Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: The Council

The group lingered in the clearing, the tension from the battle still thick in the air. The shattered remains of the crystal lay scattered, their faint glow rapidly fading as the corruption dissipated. The oppressive energy that had hung over the forest was gone, replaced by an eerie silence.

"We should move," Naryn said, helping Caelum to his feet. The old mage leaned heavily on his staff, his exhaustion evident. "We've stopped the immediate threat."

Osrik dusted off his hands, his expression gloomy. "Stopping the crystal was one thing, but it didn't shatter itself. Someone or something must have put it here."

"And probably isn't thrilled that we broke it," Liana added, casting a wary glance toward the surrounding forest.

Gerrick sheathed his axe, his brow furrowed in thought. "We'll need to report this to the academy. They'll want to investigate the area more thoroughly, maybe even send reinforcements."

Caelum shook his head, his voice hoarse but firm. "The council of the academy will do what they must. But for now, we press on. The source of the corruption may have been severed, but the crystal wasnt here by chance."

Naryn nodded, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Whatever created it might already know we've destroyed it. We can't assume we're safe."

"Safe isn't an option anymore," Osrik muttered. "Not if this kind of magic is out there."

The group began their cautious retreat, retracing their steps through the forest. The once-twisted trees seemed to relax, their blackened bark beginning to regain its natural color. But the acrid smell of rot still lingered, a grim reminder of the corruption that had nearly overtaken the area.

As they moved, Naryn fell into step beside Caelum. "You've seen this kind of magic before, haven't you ?" he asked quietly.

Caelum hesitated, his grip on his staff tightening. "Not exactly this, no. But I've seen what happens when dark magic is left unchecked. This… it's unlike anything I've encountered. The crystal wasn't just corrupted; it was alive, feeding on the land and the creatures around it. Whoever created it wasn't just experimenting. They knew exactly what they were doing."

"Any idea of who could've done it ?" Naryn pressed.

Caelum's expression darkened. "No. But whoever they are, they're powerful and they won't stop here."

The forest began to thin as they approached the edge, the trees parting to reveal the faint outline of the village in the distance. The sight of the small settlement brought a wave of relief, but it was tempered by the knowledge that their work was far from over.

As they entered the village, the few remaining villagers emerged cautiously from their homes. Their eyes were wide with fear and curiosity as they took in the group's battered appearance.

"You did it ?" one man asked, his voice trembling. "The creatures…?"

"For now," Naryn replied. "The corruption's source has been destroyed, but it isn't over. You'll need to stay vigilant."

The man nodded, his gratitude evident despite his fear. "Thank you. Truly."

The group made their way to the village square, where they convened near the well. The villagers gathered around, their faces a mix of hope and uncertainty.

Caelum stepped forward, his voice steady despite his weariness. "The forest will begin to heal, but we must warn the surrounding regions. This corruption it was brought here, and it may return."

"What do we do if it does ?" a woman asked, clutching a small child to her chest.

"We'll ensure you're prepared," Caelum assured her. "For now, stay away from the forest. Let the land recover. And if you see anything unusual, send word to the academy immediately."

The villagers nodded, their murmurs of agreement rippling through the crowd.

Later, as the group rested in the village's small inn, they gathered around a table to discuss their next move.

"We need to figure out where that crystal came from," Gerrick said, his voice low but urgent. "And find who's behind it."

Caelum nodded. "The energy it radiated was ancient. Dark magic on this scale suggests a connection to the old wars. Perhaps a remnant, or worse… a resurgence."

Osrik groaned, rubbing his temples. "Like it wasnt hard enough. Ancient dark magic. Because regular dark magic wasn't."

Liana leaned forward, her expression serious. "If this is tied to the old wars, there could be more crystals. More corruption. We can't just deal with these as they come. We need to find the source."

"We start with the academy," Naryn said decisively. "The archives might have records of something like this. If there are more crystals, we need to know where they are before they're activated."

"And we'll need more people," Gerrick added. "We barely handled this one. If there's more out there, we can't do it alone."

Caelum's gaze swept over the group, his expression unreadable. "You're all right. This is just the beginning."

"Why dont we let the academy take this matter we barely survived out there and we destroy the crystal , i think we did our part and what the mission has been told" Osrik said his face with an hint of fear.

The room fell quiet, the only sounds the crackle of the hearth and the occasional murmur from the villagers outside. The group sat in a loose circle, the weight of the day pressing down on them.

Osrik's words hung in the air like a challenge. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his face a mask of determination or perhaps, exhaustion. "We've done what we came to do. We're not soldiers or saviors. The academy's the one with the resources to chase this down."

Naryn's brow furrowed as he regarded him. "You're not wrong, Osrik, but walking away now feels… unfinished. Whoever did this won't wait for us to rest. If there are more crystals—"

"That's the academy's problem, not ours !" Osrik interrupted, his voice rising. "We're just a band of sttudents. But we're not equipped to take on some ancient dark sorcerer pulling strings from the shadows."

"Enough !" Caelum's voice cut through the rising tension like a whip. The room stilled, all eyes turning to him. Despite his weariness, his presence commanded respect. "Osrik isn't entirely wrong. We've fulfilled the letter of our mission. The crystal is destroyed, and the immediate threat to the village is neutralized. But Naryn is right too his isn't over."

Gerrick leaned forward, his massive hands resting on the table. "So what do you suggest? We stick around, hope the academy sends reinforcements, and let them take over ?"

"No," Caelum said. "The academy will send help, but we can't sit idly by. We've seen this magic firsthand. We're the ones who know what to look for. And like it or not, we might be the only ones who can stop whoever's behind this before it's too late."

