Chapter 16

"By the time we finish going through all of this, Matsu will be gone," Rui complained as he closed another book. "And I can't read half of it."

"Stick to things you can read, then," Keira dropped another thick book on the table in front of him in the middle of Tanten's royal library. "And luckily, most of the library has nothing to do with our search."

"You act like that section is small!" Rui pointed at the back where Aria and Aki were searching through the shelves for their next book. "There are hundreds of books to look through! I was hoping Mr. King would've had an idea which one might have the information we're looking for, but no."

"I apologize for my lack of knowledge. It is shameful to admit how much I've failed in certain parts of my studies." Malik bowed to them. "But I brought a few scholars from underground to help you."

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that." Rui dropped off his chair, bowing his head to the floor.

"No need to grovel. You are right in pointing out my lack of knowledge. Now, here are Lee and Noi." Malik stood tall as he ushered forward a male and female in similar green robes, their long dark hair tied back in braids. "They are my top scholars, and coincidentally, twins. I also brought refreshments, though I ask you to eat and drink away from the books." He gestured to a cart with juice jugs and small sandwiches. "If there's anything else you require, simply ask. I owe you all for getting rid of the ancient demon."

"But it's not like we fixed the demon issue," Keira said, thinking about the sand-rays. "And who knows if more will come through the seals? I wasn't actually sure what would happen when they fully broke, considering a crack is enough to let demons through."

"No one knows, as it's never happened before. All we can do is wait and see while we try to fix it. You are free to take a break as we start." Malik walked past them with Lee and Noi.

"Wait, you're helping, too?" Rui asked, inching slowly toward the cart.

"Yes, of course. This is the most important matter right now, so why wouldn't I?"

"No reason..."

Malik smirked. "Clearly you thought a king wouldn't do his own research. I shall always be open to tasks that are necessary."

"Thank you," Keira said, opening another book as she sat across from Rui's seat at the table.

---

"I think I found something!" Aki stood abruptly, knocking over his chair with a clatter and waking Rui from his slumber.

"Hmm?" Rui rubbed the drool off his face with the back of his hand. "You found something? Oh!" His eyes widened, and he lunged over to Aki's spot at the end of the table as the others gathered around, still holding their current readings.

"What did you find out?" Keira asked, looking up from her book.

"I don't know if I'm translating the text quite right, but it says the seals were created from the magical essence of a powerful mage. A required sacrifice in order to create a core strong enough to keep archdemons out."

Archdemons like Shun told me about.

Fiona shuddered. "Archdemons, what are those?" She rubbed her arms, fighting off the chills despite the warm climate. "Are they like that ancient demon we fought?"

"Worse," Malik said and went to pull a different book off the shelf in the back. He set the book down on the table, flicking it open to a spot with a picture of a horned, humanoid demon with wings. "There are various archdemons, which are basically high-ranking demons that can control lesser demons en masse. It was said they could even enslave humans with their mind-control abilities."

He flicked through the pages, showing them a few different archdemons.

"They all... almost look human," Fiona said, now hiding behind Rui.

"And they're smart like humans. They don't act on instinct alone. They speak our language, and some of them can even morph into a full-human form."

"So even if one got out, we may not know for sure?" Keira asked.

"Correct, though I suppose it's possible certain mages could sense them. Their powers should feel different from that of humans, even if they look the same."

Small relief with that, I suppose, but I can't let my guard down. Tanten's seals were broken; an archdemon may have already gotten out.

"We already knew the seals were linked to magic, but does that mean all it needs is a strong mage to fix it? 'Cause if Keira isn't strong enough for their standards, then we're doomed," Rui said, shaking his head.

But I never made any real sacrifices for it. She couldn't help but think about how her hair lost its colour sometimes. If I had put more into it, would the seals have been completely healed?

"B-but it also says it requires the right combination of elements to match the fundamental nature of the location," Aki continued, flipping the page.

Combination? I can't do it on my own? "But how do you know the nature of the location?"

"That... it doesn't say. Sorry." Aki kept reading, hoping he'd come across something more.

"You read the ancient language quite fast," Malik remarked. "How would you like to be one of our scholars?"

"Hey, I appreciate your hospitality, but please don't poach our people. We need him on our team," Keira said and continued her search.

Aki's cheeks flushed. "T-thank you for recognizing my abilities, but I'm quite happy in Matsu." He glanced at Keira.

"Ah, I see. Well, it didn't hurt to try. Lee and Noi especially would've welcomed you into their rankings," Malik said, the twins behind him nodding.

"Okay, but how do we figure out the elements needed?" Rui asked. "Keira always helped fix cracks in our seals, so she probably has one of the elements needed..."

"For that, we only need look to the original creators of our seals." Lee set a book open on the table, its pages weathered with time.

When Rui went to pull it closer, Noi tapped his hand. "We have to be extra careful with this one, and based on what I've seen, you won't be able to read it well, anyway."

"Tch." Rui huffed, crossing his arms as he sat back.

"There were three heroes." Noi pointed at a picture of three, each in different coloured robes, holding their arms up with a crystal seal in front of them.

"But we already know of the one who saved us as being a lightning mage," Lee added.

