《Chartophylax》 1.1 PROLOGUE WARNING: CHAOS RIFT HAS OPENED WARNING: ENTITY OF CHAOS HAS BEEN DETECTED CIVILIANS ARE ADVISED TO EVACUATE THE PREMISE ARCHIVISTS ARE BEING DEPLOYED " Another easy haul this time" " What do you mean easy Jax, This job is supposed to be given to Amari, because we were hastily deployed we did not even have the time to identify the rift beast or their number" " That is your job Cron, as a scout you should have already identified the rift beast" " Can you both stop arguing about trivial matters, Jax as the commanding officer you should act as a leader and Cron analyze the beast''s location, after killing those beasts we need to archive them then seal of the rift, this is a bother......I want to have my coffee already" " Okay, Prayl" -EYES OF MENANOIA- two eye-like structure manifested and floats on the back of Cron, moving erratically as it starts to search the area, it gazes on the foggy forest that was filled with Noi, trees that twist around each other making it hard to have a proper visibility. But that is not an issue, because Cron''s Eyes of Menanoia are capable of seeing not just the physical form of the creature, but also their heat signature, the slightest movement and even the soul. "Jax, Two rift beasts are moving toward us, both are canine-type" " and another thing, it seems that there is another one of the rift beast but it looks like that it is just observing" Jax commanded, "Prayl, limit their movements" Prayl kneeled in a praying position and started to chant, huge thorny vine structures erupted from the ground and started cover the Noi Trees and spread throughout the area, the rift beast did not have the time to react, and the vines constricted their legs stopping their movement. MARY''S THORN "What do we have here, you see Cron their is no need to panic both of this are just Type-3 Canine rift beast" " I know, but the one that is bothering me, is the other rift beast that is observing from a far, it so far off that my eyes barely detects it presence" This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. " we will kill both of these first, then will hunt the other one" Jax summoned two heavy shotguns with gold lines running down its barrell and shot both creatures " Now let us do the other one" the three of them rush towards the darkness of the forest, but Cron started to feel anxious, something is off; it was if they are just moving in circle his eyes started to notice that trees started to move, as if bending and contorting towards itself. The darkness that filled the forest started to pulse, but Cron notices that they are nearing the rift beast. "HEHEEHE.........aaaaaa......ahahhah.......caCAcaaw" "aaaeeeeaaa" a laughing voice filled the forest but it was not human, it was trying to mimic how humans laugh, they halted their actions and noticed that their whole world was upside down, as they look up , they could see the leaves of the tree, the trunk attached on the ground, and they were walking on some sort of dark platform darkness, there was no sight of the sky or even a cloud formation was nowhere to be seen. " I though that it was just a chaos rift but this feeling.....it seems that we are in a different plane.....we need to get out" " What do you mean Jax?" , Prayl asked " This is a chaos space, it would be dangerous for us right now to continue forward, we lack the necessary number of people and equipment" as they turned around, in front of them stands a tall figure, it has human-like body but has long arms and legs filled with chains, its has a hollow chest and slim torso, its head has three faces, showing three different emotions, the right is filled with anger, the left is filled with grief and the front face was filled with grimace, like having someone smile through an excruciating pain. It made different sounds; screaming, crying and laughing. "No one is leaving" The rift beast spoked in cackling manner Jax was dumbfounded, it was not his first time travelling into a chaos space, or fighting different types of rift beast but this is his first time seeing a human-like rift beast filled with twisted malice that is able to freely talk. Jax, Prayl and Cron was petrified, fear filled their bodies they could not talk or move, it felt that a cold metallic chain is being wrap around their necks and they know that even small movement would cause their body to be twisted apart. Prayl and Cron felt that they are being drag by the chains into the darkness, just before their conciousness started to disappear- -a sound of gunshot........ Jax shot his leg to create a shock that will force his body to move, the sound of the gunshot awakened Prayl and Cron, as a last act to fight Jax shot mutiple barrage of bullets, while Cron uses the Eyes of Menanoia to create light that will hopefully blind the beast, Prayl arms turned into huge thorny vines to create a direct attack. But all of there efforts were useless, it did nothing to the creature, not even a scratch, nothing. The rift beast just smirked and said. " Do not....be too afraid of me....our play is just about to start" " The Herald..... has plans....." " Fun...." It was then a metallic chain constricted their arm, leg and necks and their bodies were pulled towards the void. he...hehe.....he 1.2 PLAY Inside a dark room, there is table with five colored-spherical device floating this device is called mark, a mark is utilize to store, integrate, identify, share data and sometimes use for communication at that moment a voice from a yellow colored mark asked a question " Do we have any information on Jax''s situation?" " The only information we have is that the energy of the Chaos rift that they were tracking increased, having the same level as a Chaos space but on Jax''s situation we do not have any information of him yet", answered by the blue mark " If it''s proven, that there was a formation of Chaos space then statistically speaking Jax''s survival rate will not exceed 0.8%", stated by the white mark " Nonetheless, That is part of Jax''s work, it was his duty to protect the people; it is our duty", stated by the gray mark " That is not the point you stupid brute, the issue here is; if there is a recurrance of that chaos space or rift....or whatever it was , then that means we need to prepare for the worst", emphasized by the owner of the green mark.....Amari. voices continued to emanate throughout the dark room, the voices started to argue; there was a lot of mix on both emotions and opinion, as the noise started to grow " Stop". Their voices were silenced by a soft yet powerful voice. " I understand all of your concern, and I take it that you have your own opinions and agenda" " but, I have to prioritize the greater good of all the people within the continent of Parea" " under my authority as the Divine Archivist of the Jade Library, these are my orders " - 1. Increase and Reinforce the number of archivist - - 2. Cordone off the regions near the chaos rift and increase the security within the continent - - 3. Request for the Nomadic tribes for support - .............................................................. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. To avoid a widespread panic, the news of the chaos rift occurence was controlled by the Jade Library, the only thing that the people know; was that an intense battle between a high archivist and a canine type chaos beast occured. But creeping within the shadows are murmurs of different entities; a cloaked figure with golden eyes, a man with a wooden body and a small person with a long red hair having a woman''s voice " The PLAY is about to begin, and the story of chaos will now spread " " Do you have everything ready for the PROLOGUE? " " Yes, in exactly one month, a bloody, agonizing performance with me at its center will take place. " " my dance will be the act of the PROLOGUE, and fill the stage with blood as red as my crimson hair " " But always be careful, because I sense a disruption in the streams of fate " " ......." The world of Am consists of six continents divided by a sea in the middle. Each continent is ruled by a Divine Being, who are thought to have been the first individuals who defended the world from Chaos. Parea, one of the largest continents on Am, is situated in the southernmost part of the planet. It is renowned for its wide variety of endemic floral species. The continent is divided into three regions: Aquita, the land of the Tree Nomads; Ksyk, the Sanctuary of Noi; and the Jade Kingdom, the hub of trade and commerce on the continent.And inside the expansive jade forest