The academy archives stretched beneath the main tower like a subterranean city. Kaelen moved through the
labyrinthine shelves with practiced ease, his [Eyes of the Sovereign] cutting through the magical darkness that
had claimed this section centuries ago.
He was looking for answers about the Ancient Ones.
Since the Labyrinth Lord's defeat, the System had been... different. More urgent. The [Final Quest]
countdown ticked relentlessly in the corner of his vision: 347 days remaining to reach Level 100.
[Hidden Quest Discovered: The Forbidden Archives]
[Location: Academy Sub-Level 7]
[Warning: Restricted Access - Level 50+ Required]
[Override: Eyes of the Sovereign - Access Granted]
The hidden door materialized from solid stone, responding to his unique class authority. Beyond it lay a
chamber that shouldn't exist—a circular room filled with floating tomes that orbited a central pedestal like
planets around a sun.
"The Prime Records,
" Kaelen breathed.
He approached the pedestal. A single book rested upon it, bound in material that looked like leather but felt
like starlight. The title, written in a language that shifted and changed as he watched, finally settled into words
he could understand:
On the Nature of the System and Its Creators.
Kaelen's hands trembled as he opened it.
The first page showed a map—not of Aethelgard, but of something far larger. Worlds upon worlds,
connected by golden threads, each one hosting its own System. And at the center of it all, a void darker than
anything Kaelen had ever conjured.
"The Origin,
" he read aloud.
"Source of all Systems. Prison of the Ancient Ones.
"
The book continued:
7Shadows of the Past
"In ages past, before the first star ignited, there existed beings of pure concept. They shaped reality with thoughts alone,
created life from nothingness, and built the framework that would become the System. But power corrupted. The Ancient
Ones turned against their creation, seeking to unmake everything.
"
"The System's creators sacrificed themselves to imprison the Ancient Ones, sealing them in the void between worlds. But
seals weaken. And the Ancient Ones... they wait. They hunger.
"
Kaelen turned the page and froze.
The illustration showed a figure standing before a swirling portal of darkness. The figure wore his face.
Below it, a prophecy:
"When the Void Archon walks, the seals shall tremble. When the Sovereign ascends, the prison shall crack. And when
the Final Candidate reaches apotheosis, the Ancient Ones shall rise again to reclaim what was theirs.
"
Kaelen slammed the book shut, his heart hammering against his ribs.
"I'm not a harbinger of doom,
" he whispered.
"I'm going to stop them.
"
But deep in his soul, where the void energy pooled like a second heartbeat, something ancient stirred in
agreement.