The parchment sat in Aria's lap as they walked back to their inn through the shadowed streets
of Eldralis. Despite the city's calm exterior, the weight of her discovery felt like a storm brewing
inside her chest. The scroll, its golden script still faintly glowing, radiated a peculiar warmth. Yet
something about it felt incomplete.
When they returned to their room, Mira bolted the door behind them and set her dagger on the
nightstand. "Alright," she said, crossing her arms. "Let's figure out what that thing is trying to tell
us."
Aria spread the scroll out on the desk, her fingers brushing over the ancient writing. The
language shifted again, rearranging into readable phrases. Yet, as her eyes reached the bottom
of the parchment, the words abruptly stopped mid-sentence. The edge of the scroll was jagged,
as though torn with great force.
"It's incomplete," she muttered, frustration creeping into her voice.
"What does it say so far?" Mira asked, leaning over her shoulder.
Aria began to read aloud:
"'The bond between body and magic is a reflection of the summoner's intent. The chosen form
serves as a vessel, amplifying power in ways that traditional magic cannot achieve. However,
such transformations come at a cost...'"
She trailed off, her eyes narrowing at the torn edge. "That's where it ends. There's no
explanation of what the cost is, or why this... transformation is necessary."
Mira frowned, her hand resting on her chin. "It sounds like whoever summoned you did so with a
specific purpose in mind. And whatever they wanted, it clearly wasn't something simple."
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Aria nodded, her fingers tracing the edges of the scroll. As she did, she noticed something she
hadn't seen before—a faint mark near the tear, almost like a seal that had been broken.
Beneath it, barely legible, were three words: Servant of Desire.
"Servant of Desire?" Mira repeated, her brow furrowing. "That doesn't sound ominous at all."
Aria shivered, her mind flashing back to Saphira's words: You and I... we're more alike than you
realize.
"She must have meant this," Aria said, her voice shaking. "Whatever this magic is, it's tied to my
body, and that's why she's interested in me."
Mira's expression darkened. "If that succubus wants you, then this 'Desire' thing can't be good.
We need more information. And there's only one place in this city where we might get it."
"The castle," Aria said, understanding Mira's implication.
---
The Audience with the King
The castle of Eldralis was an imposing structure, its walls carved from pale stone that
shimmered faintly in the daylight. The gates were guarded by soldiers clad in gleaming armor,
their expressions stern as they examined Aria and Mira's writ of entry—a letter bearing the
Magisterium's seal.
"You may enter," one of the guards said, stepping aside.
The grand hall was no less intimidating. The floors were polished marble, reflecting the light of
chandeliers that hung like constellations above. Servants scurried about, their heads bowed,
while nobles lounged in alcoves, their laughter echoing faintly.
At the far end of the hall sat the king, a man in his late forties with sharp features and piercing
blue eyes. He wore a crown of silver and gold, his posture regal but relaxed.
As Aria and Mira approached, he rose from his throne, a warm smile spreading across his face.
"Welcome, travelers. I've been told you bring news from the Magisterium."
Aria hesitated, something about his demeanor feeling... off. His smile was too perfect, his gaze
too calculating.
55
Mira stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty, we come seeking knowledge. My
companion here has been summoned to this world under unusual circumstances, and we
believe the answers may lie within your archives."
The king's smile didn't falter. "A summoning, you say? How fascinating. And you believe this
concerns the kingdom?"
Aria nodded, stepping beside Mira. "Yes, Your Majesty. The magic tied to my summoning... it's
different. Dangerous, even. If we can understand it, we may be able to prevent whatever danger
it poses."
The king's eyes lingered on her for a moment too long. "Of course. Anything for the safety of my
kingdom."
He clapped his hands, and a servant appeared at his side. "Escort these two to the royal
archives. Ensure they have everything they need."
The servant bowed and gestured for Aria and Mira to follow. As they turned to leave, Aria
glanced back at the king. His warm smile had faded the moment their backs were turned,
replaced by a cold, calculating expression.
---
The Archives and the Growing Mystery
The royal archives were as vast as they were labyrinthine, rows of shelves stretching endlessly
in every direction. The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and wax candles, and the
faint hum of protective wards buzzed at the edge of Aria's senses.
"Do you think the king bought it?" Mira whispered, her voice low.
Aria shook her head. "Something about him felt... wrong. Like he was hiding something."
They began their search, combing through books and scrolls that detailed summoning rituals,
ancient magic, and the history of Eldralis. Hours passed, and though they found fragments of
information, nothing provided the answers they sought.
It wasn't until Mira pulled a dusty tome from a forgotten corner of the archives that they found
something of interest.
"This looks promising," Mira said, laying the book on a nearby table.
56
The book was old, its cover cracked and its pages brittle. Its title, written in faded gold script,
read: Echoes of the Veil.
Aria flipped through its pages, her eyes scanning for anything that might connect to her
situation. Near the middle, she found a passage that made her breath catch.
"'The Veil is not a barrier but a bridge, allowing those who pierce it to bring forth entities of great
power. Such entities are often crafted to serve a singular purpose, their forms shaped by the
summoner's will and their magic bound to their physicality. However, these entities are not
without will of their own, and many have turned against their creators.'"
Mira frowned. "That sounds... familiar."
Aria nodded, her mind racing. Whoever had summoned her had crafted her body and magic
with a specific goal in mind. But why? And what was the cost they were willing to pay?
Before she could ponder further, the air around them grew heavy, and the faint hum of the
wards intensified.
"Do you feel that?" Mira asked, drawing her dagger.
Aria nodded, her magic sparking to life. "We're not alone."
From the shadows, a figure emerged—a man clad in dark robes, his face obscured by a hood.
His presence radiated malice, and his voice was cold as ice.
"You've meddled enough," he said, raising a hand. "The king may be fooled, but we are not.
Your existence is a threat to everything we've built."
Before Aria could react, the man unleashed a blast of dark magic, shattering the table between
them.
---