at the heart of the continent stands a lone pillar that rises nearly to the sky. The pillar is made of jade and is adorned with carvings of various beasts and creatures tearing at one another. It is the pillar that belongs to the one and only divine being on the Continent of Parea the Being of Nature. Near the Gate of Jade Kingdom " Hey kid, stop running, I need your identification " , Guard " It''s Okay, Mr. guard I don''t have one, just write me up or something ", the kid chuckled A young child, his hair tied back in a bun, is running away from the gate guard while sporting a loose shirt, a bag on his shoulder, and a sheathed dagger fastened to his waist. the kid was mesmerize by the bustling people, moving here and there, The child does not seem to be aware that he is getting close to a crosswalk because he is constantly glancing in different directions. This is what caused him to unintentionally run into a figure. It stood with a scarlet parasol in its hands, with drawings of pink flower petals carved on it. " I am very sorry.......ma''am, I did not see you there ", the kid apologized A soft voice replied "yes" " It was really an accident ma''am" " HUUUUUH!?" the soft voice (delusion) that the kid heard turned into a raspy deep male voice " are you blind kid, do I look like a woman to you??? " The kid looked up and saw that the figure had a beautiful feminine face yet its body has muscular yet lean in shape. the kid was torn on what to answer. " No.....yes....both " The man started to argue and loose out on different words, the boy was so confused that the words turned into static figures in his head. The gate guard eventually catched up while panting trying hard to say " Stop" The kid saw the gate guard and realized his fucked. 1.3 PREPARATION " Got you little imp " The boy was thinking about what to do with the situation: he was stuck between the gate guard and the man-girl, and a moment came; the handcuffs that the guard was trying to take out were stuck in his belt.
The kid kept running to the point that the man and the gate guard were barely visible. Karma is an energy that exists within the known boundaries of the universe, it is the main building block for the creation of the world. Naturally, karma is formed by the constant fluctuation of every occurrence within the reality and space of the known universe. That means every event of creation and destruction, formation of normality and singularity, and anything bounded by the cosmic idea transforms Karma. The current setting of this world is that karma is the main source of energy and to utilize this energy a person needs to create a conduit and a room within the body. the common knowledge is that Karma exists and to use it you need to control and create a flow in your body. This starts by creating a room, which refers to a being''s soul, where the Karma will be stored and restructured so that a being can optimally utilize it. Conduits on the other hand, are pathways that create the flow in the body, it is a system that will either absorb the energy from outside or release the energy stored within the room. CHAIR ", and instantly a chair was created. she then took a seat while waiting for Yari to get down. 1.4 PAIN - 1 The whistling blow of cold air from the aperture of a broken cobblestone muttered throughout the dark room,"......who''s there....", a puzzled young boy was trapped inside, trying to figure out what the situation was. The place was dark, so dark that he could barely make out the things that were around him. The young boy tried to move but was stuck it was hard to make movements, because not even a single light passed through the damp walls. The boy noticed that his legs were tied with a rope. It was then he realized that something was wrong, the boy cried for help " Is anyone there?.... ama....apa...help me". The boy screamed until his lungs gave out and his mouth dried up. The boy had been crying and begging for hours, as his voice started to crack and fade, his eyes began to squint because of the pain caused by his constant crying.......a light appeared.... a door opened.....a woman entered the room with a warm smile, the boy that lingered for his mother''s warmth tried to speak in a weakly manner then the woman replied with a warm tone, " Don''t worry, now you are my child.... I OWN YOU ". The boy blacked out already and did not hear the woman''s statement. The sound of chains crinkling roused the slumbering boy, he slowly opened his eyes and he felt a cold metallic object wrapped around his torso. He slowly regained his consciousness and realized that he was being dragged by a chain. The boy tried to shout but to no avail, not a single sound came out, it was because his throat was mangled so much that some part of it was broken. The boy looked up and saw that there were cages, Even in an unlit environment the boy knew that the cages were moving as if there were creatures inside wanting freedom. As he was being dragged a hand popped out from the metallic cage, It was a man screaming, with eyes that bulged out from its sockets and a face distorted by starvation and dehydration. Over time his eyes adjusted to the darkness and noticed that there were other cages and it was not just filled with humans but other creatures as well. Not all were alive, some were dead while others were waiting to die. The boy realized that he could be one of the people that would be imprisoned in the cage, he tried to break free from the chains but every time he moved the more the chains constricted. He struggled and struggled and struggled, but instead of loosening the chains it got tighter, and it was hard to breathe and heavy to move. The chains tightened and eventually limited the oxygen flow to his brain causing him to faint. The last thing that he saw was a huge man wearing an executioner''s mask. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. The boy woke up again in an unfamiliar room, but this time it was bright. As he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a ceiling with a color similar to a human''s blood. When he tried to move, he realized that his body was in pain. A woman then entered the room with a concerned look and said, "Emil, be careful. Don''t rush. You need to rest right now. That accident really bruised your body." The boy''s response was to cry out the pain that his body was experiencing. The woman comforted him, saying, "It is okay, my child. There is no need for you to cry. Your mother is here." After crying for a while, Emil slowly drifted off while his mother comforted him. Emil woke up to a sunny day ahead. His butler assisted him with his bath and in preparing his clothes. As he exited the room, he was greeted cheerfully by the maids of the mansion. "My Lord, Her Grace is now waiting for you in the dining area," they said. Emil entered and saw a long dining table with golden cutlery and pristine white plates. His father and mother were the only ones sitting across each other. The butler immediately took out a wooden chair and placed it in the center for Emil. As he seated himself, he felt worried about his father, who seemed distant and blank. "Father," Emil called out, but there was no response. "Emil, there is no need to worry. Your father just has a lot of work to do," Emil''s mother reassured him. After the meal, Emil spent his day playing in the mansion. The mansion was huge, with three floors. The first floor had a spacious hallway with a grand staircase made of marble and gold. The second floor, where Emil spent most of his time, was filled with various rooms including a library and a music room. The third floor was where Emil''s room was located, overlooking a field of white roses. His mother, Ardea Dyniste, was the Duchess of Mydia, a region known for its white roses and majestic sculptures. As the day turned to night, Emil''s mother helped him get to bed. She tucked him in and kissed him goodnight as the candlelight was blown out, leaving only the moonlight to illuminate the room. Emil closed his eyes and felt his own heartbeat quicken as if he were running from something, maybe even death. He could sense the dampness of his worn out shoes and the texture of the ground; it was raining. Emil thought, "Why is it raining? What kind of dream is this?" The rainpour became heavier and he felt every raindrop fall on his skin. Looking down, he saw the rain mixing with blood. As he turned around, he saw an indistinct figure bleeding, trying to tell him something, ......."Run... E...." 1.4 PAIN - 2 As the nights passed by, the same dream kept