Part 6
The journey to the Sanctuary of Roots began before night fell.
The rain had stopped, but the forest was still shrouded in thick fog. The members of the Emerald Guard advanced in silence, alert to any movement among the trees.
Kael walked beside Lyra and Commander Darius.
Although the pain from the Mark had subsided, he felt a strange energy coursing through his body. Every so often, the symbol on his arm gave off a faint glow, as if responding to something he still couldn't perceive.
“What exactly is the Sanctuary?” he asked.
Darius answered without breaking stride.
“Long before the kingdoms existed, the first Guardians built a place to protect the knowledge of the gods. Books, maps, and Relics that have survived for centuries are kept there.”
“And you think I'll find answers there?”
Lyra looked at him seriously.
“We'll find some. The rest, you'll have to discover for yourself.”
As they continued, Kael noticed something strange.
The trees seemed to lean slightly as he passed.
It wasn't the wind.
It was as if the forest were watching him.
Suddenly, he heard a very faint voice.
“...Kael...”
He stopped.
He looked around.
“Did you hear that?”
The others kept walking.
No one answered.
The voice sounded again.
“...follow me...”
Kael felt an irresistible urge.
Without saying a word, he stepped off the path and began making his way between the trees.
Each step seemed easier than the last.
As if he had known the way forever.
A few minutes later, he reached a small lake with perfectly clear water.
A moss-covered rock floated in the center.
And resting on it was a sword.
It wasn't particularly large.
Its blade was silver and etched with ancient runes.
The hilt was shaped like two intertwined branches.
The sword seemed to be waiting for someone.
“No...”
The voice came again.
This time, much clearer.
“Not yet...”
The moment Kael took a step toward the lake, the sword began to fade until it disappeared completely.
At the same time, Lyra came running up.
“Kael!”
He turned, startled.
“How did you know I was here?”
She was breathing heavily.
“You wandered off without saying a word.
We searched the entire path for you.”
Kael pointed toward the center of the lake.
“There was a sword...”
Lyra studied the water.
There was nothing there.
Only the reflection of the moon beginning to appear between the clouds.
Her expression grew grave.
“Aether Weapons can only be seen by those who have been chosen.”
Kael felt a chill.
“Then... it was real?”
“Yes.”
“Why did it disappear?”
“Because you're not ready to wield it yet.”
Shortly before dawn, they finally arrived at the Sanctuary of Roots.
Kael was speechless.
It wasn't a castle.
Nor was it a temple.
It was a gigantic tree, far larger than the one he had found in the forest.
Its trunk was so wide that an entire city could have fit inside it.
Wooden bridges connected enormous branches where libraries, training halls, and dwellings had been built.
Suspended crystals illuminated the place with a golden light.
Dozens of Guardians moved through the passageways.
Some trained.
Others studied ancient scrolls.
The place conveyed a peace that was difficult to explain.
As they crossed the great wooden gate, an old man was waiting for them.
His white beard reached almost to his waist.
He wore a dark blue robe decorated with golden symbols.
Both hands rested on a staff made from a single twisted branch.
When he saw Kael, he stood perfectly still.
His eyes slowly widened.
“No...”
he murmured.
“It has happened...”
Lyra inclined her head.
“Master Orien.”
The old man didn't take his eyes off Kael.
“Come closer, boy.”
Kael obeyed.
Orien gently took his left arm.
The Mark lit up again.
The old man closed his eyes.
For several seconds, no one spoke.
Finally, he opened his eyes again.
But now there was concern on his face.
A great deal of concern.
“The prophecy was incomplete...”
Darius frowned.
“What do you mean?”
Orien took a deep breath.
“We always believed the Last Aether Bearer would be the one to prevent the return of Darkness...”
He fell silent.
He looked at the Mark again.
Then he finished in a barely audible voice.
“But this Mark says something else.”
Everyone waited.
The old man swallowed.
“It doesn't herald a savior...”
It heralds...
...the heir to the power of the gods.
Absolute silence filled the sanctuary.
Kael felt the ground vanish beneath his feet.
Heir to the gods?
What did that mean?
Before he could form a single question, an enormous bell began ringing throughout the sanctuary.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The Guardians ran toward the walls.
A lookout shouted from above:
“Enemies to the north!”
Another answered from the east side.
“To the east, too!”
And a third, his voice cracked with fear, pointed toward the horizon.
“They're not armies...!”
“They're dragons!”
Kael looked up.
Far away, huge winged silhouettes advanced toward the sanctuary through the dawn clouds.
There wasn't one.
Or two.
It was an entire army.
And at the head of them all flew a figure clad in black armor.
Even from that distance, Kael recognized his golden eyes.
Eryon had returned.