The door creaked open with an eerie groan, revealing a dimly lit office. Shelves lined the walls, packed with books and scrolls that exuded an air of forgotten wisdom. The room smelled faintly of incense and aged parchment, a mix both comforting and unsettling. A single lamp illuminated a cluttered desk, and behind it sat Professor Varak.
He was an imposing figure, tall and gaunt, with sharp features and piercing gray eyes that seemed to look through whoever stood before him. His long silver hair was tied neatly, and his dark robes shimmered faintly in the lamplight, hinting at enchanted threads woven into the fabric.
"You are late," he said, his voice deep and commanding.
Alina froze. "Late for what?"
"For interrupting me," Varak replied, a faint smirk playing at his lips. "Speak quickly. I detest idle visitors."
Lorian stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Professor Varak, we need your help. It's about the Shadow."
The professor's expression darkened instantly. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "The Shadow? That name is not to be spoken lightly. Do you understand the gravity of what you're dealing with?"
"Yes," Alina said firmly, surprising even herself with her confidence. "It attacked me last night in the library. It said I'm the key to its freedom."
Varak's eyes snapped to her, studying her intently. After a tense moment, he stood, moving toward a large cabinet. "The Shadow's influence has lingered longer than I anticipated," he muttered, mostly to himself.
"What do you mean?" Ariel asked, her wings fluttering nervously.
Varak opened the cabinet, revealing a collection of ancient artifacts—crystals, amulets, and weapons, each glowing faintly with its own energy. He pulled out a small orb, its surface swirling with dark mist. "The Shadow's power is tied to ancient magic, magic that predates even the Night of Union. It has been searching for a host, a conduit to break its seal."
Alina swallowed hard. "Why me?"
"That remains to be seen," Varak said, placing the orb on his desk. "But the fact that it chose you means you are special, whether you like it or not."
Fenrir scoffed. "Great. So what do we do? Just sit around and wait for it to show up again?"
Varak's sharp gaze flicked to Fenrir. "Hardly. If the Shadow's seal is weakening, we must act swiftly to prevent its full manifestation."
Lorian crossed his arms. "We know about the artifacts. Alina found a book in the restricted section that said they're key to reinforcing the seal. Do you know where they are?"
Varak's lips thinned. "Some. But retrieving them will not be easy. They are scattered across the world, hidden in places guarded by powerful magic and deadly traps. And even if you were to find them, you'd need representatives from each race to perform the ritual."
"That's… going to be a problem," Ariel said hesitantly. "The races haven't exactly been cooperative since the war."
Varak nodded grimly. "Indeed. The peace we enjoy now is fragile, built on uneasy truces. Convincing the leaders of each race to unite for this cause will be as challenging as retrieving the artifacts themselves."
Alina's mind raced. "But if we don't try, the Shadow will destroy everything, right?"
"Precisely," Varak said, his tone heavy. "This task falls to you and your companions. The first step is finding the location of the artifacts."
"How?" Alina asked, frustration creeping into her voice. "We don't even know where to start."
Varak gestured to the orb on his desk. "This will guide you. It is an ancient scrying device, attuned to the magic of the artifacts. But be warned—using it will draw attention, both from allies and enemies."
Alina hesitated, then reached out to touch the orb. The swirling mist within began to glow, and a vision formed. She saw a dense forest, its trees glowing faintly with bioluminescent light. In the center of a clearing stood an ancient altar, overgrown with vines.
"That's the Emerald Grove," Lorian said, recognizing it immediately. "It's sacred to the Dryads. But it's also heavily protected. Outsiders aren't allowed."
"That's your first destination," Varak confirmed. "Convince the Dryads to grant you passage. And pray they don't kill you on sight."
The group exchanged uneasy glances. Alina took a deep breath, determination hardening her features. "We'll figure it out. We have to."
Varak nodded approvingly. "You have courage, Alina. But courage alone will not save you. Take this." He handed her a small pendant inscribed with glowing runes. "It will shield you from minor magical attacks. Use it wisely."
"Thank you," Alina said, slipping the pendant around her neck.
"One last thing," Varak said, his tone grave. "The Shadow will not sit idly by while you work to stop it. It will send its minions to thwart you at every turn. Trust no one, and keep your wits about you."
As the group left Varak's office, the weight of their mission pressed heavily on their shoulders. The hallways were quiet, the flickering torches casting long shadows. Alina clutched the pendant, her mind racing with questions and fears.
"Do you think we can really do this?" Ariel asked softly.
"We have to," Alina replied, her voice steady. "For everyone's sake."
They all step outside into the cool night air. In the distance, a pair of glowing red eyes watching from the shadows, a sinister smile curling up on it's face hidden within the darkness.