Malakai couldn't contain his rage,he charged towards Xylara but was interrupted by Flynn,his right-hand man,he brought news.
"My Lord!". He exclaimed,his voice firm but urgent.
"We have news from the scouts, Aries and Thrain have found the library of the ancients, but according to one of them,it didn't look like a library at all, just...a large rock".
Malakai's rage was momentarily diverted,his attention focused on the news.
"So I heard Flynn, but not to worry,they will never make it out alive. Assemble the men, we'll crush them,if they are fortunate enough to make it out of the library ".
Flynn nodded,his expression grim. "I'll prepare them, but we must act swiftly".
"I know,now leave!. And you " . He began, glaring at Xylara. "I'll have all the time in world for you when I get back ".
Flynn knew they had been arguing seriously before he interrupted, just like how they always do, but he dare not ask the cause of it,he walked out of the room and shut the door gently behind him.
"I'm shaking in my boots, Malakai. But don't worry, I'll be here waiting for your return. And when you do, we'll settle our scores once and for all". Xylara's smile grew wider.
Malakai's glare lingered on her for a moment, before he turned and walked out of the room with a swift motion.
The sound of armor clanking and swords being drawn and sheathed back, echoed through the walls.
Xylara watched them go,her eyes never leaving malakai's retreating figure. She knew they were never going to make it back alive,if she decides to sit,fold her arms and do nothing. Her lips moved in a silent incantation and the air seemed to grow colder,as if the very shadows themselves were watching and waiting.
****************
Back at the library of the ancients. Aries and Thrain were wondering which book had anything relating to kamaita.
"There are so many of them". Thrain pointed out.
"You are right, maybe we should ask for help from the library keeper". Aries reasoned.
Thrain nodded in approval.
"Keeper,we wish to know how to find the sacred dragon kamaita". Aries said looking at the library keeper,an ancient being with eyes that held wisdom of the ages ,it looked up from the desk where it sat, surrounded by dusty tomes.
"Kamaita, the legendary dragon of wisdom and power. A noble quest indeed. I shall grant you tools to aid your journey. With a gentle gesture, the library keeper handed Aries a leather-bound book.
"This is the book of records, containing the history of those who have sought kamaita before. May their experience guide you ".
Next the library keeper unfolded a map ,revealing the winding path to Tamra.
"This map will lead you to the temple, where the ancient ones once communed with kamaita. May you find the wisdom and the courage to succeed where others have failed ".
Aries and Thrain accepted the map with reverance, their eyes scanning the book's content. The library keeper's eyes twinkled with encouragement.
"May the wisdom of the ages be your companion on this noble quest ".
With a final nod the keeper vanished, leaving Aries and Thrain to ponder the secrets of the book of records and the path ahead,as they prepared to embark on their journey to Tamra.
"Okay, now we're certain. Lyrien could be right, Kamaita could really be at the temple of Tamra ". Aries said looking intently at the map.
"It's hidden deep within the dragon spine mountains". Thrain said his eyes scanning the map with mixture of fear and excitement.
Aries determination was palpable." I know it would be a dangerous journey but we have to try Thrain, for the sake of our world".
"We'll face whatever dangers lie ahead, we'll find Kamaita and we'll bring hope back to our world". Thrain replied,his voice filled with resolve.
As they stood there, the map spread out before them, the weight of their world settled upon their shoulders.
"How are we supposed to leave here, I don't see a way out". Thrain said after some few minutes of silence .
Aries realized the truth in Thrain's words. The library of the ancient is a mystical place. It seemed they had been so focused on on finding the information they needed that they had forgotten about the logistics of leaving.
As they were starting to worry, the library keeper reappeared,a gentle smile on its face.
"My young friends,I see you're ready to depart fear not, for the library has a way of opening door where none seem to exits ".
"Oh...okay,we indeed started to worry ". Aries gasped,then smiled nervously .
With a wave of its hand, the library keeper gestured to a shelf behind them. The books on the shelf began to shift and rearrange themselves, revealing a hidden doorway where none had been before.
