Ch 98: The Augury’s Confession

Kalem stood amid the ruins, his hands brushing against the etched patterns carved into the valley's stone. The intricate runes glowed faintly, pulsing in rhythm with the energy coursing through them. Despite days of effort, the full meaning of the magic eluded him, but he couldn't shake the pull they exerted on his mind.

"To control an entire region's natural forces," he murmured, his voice tinged with awe and frustration. "Lava flows, tremors, the behavior of creatures like Galgameths and Lava Worms... It's like trying to cleave a mountain with a chisel and hammer."

He sighed, crouching closer to inspect a series of intersecting lines that seemed central to the design. "Seriously, how much more complicated does this get?"

A soft, calm voice broke the stillness. "Patience is a virtue best cultivated while you're young."

Kalem spun around, his grip tightening instinctively on his axe. The Augury stood a short distance away, his long robes untouched by the dust and debris of the ruins. His presence was serene, yet something about it felt profoundly unsettling.

"You're surprisingly good at sneaking up on people," Kalem said, narrowing his eyes. Without hesitation, he swung his axe in a swift arc toward the figure.

The Augury raised his staff effortlessly, intercepting the strike. Sparks of magic rippled from the point of impact, casting an eerie glow over the surrounding ruins.

"You're ferocious, young one," the Augury remarked, his tone almost amused.

Kalem pulled back, adjusting his stance. "What material is that? No wood should block an axe like this—enchanted or not."

The Augury tapped the staff lightly on the ground, causing a resonant hum. "It's an advanced form of material mastery. When you've delved deeper into magic—especially that tied to materials—you'll begin to understand."

Kalem gritted his teeth. "Well, since you're so knowledgeable, why don't you explain something to me?" He gestured toward a massive boulder etched with intricate runes. "Those symbols—what's their purpose?"

The Augury's eyes flicked toward the boulder. "An impressive work of nature and magic in harmony."

"Don't dodge the question," Kalem snapped. "I've spent enough time here to know this isn't just nature. These ruins were built to control the valley, weren't they?"

The Augury's serene expression faltered slightly, but his voice remained steady. "You're perceptive. But such knowledge is dangerous, especially for someone so young."

Kalem stepped forward, his gaze unyielding. "You've been guiding everyone in the valley, predicting disasters, warning us where to go and where to avoid. But you've also been steering us away from something—something you don't want us to find. What is it?"

For a moment, silence hung between them. The Augury sighed, his shoulders relaxing as if a great weight had settled upon them. "I underestimated you, Kalem. Perhaps it's time you understood."

The Augury lowered his staff and gestured for Kalem to sit by the glowing runes. Cautiously, Kalem remained standing, his axe still in hand.

"Do you know what it means to feel everything in an area as vast and volatile as this valley?" the Augury began, his voice quiet but laced with an undercurrent of anguish. "To sense every shift in the earth, every tremor of the wind, every ripple of energy in the air? It's a gift—and a curse. This valley is my domain, and within it, my connection to nature is absolute. But the cost of such a connection... it is unbearable."

Kalem's grip on his axe loosened slightly as he listened. "You mean you can sense everything in the valley?"

"Everything," the Augury confirmed. "Every eruption, every storm, every creature's cry. Every stone that shifts, every blade of grass that sways. It is a constant torrent of information. And over the years, it has become too much."

Kalem frowned. "Then why not leave? Find somewhere less... chaotic?"

The Augury shook his head. "You don't understand. The connection isn't something I can sever. It is tied to me—bound by my nature. If I leave this valley, the connection follows. But here, in this place, I found a way to quiet the noise. These runes, these ancient mechanisms—they allow control. By mastering the valley, I can suppress the chaos. I can create peace."

Kalem's eyes narrowed. "So you've been manipulating the Galgameths, the Lava Worms, even the tremors, to achieve that?"

"Yes," the Augury admitted, his voice unwavering. "The creatures respond to the runes. By inducing their dormancy, I prevent further destruction. But the cost... the cost is worth it for the silence."

Kalem stepped back, his heart pounding. "You're risking the lives of everyone here. The valley is a powder keg, and you're playing with fire—literally. What happens if you lose control?"

The Augury's gaze hardened. "I won't lose control. You, however, should tread carefully, Kalem. This knowledge is not something you're ready to wield."

The tension between them crackled like a live wire. Kalem tightened his grip on his axe, his mind racing with the implications of what he'd just learned.

"You think you can control everything," he said, his voice low and steady. "But you're just pushing the chaos aside. It's going to come back—worse than before."

The Augury smiled faintly, almost pityingly. "Perhaps. But for now, the valley is mine to command. And I suggest you focus on your own path, rather than meddling in things beyond your understanding."

With that, the Augury turned and began to walk away, his staff clicking softly against the stone. Kalem watched him go, his thoughts swirling with questions and doubt. One thing was clear: the Augury's motives were more dangerous than anyone could have imagined.