The library was dimly lit, its grand halls filled with the musty scent of ancient scrolls and forgotten knowledge. Sieg and Arcia pushed through the heavy doors, their boots echoing against the stone floor.
As they entered, the mysterious old man from before appeared from behind a towering stack of books. His eyes gleamed with anticipation.
“You’re back?” he asked with a crooked smile.
“We’re back,” Sieg replied.
“Good. I’ve uncovered some new information you’re going to like.”
Sieg nodded. “That’s why we came back. There’s got to be six seals, one for each legion.”
The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully. “That’s correct.”
Arcia glared at him. “Then why didn’t you tell us sooner?”
“I wasn’t certain,” the old man admitted. “I needed to confirm it first.”
“And where exactly do you get your information?” Sieg asked, narrowing his eyes.
The old man gestured to a corner of the room. “From the scrying pool—a device that reveals visions in the water.”
Arcia crossed her arms. “That explains a lot.”
The old man shuffled over to an old map and unrolled it on the table. “The scroll you found earlier was incomplete, but now we have enough to piece things together.”
He pointed to the map. “Here. I’ll mark the location of the remaining seal for you.”
Sieg and Arcia leaned over the map.
“So,” Arcia asked, “what are the other seals, and where are they?”
The old man smiled knowingly. “Actually, there’s just one more seal to break: the Arcane Seal. It’s tied to the Militia Legion.”
Sieg frowned. “And what about Thanatos?”
“Ah, Thanatos…” The old man’s voice grew somber. “Thanatos is not for breaking seals. He exists to defeat the Shadow and close the portal to the Dark World.”
The room fell silent as the weight of his words sank in.
“Where’s the Arcane Seal?” Sieg finally asked.
The old man pointed downward. “Right under your feet.”
“What?!” Arcia exclaimed, looking down at the floor.
The old man chuckled. “This library holds more secrets than you realize. Beneath us lies a hidden passage where I’ve been accessing the scrying pool. Deeper still, another passage leads to the Arcane Seal.”
“But,” he warned, “the Arcane Seal cannot be broken until all the others are dealt with.”
Sieg sighed. “So, we head west first.”
“Exactly,” the old man said, his tone growing urgent. “You must hurry. The Shadow’s power grows stronger with every passing minute.”
Arcia tilted her head. “If the Shadow’s so powerful, why is she attacking small villages? Why not target royalty or knights? Seems kind of… pathetic.”
The old man’s expression darkened. “She feeds on fear. Small villages are easy prey, and the fear she sows there strengthens her.”
Arcia nodded slowly. “Ohhh, that makes sense. Actually, that explains a lot.”
The old man waved them toward the door. “Enough talk. Time is of the essence. Go now!”
Sieg tightened his grip on his sword. “Let’s move.”
Without another word, he and Arcia left the library, their resolve steeled. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but they now had the answers they needed to continue their quest.
YOU ARE READING
Chaos Legion 2
ФанфикYears after Sieg defeated Victor Delacroix, peace returned. But trouble was brewing just around the corner. Even defeated, delacroix left behind an open portal to the dark world.