recurring, until eventually, pieces of his dreams started to manifest in reality. The thing that was bleeding was a person, and slowly he could see the face of the bleeding person. The person was a beautiful woman with white hair and blue eyes that shined like sapphires. "Run...E..". Emil was disturbed by his dreams to the point that it affected his social interactions, but still he chose not to inform his mother. Unbeknownst to him, Ardea had already noticed Emil''s strange actions. Emil was afraid, he did not understand anything about his situation. Why did the same dream keep occurring? Who was that woman? And why did he feel sorrow about the woman? As Emil was walking, he heard a rattling sound. He followed the rattling sound, which was moving fast, and continued until he reached the garden shed. The garden shed was located at the back of the mansion, which was filled with trees. That''s why Emil constantly avoided playing near the area until now. Emil thought that maybe it was just the gardener''s tool making the sound. As he was about to turn around, in the corner of his eyes, he saw a familiar body build, and a familiar scene flooded his brain. His own body recreated the pain of his torn muscles. It was so excruciating that he wanted to scream, but to conceal his location, he covered his mouth with his hands and hid behind the large bushes in front of the garden shed. This meant that any movement or noise he made could draw unwanted attention. After a few minutes, he started to regain his composure and decided that continuing on and checking the garden shed would not be a good choice. So, Emil peeked slightly and saw that the man was nowhere to be found. Instead of being relieved by the situation, shivers immediately crept up his neck. A chain grabbed him by his neck. Emil immediately reacted and inserted his hands between his neck and the chains in order to create breathing space, but it was already too late. The man already had a firm grip and tightened the chains on his neck. Emil struggled and tried to pull the chains, but there was no strength left in his arms. The chains constricted him to the point that they formed a mark on his neck. " Why is a dog like you out of his cage " " Your owner must be having a darn time trying to find you " Emil fainted Emil woke up and the first thing he saw was the same red ceiling, that he always saw everyday, but now as he glanced over he saw that beside him was her mother. "How do you feel right now?", Emil was not able to answer; he tried to voice out something but instead of words, he just kept on coughing up blood. " Oh, Dear we need to get you a doctor ". After waiting for hours, the doctor evaluated Emil and injected a bit of Karma in his body, to support his body''s healing. The doctor said that his throat was severely damaged and that it would take at least weeks to regain his voice. Emil was confused about how he had damaged his throat, there were marks and it was constantly throbbing but he could not recall what happened. Seeing Emil looking confused his mother then consoled him, telling him that he accidentally caught himself in the neck by a trap that was set in the forest. Even with his mother''s words, everything was still unclear. As the weeks go by, Emil notices that his mother keeps on helping him get to sleep, overtime Emil feels relieved because every time his mother assists him in bed the nightmare starts to clear out. Midnight struck and out of nowhere he was woken up, he tried to go back to sleep. So he stood and approached his window, mesmerized by the moonlight that brightened his dark room. But something caught his eye, a cloaked figure holding a lantern was moving towards the mansion, by his curiosity; he immediately ran out the door and descended the long flight of stairs just to try and find the cloaked figure. He roamed the first floor of the mansion but did not find anyone, he was dismayed thinking that maybe it was just his mind playing tricks on him. Emil wanted to have a last check around, so he followed his curiosity and took the time to roam the second floor. In the library, there were two figures and it looked like they were having an in-depth conversation, it was so dim that only the light from a lantern lit up the place. A woman''s voice can be heard, it was like whispering but its sound echoed through the hall''s corridor. "It''s so hard to do everything by myself... I am tired of all of this shit " " Managing your affairs..... the people " " But, at least I get to have a time with him" " If you just followed what I said....." " But what''s done is done.... at least now I have a toy to play with" Emil was terrified by what he saw. After roaming around the second floor of the mansion, he noticed that it was the same as the first floor, it had no people and there was no sign of the cloaked figure. But strangely he heard some sort of sound moving through the hall, Emil slowly followed the sound and reached the library room, there was a slight ajar; so he peeked and saw the cloaked figure talking with somebody, but the room was not properly lit the only thing that he could see is a cloaked figure that was near the lantern. He continued listening and asked, "Who is the figure and who is the figure talking to? ". Just before Emil could move away from the door, he was immediately picked up by someone, he panicked and when he turned his head around, a large chunk of memory burst in his head. Emil then realized that the man who picked him up was the same man who strangled him. The man entered the library and called out the figure. "Your majesty it seems that your child has again played too much ". When Emil heard the word majesty one thing was on his mind, "Mother". If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it."Yes, my.....little......" "dog" Emil was shocked those words unlocked something hidden within his memories, his own brain was struggling to understand what the situation was. Sitting down across him was his "father", with a face holding a deranged smile, it was the person that his "mother " was talking to and it was broken. The fear caused a rush of energy into his brain, the increase of stress and adrenaline plus a bit of karma. Created an overflow of energy forcing his conduits to open. But his mother did not know that Emil''s conduits were opened meaning he could utilize a small amount of karma. " Stop struggling.....you mutt, Do you know how hard it is to act like a mother to a dog.... of course, some preventive measures were taken so that an animal like you can''t bite its owner" " I will just say this to you because, at the end of the day, I will still be recreating your memories" " Your pitiful clan, with your filthy people, was something that needed to be destroyed and that is because of you...... If my brother just agreed..... I could have killed all of you and just kept all of your head, I mean the only thing that is beautiful with your people is of course your head that has hair as white as a pearl and eyes that shine like sapphire.....aah just thinking about having all of you in display......beautiful ". Emil screamed as pain and karmic energy shattered the barriers in his mind. Memories flooded back: his clan''s destruction, his people impaled and set ablaze, and his mother''s desperate cry, "Run... Emil..." "Remember, you''re alive because my brother wants to experiment on your body," a cold voice stated. "How... how did you know my name?" Emil gasped. "You kept shouting it during the memory extraction process. I didn''t bother changing it¡ªEmil is a cute name for a dog like you." In a final act of defiance, Emil bit the arm of the man restraining him. Though he yearned to kill the woman who had ended his people, survival instinct took over. He bolted for the door, desperate to escape the mansion. The man recovered swiftly, covering an impossible distance to catch up. Emil aimed for the forest, hoping to lose his pursuers among the trees. As he entered the woods, an eerie mist descended, accompanied by ghostly whispers. Unbeknownst to Emil, he had stumbled into Ardea''s illusion: THE ILLUSION OF MEMORIES. The forest came alive with Emil''s past¡ªboth cherished and horrific. The screams of his people, the wails of children, even his mother''s lifeless body materialized around him. But instead of breaking him, these visions fueled his rage. Anger consumed Emil, and he blacked out. Ardea, believing she had subdued him, ordered her personnel to restrain the boy. As they approached, they noticed an enormous amount of karmic energy being absorbed by