Chapter 12 - In Search of the Key

"Seriously? You again?" I asked the bald man in front of me.

"Oh well! It has been a long time. It is me. Patches. I'm still in business if you can believe it. Now I'm my only supplier, so I don't have a lot, but everything here is top-notch. Patches Emporium, now open in Raya Lucaria." Patches smiled. 

It was as if our fight never happened.

"Know what? I don't have the patience for this. Show me what you have to sell." I said, sighing irritably.

Patches smiled and showed me his wares. Bought some golden fowl foot, according to Patches, this item temporarily increases the amount of runes I acquire. However, before I could leave, Patches gave me some information that caught my attention.

"You're…going to Erdtree, aren't you? Well, I heard something that might help. A special way to reach your destination. Have you ever seen an Iron Virgin? The clumsy contraptions are swirls of scythes and spiked wheels... but long ago, they were gifted with a spell of transposition. And take this. A surviving virgin sits at the bottom of the great water wheel in the Academy of Raya Lucaria. With transposing powers fully intact. So if you are caught on purpose… She'll throw you straight into the Erdtree base… Or so I'm told… Ha ha… ha ha…"

"Hm… Thanks for the information…" 

I called Torrent and rode away.

"I don't trust this man." Godwyn said beside me.

"Neither do I, but I've learned that every lie has a grain of truth to it, let's just say I've had experience dealing with crooks, but I still don't plan on following Patches' advice."

"A wise decision. Would you mind telling me where your experience came from? I sense a story behind it."

"Well, I guess its ok; it might help pass the time while we look for the key. Let me tell you the story of a crook named Pate and a murderer named Creighton."

-XXXXXX-

Godwyn and I rode across the lake, on the way; I got a crystal tear, which according to Godwyn, increases my dexterity. I kept it in my bag.

Currently, nothing interesting happened, until we reached a church, and next to it, I found a familiar white-masked man.

"There you are. You claimed a Great Rune and had your audience with the Two Fingers at the Round Table. What was your impression?" Varré asked me.

How does he know about it? News travels fast across the Lands Between or Varré has been watching me.

"They didn't seem like bad beings, but the Two Fingers bother me, I don't trust that thing." I replied to Varré.

"Ah-ha, your intuition serves you well. My doubts were piling up, you know… Two Fingers' words are unreliable. Truly nothing but ramblings, senile delusions. I believe that when the Elden Ring was broken, the Two Fingers were corrupted, and their guidance; was skewed. Worse yet, the Fingers harbor no love for our kind. That's the most annoying part."

"Your kind, you mean."

"Oh! Sorry, I forgot you refer to himself as Undead." Varré said.

"If you have nothing important to say to me, I'll take my leave." I said to Varré, turning around.

"Oh, I have a gift for you, something fit only for the wise. A means to circumvent the pull of the Two Fingers. Try it, no? Moreover, if it's to your liking, we can meet again. I am optimistic for you. My lamb. Be sure to try that finger I gave you. There is no reason to hesitate." Varré interrupted me, handing me a set of fingers, bloody fingers.

I accepted it without answering Varré and walked away from the church.

"Godwyn, what is this?" I asked, showing Godwyn the fingers.

He frowned and looked at the fingers in disgust. 

"Bloody fingers, used to invade other worlds, if I was you, I would throw it away."

Something similar to the cracked red eyes orbs. 

"So Varré wants me to invade other worlds and kill their hosts?"

"Certainly." Godwyn answered.

I kept the fingers in my bag, I'll probably never use them, I'm no stranger to invasions, after all, I've had my world invaded and invaded other worlds when I was part of the Brotherhood of Blood. It wasn't my best moment, the curse was almost consuming me, and I couldn't be called sane at that time.

"Let's ignore Varré; we won't gain anything good from him." I said to Godwyn as I called Torrent.

"I agree with you, I think you better pretend you never found him here." Godwyn answered.

While leaving the church I killed another scarab, this time I got a Blood flame Blade incantation. 

Our search continued until we reached the ruins of a temple. I touched grace and found a chest there, I hit it but nothing happened.

"Why do you always attack the chests you see ahead?" Godwyn asked curiously.

"Mimics." I answered.

"Mimics? The people who paint their faces and do imitations?" Godwyn asked surprised.

"No! What the hell are you talking about? Mimics! The monsters with chest-shaped heads, a mouth full of teeth the size of daggers, arms and legs!"

"A monster that disguises itself as a chest? Never heard of one of those."

