The city of Ethren was unlike anything Kairo had seen.
Tall, radiant towers stretched toward the clouds like fingers of crystal. Mana flowed visibly through channels carved into the stone roads, lighting the paths like rivers of starlight. Merchants sold enchanted wares from floating stalls, and knights clad in polished armor marched in formation.
Zevrin whistled beside him. "This place looks like it belongs to gods, not men."
Kairo kept his hood low.
He felt eyes on him. Not just from the guards, but from something else—something hidden behind the glamor of the city.
> "We're here for the Arcanum Archives," he reminded Zevrin. "The next fragment's location should be in their sealed records."
The Arcanum was an ancient tower at the city's heart. Said to contain the written history of every known magical relic, only S-rank mages and scholars could access its inner sanctum.
> "How do you plan to get inside?" Zevrin asked.
Kairo pulled out a bronze token etched with runes—given to him by the dungeon's fragment.
> "This will get us an audience."
They reached the entrance to the tower where a stern elf stood guard.
> "State your purpose," she said, voice cold and formal.
> "Research. For a personal trial." Kairo handed her the token.
The elf's eyes widened subtly when she examined it.
> "You may enter. But be warned—those who seek truth rarely like what they find."
---
Inside, the air grew colder. Shelves upon shelves of ancient tomes stretched endlessly. Floating orbs of blue flame lit the paths. A robed man with silver spectacles greeted them.
> "Ah, a Soul-bound token. Haven't seen one of these in centuries. Right this way."
They followed him through a sealed corridor into a circular chamber.
The robed man placed the token into a pedestal.
Suddenly, the walls began to shimmer with light and symbols. A ghostly voice echoed through the room.
> "Thalor… breaker of stars. One of the Seven Shattered. Once a god, now a curse."
Kairo froze.
> That name again.
> "Thalor was sealed after the Skyfall War," the robed man explained. "His essence fragmented into seven pieces, hidden across the realm. Anyone who gathers them all could… in theory… resurrect him—or destroy him forever."
> "What about the one who holds a fragment?" Kairo asked, tension in his voice.
> "They become marked. Watched by fate itself. Enemies and allies alike will be drawn to them… as you've probably already learned."
Before Kairo could respond, a chilling sensation swept through him.
> Someone else was in the room.
He turned—and saw a figure in the shadows.
A young woman with silver hair and glowing violet eyes.
> "You..." Kairo whispered. "I know you."
The woman stepped forward.
> "Kairo Velan. You've come far from that boy who could barely conjure a spark."
Zevrin stepped between them, spear ready. "Who are you?"
The woman ignored him.
> "We were born in the same flame. You just don't remember yet."
> "Flame?"
> "You'll understand in time." Her gaze darkened. "But be warned. Others are coming. Stronger, crueler. You'll have to make a choice soon—run from your past… or rise above it."
Without another word, she vanished into smoke.
The room returned to silence.
---
Outside the tower, the skies had darkened. A storm was brewing.
Kairo stood in the wind, cloak fluttering.
> "So it's true," he muttered. "My past is tied to Thalor."
> "You gonna tell me what that was about?" Zevrin asked.
> "Not yet. I need to understand it first."
He opened his system again.
> [Fragment Progress: 1/7]
[New Objective: Seek the Guardian of the Crystal Vale]
Kairo's gaze sharpened.
> "Next stop… the Vale."