Emil''s unconscious form. Emil''s body began to levitate. The man retreated, watching in awe as multiple stone constructs as large as tree trunks materialized around the boy. With a flick of his fingers, Emil unleashed a barrage of stones towards Ardea''s position. She narrowly escaped, sustaining minimal damage. Both Ardea and her partner launched a counterattack. Ardea, skilled with a sword, constantly pressed into Emil''s range. However, each time she drew near, a stone shield materialized to protect the boy, followed by retaliatory strikes from above or below.The man supported Ardea, using chains to intercept the attacking stones from a distance. Their coordinated assault drove Emil deeper into the forest. In response, Emil channeled all the karmic energy from his room and conduit. As Ardea continued her relentless onslaught of slashes, she and her companion noticed the number of megalithic structures slowly diminish. Suddenly, they felt an immense pressure bearing down on them. Looking up, they saw three colossal megalithic structures, so enormous they covered the forest. This was Emil''s ability: MESSAGE OF ORDER.The devastating attack leveled the entire forest, destroying most of the trees and carving out the terrain. Ardea''s subordinate was killed instantly, while Ardea herself suffered a severely injured left leg and a broken right arm. Emil, having depleted his karmic energy, was left in a weakened state. Realizing the threat Emil could pose to her family if left alive, Ardea forced her battered body forward. Ignoring the searing pain of tearing muscles and cracking bones, she summoned every ounce of strength for one final slash. The blade found its mark, creating a clean cut across Emil''s body. The force of the blow sent the child tumbling over a cliff, plummeting into the river below. 2.1 Beginning Luma and Ennet''s destination is the bustling City of Ver, the largest city in the Jade Kingdom. This city is not only the heart of the region but also home to the renowned Jade Library. Luma aims to find his parent while Ennet seeks the help of his mentor. Their paths crossed at the border between the Jade Kingdom and Aquita. With confidence and a sprinkle of stupidity, their journey begins. Parea, the second-largest continent, is a land of vast contrasts, divided into only three regions. This unusual division is due to the Jade Kingdom''s expansive reach, covering half the continent. The kingdom operates under a monarchy, ruled by King Lynd Rigris II, with Prince Illys Rigris as the sole heir to the throne. However, the monarch''s influence is predominantly limited to the urbanized areas within the Jade Kingdom, including the Jade Library, constituting only a quarter of the kingdom. The remaining territory is under the protection and control of a divine being, with a sacred decree that prohibits any buildings or structures in these areas. These protected lands can be traversed, but any damage to the forest''s life is met with severe punishment. This law, established by the divine being residing on the continent, aims to preserve the Forest. Parea is renowned for its unique wildlife, such as the Aona¡ªa deer-like species with crown-like antlers made of ironwood¡ªand the elusive hiya flower, which blooms only when unseen by any creature. The divine being''s vision was to create a sanctuary for these creatures, a goal respected by the kingdom''s rulers over time. Thus, as the lush green forest flourished, it became known as the Jade Forest. Both travelers decided to take the shortest route through the Jade Forest. When they entered, what they saw can only be described by one word: "majestic." Before them stood trees large enough to cover an entire two-story house, with trunks golden in color, leaves as bright as jade, and roots so huge that they created a natural canopy. They continued walking, captivated by the trees, until they felt themselves being called by the jade trees. Ennet soon realized something was not right. He felt something constricting his legs and slowly creeping toward his arms, yet there was nothing visible. When he turned to check on Luma, it was too late¡ªLuma''s mouth was already bubbling, and he was clearly suffocating. Ennet used his disruptive technique to create an opportunity, successfully managing to escape from the constriction. It was then he realized that what they had seen earlier was not the real forest, but merely an illusion created by a Tree Beast. There are Corrupted Beasts formed by the amalgamation of Chaos and the world''s life forms. This phenomenon is called by the Library as Bedlam''s Corruption, or Bedlam for short. Bedlam''s occurrence does not necessarily follow a certain pattern; it is more akin to its nature: entropic. Over time, the occurrence of these creatures became apparent, making identification and classification necessary. The Library approved three criteria: Magnitude, Karma Control, and Intelligence, rated from one to five, with five being the lowest and one being the highest. Based on these criteria, a Tree Beast is classified as a third-class beast¡ªrequiring at least a group of seven or eight C-rank Archivists to defeat. The Beast was mimicking a Jade tree, making it seem alive. Instead of having a golden trunk, it was dyed black with a humanoid body attached to the tree. It was screaming, its screeches conveying agony and pain. "Aaa......help me....please....I did not do it," it pleaded. Ennet ignored its pleas and immediately attacked the branch constricting Luma. His effort failed; basic karmic strengthening was not enough. He needed to use his ART. Ennet took his umbrella, which transformed into another weapon¡ªFirst Flower: Lotus. It turned into a spear with its tip forming a budding lotus flower and a curved blade. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Ennet attacked, but the Jade tree defended itself, blocking with its roots while slowly lifting Luma''s body. The beast continued its assault, using its roots to destroy the ground. Ennet dodged by jumping upward and used the rubble as platforms. Mid-air, he launched a barrage of curved blades toward the tree¡ªLotus: Bloom. The curved blades bloomed, each dividing into four separate blades. The tree noticed the hail of blades approaching and tried to block, but Ennet interrupted its defense by cutting off the branch restraining Luma. Ennet caught Luma, relieved to find the boy merely sleeping peacefully. In his moment of relief, Ennet failed to notice the tree''s incoming attack. "BOOM!" A tremendous sound echoed throughout the area. "Cough! Cough!" Ennet struggled to breathe. Fortunately, while protecting Luma, he had fortified his body with karma, but his left arm was still mangled and one of his lungs bruised. The Tree Beast laughed menacingly, which roused Luma from his daze. Noticing this, Ennet pleaded for Luma to run. Still disoriented, Luma tried to understand the situation. The only thing he knew for certain was that the creature before him, laughing malevolently, was filled with dark aura. Luma immediately strengthened his fist and fortified his body. Realizing Luma intended to fight, the Tree Beast attacked by flailing its branches, but Luma dodged them all with ease. The Tree Beast grew furious as none of its attacks landed. It began to increase its Karmic Energy output. The problem was that while Luma could dodge everything, he couldn''t pierce the beast''s defenses. As the fight continued, the creature realized Luma had no means of inflicting damage, so it decided to limit his movement. The Tree Beast sneakily grabbed Ennet, dragging him across the ground. When Luma was about to attack, the Beast used Ennet as a shield, halting Luma''s momentum. Without hesitation, it swung its branches, throwing Luma across the ground. The Beast continued to torment Luma¡ªcowardly baiting, taunting, and attacking him. Dangling from the Tree''s grasp, Ennet cried out, "Run, Luma...!" "Oh, you''re here. It has been years... I missed you," said a lonely entity occupying a dark space. Only four closed books were placed nearby. The entity sat with its legs outstretched, hands chained together with links connected to its neck, and a massive nail impaling its torso into the ground¡ªa painful and gruesome sight. "I am sorry I was not able to visit you... mom¡ªI mean, master forbade me to do it," a voice replied. The entity answered in a joyful yet creepy manner, "It is okay, Luma. I''m just happy to see you. Now, what can I do for you? As your **** I am obliged to follow you, right?" "I need to borrow the 13th Story from that Book," Luma stated. "Be specific, Luma. What Book?" The entity asked. Luma pointed to one of the four closed books. "Oh... are you sure you only want to borrow it? Why not take it? I mean, it is yours." "I just want the 13th Story from the book of..." "Okay... As you wish. You do remember how to activate it, right? Bye, Luma, until next time." The Tree Beast, having had its fun with Ennet and Luma, was determined to finish the fight. Pleased with the outcome, it threw Ennet toward Luma''s location, but nothing happened¡ªno sound or scream. Something had changed. An enormous amount of karma filled the woods, emanating from Luma. Startled, the Tree Beast immediately attacked, but Luma simply jumped and began to recite: "Even in my dying breath, where I lay my blood,I saw the splendor and horrors of what I have done.The wickedness and malevolence of mine is nothingcompared to the darkness of the endless Void.For I have sacrificed everything yet achieved nothing...I have nothing... thus I despair."