A bargain for the records

As they entered the grand halls of Alamut castle, the group was welcomed by a sensory explosion of scents and flavors. The aroma of spices and wine mixed with the warmth of the hospitality offered by the servants. Satifa's eyes lit up with excitement as she grabbed as many glasses as she could carry, eager to sample the decadent beverages.

The old man gestured for them to take a seat, and they settled in to enjoy the luxurious atmosphere. Rufus couldn't help but ponder the old man's deep interest in the gods.

"Why are you so invested in the gods?" Rufus inquired, leaning back in his chair.

The old man smiled wryly. "Clearly, you have no gods in your world. But in our realm, everything revolves around them. They hold immense power and can decide almost anything. However, with great power comes great responsibility. The most dread-inducing aspect of the gods is their all-too-mortal fallibility, rendering them akin to do the same mistakes as we do"

Rufus pondered the old man's words, contemplating the idea that even the gods were susceptible to error. "But why do you seek to replace them with a new ruler?"

The old man leaned forward, his eyes ablaze with passion. "The gods have grown corrupted by their own power. Their actions have nearly wiped out our people, the Parsana. It's time for a new ruler to guide us towards a better future, to restore our former glory during the time of Cyrus."

Satifa raised her glass, intrigued. "And who is this rightful ruler?"

"The true son of Cyrus, the firstborn," the old man replied with a hint of mystery.

Doreen looked puzzled. "But I thought Xerxes and Arslan were the only children of Cyrus."

The old man chuckled. "That was after Cyrus had just conquered and united our world. This was when he had just attained godhood."

Gadaric was skeptical. "How do you know this? Is it even true?"

The old man let out a deep, rumbling laugh that echoed through the hall. "Not even the gods are aware of him," he said, mischief dancing in his eyes. "But I know. I have read it from the records of Bubu."

Suomi's heart raced in her chest as she stared at the old man, struggling to grasp the magnitude of what he had just said. Could it be true? Were the records of Bubu really in this man's possession? The thought was almost too fantastical to believe.

"You have the records?" Suomi stood up from her seat, her eyes wide with wonder.

"I do indeed," the old man replied with a sly grin as if he could read their minds. "They are my most prized possession. Great and vast details of Bubu, the legendary djinn sorcerer, and dear friend of Cyrus."

Rufus leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "May we see them?" he asked eagerly, unable to contain his excitement.

The old man chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I knew you would ask that. But first, I need to know if you're truly committed to the cause."

Satifa furrowed her brow, feeling the weight of his words. "What cause?" she asked, trying to understand.

"The cause to save the Parsana people," the old man's voice rose with passion. "To bring back the true firstborn of Cyrus. To prevent the war between the gods and put them in their place!"

The group exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond. The gravity of the old man's words weighed heavily on them.

"We're not sure we're the right people for this," Rufus said hesitantly.

The old man fixed him with a penetrating gaze, his eyes seeming to bore into his very soul. "You're the ones who have come seeking the records of Bubu," he said. "You've proven yourselves capable enough to survive against the night screamers. My assassins are skilled, but they could not have done what you did. I need outsiders. You have a purpose here. You need these records. You desperately need the records so, I know I can trust you, for that reason. Do these records mean a lot to you? They could possess the means to save your sister, and bring back Bouzid."

Both Satifa and Rufus felt a deep anger rising within them. They resented being manipulated with their loved ones as bait.

"So you are blackmailing us," Satifa said, her voice trembling with fury.

"Call it a fair exchange," the old man said, a faint smile playing across his lips.

Silence fell over the group as they weighed the value of the old man's proposition. They had come to this world seeking the records, but the cost of them may be too great.

"I believe it would be wise for you to know a bit of our history now." The old man of the mountain said.