Chronicles of Silver Ascension - part 2

Alaric, now subdued, began to reveal the secrets concealed beneath his enigmatic facade. His admission of being from the forbidden realm left Nova and Eva astonished, considering the implications of an outsider's involvement in the intricate power struggles of their family.

"I am indeed from the forbidden realm," Alaric confessed, "but I don't work for the lords."

Nova's inquisitive gaze pierced through Alaric, "You said all forbidden realm beings listen to lord's orders."

Alaric sighed, "Yes, we do. But the mission is absurd; all they want to know about is 'Chrono Nexus,' the same as you do. We are tired. We just want to be freed."

Nova, still in control, pressed on, "You claimed not to know what 'Chrono Nexus' is when I asked."

Alaric, now trapped in the web of his own words, hesitated before responding, "You are from the forbidden realm. If you ask about 'Chrono Nexus,' that means you are here on orders. I don't know why you are lying about your memory, but if you find out about us and report back to Cynthia, we are all dead."

Nova, resolute in his honesty, shot back, "I didn't lie about my memories, and I don't work for anybody."

The revelation about the lords' interest in 'Chrono Nexus' cast a pall over the conversation. Alaric, caught in the crossfire of loyalty and survival, found himself divulging information while struggling to maintain secrecy.

"If you must follow the lord's orders, how did you break out of their control?" Nova inquired, determined to unravel the mystery behind Alaric's seemingly independent actions.

Alaric, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead, resisted giving direct answers. "My superiors... Mage tower... spell... Urgh, no... No..."

Nova's patience waned, "Enough with the riddles. Tell me how you broke free."

before revealing everything, Alaric burst into flames leaving behind only ashes and mystic symbols.

Eva, her fiery battle form dissipating, voiced her astonishment. "What just happened? Why did he burn himself? Did he leave anything behind?"

Nova examined the remnants, traces of Alaric's existence reduced to ashes. He discovered a few charred fragments that seemed to resist complete destruction. Among the remains, there were subtle imprints of symbols and glyphs.

"Strange," Nova murmured, studying the remnants. "It's as if he didn't want us to know everything but left behind these clues intentionally. These symbols might be a key to unraveling his true identity and his connection to the forbidden realm."

Eva, intrigued and still recovering from the intense confrontation, approached Nova. "Can you decipher these symbols? Perhaps they hold answers to the mysteries he concealed."

"These symbols," Nova explained, "are ancient, tied to forbidden knowledge. Alaric wasn't just a casual bookstore owner. He was intricately linked to the forbidden realm, and these symbols might be a coded language used by entities from that realm. As for his self-immolation, it could be a means to prevent information from falling into the wrong hands."

Eva, absorbing the revelations, pondered the implications. "So, Alaric deliberately chose to burn himself, leaving behind only fragments that can be deciphered by those with the knowledge to unlock their meaning. What could he have been hiding?"

Nova continued to examine the symbols, trying to piece together the puzzle. "I believe these symbols are a form of communication among beings from the forbidden realm. If we can decode them, we might uncover the true nature of Alaric's mission and the significance of Chrono Nexus."

Eva, determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding her family and the forbidden realm, affirmed her commitment. "Nova, we need to decipher these symbols and understand what Alaric was involved in. It might be the key to navigating the political landscape and securing my place as the family head."

As Alaric's enigmatic demise left nothing but ashes, Nova shifted his attention to the injured Ignis and Eva. With a touch that emanated a soothing energy, Nova healed their wounds.

Ignis, whose wings had been injured in the fierce battle, felt the restorative power coursing through his essence. Eva, too, experienced the revitalizing touch, her battle-weary form gradually returning to its normal state.

Eva, her eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and curiosity, observed Nova's abilities. The healing wasn't an ordinary act; it carried a potency beyond the scope of conventional skills. The aura surrounding Nova spoke of a power that transcended mortal limitations.

"You possess remarkable abilities, Nova," Eva remarked, her gaze fixated on him. "The power you wield is unlike anything I've encountered. Healing on this level is usually within the domain of mid-level gods, but your authority over it seems... different."

Eva, still processing the events that unfolded, couldn't shake off the realization that Nova wasn't just a bystander in the cosmic play of forces. His connection to the forbidden realm, his ability to heal with extraordinary prowess, and the hints of a forgotten past all pointed to a narrative that transcended the ordinary.

"I thought I knew you, Nova," Eva admitted, a hint of vulnerability in her voice. "But with each revelation, you become more elusive, more complex."

Nova, understanding the weight of the unspoken questions, replied, "There's much I don't remember, Eva. My journey involves rediscovering who I am, and each step reveals a fragment of my true self."

Their conversation was interrupted by Ignis, who had fully recovered from his injuries. The majestic dragon, now standing tall and proud, acknowledged Nova. "My lord, what course of action shall we take now? The ashes of Alaric may hold the key to unraveling the mysteries surrounding him."

Nova, contemplating the clues left behind, nodded. "We need to decipher these symbols. They might lead us to the answers we seek about Chrono Nexus and the forbidden realm. But decoding them won't be an easy task; we might need external help or knowledge from ancient sources."

Eva, determined to uncover the truth, voiced her commitment. "Whatever it takes, Nova. We must understand these symbols and their significance. The more we unveil, the closer we get to securing My family's future."