around her. Vendors peddling rare artifacts, scholars debating theorems, and children chasing after floating orbs that glowed with a soft light. Yet, amidst all this life and activity, Dawn felt an isolation, a disconnect. Her thoughts were consumed by the mysteries of her own existence, and the heavy burden of being a 'replacement' for someone who once lived.
The cobblestone streets gradually transformed into a well-trodden path lined with luminescent trees, their leaves shimmering in hues of silver and gold. The Grand Library stood tall at the end of this path, its doors guarded by two statues of winged creatures, their eyes glowing with a soft blue light.
As she approached, one of the statues animated, its stone form shifting fluidly. "State your purpose," it intoned, its voice echoing with an otherworldly resonance.
"I seek knowledge," Dawn replied, her voice steady.
The statue nodded, returning to its original form, and the massive doors of the Library slowly swung open.
Inside, the Library was a marvel to behold. Endless shelves stretched high into the domed ceiling, with ethereal ladders floating between them, providing access to the countless books and scrolls. Scholars in hooded robes floated by, engrossed in their studies.
Dawn approached the central desk. An elderly librarian with translucent skin and galaxy-like eyes looked up at her. "How may I assist you today?" she asked, her voice soft yet authoritative.
"I'm looking for information about the Shattered Planet," Dawn replied.
The librarian's eyes widened. "That's a very ancient and mysterious topic. You won't find many written records on that. But if you're interested in what I have, I'd suggest the section on lost civilizations and forgotten gods."
"Thank you, I'll take a look."
The librarian waved her hand and a small orb appeared in front of Dawn. It hovered for a moment, then began to move, leading her through the maze-like shelves. After a few minutes, they came to a halt in a dimly lit corner, where a single shelf sat, its books and scrolls seeming to exude an aura of age and wisdom.
Dawn reached out, hesitating only for a moment before selecting a thick leather-bound tome. Its cover was etched with symbols that seemed to shimmer and move, like water beneath a gentle breeze. Carefully, she opened it, revealing pages filled with ancient script and detailed illustrations.
As she began to read, Dawn was transported to a time eons ago, when the realms were young and the fabric between worlds was fragile. The tome spoke of the Shattered Planet, once a utopia of unparalleled beauty and harmony. Its inhabitants had achieved a level of enlightenment that was the envy of other realms. But with that enlightenment came ambition, and with ambition came hubris.
Powerful mages from the planet attempted to harness the core energy of their world, intending to use it to reshape the universe in their image. But the energy proved too unstable. The resulting explosion shattered the planet into countless pieces, its once proud civilization lost to time.
The echoes of that explosion, it was said, could still be felt throughout the realms, and the shards from that world were scattered throughout the universe. The very shard Dawn held was a fragment of that lost world, a relic imbued with its lost potential and power.
She continued to read, searching for more information about the shard's abilities and potential uses. As the hours went by, the Library's shadows deepened, with the only light emanating from the shimmering pages and the luminescent trees outside.
Suddenly, a soft rustling interrupted Dawn's focus. Turning around, she noticed a figure cloaked in darkness, observing her from a distance. As their eyes locked, the figure vanished, leaving only an empty space and an eerie feeling of being watched.
Shaken, Dawn decided it was best to return another day. She carefully placed the tome back on the shelf and followed the glowing orb back to the Library's entrance.
As she exited the Library, the weight of the shard and its mysterious history pressed on her. She felt a mixture of excitement and dread.
What she read both aligned with and contradicted her knowledge. The Shattered Planet was true to its name, having been partially destroyed. Surrounded by a sea of wormholes, making it near impossible to come and go for those capable of space fare.
But did the shard in her pocket come from this planet, or some other one that had ended up through a wormhole and landed here? A great deal of junk and tech has managed to land on the planet in such a way, most of it picked up by the rouge mechs, nobody is much sure of the reason though.
Dawn stepped out into the night, the Grand Library's entrance now cloaked in soft shadows. The luminescent trees provided the only guiding light, their shimmering leaves casting an ethereal glow onto the cobblestone path.
Choosing a less trodden path that meandered through a series of back alleys. Dawn hoped to avoid the main streets and any potential followers. The soft murmurs of the city faded, replaced by the echo of her own footsteps and the distant hoot of a night owl. The image of the shadow in the Library, along with the dream from the night before, playing on her mind.
She knew she had developed more than a healthy dose of paranoia while on the surface. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was in over her head.
Up ahead, she could see the soft glimmer of the shop's sign, its intricate design sparkling like a beacon in the quickly darkening streets. The sight filled her with relief, but she reminded herself to stay alert.
