The restricted archives were cold and silent as Eren and Kaia stood amidst the towering shelves, their minds reeling from what they had just witnessed.
"A convergence point," Kaia repeated, pacing in agitation. "What does that even mean? And what kind of book did Alaric just take?"
Eren leaned against the nearest shelf, his arms crossed. "The page I saw… it had a drawing of a door with runes around it. I think it's a place—maybe a gateway or something. But it wasn't clear."
Kaia's brow furrowed, her mind already working through the possibilities. "A gateway to what? Power? Something tied to the Ashen Key?"
"Maybe both," Eren replied grimly. "But whatever it is, Alaric's dead set on finding it. And if he gets there first…"
Kaia stopped pacing, her eyes sharp. "He won't. If he's after a location, we can figure out where it is too. We'll get to it before he does."
Eren raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly are we supposed to do that? We don't even know what the book was called."
Kaia gave him a determined look. "Then we find out. Come on."
Kaia led them to one of the archive's smaller alcoves, where a cluster of enchanted quills floated above a wide stone desk. The desk hummed faintly with magical energy, and the quills twitched eagerly as the two approached.
"This," Kaia said, gesturing to the desk, "is the Index. It's tied to the archive's entire catalog. If Alaric found that book here, the Index will tell us what it is."
Eren gave her an impressed look. "How do you even know about this?"
Kaia smirked. "Let's just say I've spent a lot of time poking around places I'm not supposed to be."
She reached for one of the quills and whispered, "Door with runes." The quill sprang to life, darting across a blank sheet of parchment as glowing letters began to form.
After a moment, the quill stopped, and the parchment displayed a single entry:
"The Map of Shadows: A Guide to Ancient Convergence Points."
Kaia's eyes widened. "A map. That's what he took."
Eren frowned. "What's a convergence point, though? And why would Alaric need a map to find one?"
Kaia scanned the parchment, which included a brief description of the book.
"Convergence points are locations where the barriers between realms grow thin, allowing for the flow of immense magical energy. Such places are rare and dangerous, often linked to powerful relics and forgotten histories."
Eren's stomach sank. "If Alaric's trying to find a convergence point, it has to be tied to the Ashen Key. He said it's under constant watch—he must mean the fragment we have."
Kaia nodded slowly. "He's looking for a way to use it. And if a convergence point is as dangerous as this says…" She trailed off, her face grim.
Eren finished her thought. "Then we can't let him reach it."
The two spent the next hour poring over other books and scrolls in the archives, hoping to uncover more information about convergence points and their connection to the Ashen Key. But much like their earlier searches, the records were frustratingly vague.
Kaia slammed a dusty tome shut in frustration. "Why is everything in this school written in riddles?"
Eren gave her a tired smile. "Probably to keep people like us from finding out too much."
Kaia huffed but didn't argue. "Still, we know more than we did before. Alaric has the Map of Shadows, which means he's already looking for a specific convergence point. If we can figure out where he's going…"
Eren cut her off. "We can stop him."
Kaia nodded, determination burning in her eyes. "Exactly."
The next morning, Eren and Kaia kept a close watch on Alaric during classes, hoping to catch some hint of his next move. But Alaric was careful—too careful. He showed no signs of the book he had stolen, and his behavior was as composed as ever.
"He knows we're watching him," Kaia muttered as they left their History of Magic class.
Eren frowned. "Then we need to find someone he's working with. He can't be doing this alone."
Kaia raised an eyebrow. "You think those Ironclad students he was talking to are involved?"
"It's possible," Eren said. "But there's someone else I'm thinking of."
Kaia tilted her head. "Who?"
Eren hesitated before answering. "Professor Vale."
Kaia's eyes widened. "You think Professor Vale is involved? Why?"
Eren sighed. "Because Alaric mentioned him last night. He said Vale keeps the fragment under constant watch. If Vale's guarding the fragment, he has to know about the Key—and maybe the convergence points too."
Kaia bit her lip. "If you're right, then Vale might be more dangerous than we thought."
"Or," Eren countered, "he might have answers we need."
Kaia looked uncertain, but she nodded. "Alright. But if we're going to question a professor, we need to be careful."
Eren smiled faintly. "When aren't we?"
That evening, Eren and Kaia waited outside Professor Vale's office, hidden beneath an invisibility charm Kaia had borrowed from her older sister.
The door to Vale's office was slightly ajar, and they could hear the faint rustle of papers inside.
"Are you sure about this?" Kaia whispered.
Eren nodded. "We have to try."
He stepped closer to the door and knocked lightly.
The rustling stopped, and a moment later, Professor Vale's deep voice called, "Come in."
Eren pushed the door open, and Vale looked up from his desk, his piercing gaze settling on the two students.
"Mr. Draymoor. Miss Alderth. To what do I owe this late-night visit?"
Eren took a deep breath. "Professor, we need to talk to you about the Ashen Key."
Vale's expression didn't change, but a flicker of something—surprise? Concern?—crossed his eyes.
"You shouldn't know about that," he said quietly.
Kaia stepped forward. "We do. And we know Alaric is after it."
Vale's jaw tightened. "What exactly do you think you know?"
Eren met his gaze. "We know about the Map of Shadows. And we know he's trying to find a convergence point."
Vale's expression darkened, and he stood slowly. "You've put yourselves in grave danger. If Alaric knows you're aware of this…"
"He already does," Eren said. "That's why we need your help."
Vale studied them for a long moment, his eyes unreadable. Finally, he sighed.
"Then it seems I have no choice but to tell you everything."
Vale waved his wand, and the door to his office sealed shut. He gestured for Eren and Kaia to sit, then began to pace the room.
"The Ashen Key isn't just a relic," he said. "It's a lock—and a weapon. It was created centuries ago to contain something far more dangerous than any of us can imagine."
Kaia's eyes widened. "Contain what?"
Vale stopped pacing and looked at her. "A being of pure shadow. One that nearly destroyed our world once before."
Eren felt the blood drain from his face. "And the convergence points?"
"They're tied to the being's prison," Vale said. "If Alaric finds one and uses the Key, he could break the seal—and unleash the Shadowbound."
Kaia's voice was barely a whisper. "Then we have to stop him."
Vale nodded gravely. "Yes. But be warned—Alaric isn't the only one after the Key. And if the Shadowbound awakens, none of us will survive."