¡ªEnding from the 13th Story After reciting these words, Luma slit his hand with the dagger he carried. The blood merged with his body and the dagger, engulfing him completely. Luma released so much karma that it created a crushing pressure within the space. Ennet, badly injured, struggled to maintain consciousness. The last thing he witnessed was Luma, cloaked in a robe made of blood, holding a scythe-like weapon. As Ennet began to faint, he saw Luma destroy the Tree Beast with a single crimson slash. 2.2 Trust Consciousness returned to Ennet in waves, each bringing fragments of memory¡ªthe Tree Beast''s attack, his mangled arm, Luma''s transformation. His eyes fluttered open to a scene of devastation. Where the Tree Beast once stood, only blackened splinters remained, scattered across a clearing that hadn''t existed before. The air felt heavy with residual karma, making each breath laborious. Through blurred vision, Ennet spotted Luma sitting motionless several yards away, back turned, the crimson robe now faded to nothing. The scythe was nowhere to be seen. Luma''s shoulders rose and fell with each labored breath, his head bowed as if carrying an invisible weight. "Luma?" Ennet''s voice emerged as a rasp. Pain shot through his chest¡ªthe bruised lung making itself known. Luma flinched at the sound but didn''t turn. "Have you seen it?" Ennet, just by the question, knew that Luma wanted to keep it a secret, but his curiosity demanded answers. "Yes, but just a glimpse of it." When Luma finally turned to face Ennet, the transformation was shocking in its mundanity. Gone was the blood-soaked figure wielding death with casual ease. In its place sat a boy who looked utterly drained¡ªskin ashen, eyes sunken, hands trembling slightly as he clutched the dagger now returned to its ordinary form. "Are you..." Ennet paused, unsure which question to ask first. "What was that?" "The 13th Chapter," Luma replied, his voice hollow. "One of many, a struggle to use." He attempted to stand but stumbled, catching himself against a tree trunk. "It takes more than it gives, requiring a huge amount of karmic energy." "So, is it like an ART... the 13th Chapter?" Ennet asked. "But how can you utilize such manifestation when I could not even sense any room from you?" Luma just stood in silence, tired and covered with pain, he just wanted to rest. It is known that to use karma you need a room and a conduit. Karma flows through a being''s conduit and is stored within a room, located at the center of the body. Contrary to the belief that room is equivalent to the soul, a room is the combination of both a being''s soul and the internalized karma. Being able to create a conduit and absorb external karma and turn it into internalized karma is just the beginning and it''s called the Foundation/Foundation Phase. It does not mean that when a person has internalized karma, they can instantly create a room. The Introduction/Introductory Phase is the second part where the karma is introduced into the soul and is trained and tempered over time to create a room. Often times this phase forms a person''s attributes. The third part is the Manifestation. When a person has now controlled and managed to combine the soul and the internalized Karma, meaning the person has now created a Room. A second formation during Manifestation is where a person''s attribute, training, nature of karma, and life creates a core within the room called istoria. Istoria is the person''s core identity, and this identity is what defines what ART they can create or bring out. An Istoria can be a person''s past, present or even future, defined by their nature of fate and stories. An example of an Istoria is Ennet''s Art of Weapon Transformation, turning his umbrella into a flower spear. But Luma is different based on Ennet''s past observation. The reason is that he does not have any room¡ªit is not there, so basically he''s still in the Introduction. But what Ennet saw was not something that a person in the introductory phase can manifest; it is even greater, akin to a Finalization. As Ennet worked to bandage his own arm with strips torn from his undershirt, he studied Luma with new wariness. The boy who had seemed merely unusual now revealed himself as something else entirely. Ennet continued to ask, unable to manage his fervent curiosities. His what, why, and how echoed through the forest; even the soil heard every word he had said. A moment of pause caused the silence between them to stretch, filled with unasked questions and withheld truths. Finally, Luma sighed. "What I did there is the same as what you call ART. But instead of Art, it is called chapters. What I did there was borrow a chapter from a book containing different chapters. Every time I borrow a certain chapter, for example the 13th chapter what I used earlier, I can utilize other lower chapters. The Chapters of this book have different forms but their nature is the same: hemokinesis." He glanced at the dagger at his hip. "I was taught to use them only when necessary, because I still need to increase my karmic capacity. The 13th requires a large amount of Karma, at least 30,000." "Huh," Ennet was stunned by what Luma said. "What do you mean by 30,000 karmic energy... but based on your Karmic output you should only be able to handle 8,000 karmic energy." You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. "That means... Abstraction... for you to use it." Luma just nodded. Ennet wanted to press further, but the pallor of Luma''s skin and the way he swayed slightly warned against it. Whatever power he had channeled had taken a severe toll. For now, survival needed to take precedence over curiosity. "We need to leave this forest," Ennet said finally. "Can you walk?" They had barely covered half a mile when Ennet sensed it¡ªa disturbance in the forest''s karma flow, moving with purpose toward them. He signaled Luma to stop, cursing his injured arm that made his Art difficult to wield. "Something''s coming," he whispered. "Multiple presences." Luma tensed. "Corrupted?" "No," Ennet replied. They emerged from the jade-green foliage like shadows taking form¡ªthree figures in deep green robes trimmed with gold, their faces partially obscured by hoods. Each carried a staff topped with a small jade carving. Forest Guardians¡ªthe protectors who served the divine being of Parea. The central figure stepped forward, lowering her hood to reveal a stern face marked with intricate tattoos that followed her karma pathways. "The forest speaks of blood and death," she said, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "A Tree Beast destroyed, and karma unleashed in quantities that disturbed the divine one''s sleep." Her gaze shifted between them, lingering on Luma. "Explain yourselves, travelers." Ennet stepped forward despite his injuries. "We were attacked. We defended ourselves." The guardian''s eyes narrowed. "The forest tells a different story. It speaks of a dark ancient karma awakened, of words spoken that should remain silent." Her attention fixed fully on Luma now. A flicker of disbelief crossed the guardian''s face. "The divine one demands an audience with the wielder of the crimson karma." "That''s not possible," Luma said, his voice suddenly stronger. "We have urgent business in Ver." The guardian''s expression hardened. "It wasn''t a request." Ennet moved closer to Luma, his good hand resting on his umbrella. "My companion is injured, as am I. Whatever your divine one wishes to discuss can wait until we''ve received proper care." For a tense moment, conflict