"Be glad you never found one, I had just settled a couple fight between a scorpion man and a giant scorpion woman. When I finally helped the scorpion man to defeat his mate, I entered a cave full of doors and found a chest, I opened the chest hoping to find treasure only to be faced with a giant mouth full of teeth, and after dying eaten alive I killed the mimic and got a rapier that causes poisoning."

When I looked at Godwyn, he just gave me a faraway look.

"Wait a minute! Scorpion man? Giant scorpion woman? A cave full of doors? Moreover, how did you die? I know you are someone who lives in death, but there is a limit to how many times one can come back to life and to varying degrees, Marines and Skeletons being an example. The tarnished came back to life due to the grace. So how did you came back to life and killed the mimic?" Godwyn asked me.

"Curse." I told Godwyn, opening the chest and taking the weapon inside. It was a hatchet with the blade encased in ice.

"And does that curse go with the mark on the back of your neck?"

I took a deep breath. Despite his carefree attitude; Godwyn is a smart and perceptive person, at some point, I have to tell him about the curse, Godwyn is already connecting the dots.

"Yes." I answered.

"I can see that you don't feel comfortable talking about this, I won't keep pushing."

"Thanks." I said walking away from the chest and observing the ruins, let's test my new weapon.

"Oh! I never thought I'd see that kind of weapon around here." Godwyn said, watching me take a few swings in the air with the hatchet.

"Is this weapon really that important?" I asked.

"One of several gifts given by Castle Sol in the far north. Known as the "freezing mist", the blade is believed to be the scale of a dragon, inflicts a powerful ice effect, and is effective against dragons." Godwyn replied, still watching the weapon.

"Interesting, I also have other weapons made from dragons."

"Serious? Which ones?"

"Black Dragon Sword, Black Dragon Greatsword, Drakewing's Greatsword, Curved Dragon Greatsword, Black Dragon Greataxe, Black Dragon Hammer, Dragon's Tooth, Malformed Skull."

When I looked at Godwyn, I saw him staring at me with wide eyes and an open mouth.

"How the hell did you get all these weapons?!?"

"What can I say? I made a nice collection in Drangleic. I also got some dragon-slaying weapons and ice weapons in Eleum Loyce, but for some reason, the ice weapons did magic damage." I shrugged.

"And where are those weapons now?"

"Do you remember that man, Patches?"

"Yes."

"Well, when I got to the Lands Between I woke up in an abandoned church, but all my weapons were gone, thanks to Melina I discovered that Patches had suddenly acquired an abundance of equipment, when I confronted him, he had sold all my equipment."

"That rascal! But you know where your gear is, don't you?"

"No. Patches doesn't ask questions about his customers, he just sells his products to those who pay."

"A shame. And who is Melina?"

"My maiden."

Godwyn then grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me, or at least he tried, since his hands went through me.

"You had a maiden this whole time?!? Moreover, you didn't even tell me?!? Seriously, I could have given you some advice!"

"I didn't think it was important at the time!" I replied.

"What do you mean you didn't think it was important?!?"

What followed was a series of complaints from Godwyn that I hadn't mentioned Melina to him sooner.

-XXXXXX-

"Well, that could be a problem." Godwyn said, crouching down next to me.

"I agree." I replied, crouching and using my binoculars to observe what was ahead. 

There was a sleeping dragon near a rock formation, with glinstone crystals coming out of its body, but what interested me was something behind the dragon.

With my binoculars, I saw a corpse with something shiny in his hands, a blue key, probably made of glintstone.

"At least, this time, I've the surprise element." I said, putting my Ring of Prayer, Lightning Clutch Ring, and Sun Seal.

"So are you going to fight the dragon?" Godwyn asked.

"Yes, it's not the first time I've fought one."

"Seriously?" Godwyn asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, it must be the seventh time I've faced a dragon."

"I have a feeling that I could write a book about your accomplishments."

"You can't even imagine." I replied, picking my chime and placing the strength and resistance tears in my physique flask.

"Will you tell me about your adventure in Drangleic? I'm sure it would make a good book."

"Hm… Maybe. It's a sensitive subject, you know?" I held the Lord's Worn Greatsword and prepared a series of miracles.

"More than you might think." Godwyn said, placing a hand on his back.

I took a deep breath, and cast the miracles, Sacred Oath, Sunlight Blade and pointed the chime at the dragon and cast Sunlight Spear. 

