The Spell Thief Vol.1

Chapter 3: Shadows in the Mist

Aldara stood by her window, staring at the city of Lunaris sprawled out beneath the pale light of the moon. The familiar hum of magic in the streets was subdued tonight, as if the city itself had taken a deep breath and was holding it. Her mind replayed Elara's words over and over.

Vaelor.

The name whispered through the corridors of history like a ghost. It was a name that had haunted the Mage Guild for centuries, a figure whose very existence had been debated. Some said Vaelor had been a rogue mage who'd delved too deep into forbidden magics; others claimed Vaelor had transcended the boundaries of mortality, becoming something far more dangerous. A legend, a myth—or a real and looming threat.

But the Guild was concerned. That much was clear. And if Elara, one of the Guild's most powerful mages, was coming to her for help, then things were far worse than they appeared.

Aldara tightened her grip on the windowsill. She had left the Guild for a reason. The corruption, the politics, the power games—it had all been too much. And yet, here she was, drawn back into the world she had fought so hard to escape. There was no denying it now. The theft of Solon's spells was just the beginning. Something darker, something far more dangerous, was lurking beneath the surface, and Aldara knew that she was now in the middle of it.

The question was, how deep did the rabbit hole go?

She turned away from the window and began pacing the room, her thoughts racing. Ivar would be gathering information, but she needed more. Vaelor wasn't just a random name whispered in dark corners—it was a key, a clue to something much bigger. And if there was one person who knew more about Vaelor than anyone else, it was someone Aldara hadn't seen in years.

She reached for her coat, pulling it over her shoulders as she grabbed her dagger and secured it beneath her belt. There was no time to waste. She had to pay a visit to Master Thaleos.

The upper district of Lunaris was a stark contrast to the lower regions where Aldara had spent her night. The streets here were wide, lined with marble statues of ancient mages and lit by glowing orbs that floated above the grand avenues. The air was crisp, cleaner, and the magic here was stronger, more controlled. The Mage Guild's influence was palpable in every corner, from the towering spires of the magical academies to the gilded homes of the wealthy and powerful.

Aldara kept her hood low as she moved through the district, her eyes scanning the quiet streets for any sign of trouble. The last thing she needed was to draw attention to herself. The Guild still had eyes and ears everywhere, and while her break from them had been official, there were always those who held grudges.

She reached the towering gates of the Arcane Archives, the oldest and most revered institution in Lunaris. The Archives were a massive structure, a fortress of knowledge where the most powerful spells, ancient texts, and forbidden magics were kept under strict guard. But Aldara wasn't interested in the vaults tonight. Her destination was deeper within the labyrinthine halls of the building.

The guards at the entrance barely spared her a glance as she slipped through the gates. The Archive's wards recognized her presence, allowing her passage with only a faint flicker of magical light. Once inside, she made her way through the dimly lit corridors, her footsteps echoing off the polished stone floors.

The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and the faint hum of ancient magic. Shelves upon shelves of books stretched out in every direction, some sections sealed off by powerful wards, others patrolled by silent librarians who watched over the knowledge with an almost religious reverence.

Aldara wound her way through the maze of corridors until she reached the central tower, the heart of the Archives. It was here that Master Thaleos resided, a recluse within his own domain, surrounded by his vast collection of magical texts and relics.