Chapter 9: Shadows of Memory
Night had fallen on the Academy, but Kaden could not sleep. The visions he had in the artifact room were looping around in his mind, like persistent echoes of the distant past. The woman with purple eyes, the trembling Towers, and this immense creature between them... All this seemed to be connected, but he couldn't figure out how.
He got up from his bed, got dressed quickly and got out of his room. The corridors of the Academy were silent, lit only by the pale light of the mana lamps. Kaden walked with a determined step, his mind tormented by unanswered questions.
He went to the archives room, hoping to find something there that could help him understand. But when he arrived, he was surprised to see a light filtering under the door.
Who could be there at this hour?
He gently pushed the door, finding Lira sitting at a table, surrounded by books and scrolls. She looked up, surprised to see him.
"Kaden? What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question," he answered as he approached.
Lira smiled slightly." I couldn't sleep. I thought I could do some more research."
Kaden sat down in front of her, looking at the books scattered around the table. "Did you find something?"
Lira nodded, taking an old book and opening it to a marked page." I found references to an entity called the Guardian of the Towers. According to this book, it is an ancient creature, linked to the Towers and divine gifts."
Kaden felt a thrill running through his back." The Guardian of the Towers... That's what I saw in my vision."
He will read the look, his eyes shining with excitement." Then it's true. The Towers are home to an entity, and it is linked to your gifts."
Kaden nodded, feeling a new determination in him." We need to know more. If this entity is the key to defeating the Towers, we need to understand how it works."
Lira took another book, flipping it quickly." There are rumors about a lost artifact, an object that could give us answers. It is called the Eye of Truth."
Kaden frowned." The Eye of Truth? What is it?"
Lira shook her head." I don't know exactly. But according to legend, it is a powerful artifact, able to reveal the most hidden secrets."
Kaden felt a thrill of excitement running through his back." And where do we find him?"
Lira hesitated, as if she weighed her words." There are rumors that it is hidden in the ruins of an ancient city, somewhere in the desert. But it's dangerous. No one has ever come back from there."
Kaden nodded, feeling a new determination in him." We have no choice. If this artifact can help us understand the Towers, we have to find it."
He will read, his eyes filled with concern." Are you sure? It's very risky."
Kaden smiled slightly." Since when are we afraid of risk?"
Lira smiled in turn, nodding her head." Okay. But we have to prepare. We can't go like that."
Kaden nodded, feeling a new determination in him. He didn't know what to expect, but he knew he couldn't back down.
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