seemed inevitable. Then the guardian tilted her head, as if listening to an unheard voice. Her expression shifted subtly. "The divine one offers healing in exchange for truth," she said finally. "A fair exchange, wouldn''t you agree?" Before Ennet could protest, Luma stepped forward. "I''ll speak with your divine one, but my friend comes with me. And we continue to Ver afterward." The guardian studied him, then nodded once. "Follow us." As they were led deeper into the forest, Ennet leaned close to Luma. "Are you sure about this?" "And if it''s a trap?" A ghost of a smile touched Luma''s lips¡ªit was not confidence nor senseless bravery. The guardians led them to a small clearing where crystalline water bubbled from a natural spring. The tallest trees Ennet had ever seen surrounded the area, their jade leaves forming a cathedral-like canopy above. The air hummed with concentrated karma. "Drink," the female guardian instructed. "The divine one''s blessing flows through these waters." Ennet hesitated, but Luma moved forward without fear, cupping his hands in the spring. As he drank, color returned to his face, the exhaustion lifting visibly. After a moment''s hesitation, Ennet followed suit. The water tasted of nothing and everything at once, and he felt his injuries begin to mend almost immediately. "The divine one will speak through me," the guardian announced, closing her eyes. When they reopened, they glowed with inner light. Her voice changed, becoming layered with multiple tones. "You carry dangerous power, child of the *****," the divine voice said through the guardian. "Remember child, intent matters less than consequence." The glowing eyes studied him. "The Books you access were sealed for good reason. Their Stories reshape reality at too great a cost." Ennet watched Luma carefully, noting how still he had become. "You know about the Books," Luma said softly. "As I can see through you, yes." The guardian''s head tilted. "You seek your parent in Ver, while your companion seeks his mentor. Both journeys intertwine with greater purposes than you understand." Luma and Ennet exchanged surprised glances. "We will permit your passage," the divine voice continued. "But heed this warning: the Stories you carry draw attention from forces beyond this forest. Forces that would use you as a weapon." The glowing eyes dimmed slightly. "Choose your Stories carefully, Old One. Some endings cannot be rewritten." With those words, the light faded from the guardian''s eyes, and she swayed momentarily before regaining her composure. "The divine one has spoken," she said in her normal voice. "You will be escorted to the forest''s edge. From there, the path to Ver is clear." As dusk fell, Luma and Ennet stood at the edge of the Jade Forest, looking out over rolling hills that eventually gave way to distant city lights¡ªthe outskirts of Ver. Behind them, the forest guardians had already melted back into the trees, their duty fulfilled. "You didn''t tell me everything about these Stories," Ennet said, testing his healed arm. "Or about who you really are." Luma gazed toward the distant city. "No. And you haven''t told me everything about why you''re seeking your mentor so desperately." He turned to Ennet. "We all have our secrets." Ennet couldn''t argue with that. "The divine one knew our purposes." "And warned us about forces beyond the forest." Luma''s hand drifted to the dagger at his hip. "I think we''ll find more than we''re looking for in Ver." As they began walking toward the city lights, Ennet studied his companion with new eyes. The boy who had seemed like an ordinary, if determined, traveler now represented a mystery as deep as any he''d encountered in his training. "Luma," Ennet said carefully, "when we reach Ver¡ªif we face danger again¡ªwill I see another Chapter?" Luma''s eyes reflected the distant city lights as he considered the question. "Let''s hope not," he said finally. "But if we do..." He left the thought unfinished, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the Jade Kingdom''s greatest city awaited them, along with answers neither of them might be prepared to find. Behind them, unseen in the deepening shadows of the Jade Forest, a figure watched their departure. It raised a hand to its ear, casting a communication skill, whispering words that traveled across vast distances: "The survivor is now moving toward Ver. Shall we intercept?" 2.3 Enter The Eastern Gate of Ver rose before them, its massive doors carved from ancient wood and reinforced with jade-infused metal. Above the archway, words were inscribed in elegant script: T Let Truth Enter, and Lies Be Silenced. As Luma and Ennet joined the steady stream of travelers, merchants, and farmers entering the city, they could see the true scale of Ver''s defenses¡ªsixty-foot walls of white stone inlaid with jade in intricate patterns that seemed to pulse with subtle energy. "Will your Archivist credentials be enough?" Luma asked quietly, eyeing the Karma Regulators who stood beside the City Watch, observing each entrant with calculating eyes. Ennet''s hand moved to his pocket, feeling the weight of the small jade key that hung from a silver chain. "This isn''t just any Archivist key It''s a Master Archivist key¡ªspecifically, my mentor''s key." "And he just... gave it to you?" Luma raised an eyebrow. "Not exactly." Ennet''s expression darkened. "It was left for me, along with a message. ''When the time comes, this will be your guide.'' I never understood what that meant until recently." They joined the queue at the checkpoint, watching as City Watch members examined travelers'' papers and Regulators a security group from the city observed from nearby. The guards wore distinctive armor¡ªpolished white breastplates with jade inlays that traced patterns resembling flowing water. When their turn came, a stern-faced guard assessed them with practiced efficiency. "Purpose in Ver?" "Library business," Ennet replied, producing the Master Archivist key. The jade emblem caught the light, its intricate patterns shifting subtly as it moved. The guard''s demeanor changed instantly. He straightened, eyes widening slightly at the key. "Master Archivist?" "Acting on High Archivist Jax''s behalf," Ennet clarified, using his mentor''s name. "This is my assistant." The guard nodded respectfully but gestured to a robed figure standing nearby¡ªa Regulator with intricate tattoos tracing her karma pathways along her temples and hands. "Standard procedure, Master. Even for Library personnel. Especially now." The Regulator approached, a slender jade disc in hand. "May I?" she asked, though it wasn''t really a question. Ennet nodded, and she waved the disc in a circular motion before him. The tip glowed with a steady amber light. "Archivist signature confirmed," she stated, then turned to Luma. As the disc moved before him, its glow flickered erratically, shifting between colors before settling on a muted amber. The Regulator frowned. "Irregular pattern," she noted. "Recent karma depletion?" "My assistant participated in field training activity before our journey," Ennet explained smoothly. "His control is still developing." The Regulator studied Luma for a moment longer. "There''s been an incident at the Noi Forest. Three Archivists missing after a Chaos Beast attack. Security protocols have been elevated." Ennet''s expression revealed nothing, but Luma felt him tense slightly. "We hadn''t heard. When did this happen?" "Three days ago. One High Archivist and two Junior Archivists." She lowered her voice. "The Library is... unsettled. Director Lorde has implemented additional security measures." She stepped back, apparently satisfied despite the irregular reading. "You may proceed, but all visitors must register at the Library''s entry pavilion before accessing the main complex." As they passed through the massive gateway, the full sensory impact of Ver hit them at once. The clamor of thousands of voices echoed off stone buildings, mingled with the clatter of carts, the calls of street vendors, and the occasional chime of bells marking the hour. Scents assaulted them from every direction¡ªspices from food stalls, incense from street-side shrines, the earthy smell of dust, and the less pleasant odors of a densely populated city. Luma stopped just beyond the gate, momentarily overwhelmed by the cacophony. His eyes darted from the towering buildings to the crowds flowing around them, taking in the bright signs that shifted and glowed to attract attention, the street performers manipulating Art to create magic for coins, and