Elysian emerged from the forest just as the last rays of sunlight began to fade over the village of Arendale. As he approached the guild hall, he noticed a subtle tension in the air. The villagers had retreated into their homes, and only a few lights flickered in the windows. The village, usually lively, was eerily quiet.
When he entered the guild hall, Garroth looked up from a stack of reports and waved him over. "Back already?" he asked, surprised.
"Yes," Elysian replied, his voice steady. "The forest seems to have some…unusual inhabitants." He thought about the dire wolf he'd encountered but decided not to mention it yet. Better to first gauge Garroth's understanding of the forest's creatures.
Garroth gave a wary nod. "There've been rumors that the forest's been changing, as if something old is waking up. We haven't seen beasts like those in generations."
Elysian leaned forward. "You mentioned that villagers found relics with strange symbols. Do you know where they came from?"
Garroth's eyes flickered with something—caution, or perhaps fear. "Truth is, Elysian, we've kept things quiet because most folks here wouldn't understand. These relics are not from our time; they're remnants of the days when sages walked the earth."
Elysian's pulse quickened. This was the first confirmation that relics from the demon lord's era might still exist. If sages like him had wielded power in the past, then these artifacts could hold untapped potential.
"Are you saying that there's a connection between the relics and the creatures reappearing?" Elysian asked.
Garroth hesitated, then lowered his voice. "There's a guild archive, a place where we store records and items too dangerous for regular folk. I could take you there… but only if you're ready to see the truth."
Elysian nodded, his interest piqued. "I came here to understand the mysteries of this world. Show me."
Garroth led him down a narrow hallway to a hidden stairwell. The steps spiraled downward, each one leading further away from the warmth of the guild hall. Eventually, they arrived at a reinforced door, its metal frame covered in runes.
Garroth placed his hand on the door, and it creaked open, revealing a dimly lit chamber filled with shelves of scrolls, ancient weapons, and artifacts that glimmered with dormant magic. Elysian immediately sensed the energy radiating from the objects. This was no ordinary archive; it was a vault of forgotten history.
As he stepped inside, his gaze fell upon a series of scrolls, their parchment brittle with age. He picked one up carefully, reading the faded writing. To his surprise, he could decipher it instantly.
These symbols… they're spells from the demon lord's era, just like those in the game, he thought, feeling a thrill of recognition.
Garroth watched him closely. "Not many can make sense of that old language. You must've studied more than just magic."
Elysian glanced up, keeping his tone calm. "I've had… unusual training. These spells belonged to the sages who once protected the realm. But why keep this hidden?"
Garroth sighed. "The kingdom fears what it doesn't understand. Most folk think magic's just a tool, but these relics… they're remnants of a time when magic was everything. The sages' knowledge became dangerous, forbidden."
Elysian understood now. The relics and spells stored here were remnants of a lost era—one tied directly to the demon lord's defeat. He knew that this knowledge could give him the edge he needed, but it also came with a heavy responsibility.
"Garroth," Elysian began, his voice thoughtful. "I'd like permission to study these relics. Perhaps there's a way to bring some of this knowledge back to the people, safely."
Garroth nodded slowly. "I'll trust you with this, Elysian. But remember—whatever you find here, keep it close. If word spreads, others may come looking, and not all of them have good intentions."
Elysian gave a solemn nod. "Understood. I'll be careful."
With Garroth's permission, Elysian settled into the archive, letting his fingers trace over the symbols and runes, feeling the faint hum of magic waiting to be unlocked. As he studied, Aria's voice echoed in his mind.
"Elysian, based on your current knowledge, I suggest focusing on the spell scrolls for summoning and binding. They may be useful for controlling more of the ancient creatures you encounter."
He smiled, appreciating her insight. Yes, Aria, he thought. Let's begin there.
As he worked late into the night, the secrets of the sages slowly unfolded before him, revealing paths he'd never imagined and a new purpose that seemed to stir with each uncovered spell.