Adrian's POV
As if I didn't have enough shit to be worried about, someone thought it was a good idea to leave me a note. The fact that someone came into my designated chambers wasn't all that surprising when you consider that I didn't have any true authority around here. It occurred to me that I didn't have to entertain this drama-loving character, whoever that may be. But I stopped myself as I could get more data from this. And if I were to bring it up to my host Kael who was more my jailer than a friend, I might find out that it was all him and he was just messing with me with some mind games.
The most important thing at the moment to me was the message the note had for me. The mysterious wording of the note taunted me as it rested on the table in front of me. The handwriting was sloppy and rushed as if the person who wrote it was either used to using a quill or didn't have much time. Or maybe it was written that way. Urg, How I hate my over-analytical mind.
*The Blood Eclipse will arrive, it said. The key is in the Veil. Shadows are often the first to whisper to those who are capable of listening."
I gazed at the words, the phrases spinning about in my head like mismatched puzzle pieces. These words taken at face-value were terrifying, but I have learnt to take things one step at a time. If the other similar messages had any truth to them, I would be long dead.
"So," I said to myself, tapping the parchment's edge, "The Veil. It couldn't have happened by accident. I had just heard about the exterminated sect of blood wizards known as the Sanguine Veil. And this now? And most importantly, is it useful to me?"
The issue was that, at this point, nothing made sense. My head was over flowing with data I was yet to analyse and classify.
---
It was at the moment I was startled by a knock on the door.
I folded the note, put it in my pocket, and said, "Enter."
The same young servant who had brought my meals earlier that week filled in. I recalled that his name was Rion.
He placed a tray down and said, "Your midday meal, sir."
I halted him before he could run away by saying, "Rion. I have a question."
"Yes, sir?"
"What can you tell me about the Blood Eclipse?"
His hands fumbled with the hem of his tunic as his eyes grew wide. "The Eclipse of Blood, sir?"
I leaned back in my chair and responded, "Yes. A prophecy, an event, anything you've heard."
With caution, he responded, "I've only heard old tales, sir."
"Then begin with those first."
After he paused, he nodded. "The stories, which are legends really, say that during the Blood Eclipse, magic becomes unstable and the barrier between worlds thins. It is thought to be uncommon, occurring just once per few millennia. Why one would ever want such to happen is beyond me. The creatures in our realm can be quite frightening themselves."
"Focus on your story, don't get too excited. And when it does, what happens?"
"Oh, right, " Rion stirred uneasily. "There are tales of calamities. but also about the unlocking of immense power. According to some, the Blood Eclipse occurs when Kaeloria is noticed by the gods themselves."
I listened to what he had to say. The Eclipse and the Veil. I found myself torn between two mysteries.
I said, "Thanks, Rion," and brushed him off.
"Glad to beof help, sir." He hurried off, and I looked back at the message, its ragged edges looking all the more sinister.
---
I made the decision to go to the market. Perhaps the merchants would be more chatty if the servants were hesitant about this.
There was a lot of activity in the area as people bargained over pricing and vendors sold their wares. It resembled the turmoil I had witnessed on Earth, only with fewer technological advancements and more swords.
I noticed a stall with old books and scrolls. As I got closer, the merchant, an elderly woman with keen eyes and a sharper tongue judging by the camaraderie I observed, looked up.
"Blood mage, are you looking for something specific?" Her voice was quiet as she requested.
"Just some information," I said. "Are you familiar with the Blood Eclipse?"
She knitted her brow. "Aren't you in a better position to answer that? You do lokk long though. Younger than my boy even. In any case, you're not the first person to ask about it."
Acting all casual I asked. "Who else?"
"A few of Kael's men," she shrugged. "And some academics. Recently, there has been interest in the subject. Lucky you that I have some answers for you, you might have had to go read a book or something. Am I right guys?"
Her colleagues who had been silent took that as their cue to laugh at my expense.
"Hey!" I said in displeasure, "That's not very nice."
They just laughed harder. One would have thought they were starved for jokes and they had finally heard the funniest joke of their entire lifetimes.
"Alright," she continued. "I'm not sure, but there have been more rumours about it than I've heard in a long time. It's a bad sign, according to some. Some claim that it's an opportunity."
