Alex stepped in front of Soren and Nyssa, his mana pulsing wildly, drawn to the woman who had just spoken. Her voice was too calm for someone standing amid death. Her presence radiated authority—an imperial authority. This wasn't just another operative.
"You're from Epsilon," Alex said, gripping his sword tightly. "One of the Arcane Tyrant's lapdogs?"
She smiled faintly. "I am Grand Scholar Veridia Kael, First Circle of the Arcane Sanctum. Lapdog is such a crude term. I prefer 'architect of knowledge.'"
Soren muttered a curse under his breath. "Veridia… she's one of the highest-ranking researchers under Alistair Vael. Rumors say she's experimented on Saints and humans alike."
Veridia walked forward, hands clasped behind her back, completely unafraid. "You're quite the anomaly, Alexander. A hybrid. Half Saint, half human… yet your mana signature resonates with both. The obelisk confirmed it."
"You killed everyone here to test that," Alex said, voice low and dangerous.
"I did what was necessary." She stopped a few steps away, violet eyes studying him with almost scientific interest. "Your presence here confirmed a theory centuries in the making. The obelisk is a key, and only someone like you can activate it."
Behind her, the soldiers of Epsilon stood still—more like sentient dolls than men. Each bore a faint green glow behind their eyes.
Nyssa noticed it too. "Mana puppets. She's controlling them."
Veridia tilted her head. "Impressive. You're sharper than most."
"Let me guess," Alex said. "You want me to open the door below the outpost. The one my father found."
Veridia's smile turned wicked. "Yes. But not for conquest. For truth. Zeta holds the remnants of a civilization older than our empire. Knowledge that can rewrite existence itself. But it is… locked. Even Grand Sage Vael couldn't force his way in."
"And you think I'll help you?" Alex asked.
"I think you'll have to." She raised her hand. At once, the mana puppets moved—blades drawn, forming a semicircle.
"I won't let you take him," Nyssa hissed, blades drawn.
Alex's hand tightened on the ring. "Let's see if this truth you worship can survive a fight."
Before Veridia could command her puppets to attack, the ground rumbled. The obelisk flared with light—brilliant and chaotic. A pulse of mana exploded outward, throwing soldiers to the ground. Veridia stumbled back, shielding her face.
From the center of the obelisk, a beam shot into the sky, piercing the black clouds above.
Then came the voice.
Cold. Echoing. Ancient.
"You who bear the blood of both realms… the gate calls to you."
Alex dropped to one knee, overwhelmed by the pressure. In his mind, he saw it: a circular chamber deep beneath the outpost, sealed by six keys—each resonating with a different element. One of them pulsed in time with his heartbeat.
"The seal is weakening," Veridia whispered, eyes wide. "He's actually awakening it…"
Soren grabbed Alex by the shoulder. "We need to move. Now."
"No," Alex said, standing. "We open it."
Nyssa stared at him. "Are you sure?"
He nodded. "If the truth is buried there… then it's time we unearthed it. On our terms."
As the light faded, Veridia stepped back, her expression unreadable. "You've just changed everything, Alexander."
He turned to her, eyes glowing with mana.
"Good."