"The door of knowledge". The keeper began, its voice full of warmth.
"It will lead you out of the library and into the world beyond. May the wisdom you gained here guide you on your journey".
"Thank you keeper". Aries and Thrain exchanged a grateful look,then turned to face the doorway. With a deep breath,they stepped through the door of knowledge, leaving the library behind.
They came out in an open forest, the rising sun met their skin with a warm embrace.
"It's morning Aries!. Look at that beautiful sunrise" . Thrain announced cheerfully.
"It's indeed delightful to behold ". Aries admitted.
"But isn't it weird though ". Thrain began. Aries looked at him incredulously and said. "Weird? The sun? , how can you compliment the sun and still say it's weird, what exactly is weird about it?.
Thrain burst out laughing, the look on Aries' face was priceless.
"No...no I was not referring to the sun okay, it's the forest, remember we entered the library at dusk and now it's sunrise, makes me wonder how long we really spent in there". He said, scratching the back of his head.
Aries signed. "Oh... the forest, it's mystical and magical. I think the time frame works differently here".
An absurd noise interrupted them from behind, they turned cautiously to the direction where it came from. Mala and Shadow was right in front of them. They couldn't believe their eyes.
"Mala!, Shadow!" Aries exclaimed, running towards the horses. Thrain followed closely behind, grinning from ear to ear as he embraced Shadow, scratching behind the horse's ears.
The horses nickered and whinned, seemingly happy to be reunited with their owners. Aries and Thrain looked at each other beaming with excitement and relief.
"I can't believe it". Aries said, hugging Mala's neck.
"I thought we'd never see them again. Forgive me Mala,I didn't mean to leave you behind".
Thrain chuckled,patting Shadow's flank.
"It seems the library keeper had one final surprise for us"
As they prepared to mount their horses, Aries turned to Thrain with a curious expression.
"You know, I think the library keeper knew, we'd need our horses for the journey ahead. This must be a sigh we're on the right path ".
Thrain nodded,his eyes scanning the area.
"Let's hope so, come on,we have a long way to go ".
They mounted their horses, ready to face whatever ever lay ahead.
Not long after they had gone. Malakai and his men came, galloping on their horses.
"That's supposedly the rock which they entered. I still can't believe a library is in there ". Flynn said pointing at the large rock.
Malakai's face twisted in a snarl as he gazed at the rock and the empty clearing. His eyes scanning the surrounding for any sign of them.
"They were here indeed". He growled,his voice dripping with anger. " I can sense it, but how did they get into the rock?".
His men dismounted, fanning out to search the area. One of them called out.
"I've found something!".
Malakai dismounted and strode over to the soldier,who pointed at the foot tracks and also that of horses.
"It seems they're are headed that way". The soldier said,a smirk on his face. Malakai scanned the area thoroughly,his face darkened further as he studied the foot tracks.
"I think that way only leads to the dragon spine mountains,why would they go there though?". Another soldier chipped in.
"There's a temple there, looking at these foot tracks,they couldn't have gotten far, after them!. Malakai bellowed,his men scrambling to remount their horses.
"Do not pursue them". Xylara emerged from the shadows of the forest,her dark robes blending with the trees.
"The temple of Tamra, that's where they are headed, don't go there". She warned,her voice dripping with an air authority. Malakai snarled, his face twisted in defiance.
"And why should I listen to you?".
Xylara's gaze never wavered.
"I've guided you thus far, have I not, I've monitored Aries and Thrain's movements up until now. I warn you,do not continue on this path. The consequences will be dire".
Malakai sneered. " I know you fear for your own powers Xylara , since you are insisting so much on it,i must go and find out ".
"Okay, fine,I thought maybe I should let you know,if it's dragon spine mountains,I know many of you here have heard terrible tales about that mountain. No one deserves to get hurt or even die,as the case may be". With that, she vanished into the trees,a smirk on her lips.