Chapter 23:

Little Arin’s, Little Revelation

Silent Shards


Amidst the mystical aura of the fabled chamber, Arin and I slowly rose to our feet, our eyes darting around in awe at the ancient arcane artifacts that filled the vast space. Each artifact emitted a subtle, yet palpable, zeal of Aurorush energy, illuminating the chamber with an otherworldly glow. Dust and cobwebs covered every surface, giving the chamber an air of long-forgotten secrets, as if time itself had hesitated to disturb the enigmatic treasures hidden within.

Seeming entranced by the artifacts, I couldn't help but speak, my voice hushed in reverence, "Seems like we've stumbled upon something truly extraordinary once again."

Arin furrowed his brows, his scholarly mind at work, carefully examining the surroundings with a mix of wonder and intense focus. He responded, "Indeed. And the knowledge contained within these artifacts seems to be confided not just to me but to anyone in HarmonVale. This place holds ancient wisdom waiting to be unraveled."

As we ventured deeper into the chamber, Sylphalope's keen awareness kicked in, and she spoke up, "Hey, master. As you later mentioned that this boy is a sage, why don’t you ask him about Aurorush and how to control it?"

Her suggestion struck a chord with me, reassuring me that I wasn't alone in facing the challenges of this world. "Sylpha, you're right. Let me ask him," I replied, grateful for her guidance.

Clearing my throat, I turned to Arin and inquired, "Can you tell me about Aurorush? How does it shape this world, and what role does it play in the fight against evil?"

Arin's gaze was intense, almost intimidating my lesser knowledge of this world, but he answered, "Aurorush is the lifeblood of our world, the flow of energy that keeps it alive and prosperous. It intertwines with the very essence of nature and magic. For us, it acts as a helper in the fight against evil, for Aurorush is attuned to the forces of good. However, one must learn to control it, or else they risk falling into the dark vile."

His response piqued my curiosity further, and I probed, "Can you tell me how one can achieve control over Aurorush? It seems like a power worth mastering."

Arin seemed hesitant and doubtfully answered, "I can, but I'm not sure how it will be useful to you."

Feeling the need to reveal some truths to darkness, I summoned the dagger I held and showed it to him. He was astonished, fixating on the dagger's metal and intricate structure. "Where did you get this? What are you?" he questioned, captivated by the enigma I represented.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I evaded the truth with a tinge of deception, saying, "It's nothing. One day, it just appeared in my hand. But that's beside the point. I'm keen to learn more about Aurorush and its control."

Skeptical, Arin persisted, "Do you really think I'll believe that? Anyway, show it to me."

I hesitated but ultimately let the dagger dissipate from my hand, leaving behind a lingering sense of its mysterious power. As Arin examined it closely, I could sense his growing curiosity. However, I couldn't reveal everything to him yet, so I said, "I'm sorry, I cannot show it to you fully. It's a matter of keeping certain secrets safe."

Arin's eyes held a mix of surprise and understanding. "Fine. If you want to keep something in the dark, you can. Everyone has the freedom to do that."

In my observation, it appeared that he had something concealed behind his gaze, and I had a persistent curiosity about his wisdom. So, I deliberately inquired, "It seems you also harbor a secret in the shadows."

Attempting to evade my question, he diverted his attention to the container we possessed, which was the only clue to the source of the poison, as this young boy believed.

I let out a sigh, affectionately patting his head, and reassured him, "Don't worry, you can confide in me, and we'll be even."

He responded assertively, "You're quite insistent."

Undeterred, I continued, "You already know a bit of my secret. Just share yours, and I promise not to tell anyone."

I couldn't fathom what he perceived in my eyes or about me, but he unexpectedly revealed a side of himself that contradicted his usual demeanor, saying, "I don't think so, genius suits me better."

To that, I questioned, "What makes you think that?"

As we ventured further into the legendary chamber, trying to find a way through, the lamplights flickered. It was in this moment that Arin, the Young Sage, disclosed his wisdom, or perhaps the source of his power.

He began by recalling our earlier conversation about Aurorush, stating, "As I explained before, Aurorush takes on a unique form for each individual, in a way that can only be truly understood not just through sight but through the depth of one's spirit."

"My abilities are considerable, no doubt. However, there is a limit to harnessing that power. Until I fully comprehend the cause or what is truly unfolding, I remain almost powerless," he concluded. For the first time, a tinge of disappointment crossed his face, perhaps a result of various experiences in his short life.

"I see it now," I exclaimed.

"What?" he inquired, reverting to his assumed persona.

In a teasing manner, I replied, "Nothing. Just that you are still a kid, but one who knows himself quite well."

"There's no need to worry. You'll be fine. Just like Princess Vespa believes in you, so does everyone else," I assured him.

Amidst our conversation, we encountered two diverging paths, with each door concealing the mystery of where to proceed.

He let out a sigh, suppressing his smile, and said, "If you're finished, let's find out where we need to go from here."

Suddenly, one of the doors swung open with a force that seemed to defy natural laws, as if an unseen power beckoned from within. The pull was almost magnetic, and I instinctively knew it was a danger that needed immediate attention.

Without hesitation, I pushed Arin aside, determined to protect him from the mysterious force. He clutched my hand, refusing to let me face it alone. “Just hold on; I will get you back," he said firmly, his eyes unwavering with determination.

"It's fine," I reassured him, my mind racing to find a solution. "You go for the poisonous element along that vial container. I'll deal with this force. Be careful."

Reluctantly, I loosened his grip, but his eyes displayed concern. I smiled reassuringly, trying to convey that it’s alright, and he grunted, perhaps frustrated by my stubbornness.

With a final nod, I let the grip slowly fade, and the door slammed shut behind me, plunging me into darkness once more. The sense of mystery and

anticipation was palpable, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

In the enveloping gloom, a voice reverberated, sending shivers down my spine, "Finally, got you here."

Gathering my wits, I retorted, trying to mask my unease, "Huh? Who the hell are you?"

The figure behind the voice remained elusive, concealed in the shadows. “That should be my question.” The voice was loud, yet its source seemed maddeningly close and distant at the same time. I couldn't discern where to direct my gaze, adding to the enigmatic atmosphere that surrounded me.

As the tension thickened, my heart pounded in my chest, and every instinct urged me to find the source of this voice and unravel the secrets hidden in this darkness. With courage in my voice, I called out, "Reveal yourself! What do you want with me?"

Silence engulfed the chamber, and I held my breath, waiting for an answer that seemed to take an eternity to come. The ancient artifacts around me seemed to pulse with a newfound energy, responding to the enigmatic presence lurking in the shadows.

The chamber held its secrets close, and I was determined to uncover them. With each passing moment, the air grew more charged, and I braced myself for whatever lay ahead.

Aman
badge-small-bronze
Author: