Kael's POV
Kael pushed open the hidden door that led to the inner library. He lit the lamp, allowing a soft, warm light to envelope the room.
He watched, fascinated at how Aria's eyes widened in wonder as she stepped forward, drinking in the sight of the inner library.
The library mostly contained books that held powerful spells and rituals that where too powerful to be kept in the royal archives. It was where he kept the book that contained the ritual on how to break the bindings.
Kael wasn't sure why he had brought Aria here. No one knew the place existed except him and now, Aria.
He watched her intently as her curious gaze flit around the room. Her cheeks where still rosy from their encounter by the bookshelf, the sight of her was…..distracting.
Kael cleared his throat trying to forget the image of her lustful gaze peering up at him, begging for his touch.
He leaned against the farthest wall away from her, he couldn't afford to lose his head over her again.
He gestured for her to sit, giving her one last chance to leave when she made no move to leave, he began.
"Obsidian is all that remains of Everia's dwindling magic." Kael started, meeting Aria's confused gaze.
"The spell your grandfather performed was supposed to destroy all the magic embedded in the land.
But the threads of magic was what created Everia in the first place, destroying it meant destroying Everia." He explained,
"So instead, he bound the magic, burying it so deep that no one would ever be able to access it. But magic was like flowing water, it always found a way"
"Everia's magic formed what we now call Obsidian as a way to protect itself. This realm is a part of Everia's magic that wasn't suppressed. It became a safe haven for the survivors of the cleansing".
Kael's jaw clenched at the remembrance of the 'cleansing' as they called it. Where all those with even a drop of magic were hunted down and slaughtered like animals, burnt at pyres, innocent women and children were brutally killed.
"The survivors with magic went into hiding, they were denied of their powers, it was like a part of them was missing, empty." He continued trying to suppress his burning rage.
"They were drawn here, to this place, where the magic that was lost in Everia still lingered, a reminder of what once was, and what could never be again."
The waterfall was the border, the dividing line between Everia and Obsidian, a physical manifestation of the magical rift that had torn the two lands apart.
The waterfall had appeared in the aftermath of the spell, a roaring torrent of water that seemed to pulse with a power all its own. It was a gateway between the two worlds and Kael didn't trust Aria enough to reveal that bit of information to her.
It was where Aria had stumbled upon before he abducted her. It only revealed itself to those with magic, that was another thing that puzzled Kael.
"Everia's magic might've lived on through Obsidian but it has been depleting rapidly because it was never meant to exist in the first place. People here are losing the little bit of powers they had, while the land gives way to dark creatures born from it's remnants.
They are destroying the last bits of magic that remains in Obsidian, feeding on it. Most of Obsidian has been overrun by them. This castle and the few towns surrounding it are all that is left of Obsidian.
If Obsidian falls, so will Everia."
Kael watched as Aria's face paled as the full weight of his words sank in.
"How am I sure you're telling the truth, for all I know, this could be an elaborate plot to get me to trust you" Aria said, distrust marring her pale face.
Kael scoffed, "I don't want your trust, princess" he spit out, disdain coating his every words.
"I want my people to survive, and the only way to do that is to reverse the shit your grandfather did. And I definitely don't need your trust to do that, just your blood."
Aria froze at his words, her eyes widening in fear.
As much as Kael hated it, he needed her help. The only way the ritual would work is if she was willing. If the spell sensed that she was being forced in any way then….
Kael internally shuddered at the repercussion.
"So it's up to you Aria, you could choose to help and live or refuse and die. It doesn't matter to me all I need is your blood" He said hoping she'd take the bait.
If she refused, then all was truly lost.
"Keep in mind that all this would've never happened if your grandfather hadn't been a power hungry, spiteful son of a bitch. So the least you could do is help undo it."