By the time they reached the outskirts of the village, the sky had darkened completely, stars twinkling faintly overhead. Eirik's body ached from the battle with Ahron, but his mind was fixated on the object he had collected, the Shadow Core. It pulsed with dark energy, unlike anything he had encountered before. Its power felt strange, unsettling, but also full of potential.
Lyra walked silently beside him, her eyes scanning their surroundings as they entered the village. Despite the stillness, Eirik couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that Ahron's presence still lingered somewhere in the shadows. The fight had left its mark, and he wasn't convinced it was truly over.
As they passed through the village gates, Lyra broke the silence. "We need to speak to someone who understands this kind of magic," she said quietly, her voice laced with caution. "The Shadow Core… it's dangerous. And Ahron isn't the only one who's interested in that kind of power."
Eirik nodded, his hand instinctively reaching for the core in his pack. "Who do we talk to?"
"There's a scholar in this village," Lyra explained, her eyes scanning the narrow streets as they approached the heart of the settlement. "He's eccentric, but he knows more about systems and magic than anyone I've met. If anyone can help us understand what we're dealing with, it's him."
Eirik followed her lead, his mind racing with questions. Why had Ahron targeted him specifically? What did the Shadow Core have to do with his crafting system? And more importantly, what was Ahron planning?
They approached a small, nondescript building at the edge of the village. It was tucked away, almost hidden by the surrounding trees and brush, as though whoever lived there didn't want to be found. Lyra knocked on the door, her movements calm and measured, but Eirik could see the tension in her shoulders.
After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing a hunched, elderly man with wild gray hair and sharp, piercing eyes. He wore long, tattered robes, and his hands were stained with ink. Despite his disheveled appearance, there was a keen intelligence in his gaze as he studied Lyra and Eirik.
"Lornel," Lyra said, nodding in greeting. "We need your help."
Lornel raised an eyebrow, his eyes flicking between them. "It's been a while, ranger," he said in a voice that was raspy but sharp. "You only come knocking when there's trouble."
Lyra sighed. "There's always trouble."
Lornel's gaze shifted to Eirik, narrowing slightly. "Who's this?"
"This is Eirik," Lyra said. "He's new to Veridion… and he has a crafting system."
Lornel's eyes widened, and for a moment, the old man seemed genuinely surprised. He stepped closer to Eirik, examining him with an intensity that made Eirik uncomfortable.
"A crafting system?" Lornel muttered, more to himself than to them. "Very rare. Very dangerous. Especially now." He straightened up, his expression growing serious. "Come inside."
They followed Lornel into the small house, which was cluttered with books, scrolls, and strange glowing artifacts. The air smelled of old parchment and herbs, and the dim lighting only added to the room's mysterious atmosphere.
Lornel gestured for them to sit at a small wooden table in the center of the room, where a thick tome lay open, filled with strange symbols and diagrams.
"So," Lornel said, sitting down across from them. "What brings you to my door, ranger?"
Lyra glanced at Eirik, nodding for him to explain. Eirik took a deep breath and reached into his pack, pulling out the Shadow Core. He placed it on the table, and immediately, the air around it seemed to grow colder. The dark energy that pulsed from it was unmistakable, and Lornel's eyes darkened as he stared at the core.
"Ahron," Eirik said, keeping his voice steady. "A dark mage attacked us in the forest. He had control over shadow magic, and when we defeated him, this was left behind."
Lornel's gaze remained fixed on the Shadow Core, his fingers drumming against the table. "Ahron," he repeated, his voice low. "I've heard of him. One of the Architects' enforcers. And now you've crossed paths with him."
Eirik frowned. "The Architects?"
Lornel's expression darkened further. "The Architects are the ones who created the systems that govern Veridion. They control the flow of power, decide who gets what system, and manipulate events behind the scenes. They're powerful, and they don't take kindly to anyone who tries to upset the balance they've created."
Eirik felt a chill run down his spine. "And Ahron is one of them?"
Lornel shook his head. "Not one of the Architects themselves. He's one of their servants, a mage they use to enforce their will. The Shadow Core you hold… it's infused with their magic. Ahron must have been after something specific. What system do you have?"
Eirik hesitated, then answered, "A crafting system."
Lornel raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Very interesting." He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Crafting systems are rare in Veridion. Most systems are built for combat, magic, or manipulation of the elements. But crafting, crafting is something else entirely."
Eirik shifted uncomfortably. "What do you mean?"
Lornel tapped the table with his fingers, deep in thought. "Crafting systems have the potential to create more than just weapons and tools. They can create artifacts, devices, things that can reshape the very fabric of the world. That's why the Architects are watching you."
Eirik's heart pounded. "Reshape the world?"
Lornel nodded slowly. "Yes. If you learn to master your system, you could create something that threatens the Architects' control over Veridion. And that's why Ahron was sent after you. They want to stop you before you become a threat."
Lyra leaned forward, her voice tense. "So what do we do?"
Lornel's eyes flicked between them, a grim smile forming on his face. "You learn. You grow stronger. The Architects may have sent Ahron after you, but if you can master the Shadow Core, you might be able to use their own magic against them."
Eirik stared at the core, a mixture of fear and excitement swirling in his chest. The idea of mastering something so dangerous was daunting, but it was also the key to understanding why he had been brought to this world in the first place.
Lornel stood up, shuffling over to a nearby shelf cluttered with books and scrolls. He rifled through them until he found what he was looking for, a small, dusty tome with a cracked leather cover. He placed it on the table in front of Eirik.
"This," Lornel said, tapping the cover of the book, "contains instructions on how to harness shadow magic. It's not easy, and it's not without risk, but if you want to stand a chance against the Architects, you'll need every edge you can get."
Eirik hesitated before picking up the book. The leather felt cold to the touch, and as he opened it, he was greeted by pages filled with dark symbols and intricate diagrams.
Lyra glanced at him, her expression serious. "This is dangerous, Eirik. Are you sure you want to do this?"
Eirik met her gaze, his mind racing. The Shadow Core was a piece of something far greater, and mastering it could give him the power he needed to face whatever lay ahead. But it was clear that the path forward was treacherous. The Architects were powerful, and he was only just beginning to understand the true potential of his system.
"I don't think we have a choice," Eirik said quietly. "If the Architects are watching me, they won't stop until they've taken away everything I have. I need to get stronger, and I need to understand what this Shadow Core can do."
Lornel smiled faintly. "Good. Then you'll need to start immediately. The more time you waste, the more time the Architects have to prepare."
Eirik nodded, determination filling his chest. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew one thing for sure: he's not going to let the Architects control him. With the power of the crafting system at his fingertips and the Shadow Core in his possession, he is ready to face whatever comes next.