Octopath Traveler: My OC's X ALL EIGHT CHARACTERS

((Cyrus and Azura)) Chapter 4

Cyrus' POV

~The Story So Far~

And so Cyrus and Azrua's search for the ancient tome lead them to Stoneguard, where Headmaster Yvon lay in wait.

Using the forbidden blood magic gleaned from those pages, he aspired to powers unholy and profane.

But Yvon – more demon than man at the end – met him demise.

"P-Preposterous! I am all...powerful...! I...am...eternal! Imm...or...tal...!"

"They were all...lies!"

Such where his last words.

But who lied to him and what was their ultimate aim?

Was Cyrus fully prepared to face the truth that awaited him?

Not only was he searching for answers, but also for Azura, who had disappeared after Yvon had captured both her and a student who had come looking for Cyrus to warn him of the dangers ahead.

Was Azura alright?

The question tortured him and now that he had arrived, he wasn't so sure.

Was Cyrus prepared to see the state of the most important person in his life?

Was he prepared to fight for her?

A foreboding shadow fell over him as he came to Duskbarrow.

"And here we are," I announce as I arrive in a small village, "somewhere in this town, lies the headmaster's ultimate destination...and Azura. Given the nature of his research, it is reasonable to assume that there is a secret laboratory of some sort. Perhaps where Azura is being kept. I will get to the bottom of this and find her no matter what."

I walk into town and notice someone familiar walking up the steps. I stop in my tracks, recognising her.

"Hm? That's the headmaster's assistant, Lucia, was it?" I ponder for a moment, "now that I recall, she disappeared after that incident at the headmaster's house. What's her role in all this? Does she have Azura held captive? I must not let her out of my sight!"

She walks in between some trees, but by the time I reach her, she's disappeared! I look around, "but she was just here! Wherever could she have gone?"

I think for a moment, before noticing something in front of me, "hm? What's this...?" I walk forward slightly, "a button of sorts? Should I press it?" I reach my hand out, but reoil it as another though pops into my head, "perhaps I should pull it instead? Maybe not...in that case, perhaps I should...twist it."

I do so and the door disappears, leading into a secret passageway.

"Well, this is a turn!" I exclaim. Then, on a serious note, add, "I should proceed with caution."

Walking through a decaying corridor, I notice something strange...the murals on the wall.

I take a closer look, "these walls seem quite old...yes they still stand strong. And what are these strange patterns? Look how perfectly they're aligned. Whatever could they be for...?" I think for a moment before it comes to me, "wait...that's it! Together, the markings illustrate something!" I trace my hands along the wall, "here, they billow and swell...an ocean? A flood? It seems to be depicting something overflowing...And yet, the depiction is abstract and surreal. Wait...I've seen markings like these somewhere..." I give a gasp, "of course! The runes of High Hornburgian! The runes are being used to paint a picture! Might there not be a hidden message contained within? It is as if the runes are flowing forth from some kind of gate," I shake my head, "though I hate to admit it, I fear deciphering this will take more time than I have. Azura's life may be in danger. I should move on."