Osrik groaned. "I knew you were going to say that."

Liana, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "We need more information. Before we make any decisions, we should gather what we can from the archives. If there are more crystals, the academy records might tell us where to look—or at least give us some idea of what we're dealing with."

"And if we find out it's worse than we though t?" Osrik asked, his tone skeptical.

Liana shrugged, her expression resolute. "Then we'll decide what to do when we know what we're up against. But walking away blind isn't an option."

Naryn met Osrik's gaze. "I get it. This isn't what any of us signed up for. But if we don't act, more villages could fall more lives lost. And I, for one, can't live with that."

Osrik's scowl deepened, but he didn't argue further. Instead, he muttered something under his breath and grabbed a nearby tankard, taking a long drink.

"Then it's settled," Caelum said, his voice leaving no room for debate. "We head to the academy at first light. From there, we'll regroup, research, and decide our next steps."

The group nodded, their resolve solidifying despite their weariness.

That night, Naryn found himself unable to sleep. He sat on the edge of his cot, staring out the small window at the darkened village. The quiet was almost unsettling after the chaos of the forest.

A soft knock at the door drew his attention. Liana stepped in, her expression pensive. "Couldn't sleep either ?"

Naryn shook his head. "They're too much to think about."

She crossed the room, sitting on the edge of a chair. "Do you really think we're the ones who can stop this ?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "But I know we have to try."

Liana nodded, her gaze distant. "I just hope we're ready for whatever comes next."

As she left the room, Naryn's thoughts returned to the forest and the shattered crystal. The glow of its remnants still burned in his memory, a stark reminder of the danger they faced. He tightened his grip on his sword's hilt. Ready or not, they would face what came next together.

And they wouldn't stop until they uncovered the truth.

The sun barely crept above the horizon when the group gathered at the edge of the village. The villagers, still shaken but grateful, offered food, water, and meager supplies. Children peeked out from behind their parents, wide-eyed as they watched the student prepare to leave.

"Thank you," the village elder said. "You saved us. May the gods watch over you."

Naryn nodded solemnly. "Take care of each other. If you notice anything unusual anything at all send word to the academy immediately."

The elder nodded, her weathered face set with determination. "We will."

As the group set off, the forest loomed in the distance, its shadows still long and foreboding despite the returning light. Though the corruption was gone, a sense of unease lingered, as if the land itself remembered the darkness that had taken root.

As the group entered the main hall, they were met by a tall, stern-looking woman whose silver hair was tied neatly behind her head. Her piercing green eyes swept over them, taking in their battered appearance with a mixture of concern and curiosity.

"Caelum," she said, inclining her head slightly. "You look worse than usual."

"Good to see you too, Elenara," Caelum replied dryly. "We need to speak with the council. Immediately."

Elenara's gaze sharpened. "This sounds serious."

"It is," Naryn interjected. "We encountered something… unprecedented."

Elenara studied them for a moment before nodding. "Follow me."

The council chamber was a grand room, its vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate carvings of the history of the academys. Rows of shelves lined the walls, brimming with scrolls and tomes that chronicled centuries of knowledge. At the center of the room stood a crescent-shaped table, where seven council members sat, each an elder whose wisdom and authority had shaped the academy for decades.

Master Sorvin, a grizzled veteran with a warrior's posture despite his scholarly robes, leaned forward, his sharp eyes narrowing. "You're telling us that this crystal—this artifact—wasn't merely corrupted ? It was alive ?"

Caelum nodded, his expression grave. "Yes, Master Sorvin. It didn't just corrupt the land; it fed on it. The creatures, the soil, even the air it was all being drained to sustain its power. Whoever created it knew exactly what they were doing."

"And you destroyed it ?" asked Lady Adrienne, her silver hair tied tightly behind her head. Her tone was neutral, but her piercing gaze betrayed her concern.

"We did," Naryn replied, "but it wasn't easy. That thing fought to the end, and the magic surrounding it… it was different, differents from anything Iwe've seen before."

The council members exchanged uneasy glances. Finally, Lord Halric, the youngest of the group but no less authoritative, spoke. "If what you're saying is true, then this isn't just an isolated incident. The implications—"

"—are dire," Master Sorvin finished, his voice heavy. "What your describing is similar to the lost magic. If it's resurfacing—"

"It can't," Lady Adrienne interrupted sharply. "The lost magic. The artifacts of that time were destroyed or sealed away."

"Clearly, not all of them," Liana said, stepping forward. Her tone was respectful but firm. "We don't know what this lost magi is but if this thing is resuracting the council should take this matter seriously."

The chamber fell silent. Finally, Lord Halric spoke again, his voice low. "If this crystal was placed intentionally, it means someone out there has access to ancient knowledge. And must find who is behind this."

"We'll need to search the archives more thoroughly," Lady Adrienne said. "There could be more of these crystals. And we must determine who is responsible."

Master Sorvin turned to the group, his gaze steady. "You've done well to bring this to us, but your work is done. We'll send a team to investigate the site and ensure the area is secured. In the meantime, you're return to your study and class. If there are other crystals, we need to find them before they're activated."

"And what of the villagers ?" Naryn asked. "The corruption may be gone, but the area will need time to recover."

"We'll send suplies" Lady Adrienne assured him. "They won't be abandoned."

The council rose as one, signaling the end of the discussion. As the group left the chamber, their mission clear but their hearts heavy, Naryn couldn't shake the weight of the council's decision. The academy would act, but the threat was far from over.