Kael walked through the halls of the Academy, the weight of the previous day still heavy on his mind.
The idea of fighting in the Bloody Portal seemed increasingly absurd, but he couldn't turn back now. Of course, he wasn't entirely sure it was the portal she would choose, but...
The promise he made, the bet with Violet, forced him to continue, even as his doubts grew with every step he took.
He was beginning to question whether it would be better to abandon everything, leave this mission behind, and try to survive in another way.
But at the same time, he couldn't simply let Kael Redgrave's fate be a failure. Not without at least trying.
With this turmoil of thoughts, Kael made his way to the Academy library.
For him, it was the only place where he could find some peace, where he could isolate himself a little from the demands of a life that wasn't truly his, but that he still felt as though it were.
Deep down, he knew he needed to study more about the Bloody Portal.
What he had read in class so far wasn't enough, and he was about to enter a place where death would be the least of his worries.
As he pushed open the heavy wooden door of the library, Kael found himself immersed in a silent, somber environment.
The scent of old books and dust filled the air, and the towering shelves piled with tomes seemed to invite him to dive into that ocean of knowledge.
The library was a refuge, the only place where he could distance himself from everything, without being interrupted by a curious glance or some unnecessary comment, which, honestly, had been appearing more and more over the last few days. He just wanted to find answers, to prepare for what was coming.
Behind a dark, polished wooden table sat a figure who immediately caught his attention: an elf.
She was focused on a thick book, her skin pale as ivory and silver hair cascading gently over her shoulders. Her eyes were large and green, almost translucent, and her posture was impeccable, as if she were made of pure grace and strength. Kael felt a shiver when he looked at her—elves were rare, and he never imagined he would encounter one in a library.
The elf looked up and met his gaze, but without a trace of curiosity or judgment. It was a calm presence, yet at the same time, imposing. Kael felt a little uncomfortable, but he maintained his posture, trying not to show the strangeness he felt seeing someone so different from everything he knew.
"Excuse me," Kael began, trying to keep his voice steady. "You work here in the library, right? I need help finding information about the Bloody Portal. Where can I find something about it?"
The elf watched him for a moment, her gaze attentive and curious. She closed the book carefully, standing slowly from her chair. Her natural grace was evident, but there was also something in her movements that conveyed silent wisdom. She looked at Kael for a moment longer, evaluating him, before responding in a soft but firm voice.
"Yes, I am the librarian here. My name is Aerin." She gave a small bow, a smile that wasn't quite warm but was cordial enough. "You're looking for the Bloody Portal, then?"
Kael nodded, not wanting to waste time. "Yes, I need to understand more about it. I have... a commitment, and for that, I need to know more about the dangers it holds."
'This is rare...' she thought. Aerin observed him for a longer moment, as though pondering whether she should help him or not. But instead of hesitating, she gestured with her hand, pointing to a shelf in the back.
"The books about the portals are in that section," she said, with impressive calmness. "However, the Bloody Portal is not something you read without preparation. Don't be deceived by its appearance. Be careful not to cut yourself on the pages, it's a book with a strong personality... and it's best not to let a drop of blood fall on it."
Kael looked at her with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "I'm not here for stories, miss. I just want to know more about the most dangerous portal in the region, the professor talked about it yesterday. It's just a curiosity."
'Children think they can lie so easily...' The elf evaluated him with a deep gaze, as if seeing something beyond what Kael wanted to show. After a moment of silence, she moved closer and took a grimoire from a distant shelf. The cover was red, almost as if made from timeworn leather. She handed the book to Kael, who took it carefully, unsure of what to expect.
"This grimoire contains records about the Bloody Portal," Aerin explained, her voice calm and serene. "It talks about the creatures that inhabit that place and the dangers that await the reckless. Be careful with what you read, don't turn past page 125 without using a spell to protect your mind."
Kael looked at the book, a weight settling on his chest. He already knew he was heading toward something deadly, but knowing what awaited him made everything more real. He looked back at Aerin, unsure how to respond to her help. She seemed genuinely concerned, but Kael didn't want her pity.
"Thank you," he said, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the kindness. Aerin simply nodded, as if already expecting him to leave in silence.
Without another word, Kael moved away from the librarian's desk and walked toward one of the large tables in the library, where he could sit down and finally read the grimoire. He opened it with slightly trembling hands, his eyes fixing on the ancient, scratched words. He was ready to face whatever was necessary, but as he began reading, the reality of what was to come hit him hard.
The grimoire detailed the origins of the Bloody Portal, a place where the energies of evil were concentrated to an extreme, and entering it almost always meant a death sentence. The book spoke of vampires, creatures corrupted by the blood magic that dominated the portal.
The vampires weren't simple night hunters; they were intelligent, cunning beings, with psychic abilities that made them even more dangerous. They could manipulate the environment around them, deceive their victims, and use the deepest fears of humans to defeat them without lifting a finger.
Besides the vampires, the grimoire also mentioned other creatures that hid in the shadows of the Bloody Portal: specters, liches, and demons, all waiting for the right moment to strike. Kael felt a shiver run down his spine as he read about the psychic powers these creatures possessed. The ability to distort perception, to turn the reality around them into an illusion... That wouldn't be easy to face.
But the most terrifying part was the description of the "Blood Creatures" that roamed freely through the corridors of the portal. They were immortal beings made of pure hatred and a desire for destruction. And, it seemed, Kael would be one of their victims unless he found a way to survive the chaos that awaited.
Kael closed the book with a heavy sigh. He knew he had little time to prepare. Every second now seemed crucial, and the journey ahead would be more dangerous than he ever imagined.
He stood up from the table, the grimoire in his hands, and looked at Aerin, who was still at her desk, observing him from afar. Kael wasn't sure exactly what he was feeling. Maybe gratitude, maybe just a desire to move forward without delay.
"Thank you for your help," Kael said again, unsure if it made sense.
Aerin only nodded, her green eyes watching him intently. "Usually, people are scared of this book, but you seem to still be sober... be careful, if you do something in that place, it will be the last time we see each other," she commented.
Kael looked at her, briefly touched by her words, but soon turned away, aware that time was running out...
Aerin glanced back, and as if reality itself twisted, a woman with white hair and purple eyes appeared beside her...
"You've really become cruel in recent years. Are you really going to send him to that portal? That one? You're losing your mind, Violet," Aerin said to the woman who sat on her desk.
Violet smiled, a smile that didn't reach her eyes, and tilted her head slightly, looking at Aerin with an expression of amusement mixed with a touch of disdain.
"Who cares? He's the one who wanted to start the war; he needs to learn to deal with his problems without complaining too much."
"You know he's not ready for this. You're pushing him to his death, Violet. I can't agree with this."
"Again, who cares? If he survives this or completes the portal, I swear on my name that I'll marry him," she said, smiling... "Of course, that's impossible," she finished.