TBATE - Not Bound By Fate

Part 22

"Welcome Arthur-Grey and his companions, I have been waiting for you." I heard it being said in a child's voice, the source nowhere to be found. What startled me the most wasn't hearing the voice or its words, it was the fact that it was the same voice I heard when my aether core changed.

As the three of us looked for the person speaking I took note of our surroundings. We were in what seemed to be a museum, with weird objects and weapons inside of display cases or hung on the wall. There are notes next to every item, probably explaining what they are or what they do, but it was in a language I couldn't recognize, much less read.

"Show yourself!" Varay demanded, forming an ice sword in her hand.

"That might be a little hard considering I don't have a body. Also, please undo that sword, I have no intention of harming any of you."

"And why should we believe you?" Questioned Jasmine.

"Because I don't have a body, obviously. How would I harm you when I can't physically touch you?" The voice said in a playful tone.

Why does this situation feel familiar? The museum-like structure, the disembodied voice, where have I heard about this before? As I thought about it, I remembered the story Tess told back when we had just traveled through time.

"You're the Archivist, aren't you?" I asked expecting a positive reply.

"Look at you being a good boyfriend and paying attention when your significant other was talking. Yes, you are correct, I am the Archivist. A pleasure to make your acquaintance Arthur-Grey, Jasmine Flamesworth and Varay Aurae." It introduced itself while Varay and Jasmine looked confused.

"How do you know our names?" Varay asked.

"Simple really, just think about my name or title. It isn't just for show."

We were all left thinking about its statement and Jasmine approached me.

"How do you know about this thing? And why is it calling you Arthur-Grey?" She asked and I could see Varay was also interested in the answer.

"For the first question, it's a long story. As for the second, I think it's because Grey is also my name in a way. I'll explain everything after we get out of here." She simply nodded at my reply. "What do you want with us?" I asked.

"Me? I just want to give a little aid to your people in the upcoming war."

I could see Jasmine wanted to ask something but Varay beat her to it.

"Why would you do that? What's in it for you?"

"Because I'm bored?" The Archivist said it more like a question than anything else and all he got was silence in response as none of us believed him. "That won't cut it, huh? Alright here's the real motive. The ending our local Godkiller was going to reach left me unsatisfied, so I meddled a little bit to get a different one. Now stop asking questions and go to the exhibition hall to your left."

We all looked at each other and did as instructed. The hall we were in now only had three objects on display. On the left side of the room was a pitch black orb that seemed to absorb all light, around seven centimeters in diameter. In the middle of the room near the wall was a silver spearhead with blue engravings. And on the right side was a green wand with the tip being made of a yellow gem in the shape of a diamond.

"Now, you probably want to know what these are so let me explain. Each of these artifacts were made with the Lances of each race in mind. They were made like that in order to help them gain insight into their respective affinities and remove the limiters placed in them by the Asuras. The one on the left is for dwarves, the middle for humans and the right one for the elves." As the Archivist finished speaking the three artifacts were enveloped in a purple light and flew into my storage rune.

"What the..." I was a bit startled by the occurrence, but I understood what happened. I tried pulling out the three objects just to be sure and when they appeared in my hands I quickly stored them again.

"I do have one more gift to give, this time for Jasmine. I wasn't sure if you'd come here with them but I'm glad you did. Can you do me a favor and turn around?"

We all did as it asked even though it was most likely directed to Jasmine alone and were met with a pedestal that wasn't there before. On top of it was a pair of short swords. One of them was a thin, single edged blade while the other was a wide double edged blade with a flat end instead of the typical tip you would find on a normal sword or dagger.

"These two blades have a special function. I won't tell you what they can do, it's up to you to figure out. Also, make sure to give them a good name as the blacksmith who made them decided Fang and Molar was good enough."

"Thank you, I will." Jasmine replied and paused for a second before continuing. "Can you elaborate on the war you mentioned earlier?"

"Well I could, but I don't really feel like it. Just ask those two as they know what I was talking about earlier." The Archivist said and I could feel he was pointing at me and Varay even though it doesn't have a hand to do so while Jasmine simply nodded. "Well, that will be all from me for today. I'll call again before the war starts Arthur-Grey, there is much you don't know about this conflict yet."

As the words finished leaving his mouth, we fell through a portal that suddenly opened beneath our feet and found ourselves back in the portal room under the mansion flat on our asses.

"He could've given us a warning at least." I groaned.

After we got up the teleportation gate in the room closed. I tried activating it again but there was no response.

"Let's go back for now, it doesn't look like this will be opening anytime soon." I told my companions. "By the way, what are you going to report to Blaine, Varay?"

"I'll just tell him the gate malfunctioned and we ended up back in the same room. What about your reward? Do you want to get it now or should I have it delivered in the Helstea manor?"

"Delivered. I think it's best I take some time to rest a bit before going back to the glades, and I need to fill in Jasmine in our situation."

"Yes, I would very much like some answers."

"Alright, it shouldn't take more than a day or two for you to receive it." Said Varay.

After this short exchange we made our way back to the surface where we went our separate ways, Varay going to the palace while Jasmine and I went to the teleportation gates so we could go back to Xyrus. We didn't talk on the way as I was trying to figure out how much I should tell Jasmine and she was probably thinking what to ask me.

"Any brilliant ideas on your mind Regis?"

"You could ask your mom to help you, considering she's in the same boat."

"Right, it will also make the whole thing more believable."

"What would you do without me princess?"

"Yeah, yeah, you're amazing. Just don't let it go to your head or my core may explode from the size of your ego."