Chapter 10: The Rogue Archivist
Kaylen stood frozen as the masked figure—Solas—stepped aside, motioning for him and Eryn to enter. The room beyond the door was dimly lit, cluttered with books, relics, and glowing fragments of what Kaylen assumed were ancient artifacts. Strange symbols were etched into the walls, their faint luminescence casting an eerie glow over the space.
"Close the door," Solas said, their voice calm but commanding.
Eryn did as instructed, the heavy door creaking shut with a finality that made Kaylen's chest tighten. He glanced nervously at Solas, who was already inspecting him with an intensity that made his skin crawl.
"So," Solas began, their tone sharp, "this is the one who carries the Ember Core."
Kaylen shifted uncomfortably, his hand instinctively brushing against the artifact in his pocket. "Yeah… that's me."
Solas tilted their head. "Do you even understand what you've gotten yourself into, boy? Do you know what that thing is?"
Kaylen hesitated, glancing at Eryn before answering. "I know it's dangerous. And I know it's… taking something from me."
Solas chuckled, a low, dry sound. "Dangerous is an understatement. The Ember Core doesn't just take—it consumes. Your strength, your memories, your very essence. It's a parasite, and every time you use it, you're feeding it."
Kaylen swallowed hard, his pulse quickening. "Then how do I stop it? How do I control it?"
Solas stepped closer, their movements fluid despite the weight of their robes. "Control isn't the right word. The Core isn't something you master—it's something you bargain with. You give it just enough to survive, to bend it to your will, without letting it take too much. It's a delicate balance."
"And if I can't keep that balance?" Kaylen asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Solas gestured to a nearby shelf, where a series of charred, broken artifacts were displayed. "Then you'll end up like them—and everyone who's ever tried to wield the Core before you."
Kaylen's stomach churned as he stared at the remnants. The thought of becoming one of those failures—a husk burned away by the artifact—sent a shiver down his spine. "So why did you agree to help me?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion. "What do you get out of this?"
Solas chuckled again. "I've spent my life studying artifacts like the Core, seeking to understand their origins and their purpose. You're the first wielder I've encountered who's lasted this long. Helping you helps me—it gives me the chance to study the Core in action, to uncover its secrets."
Kaylen narrowed his eyes. "So I'm just an experiment to you?"
"You're alive, aren't you?" Solas countered. "And if you want to stay that way, you'll let me guide you."
Eryn stepped forward, their voice cutting through the tension. "Solas, we don't have time for games. The Hunters are closing in. If you're going to help him, you need to do it now."
Solas turned to Eryn, their tone shifting to something colder. "You brought him here. Don't tell me how to do my work."
Eryn's gaze didn't waver. "I didn't bring him here for your amusement. He's not like the others, and you know it."
Solas studied Kaylen for a long moment, then nodded. "Very well. Let's see what he's capable of."
---
Solas led them deeper into the tower, the air growing colder with each step. They entered a chamber filled with glowing runes and strange, mechanical contraptions. At the center of the room was a pedestal, its surface etched with intricate designs that pulsed faintly in rhythm with the Ember Core.
"Place the Core here," Solas instructed, gesturing to the pedestal.
Kaylen hesitated, his fingers brushing against the artifact in his pocket. The thought of handing it over—even temporarily—made him uneasy. "What are you going to do?"
"Enhance your connection to it," Solas replied. "Right now, the Core is fighting you at every turn. This process will help you sync with it, but it will require… sacrifice."
Kaylen's chest tightened. "What kind of sacrifice?"
"Fragments of yourself," Solas said, their tone matter-of-fact. "The Core will demand pieces of your mind—memories, emotions, parts of your identity. But the stronger the bond, the more control you'll have."
Kaylen looked to Eryn, his voice shaking. "Is this really the only way?"
Eryn nodded, their expression grim. "If you want to survive, yes."
Kaylen's hand trembled as he pulled the Ember Core from his pocket. Its glow intensified as he held it up, as if it sensed what was coming. With a deep breath, he placed it on the pedestal.
The chamber erupted in light. The runes flared to life, and the air crackled with energy. Kaylen staggered back as the artifact began to hum louder, its glow growing blindingly bright.
"Focus!" Solas shouted over the noise. "Feel the connection. Let it in, but don't lose yourself!"
Kaylen closed his eyes, the artifact's energy coursing through him like a tidal wave. Memories flashed before him—his childhood, his parents' faces, moments of laughter and pain. He felt the Core pulling at them, tugging at the threads of his identity.
"No," he growled, clenching his fists. "You're not taking everything."
He fought back, pushing against the Core's pull. The struggle was agonizing, like a fire consuming him from the inside. But slowly, he began to feel a shift. The energy stabilized, flowing through him rather than against him.
The light dimmed, and the room fell silent. Kaylen opened his eyes, his chest heaving. The Ember Core sat on the pedestal, its glow steady and calm.
"You did it," Solas said, their voice filled with a mixture of surprise and approval. "You're still you."
Kaylen staggered back, catching himself against the wall. "What… what just happened?"
"You've forged a bond," Solas explained. "The Core is still a parasite, but now it recognizes you as its host. It will still take from you, but you'll be able to dictate how much—and when."
Kaylen nodded slowly, his body trembling from the effort. He had survived, but at what cost? Fragments of his memories felt hazy, like pieces of a puzzle that no longer fit together.
"Rest," Solas said, gesturing toward a corner of the room. "The Hunters will come soon enough. You'll need every ounce of strength for what's ahead."
Kaylen sat down heavily, the weight of the Ember Core now matched by the weight of what he'd lost. But for the first time, he felt something else as well—a flicker of hope.