Ch 95: Traces of Manipulation

The sun was climbing higher into the ash-dappled sky as Vornar, Tharic, and Kalem trudged deeper into the desolate area. Each step felt heavier than the last, the oppressive air seemingly thick with more than just the remnants of ash. It was as though the valley itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen—or something to be discovered.

"Explain this again," Tharic grunted, breaking the heavy silence. "Why exactly are we out here, following the hunch of a restless apprentice?"

Kalem rolled his eyes, ignoring the dig. "I told you already. The energy in these dormant zones isn't natural. It feels... manipulated."

"Energy doesn't have feelings," Tharic retorted.

"Quiet," Vornar interrupted, his tone sharp. He gestured ahead, where faintly glowing runes were etched into the ground. "We're here now. Let's see what we're dealing with."

Kalem knelt near one of the glowing marks, his fingers tracing the edges. The rune's light pulsed faintly, its energy humming just beneath the surface. It felt almost alive, as though it was part of a larger, hidden system.

"These markings," Kalem said, his voice low, "they're arranged deliberately. This isn't random."

Tharic crouched next to him, frowning. "What kind of magic is this? Doesn't look like anything I've seen before."

"It's old," Kalem replied. "And powerful. Too intricate to be natural. Someone put this here—and for a purpose."

Vornar studied the rune, his expression grim. "Could it be the Augury's work?"

Kalem hesitated. "It matches the energy I've felt around him, but I don't have enough proof. Not yet."

The trio moved deeper into the zone, the runes growing more numerous and intricate. They formed complex patterns, weaving through the scorched earth like veins of molten light. The faint hum of magic grew stronger, vibrating through the ground beneath their feet.

"Feels like walking into a spider's web," Tharic muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"Let's hope we're not the flies," Vornar said grimly.

Kalem stopped suddenly, his gaze fixed on a jagged stone protruding from the center of the largest rune circle. It was unlike the others—its surface etched with runes that glowed brighter and pulsed more erratically, as if struggling to contain the energy within.

"That's the source," Kalem whispered.

Vornar approached cautiously, his hand gripping the haft of his axe. "Careful. This reeks of a trap."

Tharic smirked. "When isn't it?"

Kalem stepped closer to the stone, the glow of his focus core responding faintly to the energy around it. As he reached out to touch the surface, a surge of magic coursed through him, sending a shockwave of visions into his mind.

He stumbled back, clutching his head. The fragmented images lingered: flashes of fire and ash, swirling energy, and the Augury standing amidst it all, his face shadowed but unmistakable.

Kalem gasped for breath, his voice shaking. "It's him. The Augury. He's tied to this."

Vornar and Tharic exchanged a wary glance.

"What did you see?" Vornar asked.

"Fragments," Kalem replied. "The Augury manipulating magic, controlling it. These runes—they're part of his plan."

The discovery demanded more time, and the three of them spent hours meticulously documenting the runes. Kalem's knowledge of rune-crafting proved invaluable, though even he struggled to decipher their full meaning.

"These aren't just runes," Kalem said, wiping sweat from his brow. "They're a framework—like the foundation of a spell, but one that's still incomplete."

"What kind of spell?" Tharic asked.

Kalem shook his head. "I don't know. But it's massive. Whatever it's meant to do, it's going to affect the entire valley."

Vornar frowned. "We need answers. And we need to tread carefully. If the Augury is behind this, he's more dangerous than we thought."

Tharic grunted in agreement. "This isn't the kind of thing you throw together on a whim. If he's been planning this, it's been going on for years—maybe decades."

"Or longer," Kalem added grimly.

As they began their journey back, the weight of their discovery pressed heavily on them. The air seemed colder, the ash-dappled landscape more foreboding.

Kalem broke the silence. "If the Augury really is behind this... what do we do?"

Vornar's expression was unreadable. "We gather proof. Solid proof. And then we make a plan."

Tharic chuckled darkly. "Let's just hope we survive long enough to use it."

Kalem nodded, his resolve hardening. Whatever lay ahead, he knew they couldn't turn back now. The truth was out there—and he was determined to uncover it, no matter the cost.