Terraverde

After a good night's sleep, we all gathered outside the next morning to discuss our plans and next course of action.

"Where's Azarya?" I looked around but didn't see the taciturn man anywhere. The girls seemed to have just discovered his disappearance as well. We had previously divided ourselves into two camps based on gender and only the men would have an idea. They seemed to have realized that as well and we turned out inquiring gazes towards them.

Azazyl coughed and scratched his head embarrassedly.

"Um I wanted to say something earlier. He said he was going to back to Verdigris to scout for information and see if anything has changed."

I frowned slightly

"He could have waited to tell us "

"Errr. He did say he would catch up with us in Terraverde though. So... Anyways that was quite thoughtless of him. Anything can happen in a span of a few hours, much less days"

"I agree, it was reckless of him to leave without informing us," I said, with concern. "We should have discussed this as a group before making any decisions."

Azazyl nodded in agreement. "I know, I know. But he's been acting strange lately. I think he's been carrying some burden alone."

I raised my brows at his words. "You seem to know a lot about his feelings for someone who met not too long ago"

He shrugged. "Well, I'm perceptive like that. I know I haven't known him that long but something's up with him"

"We need to focus on our current situation," Draco said, pulling us out of our silent power play. "We can't change the past, but we can prepare for the future. Let's review our plans and ensure we're ready for any unforseen events. Besides we don't know what Terraverde is like now so it's good to proceed with caution"

The group nodded, and we began discussing our strategy for reaching Terraverde. As we talked, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Azarya's departure was more than just a simple scouting mission. The sense of unease was gnawing on me and I didn't know what to do. I just sighed and decided to focus on the present task.

After finalizing our plans, we set off towards Terraverde, our senses heightened, and our guard up. The journey was uneventful, but the tension within the group was palpable.

We walked for about four days before we made it there. We were all tired and seeing the end so near helped to boost our depleting morale.

As we approached the outskirts of Terraverde, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Azarya, his expression grim, and his eyes sunken.

"Are you okay? What did you find out?" I asked, as he approached us. I didn't even want to think about how he had managed to catch up despite our few days head start.

"It's worse than we thought," he replied, his voice low. "The city is heavily guarded, I think Drayven is holding them hostage for some reason and won't let them go. Aes sídhe really is dead. The person we saw that time was just a copy controlled by Drayven. I don't know the particulars but for now, Verdigris is a no zone.

We decided to rest here for a few hours and then we went to Terraverde. Security was a bit lax and we got in easily. Only, we received a lot of curious looks. I can't even blame them. Our group is pretty conspicuous with a dragon shifter, a demon, four faes and a somewhat half-blood but it was still a bit uncomfortable having everyone's sight focused on us.

We continued our journey amid gazes from humans and finally made it to the library. I couldn't help but sigh in relief.

We walked in slowly and I looked around, a bit curious about this ancient place. But it seemed deserted. I didn't pay much attention to that. We had more things to do. I had learnt early on that the book I had read was not to be completely relied on. So right now, I was basically a fish out of water.

"Guys let's split up. Well have a faster chance of finding something that way"

No one had any objections and we all moved to different parts of the library.

As I walked deeper into the library, the air grew thick with the scent of aged parchment and forgotten knowledge. Shelves upon shelves of ancient texts stretched towards the vaulted ceiling, their leather-bound spines creaking with the weight of centuries.

We spent hours poring over the shelves, unearthing tomes bound in worn leather and adorned with strange symbols. The texts spoke of forgotten lore, ancient civilizations, and mysterious arts.

I began to realize, with some fear that this was really a strange world. It wasn't my world. I had forced myself not to focus on the differences but this made me face the reality. I wasn't who I was before. No matter how much I tried to fool myself. I sat on the floor and took some time to collect myself. Since I don't have any chance of going back, then I might as well integrate into this world wholly.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow through the windows, I  stumbled upon a hidden chamber deep within the library's labyrinthine corridors. The room was small, with walls lined with books and ancient scrolls with a single, ornate desk at its center. I raised my voice and shouted.

"GUYS! OVER HERE. I think I found something"

As I was gearing up to yell again, they all rushed over from their different corners. I didn't expect them to actually hear me the first time but, oh well.

They were all holding a book or two in their hands. Azazyl was holding a book with the picture of tri coloured stone on it. If my guess it right, That should be the trinity stone. When he saw me looking at the book, he immediately started talking about it.

"I found a book about the stone. I suddenly have a sense of reality about what I've done."

I glared at him

"Oh so now you get it? You know what let's just— forget that. I found a secret room. We might have more luck searching here"

And reality proved that we did.

Firtha found something, it was written in old fae language. I hadn't had time to learn it yet.

The texts that spoke of an ancient entity, one that had been thought long defeated. The writings were cryptic, but they hinted at a power that could change the course of our world forever.