Just as she was nearing the shop's entrance, a gust of wind blew through the alley, making the hanging lanterns sway. For a moment, their lights flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Dawn's heart raced. Was it merely the wind or a sign of something amiss?
Hurrying her steps, she reached the door of the shop. Opening it rapidly, before closing it behind her. Releasing a breath she didn't realize she was holding, as her heart thumped against her chest.
"Dawn? Is everything alright?" Asked Lina, looking back from one of the work stations. A look of worry evident on her face.
Dawn's face flushed slightly as she nodded. "Yea. I'm fine. Just a bad feeling." She responds, giving a weak smile. "I'm going to go upstairs and rest for a bit, if that's alright."
Lina nodded. "Alright. You look really pale, so go get some rest and come down for dinner in a little bit."
Heading past, Dawn nods. Going further into the shop to head upstairs. She could hear Eldric with Gralen in one of the back rooms.
Dawn thought about going in to let them know she was in, but didn't want to deal with them at the moment. Opting to head straight upstairs to lie down.
She pulled the shard from its pouch and placed it on the nightstand. The soft pulsing light from the shard cast tiny dancing shadows on the ceiling. She felt a magnetic pull from the shard; it beckoned her, almost as if urging her to unlock its mysteries. But she was too exhausted, mentally and physically.
She had barely closed her eyes when a gentle knock rapped on her door. Before she could respond, the door cracked open and Gralen's concerned face peeked through.
"Didn't hear you come in," he said softly, stepping into the room. His tall, sturdy frame was accentuated by his simple attire. "Lina said you looked out of sorts."
Gralen took a seat at the foot of the bed, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the intricate patterns of the quilt. "You've always been curious, always wanting to get to the bottom of things. But remember, not everything needs to be solved in a day."
She chuckled, "You sound like one of those ancient sages from the scrolls."
He smirked, "Maybe I am one. My age does catch up to me every now and then."
Their playful banter was a welcome relief from the gravity of Dawn's discoveries. However, the levity was short-lived. The weight of the situation hung thick in the air between them.
"I saw someone in the Library," she began, her voice faltering slightly. "Someone was watching me. It wasn't just my paranoia, Gralen. They were there, and then they weren't."
Gralen's playful demeanor vanished. His brow furrowed in concern. "Did you recognize them?"
Dawn shook her head. "No, but their gaze was... piercing, almost like they could see right through me."
Leaning in and resting his elbows on his knees, Gralen looked deep in thought, making the room seem colder with the weight of their shared concerns. The ambient light from the shard painted Gralen's face in shifting hues, emphasizing the gravity in his eyes.
"I've heard rumors," he began, his voice almost a whisper. "Of shadow watchers in the Library. Few have seen them, but those who have speak of them with dread. They say they're neither of the living nor the dead."
Dawn's breath caught in her throat. "Ghosts? Spirits?"
Gralen shook his head, "No, something more ancient. Beings that have existed since before the time of scrolls. They are watchers of knowledge, protectors of secrets. They're drawn to those who stumble upon information they shouldn't possess."
Dawn swallowed hard, the weight of her discoveries now feeling even heavier. "Why would they be watching me? I was just seeking answers about this things lineage."
Gralen looked at the shard, its soft pulsing rhythm seemingly growing more insistent. "This shard... it's not just any trinket, Dawn. Its origins are steeped in legends. If those watchers believe you're in possession of knowledge or power that could disrupt the balance, they'll keep an eye on you."
Dawn frowned, running a hand through her hair. "So, what do we do?"
Gralen leaned back, deep in thought. "First, we need to find out more about this shard. Its connection to you, its power, everything. Then, we need to determine what the watchers want and how we can either appease them or defend against them."
Dawn let out a soft sigh. "Another mystery to unravel."
Gralen gave her a reassuring smile, "We're in this together. No shadow or ancient being will harm you while I'm here."
Dawn smiled back weakly. She felt a little more at ease with Gralen's vow. They sat in silence for a moment, lost in their thoughts, the only sound being the soft, rhythmic pulse of the shard.
After a while, Gralen stood up. "You should rest now. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
Dawn nodded. "Thank you, Gralen."
He gave her a gentle smile before heading out, gently closing the door behind him. Left alone with her thoughts, Dawn turned her attention back to the shard. Its mysteries seemed even more unfathomable now, but with allies like Gralen, she felt a spark of hope. She drifted off into a restless sleep, with dreams filled with shadowy figures and the haunting echo of a forgotten past.