Chapter 3. The Secret Behind the Pages
"I spent the entire evening reading. Fox's books weren't just interesting — they were captivating. Each chapter revealed something new: legends of a great battle, mentions of ancient artifacts that could shift the balance of power, and mysterious records about the Scarlet Knight.
> "Among all the stories, one stood out — about a man who crossed the Wall and returned changed. He disappeared for three years and then appeared in the center of the capital, unrecognizable..."
"His body bore traces of monster magic, but he retained a human soul. They called him the Scarlet Knight — the first to see both sides of the truth."
My heart was pounding. I couldn't stop reading. It felt as if something was guiding me… as if this goal wasn't mine alone."
---
The next morning:
"Mom, I'm heading to Uncle Fox. He said he had something important to tell me," I said, hastily braiding my hair.
"Just don't forget to eat! And don't stay too long at his place," she said with a smile.
Fox was already waiting for me in his workshop. He stood before an old table, cluttered with scrolls and strange mechanisms.
"Sey, did you read the books?" he asked without even turning around.
"Yes, Uncle. And I have so many questions. Who is the Scarlet Knight? Is he real? Did he actually exist?"
Fox slowly turned around, a strange glint in his eyes.
"The Scarlet Knight… He's not just a legend. He was my teacher," he said quietly.
I froze. I didn't know what to say.
"But that's a story for another time. Today, I want you to see something. This is our next step," Fox said as he pulled an old map from a drawer and unrolled it on the table.
"What is this?" I asked, studying the strange markings and symbols.
"This is the path to one of the forgotten Vaults. There used to be five of them. Now, only two remain. We're going there, Sey. You need to see the truth for yourself."
A wave of excitement washed over me. This wasn't just a goal anymore. This was the beginning of a true journey.