Kael's POV
I pushed open the hidden door, the soft glow of lanterns and candles spilled out, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Aria's eyes widened in wonder as she stepped forward, her gaze drinking in the sight of the inner library. The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and leather, and I could sense her curiosity piqued. I gestured for her to enter, my eyes meeting hers for a brief moment, and leaned against the wall, my eyes never leaving Aria's face, I asked her to take a seat. She settled into a chair, her eyes scanning the room with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
"Obsidian," I began, the word hanging in the air like a challenge. "Was once part of Everia. When the spell that eradicated magic in Everia was cast, the force was so great that it split Everia into two, as a way to neutralize the effects of the spell." I paused, my eyes never leaving hers, as I watched for any sign of understanding. "The people with magic after the 'cleansing' that killed my family," I continued, my voice dripping with a quiet venom, "simply disappeared. What people didn't know was that they were in Obsidian." I leaned forward as I added, "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. It was were Aria had stumbled upon before I abducted her.
"Magic lived on in Obsidian, but at a price. It was not meant to exist." I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. "The magic here isn't pure, princess. It consumes the land, destroying it from the inside out. A vast amount of land has been lost to dark creatures who destroy everything in their path." I could see the concern etched on Aria's face, and I knew that she was beginning to understand the true nature of the world we were in. "The land is dying,." I continued, my voice filled with a sense of desperation. "The magic that was meant to save it has instead become its downfall. And if it's not stopped all of Obsidian will be nothing but a graveyard"
I leaned back against the wall, watching her face pale and her eyes widen in horror as the weight of my words sank in. She looked lost and frightened, as if the very foundations of her world had been shaken. I could see the fear and uncertainty etched on her face, and I knew that she was struggling to come to terms with the magnitude of the crisis that faced us.
"This castle and the few surrounding towns are the last fortress standing in Obsidian. If the spell is not broken and the balance remains unrestored, Obsidian would be nothing but ruins, a vast graveyard." I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. "And once Obsidian falls, Everia would die along with everyone on it." The words hung in the air, a stark and terrifying reality that seemed to suck the breath out of her. I watched as Aria's face went pale, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. She looked like she had been punched in the gut, her entire world turned upside down by the revelation. I could see the horror and desperation etched on her face, and I knew that she was struggling to come to terms with the magnitude of the situation.
"Do I need to die?" she asked, her voice trembling as she spoke the words. I could see the fear and uncertainty etched on her face, and I knew that she was struggling to come to terms with the possibility of her own mortality. I hesitated, choosing my words carefully as I replied, "Not necessarily." I took a deep breath, trying to reassure her as I continued, "The prophecy was very cryptic. It says your blood is needed, but so are other things. It didn't specifically say you have to die." I paused, studying her face as I tried to gauge her reaction. I could see the faintest glimmer of hope in her eyes, and I knew that I had to be careful not to crush it.
"There may be other ways to fulfill the prophecy," I said, my voice softening as I tried to offer her some measure of comfort. "I just need to figure out what they are." I took a step closer to her, my eyes locking onto hers as I added, "But either ways if I don't succeed everyone dies, you included. And all this would've never happened if your grandfather hadn't bounded the magic. So the least you could do is help undo it."