the sheer variety of people from every corner of the kingdom. "It''s... a lot," he shouted. Ennet nodded, remembering his own first impression of Ver years ago. "The Commons can be overwhelming at first. We''re in the outermost ring now¡ªmostly residential areas and small businesses. The real wonders are in the inner rings." If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. They moved with the flow of foot traffic down the broad avenue that led from the Eastern Gate toward the city center. Buildings rose three to four stories on either side, their white stone facades accented with modest jade inlays. Street vendors had set up stalls wherever space permitted, selling everything from fresh produce to karma-infused trinkets. As they walked, Ennet pointed to a floating orb hovering at an intersection¡ªabout the size of a human head, it emitted a soft jade glow as it rotated slowly in place. "An Orb," he explained, seeing Luma''s curious gaze. "They detect and stabilize karma fluctuations, preventing chaos rifts from forming. The inner districts are fully protected, but out here in the Commons, they''re only placed at major intersections." "I thought they were only used for Chaos rift detection," Luma said. "That''s their primary purpose. But they''re also one of Ver''s most closely guarded technologies. The Jade Kingdom limits their export¡ªonly the communication Marks are traded outside the country." Luma nodded toward a group of people holding small floating object close to them "Those are Marks?" "Yes. They convert sound and haptic frequencies into karmic energy and back again. Revolutionary for long-distance communication. Just another example of how Ver has become the technological center of Parea." The city was unusually active, with colorful banners hanging from buildings and street performers entertaining crowds at every corner. Vendors called out their wares with particular enthusiasm, and the air hummed with anticipation. "What''s happening?" Luma asked, gesturing to the decorations. An elderly woman selling flower garlands nearby overheard. "The Succession Ceremony, of course! Where have you been, young man? King Lynd Rigris II formally passes the crown to Prince Illys tomorrow." "The succession?" Ennet frowned. "But King Lynd is barely fifty. Why would he step down now?" The woman shrugged. "Court matters. Who can understand the ways of royalty? Though it''s odd, isn''t it? Father and son look so alike they could be twins, despite the age difference. maybe because of King lynd''s weaking body, they say." As the night falls they turned down a quieter side street that Ennet remembered from previous visits, seeking a modest inn that catered to everyone. As they walked, the sounds of celebration faded, replaced by the more ordinary noises of city life¡ªand something else. Luma stopped suddenly, his head tilting. "Do you hear that?" Ennet paused, listening. From a nearby alley came the sound of heavy objects being moved, accompanied by low voices. "Probably just deliverymen," Ennet said, but Luma was already moving toward the sound, drawn by curiosity or something deeper. The alley was narrow and dark, the buildings on either side blocking most of the fading daylight. The stench hit them immediately¡ªsewage, garbage, and something worse. Something rotting. They pressed against the wall, peering around a stack of crates toward the source of the noise. Two men in rough work clothes were unloading what appeared to be large burlap sacks from a cart, depositing them near a door set into the wall. One of the workers picked up what was unmistakably a decomposing human hand that had fallen from a torn sack. He held it up with dark humor. "Hey there, sire, care for some hyacinth tea?" His companion scowled. "Stop joking and get to work. We still have a lot to unload." "I mean, I''m not the type to complain¡ªthe money is good, and even the benefits¡ªbut sometimes it makes me think why they need this many decomposing bodies." "Yeah, I heard they use them for some kind of experiments, and I also heard that the bodies came from the northern region." "Northern? You mean..." "Yeah, some of the bodies here are the ones that perished in the Dirium civil war." "Oh, that is tough... hope nothing like that happens in our kingdom." A third voice cut through the conversation, cultured and cold. "Of course, that would be very problematic for us." Both workers turned to see a tall man in a black suit. The alley''s darkness obscured his features, but his presence alone seemed to create chills on everyone''s spine "Now both of you get back to work, before I snap your neck," the man said with a chilling lightness that suggested it wasn''t entirely a joke. Luma and Ennet retreated silently, not stopping until they''d put several streets between themselves and the alley. Not knowing that hey have already been seen. "Bodies," Luma whispered. "From the Dirium civil war." Ennet''s face was grim. "The northern continent. Thousands died in that conflict last year. Official reports said the bodies were given proper funeral rites." "Clearly not all of them," Luma replied. "But why bring them here? What kind of experiments¡ª" "Not here," Ennet cut him off, gesturing to the crowded street they''d reentered. "Too many ears." As twilight began to fall, a remarkable transformation swept through the city. The jade elements embedded in buildings, street fixtures, and decorative elements began to emit a soft, greenish glow¡ªfirst the larger installations on public buildings, then the smaller inlays on private structures. The famous Twilight Glow of Ver was beginning, transforming the white stone city into a luminous jewel. "Beautiful," Luma murmured, momentarily forgetting his concerns as he watched the city light up around them. "It happens every night," Ennet explained. "The jade absorbs karma throughout the day, then releases it as light after sunset. By midnight, the entire city will be bathed in jade light." They found a modest inn called The Respite, a three-story building with a small jade lantern hanging above its door. Inside, the common room was busy but not crowded, filled with the low murmur of conversation and the scent of spiced tea. After securing a room, Luma sat on one of the beds. "You think those bodies have something to do with the missing Archivists?" "I don''t know. But I find it suspicious that decomposing bodies are being delivered in secret while the entire city is distracted by the succession ceremony." Ennet paced the small room. "And why would the king step down now? Prince Illys is barely twenty-five." "The flower seller mentioned they look alike," Luma noted. "Yes, remarkably so. I''ve seen them both from their pictures. The resemblance goes beyond normal family similarity." Ennet stopped pacing. "We need to focus on our immediate goals. Finding my mentor¡ªand your master." Luma nodded. " I know that My master is in the Library. I''m certain of it." "How can you be so sure?" A shadow passed over Luma''s face. " I mean she said to me before that she works for the Library." then grinned "you should have said that from the beginning". " hehe" 2.4 Jade Library The following morning, they joined the flow of people heading toward the city center. The streets were even more crowded than the previous day, with citizens and visitors alike eager to witness the historic succession ceremony. Royal guards in ceremonial armor stood at major intersections, maintaining order while displays made using karma present itself in the sky periodically announced the ceremony''s schedule. "The Library first," Ennet reminded Luma as they navigated the throngs. "Before the main ceremony begins." The Jade Library''s massive complex came into view as they entered the northern quadrant of the inner ring. Despite its name, the Library was primarily constructed of white marble, with jade elements incorporated strategically throughout its structure. The Central Dome rose majestically above the surrounding structures, while eight wings extended from the central structure like petals of an enormous flower. But something was different from Ennet''s previous visits. A perimeter of guards surrounded the complex, and floating orbs¡ªeach about the size of a human head¡ªhovered at regular intervals along the boundary. "Orbs," Luma breathed. "I thought they were only used for chaos rift detection." "They are," Ennet confirmed grimly. "Which means the Library is concerned about more than just conventional security breaches." As they approached the main entrance, Luma noticed three figures standing