The Collector

CHAPTER 4

"I didn't know that cave was still working, not after what happened hundreds of years ago.", said Avenicus while taking a whiff from his cup of wine, then gradually putting it down.
"Someone must have fixed it. Like it was being restored for some use."

"What could be of it?", I asked.

"That cave was a link between countless worlds; including yours, of course.", he said in a slightly raised voice.
"I don't know what might happen if that will be used for selfish schemes, or for any matters worse. It was sealed for a purpose: to not let anyone abuse its abilities. It was after all had been subjected to that, and everyone in this world won't want to witness such events ever again."

"It happened before?"

He nodded. Then he continued to speak in a softer tone, as if he were to tell an old tale.

"In the Ancient of Days, all of Aetheria and its surrounding continents were but one, massive piece of land. The people, during the times, built three towers to stand and watch over the vast lands of Teradrel, the One continent. The Adamantine tower was first built by the Dwarves somewhere in the North, which then stood by the highest peaks of the Draken Mountains near Ingon, the Realm of the mighty Dwarvish king, Thrūsh. No one really knows when such tower was built; it was discovered by people from across their travels. It was found standing still, barely weathered by the ages.", he told.
"The second and third towers were built by the Elves. One was built in the highfells of Gúrdan at the West; the other was at the South, in a region called Tel'amman. They both formed a formidable guard against groups of rebel and ruffians, and towards the horde of orcs that profusely populate nearby territories."

"Little did they know that the towers they built connected to form the 'Opening of the Worlds' at the center, which was the cave.", he added.

He continued after a short pause, thinking of something important. He squinted his eyes.

"I can remember it. The tower which was built in the highfells of Gúrdan, after the Great War occured... It was besieged and forced to submit under Denârus, the High king of Men. His ruling power after the seige went deadly; all should pay homage to him. Nothing can stop his dominion over the lands.", he enunciated.
"When the tower was seized, it was used to widen their quest to further subdue all of the other races. But then after past a century, it was abandoned... Recently, there had been reports about surreptitious movements lingering around that tower. I'm afraid, this could be connected to the restoration of the cave."

"The woman? What can you say about her? Is she one of those people who could have restored the cave? Is she one of us?", I replied.

"I can't say. She might be one of us. But it is odd to think she knew about the cave and its restored state.", he explained, taking a short pause, then asking a curious question.
"What did the lady, then, told you in the span of time you were together?"

"Something of real importance, she told.", I answered.
"While we were on the boat heading towards the cave, she told me something about the jeweled necklace I had obtained from a clearing I once were. She said that it was a shard of something..."

"The shard of the Crystal of Aetherys?", he questioned instinctively.

"Yes, and..."

"You need to gather the other pieces together?"

"Well yes, to forge the..."

"Relic of Light...", he said gradually, in an astonished face; mildly gawking at the direction behind me.

"H-How did you know?", I asked.

"I figured it out.", he answered, his attention instantly shifts towards mine.
"She was not like any other human. She belongs to the order of beings called, 'Avari'. They were sent to aid whatever endeavors this world needs to attend. There are a lot of things to be clarified."