The miracle flew above the water, causing ripples with lightning running across its surface. Finally, the spear struck the dragon directly on its head, generating an explosion of lightning and ripping off scales.

The dragon roared in pain and rose, but I didn't stop my attack. I cast a second and third spear. They hit the dragon in different areas of the chest as it rose, removing even more scales.

I quickly rang my bell and summoned the Jellyfish Ashes, immediately the spirit spit venom at the dragon.

Therefore, I called Torrent and rode towards the dragon.

"Give me a good show Alden!" Godwyn yelled behind me, sitting on a rock and watching the fight.

The dragon took a deep breath and opened its mouth, instead of the orange flames; I saw a blue light forming in the dragon's mouth. 

I pulled Torrent to the right, and when the dragon released its breath, instead of the orange flames, I saw blue magic flames passing by my side.

When I got close to the dragon, I passed under its left wing and cut it on the left side of its torso. 

The dragon raised its left paw and tried to crush me, I shook Torrent's reins causing it to ride faster and pass directly by the dragon's paw.

The blow hit the ground behind me; I pulled Torrent to the left, going around behind the dragon until I reached his right side.

The dragon raised its right wing and hit it repeatedly against the ground. I managed to land a blow on its wing, but I ended up being hit by one of the dragon's strikes. It wasn't enough to knock me off Torrent.

"HA!" I jerked Torrent's reins causing it to back away from the dragon. 

Then I pointed my chime at the dragon, and cast, the Great Lightning Spear, the miracle struck the dragon in its chest, the dragon roared in pain and flapped its wings, taking flight and diving towards me.

"HA!" 

Torrent rode faster, thus getting away from the dragon, causing it to only hit the ground when landing. 

I turned Torrent around and taking advantage that the dragon was recovering from its landing, I cast Heavenly Thunder as I approached, I don't control where the thunder will land, but the dragon was a big target and ended up being hit by the miracle.

The dragon was hit in the head, neck, back, wings, and tail; scales flew away with each strike. The dragon roared and hit its right wing on the ground dragging it from left to right, due to my proximity I was hit by the blow. 

I held Torrent tightly so as not to be knocked down, pointed my chime at the dragon's face and cast Blinding Bolt, a lightning sphere came out of my chime and collided with the dragon's face, shooting lightning in all directions.

I pulled Torrent's reins and rode away from the blinded dragon, taking enough distance, I prepared for the rest of the fight.

"I'm sorry for the hits we took Torrent, I'm not great at fighting on a mount." I said, patting Torrent's head. 

Torrent gave a happy neigh, accepting my apology.

Looking around, I saw that the jellyfish was still spitting poison at the dragon, I believed that the dragon was about to be poisoned. I cast Great Heal and then drank from my flask of cerulean tears to restore my spells.

The dragon recovered from its blindness, it roared upon seeing me and hit the ground with its wings. It opened its mouth, blue light shone inside, and unlike before, it wasn't flames that formed in the dragon's mouth, but a magic projectile.

"HA!" 

Torrent rode towards the dragon, the first projectile passed over my heads, and I saw a second one approaching, so I pulled Torrent to the left with all my strength. 

The projectile grazed my body, but that left me open for the third oncoming one.

I searched for something that could help me, it needed to be something quick to cast, as there wasn't much time, so I cast one of the first things that came to my mind. 

I lit my flame, pointed it towards the magic projectile and cast Forbidden Sun; a gigantic fireball came out of my flame and collided with the projectile, generating an explosion of magic and flames.

The explosion opened a crater on the ground, splashed water upwards, and created a large smoke cloud. Suddenly the ground shook and a silhouette formed on the other side of the smoke. 

The dragon jumped out of the smoke and threw itself towards me with his mouth open. I couldn't dodge it in time, so the dragon bit me, pulling me off Torrent. I had my right hand and part of my torso, trapped in the dragon's mouth.

The dragon then hitting me repeatedly against the ground, with each blow my head was below the water, causing it to enter through my helmet to my mouth and nose. 

When I was removed from the water, the air returned to my lungs only to be suffocated as the dragon plunged me into the water again.

In one of the moments when I was pulled out of the water, I saw Godwyn looking at me worriedly. I don't understand why he's looking at me like that. I'm an undead. 

If I die here, I'll just get up to fight again. Wait a minute... He doesn't know... Now I feel bad… At some point, I need to tell him the truth.

Grabbing my chime with my remaining hand, I cast Dragon maw; a dragon's head formed above me, and bit the dragon in its neck. Blood spurted into my helm and I was released as the dragon roared in pain.

