The Ashborne Duchy library was a temple of knowledge, its vaulted ceilings disappearing into the shadows and shelves stretching endlessly. The air smelled of ancient parchment and candle wax. To Kevin, it was a location he had overlooked in the game, merely a backdrop for unlocking minor quests. But now, trapped in this world, every corner carried crucial significance.
"Young master seems... interested in books," Lysandra observed quietly, trailing behind him.
Kevin, now more comfortable in Kael's skin, offered a small smile.
"I've always been curious."
He didn't want to raise suspicion, but the truth was that he needed answers. Though he knew the broad strokes of Eternal: Hero of Light, much of its lore remained hidden, filtered through the protagonist's perspective.
Kevin began with a shelf that contained maps and historical records. He opened a tome titled The Age of Titans, which detailed the events that had shaped the continent of Eryndor, a vast world where magic and politics clashed in delicate balance.
The Age of Titans
The text recounted how the Titans, beings of immense power, had shaped the continent long before the current kingdoms rose to power. The icy peaks of Drakthar, the jungles of the Emerald Isles, and the crimson sands of the western deserts all bore witness to their grandeur. However, their downfall had been caused by a corruption known as the "Ether Hunger." This event not only destroyed the Titans but also left behind magical relics imbued with fragments of their power.
"The Titans..." Kevin murmured, recalling how they were mentioned in the game only as background lore to justify the Titan Relics, artifacts that granted extraordinary abilities to their wielders.
Flipping through the pages, he found a passage that caught his attention:
"When the last Titan fell, its power did not vanish entirely. Fragments of its essence became trapped in relics scattered across Eryndor, treasures that promise greatness but destroy the weak of heart."
A chill ran down his spine. While these relics were integral to the game, they seemed to carry a much darker and more tangible weight here.
The Great Fracture
Deciding to change topics, Kevin picked another book: Tales of the Great Fracture. This event was pivotal to the continent's history.
The text described how the unrestrained ambition of the era's most powerful mages led to the collapse of reality itself. They had attempted to harness the power of a Titan Relic, but the Ether, the magical force permeating the world, overflowed, creating the Ether Maw—dimensional rifts that connected Eryndor to chaotic and dangerous planes.
"The Ether Maw not only split the continent but forever altered its magical balance. Portals that once linked regions became unstable, and the Emerald Isles drifted away from the mainland, teetering on the brink of oblivion."
Kael closed the book, exhaling deeply. The Ether Maw had been mentioned in the game, but now he understood that it was not just a geographical obstacle but a constant reminder of the dangers Ether posed if mishandled.
The War of Shadows
The final book that caught his attention was The War of Shadows, recounting the conflict between the Kingdom of Solastor and the Empire of Drakthar.
The text detailed how the Emperor of Drakthar, a figure shrouded in rumors of immortality, led an unprecedented invasion a century ago. With his army of dark mages and dragons, he nearly crushed Solastor's resistance but was ultimately stopped by an alliance between the Church of the Eternal Sun and the most powerful southern nobles.
"The peace treaty that ended the war was nothing more than a fragile truce. Northern clans still vie for control of the Empire, while Solastor grapples with internal tensions. The shadow of a new conflict looms over Eryndor."
Kevin carefully closed the book. While he had learned much, he also felt overwhelmed. The tensions between kingdoms, the Titan Relics, and the Ether Maw were elements that could become critical pieces in his survival strategy.
"Is something wrong, young master?" Lysandra asked, noticing his expression.
Kevin looked at her and shook his head.
"Nothing. Just... a lot to take in."