Cian instinctively went into defensive mode as a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, slowly taking the shape of a man until they were able to visibly see the face of the speaker.
It was a very pale, tall man with white hair. His eyes were black, but his pupil was bright yellow, with a scar that stretched across his eyes from his forehead down into the bandages that were wrapped around his neck. His young, slender figure made the ghastly scar add to his facial appeal instead of making him look scary.
The clothing he wore would make one wonder if he was a mage or an old English scholar, but because of the long wooden staff and a grey cloak, you'd be forced to choose the former.
If you looked further down, you'd notice the scar on his face extending into his chest, resembling a burn from fire—though certainly not from any normal flame. While it was merely a scar now, the bandages he wore seemed more decorative than functional, loosely wrapped around his chest and arms, as if serving as a reminder of past battles rather than protection.
A bright yellow amulet, roughly shaped like an eye, dangled low on his chest. His presence was both chilling and intimidating.
The paleness of his skin and the extended length of his limbs could make one wonder if he truly was a human.
____
** "Glint" **
Title: Surviving mage of the demon king.
Lore Master: Trader of Questions
––––
'The character description would only come up for named NPCs and beasts. That means this guy is a named NPC called Glint'.
Cian couldn't see his level, but he could see that he had two titles, Mage of the Demon King and Lore Master. The first one was self-explaining, but Cian couldn't understand the second.
"Blue, what's a Lore Master?"
[They are NPCs that have either achieved enlightenment or have carried out a lot of research, providing them with information about the world of Aetheria, whether present or past. They offer this information for different things like money, although some demons would prefer souls. In Aetheria information is extremely valuable, so having a good source is important.]
"So Lore masters are traders of information, that must mean they probably know more things than even you" Cian teasingly scoffed
[Of course not, although I must admit some of them may have access to information that I'm not permitted to reach it still doesn't outdo all the information I gathered]
"Who are you?" Aiden inquired, safely shielded behind Cian.
"Don't be scared, I have no business with you unless you wish me to" Glint calmly replied, not threateningly.
"It's rare to see a warrior travelling with a villager" he added
"That doesn't explain who you are?" Cian firmly stated, still maintaining his cautious stance.
"Normally if you wanted me to answer your question you would first have to answer mine, but I'll just tell you, I'm Glint, the final mage and keeper of this temple"
Cian already knew all that, so he wanted to hear something different, "What do you want from us?" He asked.
"Is that the first question you wish to ask me?" He calmly replied.
"What? You don't want to tell us?" Cian questioned.
He let out a slight sinister chuckle "No, no, I'm asking for your sake because if I answer your question then I'll have to ask you mine"
"I would always answer correctly, so I'll also expect a correct answer if not…. I'd have to kill you" The tone Glint used to end his statement made Cian and Aiden realise that he wasn't joking.
The fact that Cian didn't know what to expect made him weary about speaking some more.
[It turns out that this Lore Master trades questions, after years of wandering and researching he has attained the authority to answer almost any question at all about the mysteries of Aetheria. These types of Lore Masters are always very tricky and crafty, they're powerful and always have the last laugh. I'd advise you to reject his offer]
"A question for a question, a fair trade" Glint stated as he restored his calm presence.
Cian wondered which question he could ask Glint, and what type of questions Glint would ask him. He reasoned asking Glint about what type of questions he would ask, but that would also count as a question.
He needed to thoughtfully pick the right question, his thought first started simple like asking where is the Sapphire stone?, but then he began to see this was an even bigger opportunity. He could ask him anything, including how he could become the most powerful warrior or how to bring someone back from the dead.
All while these thoughts were growing, something at the back of his mind kept on reminding him that he had no way of knowing what Glint would ask, making him question whether it was worth the risk.
"I would answer only three questions for the both of you, that means one person gets to ask two, so come on, who is First? But remember, once you've started, you must answer all three of my questions."
After a while of thinking, Cian decided it wasn't worth the risk, anything that had to do with death was never worth the risk. Probably trauma from his first death. He didn't even need the question when he was already this close to achieving what he came here for.
Cian's scoffed "You might think we are that easy to trick but-"
"What is behind the door?" Aiden asked, At that moment, it was as if Cian's very soul was ripped from his body, leaving nothing but a hollow shell in its wake.
A sinister grin tore across Glint's face as he heard the question, which was in contrast to the grim look Cian wore on his face.
"That's a good way to begin" Glint commended.
"What have you done?!" Cian screamed at Aiden, who just shyly shrank into himself as if he had just realised what he had done.
"Well we can't go back now, the game has already begun, you asked what is behind that door right? Behind that door lies one of the pets of the former demon king, a three-headed hellhound, that has been assigned to protect all the treasures in this temple. It'll reap you to shreds immediately you walk through…"
"So that means the Sapphire stone is in there?" Cian subconsciously inquired.
"Oh, I didn't expect you people to use your second question so quickly, the Sapphire stone is there" Glint taunted with obvious sarcasm, making Cian realise what he had just done.
"No, that's still part of the first question" Cian attempted to protest.
"I'm sorry, warrior, that's not how it works," Glint said with a smirk. "But I'll give you one for free. That monster outside? It's a mere shadow compared to the beast lurking within. You'd be wise to abandon your quest while you still can…" His eyes gleamed with a wicked anticipation as he leaned in slightly. "Now, onto the final question." His voice carried a strange excitement.