"Not so funny when it happens to you, is it?!?" I shouted. 

The dragon was then surrounded by a green mist; it seemed that the poison had taken effect.

I held my sword with both hands and approached the weakened dragon. I cut it across the face just below the left eye; the dragon raised its left wing, trying to crush me. 

I rolled backward, and then slashed the dragon's wing and chest.

The dragon jumped back and blue flames formed in its mouth again. I ran towards the dragon and as I ran, I grabbed my chime and cast Splintering Lightning Spear. 

I threw the miracle above the dragon, a sigil appeared in the sky and lightning rained down on its backs. The dragon roared and fell forward without the strength to fight. 

I used the ash of war and my sword was surrounded by a white aura. As I approached the dragon's head, I plunged my sword into its eye, the dragon roared one last time, its head swinging back until the dragon disappeared in runes and souls.

The dragon left its heart on the ground, I kept it in my bag, and then I returned to the rock formation and took the key from the corpse.

I called Torrent and rode away.

"Are you okay?" Godwyn asked.

"Yeah, nothing I'm not used to." I said, drinking from my Flask Crimson Tears.

"If you say so. I was worried for a moment."

"No need to, but thanks anyway." I said replied.

"You're welcome." Godwyn smiled.

Therefore, we rode. I decided to go around the academy; I'd like to see what's on the other side of Liurnia.

-XXXXXX-

As I rode around the academy, I heard a flutter of wings, looking up I saw a giant bird coming towards me.

"Not again!" I yelled, pulling Torrent's reins, bringing it to a stop.

The giant bird landed in front of us, it was similar to the skeletal bird I faced earlier, but this one had wings made of a type of dark flame.

"Godwyn, this bird is different."

"This is the Death Rite Bird, a stronger version of the Death Bird." Godwyn answered.

Great, that's just what I needed.

The bird let out a shrill cry and pointed its poker at me, dark flames formed on it, and then an orb appeared in front of the bird. The bird swung its poker and a trail of flames came towards me.

I jumped out of Torrent, making it disappear before the attack hit.

"I'm tired of this! I just fought a dragon and now I have to deal with another giant bird?!? Listen here you big pigeon, I'm having a bad night, so why don't you go off and look for some birdseed before I lose my temper?!?" I yelled at the bird.

The bird's response was to send another wave of flames toward me; I rolled to the left, dodging it.

"So this is how it will be?!? So be it! I'll show you which one of us has the strongest flame!" I drew my Golden Halberd and lit my flame.

"KKKYYYAAAHHH!" The bird let out a cry in response, presumably accepting my challenge.

"AAAHHH!" I let out my own war cry and ran towards the bird.

The bird leaped towards me, its poker covered in flames, I rolled to the left, dodging the blow, and slashed the bird across its neck. 

The bird then swung its poker towards me and flapped its wings, taking flight and doing a slash from bottom to top, I jumped back causing the flames to pass a few centimeters from me.

Strangely, I felt cold when the flames approached. While the bird was in the air, I threw a Chaos Fireball at it, burning its body with fire and lava.

The bird then came towards me with both legs outstretched, trying to crush me, I rolled backward, dodging the blow, then the bird delivered a series of flaming swings with its poker. 

From right to left, from left to right, and one coming from above, I dodged them all and ran towards the bird, making the last blow hit the ground. When I approached, I made several cuts in its chest.

The bird raised its poker and flames accumulated in it, the bird then slammed its poker on the ground creating an explosion and throwing me away. Flaming trails formed on the lake, when I got up, I saw the bird flap its wings, launching a series of flaming feathers towards me.

I slammed my flame onto the ground, casting Chaos Storm, pillars of chaotic flames erupted from the ground, incinerating the approaching feathers, the few that managed to get past I simply dodged by rolling away.

The bird took flight once more, with flames in its poker; it tried to hit me with a spinning swing as it landed. I rolled under the swing, letting the bird pass me. 

When the bird turned towards me, I aimed my flame at its face and I cast Fire Whip, a fiery spiral shot out of my flame and hit the bird in its face, it screamed in pain, which gave me time to slash it with the halberd.

However, due to my proximity, the bird gave me a series of pecks, forcing me to back off, so we stood there staring at each other. 

Wasting no time, I used the ash of war, raising the halberd, a golden sigil formed in front of me, and then I cast Flaming Weapon, covering my halberd with flames.

