The next morning, Myrlen's streets were already bustling by the time Cedric and his companions set out. Erion had sent word early that he had arranged for their entry into the archives, under the guise of a research request. The tension among the group was palpable as they made their way toward the towering citadel at the heart of the city. This was where the archives were kept, hidden deep beneath the stone fortress, away from prying eyes.
Cedric's mind raced with the possibilities of what they might uncover. The dark magic they had encountered in the borderlands still weighed heavily on him, and he couldn't help but wonder what ancient knowledge might be hidden away in Myrlen's vast libraries. Answers to the corruption? Perhaps even a way to stop it?
Lira kept a sharp eye on their surroundings as they approached the citadel's gates, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "Stay focused. If anyone asks too many questions, let Erion do the talking."
Kellen, walking beside her, smirked. "Relax. We're just a bunch of innocent scholars, right?"
Maeve rolled her eyes. "Innocent is the last word I'd use for you, Kellen."
Erion met them at the gates, his expression calm but cautious. He greeted them with a nod before leading the way inside. The citadel's interior was imposing, tall, arching ceilings, grand staircases, and the faint scent of old parchment that clung to the air. Guards stood at regular intervals, watching as they passed through the stone corridors.
"We'll head straight to the lower levels," Erion whispered, glancing over his shoulder. "I've spoken to a friend of mine, Archivist Elira. She'll let us in and give you access to what you need. Just… don't draw too much attention."
Cedric nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. This was it, their chance to find answers.
---
The group descended a long spiral staircase into the lower levels of the citadel, the air growing cooler the farther they went. Torches lined the walls, casting flickering shadows as they reached the bottom. There, a large iron door barred their way, guarded by two sentries.
Erion stepped forward, speaking quietly with the guards. After a tense moment, the guards nodded and opened the door, allowing them to pass. Beyond it lay the archives, rows upon rows of ancient scrolls, books, and manuscripts, stretching as far as the eye could see. The room was dimly lit, with tall stone pillars supporting the ceiling above.
Archivist Elira, an older woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor, stood waiting for them near the entrance. She gave Erion a curt nod before turning her gaze to Cedric and the others. "You'll find what you need in the restricted section," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "But be careful. There's knowledge here that's not meant for just anyone."
Cedric felt a shiver run down his spine. "Thank you for trusting us."
Elira simply nodded and gestured toward the far end of the room. "Follow me."
As they made their way deeper into the archives, the weight of the place pressed down on them. The air was thick with the smell of old paper and the faint buzz of magic that lingered in the room. Cedric could feel it, the pulse of ancient power woven into the very walls.
"This place gives me the creeps," Kellen muttered under his breath. "Too quiet."
Lira shot him a look. "Focus. We're here to find answers."
Finally, Elira stopped in front of a large, locked gate at the back of the archives. She placed her hand on a glowing symbol etched into the stone beside it, and the gate swung open with a low creak. "You'll find records of old magic here, forgotten spells, ancient histories, and more. But be warned, what you find may not be what you expect."
Cedric stepped through the gate, his breath catching in his throat as he saw the shelves before him. Books and scrolls that had likely not been touched in centuries lined the walls, each one filled with the kind of knowledge that could reshape the world.
"We'll spread out," Lira suggested, her voice low. "Look for anything related to dark magic or ancient corruptions."
The group moved through the restricted section in silence, each member scanning the shelves for anything that might give them a clue about the corruption they had encountered. Cedric's fingers traced the spines of the books as he walked, his eyes scanning titles written in long-forgotten languages.
---
After what felt like hours, Maeve broke the silence. "Here." She held up an ancient scroll, her brow furrowed as she examined it. "This mentions something about 'shadow magic', a power that was once buried beneath the earth, locked away to keep it from spreading."
Cedric hurried over to her side, his heart racing. "Let me see."
The scroll was fragile, the parchment cracking slightly as Cedric unrolled it. The text was written in an ancient script, but Cedric could make out enough to understand the meaning. It spoke of a power that had been sealed away by ancient mages, a force that had the ability to corrupt and control the very land itself.
"This could be it," Cedric said, his voice low. "The corruption we've been sensing, it's this shadow magic. It was sealed away, but something has disturbed it."
Lira joined them, her expression grim. "If it's been sealed, then someone, or something, must have broken the seal."
Cedric nodded, his mind racing. "That's why the corruption is spreading. The magic was never supposed to be released, but now it's loose, and it's affecting everything around it."
Kellen, who had been quietly scanning a nearby shelf, glanced over. "So what now? We try to put it back in its box?"
"It's not that simple," Cedric said. "We need to find out more. If this magic was powerful enough to be sealed away by ancient mages, then it's not something we can deal with on our own. We need to understand what we're dealing with before we can even think about stopping it."
Erion, who had remained near the entrance to the restricted section, stepped forward, concern etched on his face. "If this magic is as dangerous as you say, then you'll need help, more than just what's in these archives."
"We know," Lira said quietly. "But first, we need to figure out how to stop it."
---
As the group continued their research, Cedric's unease grew. The more they uncovered about the shadow magic, the clearer it became that they were dealing with something far beyond their understanding. The magic was ancient, more powerful than anything Cedric had encountered before, and its reach seemed limitless.
"This magic doesn't just corrupt the land," Cedric murmured as he read through another scroll. "It corrupts everything it touches. People, animals, even the air itself."
Tamsin, standing nearby, looked pale. "Is there any way to stop it?"
Cedric shook his head. "I don't know. There must be something, some way to reverse it. But I haven't found it yet."
Maeve glanced over, her expression thoughtful. "What if we're looking at this the wrong way? What if we're not supposed to stop it but… contain it? Like the mages who sealed it away in the first place?"
Lira raised an eyebrow. "You think we can do that?"
"I don't know," Maeve admitted. "But if we can find the original seal, or what's left of it, maybe we can learn how to put the magic back where it belongs."
Cedric considered her words, his mind racing with possibilities. "It's a long shot… but it might be our only option."