14: Alvan and Emelda

In the expansive basement, Kael was seen making his way toward the platform where the elders and guardians had gathered. When he arrived, he knelt on one knee with his head bowed down. Then he said, "I didn't find Alvan anywhere in the basement. I checked every possible nook and cranny, but there was no sign of him... or even Emelda." One could tell from his voice how worried he sounded.

"What? Where could he be? Do you think he left the basement and went to the settlement?" The High Priest frowned as he contemplated the possibility of Alvan not being in the basement.

"I don't think so," said Apphira. Her silver dress seemed to gleam under the dimly lit basement. "I don't know this Alvan, but he couldn't have left the basement without us noticing any fluctuation in cosmic energy in the Dome Array. So, he is definitely somewhere in this basement..."

"You mean somewhere secluded with the other girl that hasn't been seen. They must be very intimate... ha, ha, ha," said Azura sarcastically, interrupting his sister. Apphira nudged him slightly, and he quickly regained his composure before the others, who were now glaring at him for his previous statement.

However, after considering Azura's words, they couldn't agree more with what he said. If not strengthening the bond between him and his betrothed, what else could they be doing at this moment? Especially with the plague threatening to destroy their land, everyone in his shoes would like to savor every moment of intimacy with their betrothed, in case they became a shadow undead the next day.

"I wonder if there is truly a place in this basement where he could hide, beyond the reach of a Templar knight," the skeptical High Priest remarked.

"I think we should head towards the chamber. We can summon him there using the stone gate. As long as he is wearing the bracelet, summoning him won't be a problem. So let's not waste time," suggested Kamuth, who hasn't contributed much to their discussions since.

"Okay. That is a great idea because we cannot afford to waste any more time gathering information on how to combat the shadow plague. However, not all of us will be going to the chamber. It's just to get a tome, I think I should just go with this Templar knight."

The knight to whom the High Priest was referring was none other than Kael. He rose to his feet and bowed to the others before closely following the High Priest. But Kael was curious about the chamber where he was being taken and also eager to witness some of the secrets he had overheard them briefly discussing. When they arrived at the location where the three knights were stationed, they walked past them and entered a pitch-dark area. However, the High Priest's staff crystal provided illumination as they made their way through what appeared to be a passageway.

However, as they went deeper into the passageway, the High Priest abruptly stopped in his tracks. He sniffed the air before waving his hand in front of him. And before their eyes, there was a faint residue of golden energy lingering in the air, barely visible. If the High Priest had not been attuned to enchantment and transcended the cosmic mage realm, they would not have been able to detect the energy residue. This can only mean one thing... The High Priest frowned even more deeply as he quickened his steps towards the stone gate ahead of them.

Standing before the stone gate were the High Priest and Kael. The High Priest inspected the area and noticed an increased presence of golden energy residue near the gate.

"As expected, someone, or rather an elemental cosmic mage, seemed to have visited this place not too long ago. And from his energy residue, he seemed to be quite strong," muttered the High Priest in a low voice. But Kael heard everything he said, so the knight placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, prepared to face whatever had dared to visit their secret basement chamber.

As the High Priest approached the stone gate, a thought lingered in his mind: Could it be one of the guardians? Were any of them here to obtain the Book of Immortality, seeking immortality as Zamon once did? However, there was another option he was considering, but that option seemed unfeasible.

Just as he inspected the stone gate to summon Alvan by channeling his cosmic energy into the small hole on it, it would cause the crystal key on his bracelet to pull him over. He was even more shocked when he discovered that the hole was no longer on the stone gate.

"Impossible! No, it can't be him... Was he the one who left those remnants of cosmic energy?" The High Priest muttered again, and this time shock was evident in his voice. The other option, which he had refused to accept earlier, was that Alvan had been here. However, that would imply that he was the one who left behind the energy residue around.

It was because he knew that Alvan was half Aetherian and hadn't started harnessing cosmic energy. That was why he had considered it non-feasible. However, upon seeing no hole in the stone gate (which would indicate that the crystal had been inserted to open it) and realizing that he was the only one not currently in the basement, he began to reconsider. Not to mention, the utilization of cosmic energy here was too amateurish, resulting in detectable energy remnants.

Comforting himself with the fact that perhaps Alvan was fortunate enough to gain the recognition of celestial beings and be granted the ability to harness cosmic energy, he went to open the stone gate. Even though he was surprised, he wasn't completely taken aback because the twin guardians had also ascended to the realm of cosmic mages at a young age. The High Priest aimed his staff at the fissure that ran through the center of the stone gate and began channeling his cosmic energy, attempting to unlock the sturdy stone gate.

***

Alvan's and Emelda's lips were about to connect when Alvan picked up the sound of footsteps with his heightened sense of hearing. At that moment, his brain was urging him to be cautious about the sound of footsteps he heard, but his heart was telling him the opposite. And it seemed to dominate his thoughts, drowning out all rationality as he was overwhelmed with the desire to savor those luscious lips, waiting to be devoured.

He took a deep breath, fully inhaling the fragrant scent of Emelda's hair. This gave him the resolve he needed to finally go for her lips. In that passionate moment, their lips intertwined, each trying to consume the other. In summary, it was a passionate kiss. When their lips parted, Alvan could already feel a pulsating energy emanating from the stone gate, an energy he instantly recognized...

Before he could say a word, Emelda spoke up first, "So you were about to show me something earlier? Or have you forgotten?" She said, grinning. Her face was still flushed, but it was concealed under the crimson glow in the chamber.

"Umm... It was nothing serious... just an illustration that I found interesting," Alvan stuttered.

"How about we kiss again? I'm not satisfied with the brief one we just had," she said, pouting her lips and trying to act naughty in front of him.

Alvan grinned widely before pointing at the stone gate. "What about that? If you don't mind, I would prefer to spend the rest of my life with you here."

"You! Must you always ruin my mood? You are heartless," said Emelda. However, she shifted closer to Alvan but turned her face to the other side to prevent Alvan from seeing her face.

Alvan smiled even more as he ran his fingers through her fluffy, silky hair, caressing it. He then said, "Trust me, you will thank me later for saving you from the embarrassment of being caught by the High Priest while kissing an innocent man." Just as he finished saying these words, she turned her head towards him and gave him a questioning look. Alvan responded with a nod.

"I guess we should head towards the stone gate. Don't worry. When all of this is over, I will be completely yours, ready to do whatever you want. I will be at your mercy," said Alvan, a wicked smirk playing on his handsome face.

When they approached the stone gate, they heard the High Priest calling Alvan's name. Even though Alvan had heard his name being called for the first time, he chose not to answer until he reached the stone gate. After he answered the High Priest, he heard the voice of the High Priest say:

"Press the crystal on the lantern stand on the right-hand side closest to the stone gate. I will be able to open the stone gate from this side after turning the lever."