The bird, upon seeing this, carried out its attack; taking flight and flapping its wings, a series of spear-like projectiles were shot upwards. 

I ran towards the bird, the spears passing a few centimeters from my back when they fell, I rolled to the left, dodging the spear falling in front of me, but when I finished rolling, a series of spears fell in my direction, forcing me to roll to the right.

More spears fell in my direction, this time I pointed my flame upwards and cast Fire Whip; the flames burned the spears giving me time to ran, the bird seeing that I was approaching, accumulated flames in its poker, ready to strike me.

I spun the halberd above my head, when the birds dove towards me, I stuck the tip of the halberd into the ground, using it as a jumping pole, and launched myself upwards making sure that I was above the bird when it landed. 

I fell, I pointed the tip of the halberd down, piercing the bird's back, the bird let out a shrill cry, I could feel the death blight trying to consume my body, but before that could happen the bird finally died, disappearing in runes and souls.

My feet hit the lake when the bird disappeared, I found a sheet of paper with a spell on the ground, and I kept it in my bag and used the halberd as a cane while breathing heavily, a dragon and two giant birds the same night. I need some rest.

"That was impressive! Why have you never fought like this before?" Godwyn asked, clapping his hands.

"Despite my strength, I am a sorcerer above a warrior, fighting like this with jumps and acrobatics makes me tired." I said sighed. 

There was a site of grace next to where I fought the bird, I touched it, removed my helmet, and rested.

"Well, I could help you with that." Godwyn said as a rapier appeared in his hand.

"A rapier? I expected something…" I didn't know how to respond to Godwyn without offending.

"Something…" Godwyn asked.

"Something bigger. Judging by your size, I would expect you to wield a Zweihander, a Greataxe, or use your fists." I said to Godwyn.

"HAHAHA! I wish it were that way, but my mother insisted that as a demigod, I shouldn't wield barbarian weapons like my father, or so she said. Which is a little unfair since my mother used a hammer when she fought." Godwyn answered.

"I understand. Since you are offering to train me, then I accept your offer."

"I'm glad you accepted it, at least that way I feel like I'm helping you on this journey."

"Don't feel that way Godwyn, you've been helping me since we met." I smiled.

"As soon as we finish our business on Raya Lucaria we'll begin your training." Godwyn smiled back.

"I can't wait." I said, looking up at the night sky.

-XXXXXX-

After finishing my rest, I rode until I reached a sinking city at the gates of Raya Lucaria and there I found Diallos.

"Lanya… Lanya… It's me Diallos. Answer me please?" 

He screamed despaired on top of a ruin, kenneling next to a woman's corpse.

"Diallos, what happened here?" I asked, approaching Diallos

"Hello, friend. Tell me if you know, would you? The whereabouts of the hidden house of those despicable demons. The recusants who hunt their fellow tarnished, they have laid their hands on my servant Lanya, and I refuse to let the insult remain." Diallos asked me with anger and sadness in his voice.

"I'm sorry about what happened Diallos, but I don't know who these recusants are and where their hiding place is."

Diallos clenched his hands tightly and averted his gaze.

"They laid hands on my servant Lanya, and I refuse to let the insult remain. The history of House Hoslow is told in blood. I, Diallos, swear to deliver the message."

Diallos then walked away towards the nearest grace.

"Poor man, he is filled with rage and seeks revenge; I hope he is not taken by it." Godwyn said beside me.

"I would like to help, but I have no experience with anger or revenge." I said to Godwyn.

"Have you never felt extreme anger before?"

"I wouldn't say anger, but frustration, frustration at having to traverse an area full of annoying enemies or at not being able to defeat a powerful opponent."

"Really? I find it difficult that you have never been furious before."

I stopped to think for a minute "Well, there was a time… Lucatiel…"

"Who?"

"Lucatiel, I met her several times around Drangleic and she helped me in several battles, Flexile Sentry, Lost Sinner, Smelter Demon, she helped me in all those fights."

"Oh! She wouldn't be a lover would she?" Godwyn asked.

"No. A friend, maybe?"

"Hm… And where is she now?"

"I don't know, let's say Lucatiel found herself in a difficult situation, and upon learning what the problem was she gave up. I think for the first time I felt real anger, when I solved the problem I returned to Lucatiel. She handed me her equipment and asked me to make a promise, we sat down in front of a bonfire, but when I looked to my side Lucatiel was gone, but I keep the promise to this day and will keep it until the end."

