Chapter 36. Meeting in the Library (Part 3)

After finishing their meal, Arthur and Anya cleaned up after themselves and headed back to the library. Outside, a slight chill had begun to set in—the day was slowly turning into evening, and the sun, which had earlier shone brightly, now painted the sky in soft shades of orange and pink.

They walked along the stone-paved path, and the silence between them was broken by Anya's voice:

"You know, the more I read about cults, the more uneasy I feel..."

Arthur looked at her with curiosity.

"What exactly is bothering you?"

Anya hugged the book to her chest and sighed.

"Their history. I knew cults were terrifying, but I didn't think it was this... horrible."

"Like what?"

They entered the library, and as they walked between the tall bookshelves, Anya began to explain.

"The books describe many cults that existed at different times. Most of them have one thing in common—mass sacrifices." She lowered her voice as if afraid someone might overhear. "Some sects believed that only through blood could they appease their gods. In one case, they destroyed an entire village to 'cleanse the land' for their deity's arrival."

Arthur frowned.

"Didn't anyone try to stop them?"

"Of course, they did," Anya shook her head. "But the cults acted in secret, infiltrating cities and even the government... One example describes a cult that spread its influence over decades until it controlled an entire province. People didn't even realize they had become part of a dark ritual."

They reached their table, where they had left their books, and sat down to read again.

"I found mentions of a cult that worshiped a god named Shaar'zul. They believed that if they sacrificed a thousand souls, he would descend into this world and make them his chosen ones." Anya flipped a page. "Their rituals are described in gruesome detail. For example, they used special magical circles to bind the souls of the victims, preventing them from leaving this world. Even after death, the trapped souls suffered, empowering the cultists."

Arthur felt a chill run down his spine.

"That's horrifying..."

"And there are countless stories like this." Anya closed the book and looked at Arthur. Worry was evident in her eyes. "I don't understand... How could people willingly go along with something like that?"

Arthur thought for a moment before quietly saying:

"Maybe because they were desperately searching for meaning in life. Or they feared death and longed for immortality."

Anya nodded, but a shadow of unease still lingered in her gaze.

She nervously traced the edge of the page with her fingers, lowering her eyes. It seemed like she was trying to find the right words but couldn't bring herself to say them.

"But you know what's the scariest part?"—her voice dropped to a whisper.

Arthur looked at her intently, sensing that she was about to say something truly important.

"It's not even the sacrifices themselves..." she continued, her fingers trembling slightly as she flipped another page. "It's the fact that sometimes they actually worked.

"Sometimes the rituals succeeded. And then... these beings really did descend into our world."

Her voice faltered. She closed the book and clasped her hands on the table, trying to calm her emotions.

"In those moments, no one could do anything except for the greatest sorcerers. Even the armies of entire kingdoms were useless because against such ancient forces, the swords of ordinary knights meant nothing."

Arthur felt another chill run down his back.

"But surely such cases are rare?"

Anya gave a bitter smile and reopened the book, flipping through the pages.

"History hides too much. But if you read the chronicles carefully... sometimes you can find hints."

She stopped at one section and turned the book so Arthur could see.

"Here, for example, is the account of the fall of Selaria. It was a prosperous city in the south of the kingdom, famous for its craft guilds and rich culture."

Anya traced her finger along the text as she read aloud:

"'But one day, Selaria vanished. Not a single survivor. Only ruins and ash remained. The air was thick with smoke and the scent of burning. Witnesses who arrived later claimed they saw something... indescribable at the city's center. Something beyond comprehension.'"

She lifted her gaze from the book and softly added:

"The chronicles mention strange activities before the city's fall. People disappearing, and the air filled with the scent of blood."

Arthur rubbed his face, realizing how serious it all was.

"Do you think there was a cult behind it?"

Anya nodded.

"I'm almost certain. And judging by the records, they succeeded in completing the ritual... But no one knows exactly what came through. The great sorcerers arrived too late."

A heavy silence fell between them.

Arthur didn't know what to say. He had never dealt with anything like this before, and now his best friend, someone he had known since childhood, was preparing to head into what could be the heart of such dangers.

Anya slowly closed the book and folded her hands on the table.

"To be honest..." her voice was barely audible, "I'm starting to doubt my decision."

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with anxiety.

"When I took this assignment, I thought it was just an investigation. A chance to see Ateleria and learn about its culture... But now I wonder: what if I get caught up in something this dangerous?"

She paused, then added in a whisper:

"What if I can't handle it?"

Arthur looked at her carefully. He could see she was truly afraid. Maybe for the first time, she was openly admitting her fear.

He wanted to say something encouraging but knew empty words wouldn't help. So he chose honesty.

"You're not alone," he said firmly. "The Academy wouldn't have sent you if it was too dangerous."

Anya nodded, but the worry in her eyes remained.

"I hope so..."

She dropped her gaze, biting her lip.

When the library announced it would soon close, Arthur and Anya reluctantly began packing their things. Outside, dusk had already fallen, and the soft glow of magical lanterns illuminated the Academy's paths.

Anya gently closed her book, lingering on it for a moment as if trying to remember every word, before placing it in her stack.

"I didn't even notice how quickly time flew," she said, yawning as she fastened her bag.

"Yeah," Arthur agreed as he packed his books. "Feels like we just sat down."

He stretched, easing the stiffness in his back. The hours spent studying the anatomy of sea ravens and alchemical material treatment had passed in a blur.

When they stepped out of the library, they were met by the cool evening air. Stars had already appeared in the cloudless sky, and the Academy was enveloped in calm. Only a few students passed by, hurrying to their dormitories. The air was filled with the soft scent of night-blooming flowers from a nearby garden.

Arthur glanced at Anya, hesitated for a moment, then said:

"Let me walk you back."

Anya looked at him, her green eyes resting on his face as if weighing his offer. Then she smiled slightly.

"I'd like that."

They walked along the stone path, their footsteps echoing softly in the stillness around them. Anya seemed lost in thought, her fingers nervously brushing the strap of her bag. Arthur could sense that something had changed in her after reading about the cults, but he wasn't sure if he should bring it up.

"It's strange how quickly the day ended," she said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," Arthur replied, gazing at the sky. "Feels like morning was just minutes ago."

"Are you glad you took this assignment?" she asked, lowering her head.

"Of course. It's a great chance to study transformational magic."

Anya nodded but said nothing more. They continued walking, occasionally exchanging short remarks, until they finally reached the women's dormitory.

Anya stopped in front of the entrance and turned to Arthur.

"Thanks for walking me," she said quietly, rubbing her hands together.

"No problem," he replied with a shrug.

They exchanged glances, and a slight pause hung in the air.

Arthur was about to turn and leave when Anya suddenly stepped closer. Before he could say anything, she gently kissed his cheek.

It lasted only a moment, but for Arthur, time seemed to stop.

Her breath, the warmth of her skin, the soft touch—all of it blended into one brief yet overwhelming instant.

As soon as her lips left his cheek, Anya quickly turned around and hurried towards the dormitory entrance.

Arthur stood frozen, trying to process what had just happened.

"Um..." he muttered, but Anya had already disappeared inside.

He slowly touched his cheek, where her warmth still lingered.

His mind was blank, yet his thoughts swirled chaotically.

He had never seen Anya like this—so shy, yet suddenly bold...

Finally, he let out a deep breath and slowly walked toward his own dormitory, feeling his heart still racing faster than usual.