apart from the others near the entrance. Unlike the colorful attire of most Ver citizens, they wore austere white robes with silver emblems embroidered at the collar¡ªa stylized tree with seven branches. "Who are they?" he whispered to Ennet. Ennet glanced over, then quickly looked away. "The Church of Creation. The emblem is their symbol¡ªthe Silver Tree that supposedly represents life itself." "What are they doing here? They don''t look like they''re waiting to enter." "They''re not. The Church rarely involves itself in secular matters, especially outside their territory. Their presence at a royal succession is... unusual." Luma studied the three figures more carefully. The central figure was elderly, with a long white beard and an ornate silver staff¡ªclearly a bishop or high-ranking official. To his right stood a younger man, perhaps Ennet''s age, with a serene expression that somehow seemed at odds with his powerful build. On the left was a tall, imposing woman whose white robes were accented with silver metal pauldrons and gauntlets, marking her as a warrior rather than a priest. As if sensing Luma''s scrutiny, the younger man turned his head slightly, his gaze meeting Luma''s across the distance. Immediately, Luma felt an extraordinary pressure¡ªas if an invisible weight pressed down on him from all sides, making it difficult to breathe. It wasn''t hostile, exactly, but overwhelming in its intensity. Luma broke eye contact, gasping slightly. "Did you feel that?" Ennet nodded, his expression troubled. "His karma signature. It''s unlike anything I''ve encountered before¡ªlike a mountain compressed into human form." "Who is he?" "I don''t know. But the woman beside the bishop¡ªthe one in battle suit¡ªI''ve heard of her. Captain Sera Inclaws of the Iron Fall, the Church''s elite fighting force. They say she once entered and cleared a chaos rift single-handedly." They joined the line of visitors waiting to enter the Library. Karma Regulators moved among them, checking credentials and scanning karma signatures with their jade wands. When they finally reached the checkpoint, Ennet presented the Master Archivist key with confidence. The Regulator held the key in his palm, closing his eyes briefly. "The key recognizes you, which is... interesting. Master Jax must have linked your karma signature to it." He opened his eyes, studying Ennet more carefully. "You know he''s among the missing, I presume?" Ennet''s composed expression faltered for a moment. "Missing?" "Master Jax was the High Archivist leading thesubjugation group in Noi Forest. He and two Junior Archivists failed to return 3 weeks ago." The Regulator''s gaze was penetrating. "Curious that you possess his key yet claim ignorance of his status." This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. "He gave it to me before his departure," Ennet said, recovering quickly. "I''ve been in the field myself, conducting research in the eastern provinces. News travels slowly outside the city." " Oh so you''re a member of his informant group, the I forgot, something about wanderer " " Fool''s wanderer" After a tense moment, the Regulator returned the key. "You may enter, but your access is restricted to the Crimson and Azure Wings only. The Obsidian Wing and Archival Depths are sealed to all but the High and Supreme Archivists until further notice." The reception hall was a vast circular space beneath the Central Dome, its ceiling rising nearly a hundred feet above the marble floor. Jade lanterns hung from delicate chains, casting a soft green light over the space. Scholars and visitors moved purposefully across the polished floor, their footsteps creating a gentle background murmur that seemed to emphasize the library''s atmosphere of quiet study. "Where do we start?" Luma asked, momentarily overwhelmed by the scale and grandeur. "The Crimson Wing," Ennet decided. "It houses historical records and personnel archives. If there''s information about what happened in Noi Forest, we''ll find it there." As they crossed the reception hall, Luma noticed the Church representatives entering the Library, escorted by what appeared to be a High Archivist in formal robes. Unlike the scrutiny he and Ennet had faced, the Church members were admitted with deferential bows and minimal security checks. The young Church member with the overwhelming karma signature paused as they passed, his gaze once again meeting Luma''s. This time, instead of the crushing pressure, Luma felt something different¡ªa subtle probing, as if the man were trying to see beyond his physical form. The moment passed quickly as the Church delegation continued on their way, but Luma was left with an unsettling certainty: the man had recognized something in him. "He knows," Luma whispered as they entered the corridor leading to the Crimson Wing. "Knows what?" Luma''s hand moved unconsciously to the dagger at his hip. "He saw something." Ennet''s expression darkened. "Then we need to be even more careful. The Church of Creation has ancient texts that date at the same time with the Jade Library. If anyone would have records about your anomaly, it would be them." As they approached the entrance to the Crimson Wing, a soft chime echoed through the Library, followed by an announcement: "All citizens are reminded that the Royal Succession Ceremony will commence in one hour. The Library will remain open with reduced services during this historic event." The Crimson Wing opened before them¡ªa vast hall lined with towering bookshelves that seemed to extend endlessly in all directions. Archivists and scholars moved among the stacks, some floating on karma-enhanced platforms to reach the highest shelves. Ennet said quietly as they moved deeper into the wing. " We need the Records of the Noi Forest subjugation" They approached a circular desk where a Junior Archivist was organizing scrolls. After some persuasion and the presentation of Ennet''s key, she reluctantly provided them with a sealed scroll case containing the preliminary report on the Noi Forest incident. The report was so concise to the point that it lacked details. Jax and two Junior Archivists had traveled to Noi Forest to investigate reports of unusual karma fluctuations. According to their last communication, they had discovered evidence of a Chaos rift forming in the deepest part of the forest. Then, silence. A rescue team found signs of a violent confrontation¡ªblood, karmic disruption, and traces of Chaos energy¡ªbut no bodies. Most concerning was the final paragraph: Analysis of residual karma signatures suggests [redacted]. Traces of organic material recovered from the scene contain [redacted] consistent with [redacted]. [redacted] Ennet nodded , as if this were expected. "Then perhaps you can help us with one more thing. We''re looking for information on rare manuscripts¡ªspecifically those dealing with body recomposition- karma techniques." As they left the desk, Luma murmured, "The man in suit. Could it be...?" "Possibly. But we have another problem." Ennet guided them toward a quieter corner of the wing. "it could also be experimental karma manipulation. That aligns too closely with what we saw in the alley¡ªthe bodies being delivered for ''experiments.''" "You think there''s a connection between those bodies, with something like that?" As they debated their next move, a commotion near the wing''s entrance caught their attention. Several Senior Archivists were hurriedly crossing the hall, their expressions grave. Behind them walked the Church delegation they''d seen earlier, now accompanied by Director of the Azure Wings herself, Supreme Archivist Ynez Blanc¡ªa small, austere woman whose robes bore the emblem of the Library''s highest office with a floating white mark. "Something''s happening," Ennet whispered, pulling Luma behind a tall bookshelf. They watched as the group disappeared through a door marked with the symbol of the Obsidian Wing¡ªone of the restricted section of the Library, currently sealed to all but the highest-ranking officials. "They''re going to the restricted wing," Luma noted. "Why would the Church be granted access when even most Archivists are forbidden?" "I don''t know " Ennet''s expression was determined. "Change of plans. We''re going to find a person I know and ask him personally." As they made their way through the Library''s vast corridors toward the next Wing, neither noticed the shadow that detached itself from an alcove and followed at a discreet distance¡ªa figure moving with practiced stealth, watching their every move with calculated interest.