"And what would that promise be?"

"To not forget her name."

-XXXXXX-

Time to figure out how to use the key and enter the academy. In the city near the gates, I touched the grace, got a golden seed, a map piece of northern Liurnia, and a stone key.

"We could try the waygate." Godwyn said.

"And how do we get to the waygate?" I asked.

"We'll have to go up." Godwyn said, pointing to the high ground that surrounded the lake.

"And how do we do that? Climbing?"

"Don't worry about it, just call your steed and ride south." Godwyn said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I shrugged, called Torrent, and rode south.

-XXXXXX-

"And now?" I asked Godwyn as we stood in front of a kind of circle of air that was swirling in front of us.

"Now ride your steed toward the circle." Godwyn replied with an amused smile.

I took a deep breath. 

"HA!" 

I shook Torrent's reins and rode forward, as Torrent stepped into the circle; we were suddenly launched upwards at great speed.

"AAAHHH!" I screamed, when the jump lost its strength, we landed next to a site of grace.

"Are you okay Torrent?" I asked and Torrent grunted in confirmation.

"HAHAHA!"

Looking to the side I saw Godwyn laughing, I grunted in irritation. I touched the grace and called Melina.

"Melina, are you here?"

Suddenly, Melina appeared in front of me, removing her hood.

"Hello Alden, how can I help you?" Melina smiled.

"Good to see you again Melina. I would like you to upgrade the flasks for me." I said, handing her the Holy Tear and Golden Seeds that I acquired.

"Sure, just give me a minute." Melina then took the ingredients and my flasks, turned around, and did something with them. 

Again, I tried to see what she was doing and again she wouldn't allow it, Melina then returned the improved flasks.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Tell me, Alden, are you going to Raya Lucaria's academy?" Melina asked.

"Yes." I replied.

"I have news that might interest you, as we know Patches has sold all of your equipment, but I believe I may have identified some of his customers." Melina told me.

That got my attention.

"Tell me more."

"Well, various magic items have been purchased by the sorcerers of Raya Lucaria, from staffs to other equipment. Weapons have been sent to the recusants of Mt. Gelmir, rumor has it, Rykard's men are trying to kill something down the Mt. and they're acquiring all sorts of weapons to do so. Among some of these items are two crowns, one was sent to Raya Lucaria and the other to Mt. Gelmir."

I held both of Melina's hands in my hand. 

"Thank you, Melina; you don't know how important this is to me."

Melina gave me a surprised look and quickly released my hands. 

"As your maiden, I must help you Alden, I am glad you are satisfied." Melina smiled with a tinge of red on her face.

"Thanks again, I'd like to stay and talk, but after this news, I need to hurry."

I called Torrent and rode away. 

"HA!" 

Shaking the reins, Torrent raced north.

-XXXXXX-

Well, there goes my tarni... I mean undead, I understand he wants to retrieve his equipment, but there's something I don't understand, his obsession with retrieving these crowns. 

According to Alden, the crowns have enchantments to help him, but if it was just that, I believe he wouldn't be in such a hurry to get them back, he isn't telling me the whole truth.

In the end, it doesn't matter, I have my secrets too, as long as Alden keeps his end of the bargain, I'll keep mine.

Another strange thing about him is how he acts. I've watched him from afar, he doesn't sleep, eat, or drink like the other tarnished, not to mention, of course, his hands, they're cold as a corpse, but isn't bad to hold them.

Hm… What to do now? Maybe when he returns I'll ask him to tell me more stories.

I suddenly had the feeling that I was being watched, I slowly brought my hand inside my cloak and grabbed my blade, out of the corner of my eye I saw a faint red glow coming from a bush in the distance. 

I quickly drew my blade and turned around it, but the glow faded.

When I approached the bush, I found only grass, burned leaves, and a pile of ash. 

Who was watching me?

-XXXXXX-

"Stop!" Godwyn yelled.

"Is this the place?" I asked.

"Yes."

We were in a ruin with a small stone construction with a circular hole in the center, inside that hole there was a whirlpool of magic.

"Now what should I do?"

"Just touch the portal."

I hope this isn't another one of Godwyn's pranks, I put my hand on the swirling portal, and I felt my body pulled into it. There was a strong light and when I opened my eyes, I was facing the academy gates.

I touched the grace in front of the gate and approached it. Blue sigils covered the gate. I removed the key from my bag and approached, the key glowed more and more, until I suddenly crossed the gate.

END OF CHAPTER