Days passed as Haizen remained confined to his room within the Citadel of the Veiled Brotherhood, a mysterious and formidable sanctuary buried deep underground. The healing mage from the Brotherhood visited him routinely, applying salves and chanting spells that eased the ache in his bones and knit his flesh back together. After two days under their careful ministrations, Haizen found that he could walk freely again. His legs and most of his torso had healed, yet his one arm lagged behind in recovery. The damage it had sustained was severe, and the healer had mentioned that it required attention from a higher-level healer, which this outpost currently lacked.With newfound mobility, Haizen's curiosity about his surroundings grew. The citadel was an expansive facility, its hallways long and winding, leading to numerous rooms and chambers filled with artifacts and luxurious decor. Brotherhood members moved purposefully through these corridors, each absorbed in their tasks, their robes whispering against the stone floors.Determined to find his brother Nova and his friend Urilo, Haizen navigated through the maze-like structure. The healer had mentioned that Urilo was recuperating in the room next door, but Nova was kept in a sealed chamber due to the unpredictable nature of the magic he had wielded.Approaching the room where Urilo was said to be, Haizen entered quietly, finding his friend propped up against a stack of pillows, absorbed in a book. Bandages were still wrapped around Urilo's torso, but his eyes lit up with relief and joy upon seeing Haizen ambulatory."Haizen! You're walking," Urilo exclaimed, setting his book aside. His voice was warm, albeit tinged with fatigue."Yes, it seems I'm harder to kill than I thought," Haizen replied with a wry smile, easing himself into a chair beside the bed. "How are you holding up?""I've been better, but I'll live," Urilo responded, then his expression turned serious. "Have you seen Nova? They told me he's been isolated because of the magic."Haizen shook his head, his gaze darkening. "Not yet. That's actually where I'm headed next. They've got him in a sealed chamber. I'm worried about what they might be doing to him."Urilo nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Be careful, Haizen. We don't fully understand the Brotherhood's motives yet. And Nova... the magic he used, it's powerful and dangerous. They might see him as a threat—or worse, as a tool."Acknowledging the advice with a grim nod, Haizen stood. "I'll keep my eyes open and my guard up. We need to find out what they plan for us, and especially what they want with Nova."Leaving Urilo to rest, Haizen continued his quest through the citadel. He felt a mix of apprehension and urgency as he approached the sealed chamber where his brother was held. The corridors seemed to stretch endlessly before him, each turn and doorway meticulously crafted, yet holding an air of foreboding.As Haizen walked, he stumbled upon a large library within the citadel—a testament to the Brotherhood's wealth and knowledge. Inside, he saw a skinny man with glasses and a mysterious aura sitting at the reception desk. As Haizen approached, the librarian looked up and asked, "Sir, what would you like to read?"Haizen, puzzled on how to respond since he wasn't a fan of books—believing his life of fighting and surviving cruelty made such pursuits seem trivial—hesitated before asking, "What would you recommend for me?"The librarian pondered for a moment, scanning the shelves before selecting a book. "Hmm, let's see... This one—no, not that... Ah, this is perfect." He handed Haizen a book titled Blade of Warriors. "I think this will be best for you."Haizen took the book with his left hand, his other still bandaged and healing. The title didn't spark much interest, but with nothing else to do until he fully recovered, he decided to give it a chance. Sitting down in a chair, he opened the book and began to read, letting the words distract him from the uncertainty of his situation and the fears for his brother's safety.