She was surprised and so was I. Realistically speaking, this should be in the fae library back in Verdigris. Not here. Because there was a lot in it about ancient fae history. What we had previously thought was all of it, turned out to be jut the tip of the iceberg.

Azarya's expression turned grim. "I think I've heard about this before. Sometime when I was younger, I eves dropped on my father's conversation with some friends and they seemed to be talking about something like this. I'm not entirely sure, but I overheard them talk of an ancient entity, one that was thought to be long defeated. If it returns, we'll face a catastrophe unlike anything we've ever known.

We all had different expressions on our faces, but undoubtedly one thought. That thing can't be allowed to return. But why do I have a feeling we can't stop it.

"This ancient being, what exactly is it? Do you have any idea how to stop it or what it fears?"

"I don't know exactly but I think it has something to do with the trinity stone" He slid a subtle glance at Azazyl.

"What if—"

"Oh my goodness"

I heard Elowen"s barely audible voice and looked at her, confirming we did indeed have the same thought and completed the sentence

"–The trinity stone is a seal?"

Everyone's expressions could be described as colourful and we all glanced at Azazyl again.

I found a book that talked about the bloody three and showed it to Azazyl. He pointed at the almost faded out but still visible drawing of bloodwraits.

"Yes that's it. That's what I was talking about before. "

We all gathered around the book and looked at the drawings of the other two as well. Shadowborn and Wrymkins.

"Do you guys think the broken seal caused these things to appear?"

I looked at Elyria. She had been a bit quiet since we got here.

"Pretty good chance it did. If we take the timing and everything into consideration. I don't know if I should be glad or not that only the bloodwraits appeared for now."

The taciturn man suddenly spoke up

"I agree. But one thing I can't understand is why we seem to be given time. According to the book we would have been dead by now. Taking into consideration how much chaos the book said it would cause and how much chaos we're actually facing, the book— is a bit of an over exaggeration"

"It's cause the stone isn't totally broken"

Now it was my turn to be shocked

"Say what now?"

"I didn't fully destroy the stone, it was only a crack"

"Then why didn't you say so earlier?"

"I wanted to confirm something "

"And did you?"

"Yes. It's not good"

He picked up a book and pointed at a couple of words

*The trinity stone is the only home for all beings. It must be protected at all cost. If for any reason, it is damaged, a faes light magic is the only way to repair*

"Wellll... I don't see anything worth worrying about there. You literally have four faes here. And me."

"Read further"

*But if it is damaged by a person of demon blood, the vitiation is irreversible and it shall slowly degenerate until fully destroyed. Henceforth there is no solution. And the world shall bear a terrible cost.*

"Well that's depressing"

Why did I even hope it would be so easy? The fl was a fae. If it was this easy she wouldn't have died!!!!!

" At least now we're sure this was definitely planned. Azazyl, keep that stone safe. At least buy us some time. We're not fully done for until the stone is totally broken. Make sure that doesn't happen for a while. Whoever is behind this isn't someone who has regard for the life of others. I don't want to take any chances "

We all sat down on the wooden floor lost in our own thought when someone broke the closed off atmosphere. It was a young man with black wavy hair and smiling brown eyes.

"Hello, Am I interrupting something?"

He looked to be almost Draco's height. He walked in carelessly and raised a brow when be saw our current situation. I didn't want to have to deal with anyone right now. The others probably shared the same thought as we all ignored him but he didn't seem to notice and walked right in.

"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Flint Rozehn. My father heard of your visit but sadly I was away during the day so he sent me to receive you now. My apologies "

"Who's your father? "

"Peregrine Rozehn my lady."

"Oh. You mean the human king? It's glad that he's thinking of us. We've been here since noon and he only sent someone over now. How considerate. He must have been waiting for us to be done with what we came for right?"

The smile froze slightly on his face and he looked away unnaturally.

Firtha turned to me

"You know him?"

"No. Just heard of him. I wasn't high class enough to ever meet the great king of Terraverde. Ironic how I'm being 'invited' by him now "

They didn't say anything. Everyone here knew my story. Well except for Flint .

"Let's go see what the man has to say. Besides we do need a place to sleep for the night."

I turned to the little prince again

"I would never have imagined your father was such a hospitable person. You can go now. We'll be there shortly. I won't forget to say our thanks. By the way, we're awfully hungry."

He walked away in big strides and Firtha laughed so hard she bent over.

"Now you're just bullying people "

"How is that bullying? We do need to eat. And a place to sleep. It's not like he didn't offer his services. Alright, let's go. We gave him enough head start. We need to rest. If what we saw today is true then I don't think we'll have so much time to be free in the future"

I heard several voices of agreement. And we slowly made our way to Peregrine's palace.