Chapter 123: To Zisteria
Scene: The journey to the Hidden Library begins as Eren, Rylan, Aria, and Asher travel through the thick forests and the scorching deserts of the South Nation. They move with purpose, knowing the answers they seek may lie within the ancient library. Hours pass as they make their way across the harsh landscape, each step filled with determination and focus.
Narrator: The heroes, driven by the urgency of the threat posed by the Aquarians, press onward through the wilderness. Their goal: the Hidden Library, where the ancient knowledge of Zisteria and its location may be found. But the journey is slow, and the desert seems endless, the sun bearing down on them with unforgiving heat.
After hours of walking, the group halts briefly, the hot winds of the desert swirling around them. Eren wipes sweat from his brow, looking over the endless sand dunes with a sense of exhaustion.
Eren: (sighing) We're losing time. At this rate, it'll take us days just to reach the library.
Aria, always thinking ahead, steps forward with a solution.
Aria: (thoughtfully) What if we use our Mana Liquid to create wings? We've done it before, and it'll cut our travel time down significantly.
Eren, Rylan, and Asher exchange glances, considering the idea. They all agree it's the best option.
Rylan: (nodding) That's a great idea, Aria. Let's do it.
The group gathers their energy, channeling their Mana Liquid to form shimmering, ethereal wings on their backs. The glowing wings pulse with power as they rise from the ground, lifting the heroes into the air.
Narrator: With their Mana Liquid wings, the heroes soar above the desert, covering vast distances in mere hours. The oppressive heat and endless dunes give way beneath them as they fly toward their destination—the Hidden Library.
After a few hours of flying, they spot the entrance to the Hidden Library—an ancient cave carved into the side of a massive mountain, half-buried by the shifting sands of the desert. As they land at the entrance, they are greeted by the familiar sight of the two Guardians, Tristan and Tara, whose vibrant green hair glows with mana.
Tristan: (calmly) Eren, Rylan… it's been a while. What brings you back to the Hidden Library?
Tara, standing beside her brother, smiles faintly but maintains her stoic demeanor.
Tara: (seriously) You may enter again, but the rules remain the same. Only those who have entered before may pass freely.
Eren and Rylan step forward, acknowledging the Guardians with respectful nods.
Eren: (seriously) Thank you. We need information about a distant land—Zisteria. It's crucial we find it.
Tara turns to Aria and Asher, her expression softening slightly.
Tara: (calmly) As for you two… If you wish to enter, you'll need to prove yourselves in a challenge. But the choice is yours.
Aria and Asher exchange glances, weighing their options. After a brief moment, Aria steps forward.
Aria: (respectfully) We trust Eren and Rylan. We'll wait here.
The Guardians nod in understanding and step aside, allowing Eren and Rylan to pass through the ancient stone doors. Aria and Asher sit down to wait outside, keeping watch over the entrance.
Narrator: Eren and Rylan make their way into the depths of the Hidden Library, surrounded by shelves of ancient scrolls, tomes, and maps. The library is filled with the wisdom of countless generations, and within its vast collection may lie the key to finding Zisteria.
Hours pass as Eren and Rylan search the library, combing through scrolls and books in search of anything that might lead them to the land of Zisteria. Their eyes grow tired as they sift through endless pages of maps and histories, but eventually, their efforts pay off.
In a dusty box hidden at the back of the library, they find a set of old maps. One in particular catches their attention—a World Map. As they carefully unroll it, their eyes widen in realization.
Rylan: (pointing) Look… there. That's it. Zisteria.
Eren leans in closer, examining the map. Zisteria is far across the world, on another continent, surrounded by vast oceans. The distance is immense—it would take months, maybe even a year, to reach it by conventional means.
Eren: (quietly) It's so far… it'll take forever to get there.
Rylan sighs, but he nods, understanding the gravity of their task.
Rylan: (determined) We'll find a way. Let's get back to the others.
Narrator: With the map in hand, Eren and Rylan return to the entrance of the Hidden Library, where Aria and Asher await them. After saying their goodbyes to the Guardians, the group prepares to head back to the South Nation, their next course of action clear.
Using their Mana Liquid wings once again, the heroes fly back to the South Nation castle at full speed. The journey back is quick, and soon they are standing before King Thalanor, King Ragnar, and Commander Elara, ready to report their findings.
Eren steps forward, holding the map in his hand.
Eren: (seriously) We found Zisteria. It's real, but it's far—across the world, on another continent. If we travel by ship, it'll take us months, maybe longer.
The room falls silent as the kings and their advisors process the news. The weight of the journey ahead is clear, and the enormity of the task begins to sink in.
King Thalanor: (thoughtfully) Months… we don't have the luxury of time. If the Aquarians are coming, we need to act quickly.
Eren, still thinking, raises his hand, an idea forming in his mind.
Eren: (calmly) What if we used Zarek's teleportation ability? He was able to teleport large numbers of people before. Maybe he could take us to Zisteria.
The kings exchange glances, considering the possibility. After a moment, King Thalanor nods.
King Thalanor: (decisively) It's worth a try. We'll bring Zarek here and see if it's possible.
Narrator: With no other immediate options, the kings decide to summon Zarek from his prison in the mountains. If his teleportation ability can take them to Zisteria, it may save them precious time. But the question remains—will Zarek's power be enough?
Guards are sent to retrieve Zarek from his cell, and soon he arrives at the castle, still bound in chains but curious as to why he's been called. His eyes narrow as he stands before the kings and the heroes.
Zarek: (curious) Why am I here? What do you want?
King Thalanor explains the situation—the threat of the Aquarians, the need to reach Zisteria, and their hope that Zarek's teleportation ability could take them there. Zarek listens carefully, but after a moment, he shakes his head.
Zarek: (calmly) My teleportation doesn't work that way. I can only teleport to places I've been or places I can see. I've never been to Zisteria, and I have no way of visualizing it. It won't work.
The room falls into a tense silence. With Zarek's teleportation off the table, the kings and advisors are left with only one option—traveling by sea.
Narrator: With no other way to reach Zisteria quickly, the leaders realize they must rely on conventional travel—by sea. Though the journey will be long, it is their only choice.
The kings and their advisors begin to discuss who will undertake the dangerous journey to Zisteria. After a lengthy debate, they come to a decision.
King Thalanor: (seriously) The heroes will lead this mission. Eren, Rylan, Aria, and Asher—you've proven yourselves time and again. You'll be accompanied by Commander Elara, and… Zarek.
The room falls silent at the mention of Zarek's name. The idea of bringing him along is met with uncertainty, but Thalanor raises his hand to quell any concerns.
King Thalanor: (firmly) Commander Elara will keep a close eye on him. Zarek has the skills we need, and I believe he can be of use to us on this mission.
Zarek looks up, surprised by the decision. For a moment, he says nothing, but there's a flicker of something—perhaps gratitude—hidden behind his cold exterior.
Narrator: With the mission finalized, the group is outfitted with special attire to aid them on their journey. The heroes are given two days to say their goodbyes and prepare for the long voyage to Zisteria—a journey that will take them across the seas to an unknown land.
The chapter ends with the heroes, Zarek, and Commander Elara leaving the castle, ready to make their farewells and prepare for the dangerous journey that lies ahead. The mission to Zisteria is about to begin.