"Lightning mage? Where are we going to find one of them?" Rui asked. "I can't say I know of any."

"That's not true." Keira smirked. "There's one in the room with us." She turned to Malik. "Right?"

His eyes glowed with sparks around them. "Indeed, I am, much like our famed hero. We do share the same bloodline, after all."

"But what about the other two elements?" Fiona asked, staring intently at the picture. "Can we base it on the colour of their robes? Some people do like to match their element, but it's not always the case."

"Considering our lack of other information, it's the best we can go off of," Keira said.

"There's one in red, so I guess I'm up?" Rui asked.

"If we're right about it, yes."

"But is green me or you? Wind or... nature?" Fiona asked, staring at Aki. "It can represent either, really. It's like ice versus water."

"Not quite. I'd say those are even closer in their natures than ours," Aki said.

They are quite close in nature. Keira glanced at Aria, who was focusing on a different book off to the side as the rest talked.

"I guess." Fiona shrugged.

Lee and Noi looked at each other and then pointed at Aki. "Based on what we know of the foundation of our city, it would be nature magic," Lee said.

"It's why our underground soil is so abundant," Noi added.

"Is there a ritual or something?" Rui asked, reaching for the book again.

Noi tapped his hand. "Just pour your magic into it at the same time, and if it's correct, it should recreate the seal."

"Right, like I've seen Keira do, but probably more."

"Let's go," Keira said, leading the way.

---

Rui, Aki, and Malik stood around the destroyed crystal seal near the castle.

"Should we hold hands or something?" Rui chuckled, holding his hands out.

"I think we should focus our magic on the seal, not each other." Malik took a deep breath and held his hands out to the destroyed seal.

Rui and Aki followed suit. With their hands held out, magical energy flowed out of them.

The remains of the crystal glowed yellow, then red, then green, and slowly grew taller.

Interesting. Their combined powers really are healing it. Is that why our seals never went back to full strength, or is something else going on? Rui tried to help once, but it had no effect.

"It's working!" Rui cheered.

"Don't lose focus," Malik commanded.

"Yes, sir."

Sweat formed on their foreheads, and their arms shook as their magic drained.

If only I could share my magic with them like Aki does. Keira clenched her shaking fists. Please hold out a little longer.

As the crystal surpassed their eye level, Aki dropped to one knee.

"Aki!" Keira resisted the urge to help him up, unsure if it would interrupt.

"I'm okay," he huffed, forcing himself to stand again.

"Just a bit longer, please," Malik said, despite thinking about the other seal.

A beam of white light erupted into the sky from the seal, and the three men fell back to the ground.

"We did it?" Rui's eyes widened as he stared up at the completed crystal seal. "I can't believe that worked."

The light dissipated, and Keira reached out to touch the seal.

It's not quite right. Something is missing.

Her eyes narrowed. There was always something extra in our seals, though I'm not sure what it was. It doesn't feel... as strong, but is it different here?

"Something wrong?" Malik asked, staring up at her as he sat on the ground, catching his breath.

"It's... I'm not sure." She closed her eyes to focus on the feel of the seal's energy.

"Did we do something wrong?" Rui asked. "Because that certainly took a lot out of me."

"It's weaker," Fiona said from the gate to the castle beside Lee and Noi. "Weaker than our Matsu ones, at least."

"Ah, so we're not powerful enough." Malik sighed.

Maybe it's because no one sacrificed their magic? Or worse? No, I can't let them do that.

"Still, it should stop more from coming through for now, and if we can get the second one working, then the city should be safe from the monsters still roaming nearby," Malik said and got to his feet.

"How do you guys expect to fix the second one right now, when recreating this one landed you all flat on your butts?" Fiona asked.

"Fiona..." Keira called to her in a warning tone.

"Oops. Sorry." She shifted back and to the side to hide behind Lee.

"No, it's okay. She's right. This one took a lot out of us. I'm not sure we'd be able to recreate the other seal right now." Malik hopped to his feet, stumbling forward a step.

Keira reached out to him.

He held his hand up to stop her, and steadied himself, dusting off the back of his robe. "I'm fine, but thank you, Keira. Now, since we need to rest first—"

That's it! "Is there any way you can take energy instead of giving it?" Keira asked Aki, and he froze.

"I-I don't know. I've never tried." Aki's brows dropped, worried about others finding out about his powers.

"Interesting... but not necessary. I'm sure we can eat a hearty meal, get some rest, and continue this tomorrow. I know you all may not be used to underground accommodations." He glanced at Fiona. "But I'm sure we can make you comfortable."

Fiona looked up at the castle and sighed.

"Come on, Fi, it won't be that bad." Rui patted her on the back.

"Sure... if you say so."

Keira held her hand out to Aki.

"T-thank you." Aki took her hand, and she dragged him to his feet. "I guess I'm not as much of an energy source as I thought," he whispered, watching the others head back in. "The other guys seemed to handle it better..."

"I'm not sure it's a good idea, or a healthy idea, to compare yourself to warrior veterans. The training they've been through has helped them build up their own magical energy stores. I know you do some training, being a tower mage, but I don't think it compares to how much it builds out in the field. Don't feel bad about it; you'll get stronger on our journey."

"I sure hope so..."