She lowered her voice and leaned in a little. "It's a big deal it seems, blood mage, whatever it is. People are tense. even our lord here is interested in it they say, but I suppose you already knew that."
"Even Kael?" I said it again, putting it aside. "Thanks a bunch. Now, what are those?"
She pointed to a little stack of books. "Just a few materials containing our history, the approved ones of course. And a bit of books that serve only as some entertainment value. It would be much appreciated if you buy one."
I took the stack and gave her a coin that was worth more than the what they were worth to any other persons. To me, there were more valuable than the money. Only with knowledge can one stand strong in this world.
As I turned to go, she said, "Be careful."
I said, "You don't have to tell me that." and started to return to the fortress.
---
I opened the books I purchased in my quarters. They were fragments, just as the vendor had described them. Hints of an old prophecy connected to Kaeloria's mages, along with phrases referring to blood and shadows. It was so kind of her to have just what I needed within my reach. Let me see if i can separate the chaff from the actual useful parts, if any.
I was drawn to one of the books. The book had something pretty interesting. It was a nameless book. Or the cover had been replaced due to damage or something.
> *The Veil will break and the magic's equilibrium will shift as the Blood Eclipse rises. * Watch out for the first whisper, which is the truth disguised as lies.
My spine tingled at the words. first murmurs. similar to the note.
"Ash, who are you?" I ran a hand through my hair and whispered.
His legacy was haunting more than just me. This whole place was eerie to me. Bood mages were not always an isolated bunch after all.
---
I required more information, and more data to process. The note and the books were insufficient. I needed to delve deeper if I wanted to put this puzzle together.
"Adrian."
Lyra was sitting against my doorframe, her look enigmatic as usual, when I turned around.
"Ever had of knocking?" I decided to ask her.
"The element of surprise is what I prefer." As she entered, she glanced at the books arranged on the table. "Doing some research?"
"Refreshing my knowledge of local history."
She gave a snort. "Everything you do has a purpose even when it seems aimless. I trust my intuition. So, what is it?"
After a moment of hesitation, I held up the note. "I will take your words as a compliment. You know what this is?"
She accepted it, reading with a furrowed brow. Her eyes were more focused when she turned back to face me.
"From where did you obtain this?"
"I discovered it in my room."
"It's convenient."
"Isn't it?"
With a sigh, she returned the message. "Adrian, you don't want to get caught up in the Blood Eclipse."
"Why not?"
She remarked in a hushed tone, "Because it's not just a prophecy. It acts as a trigger. Whenever it occurs, something changes. And not in a positive way."
"That's ambiguous," I remarked.
"That's the truth," she answered. "I would leave this alone if I were you. You are like a baby who does some pretty interesting tricks but a baby nevertheless. You are not ready for stuff like that. Enjoy your stay here. Get stronger so that you can be useful. "
"Did Kael send you to me? Did Seraphina?"
Lyra gave an eye roll. "You should listen to Seraphina. She is your teacher for the time being afterall."
"Or perhaps both of you are concealing something."
A small but sharp smirk returned to her face. "You don't trust anyone at all, do you?"
"Should I?"
Although she didn't respond, her silence was quite telling.
---
I went back to the library that evening with the note safely in my pocket. The line *the Veil holds the key* bothered me like a splinter I couldn't seem to get rid of.
As the shelves grew darker and the air grew colder, I discovered that I was wandering farther into the library than I had ever been before. Shortly after, I discovered a little door concealed behind a pile of abandoned shelves.
The wood was fractured and the handle was worn, yet it opened with ease.
There was a tiny room with closed cupboards lining the walls. There was a pedestal in the middle with a heavy, old book on it.
I moved cautiously closer, looking around the room for potential dangers. Nothing happened, so I read the book. The leather was cracked but still strong, and the cover was discoloured with age.
Despite the damage, the name *Ash Blackwood* was clearly engraved on the front.
My stomach grew constricted. He owned this apparently. And my body, the body i occupied recoginzed the book.
My fingers touched the surface as I extended my hand. The room appeared to change as soon as I touched it, and the air became thicker.
The book then started to hum, as though it were alive.