Beneath The Surface

The morning sun filtered through the heavy curtains of my chambers, casting long shadows across the floor. I had barely slept, my thoughts circling around the meeting with Princess Adriana the night before. She was ambitious, cunning, and now she was an ally—or at least, that's how it seemed. But if there was one thing I had learned about this world, it was to trust nothing at face value.

I dressed quickly, fastening my cloak as I moved through the quiet halls of the Academy. The pendant I had given Seraphina had stirred something deep in me—an awareness of how easily the tides of power could shift. The relic was supposed to be destined for Alistair or Evelyn, but now it was in Seraphina's hands. And that was only the beginning.

I had learned about another item, hidden within the depths of the Academy's vaults, that could change the balance of power even further—a weapon of untold strength, one whispered about in old stories, always tied to the heroes who would wield it to save kingdoms. The Sword of Aetherium.

Today, I planned to change that story.

As I approached the hidden passageways beneath the Academy, I was not surprised to find Seraphina waiting for me at the entrance, her sharp gaze sweeping over me as I arrived.

"Late-night meetings with royalty, Cedric?" she said with a smirk, leaning casually against the stone wall. "You've been busy."

I met her gaze, unflinching. "Princess Adriana is ambitious, and she's willing to work with us to secure her future."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity flickering there. "Work with us, or with you?"

I shrugged, knowing better than to let Seraphina press me too far. "She'll be useful, but for now, we have more important things to focus on."

Seraphina pushed away from the wall, adjusting the pendant around her neck, which caught the light and gleamed darkly. "The Sword of Aetherium," she mused, her voice low. "You're sure it's here?"

"Hidden away," I confirmed, "but well-protected. It's a weapon meant for Alistair. But if we claim it first…"

"It won't matter what destiny thinks," Seraphina finished, her eyes flashing with excitement. "Good. Let's not waste time."

We slipped through the dark passages beneath the Academy, navigating the twisting corridors that most students and even professors had no knowledge of. These were ancient halls, built long before the Academy had become a place of learning—a fortress meant to guard relics of power.

As we moved deeper into the vaults, a thought crossed my mind. **This wasn't the first time I had been here.** In my past life, these halls had been familiar. I had walked them in another time, another story. I had been part of this world before, but not as Cedric.

Seraphina glanced back at me, as if sensing the shift in my thoughts. "You've been awfully quiet," she said. "Is something troubling you?"

"No," I said, shaking off the feeling. "Just focused on the task ahead."

We reached a massive iron door, inscribed with runes that shimmered faintly in the dim light. I could feel the power radiating from it—protection magic, meant to keep out those unworthy of the sword. But I wasn't unworthy.

"Stand back," I told Seraphina, moving forward and placing my hand on the door.

The runes flared to life, a pulse of magic pushing back against me, testing my resolve. But I knew this magic. I knew how it worked—how it sought to determine whether I was truly meant to wield the power behind it. And in that moment, I let the memories of my past life flood my mind.

I had been a warrior once. A knight. I had fought for glory, for honor, but had fallen in battle, betrayed by those I had trusted. This world had given me a second chance, and I wasn't going to let it slip away. Not again.

The runes faded, the magic recognizing me—not as Cedric, but as someone else entirely. The door creaked open slowly, revealing a dimly lit chamber beyond.

Seraphina raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Well, that's one way to open a door."

I ignored her comment, stepping into the chamber. In the center of the room, resting on a stone pedestal, was the Sword of Aetherium. Its blade shimmered with an ethereal glow, almost humming with energy.

Seraphina moved closer, her eyes fixed on the sword. "Beautiful," she whispered. "And dangerous."

I nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. This sword had been meant for Alistair, but now it was mine. With it, I could reshape the story. I reached out, grasping the hilt, and a surge of power rushed through me. The sword was light, almost weightless, but the energy within it was overwhelming.

"This changes everything," I said quietly, turning to Seraphina.

She smiled, dark and dangerous. "You're right. With this, we'll be unstoppable."

But as I held the sword, another thought crept into my mind—**what else had been destined for Alistair? What other powers could I seize before he even knew they existed?**

Seraphina seemed to sense my thoughts. "There are more items," she said, her voice low. "More relics scattered across the kingdom. If we find them first…"

"We control the future," I finished for her.

For a moment, we stood there, the weight of our plans pressing down on us. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but the rewards were undeniable. With the Sword of Aetherium in hand, I had taken the first step toward changing everything. Alistair, Evelyn—none of them would see what was coming.

And when the time came, they would fall.