Charter 27: What Will Happen After That?

The silence was oppressive.

Lian ran a hand through his hair and shook his head: – Why does everything always turn out to be more difficult than it seems?

Calcium grinned, although a cold fear flashed inside her.

– Because we live in a story, not a fairy tale.

She looked at the tablet again. She had a purpose now.

Find out what kind of mistake the First Tattoo Artist made... and how to fix it.

Calcium looked at the tablet again, trying to collect her thoughts. My heart was pounding loudly.

–The first Tattoo Artist made a mistake...– She whispered, feeling the weight of those words.

She didn't know what kind of mistake it was, but she knew one thing–it couldn't happen again.

Lian was watching her intently with his arms crossed over his chest.

–You look like you've seen a ghost.

Calcium chuckled: –Maybe it is

She shook her head, trying to calm her thoughts.

– We need more information. If my power allows me to reveal the past, then I must find more tablets.

Lian nodded, but his gaze remained intense.

A new system message popped up in front of her eyes:

[Quest updated!]

[Find the Temple of the Forgotten Name. The following tablet is kept there.]

[Reward: The Seer's Seal Artifact (Allows you to see hidden memories in tablets without spending mana).]

Calcium clenched her fists. The system has always given rewards – but at what cost?

She remembered Elmar. When she completed the main task, he just disappeared. Without a trace, without explanation. It was as if he had never been there.

Calcium cast a quick glance at Lian. What if... and he disappears after this assignment?

Her lips twitched.

–Damn...– She whispered, but then pulled herself together.

The system led her to Lian, but why? She still didn't understand.

Just another pawn in her game? Or something more?

They came out of the tower, and a silent snowy landscape spread out in front of them. Calcium looked at the distant mountains where the Temple was hidden.

There were answers waiting for her. And maybe... more losses.

Calcium couldn't get rid of these thoughts. When she completed the first task, he just disappeared. It was as if he had never existed. It was like he was part of some big illusion.

"Why did he disappear?"

"Why do I feel this way?"

She kept replaying these questions in her head, but she still couldn't find an answer. And now Lian was standing in front of her, and something told her that he, too, would disappear as soon as the task was completed.

– Do you think that all this is not an accident? – Lian interrupted her thoughts, and there was interest in his voice. He was standing next to her, not hurrying, but he seemed to be waiting for something definite from her.

– I don't know.– Calcium replied, her voice sounding hollow: – But I feel that the world is not as simple as it seems at first glance.

Lian raised an eyebrow slightly, seeing how she was dragging her inner world into the dangerous pause he had been waiting for. He took a step closer, his gaze becoming more and more attentive.

–Are you hiding something? – His words sounded like a slight threat, but there was no cruelty in his tone.

Calcium didn't answer immediately, her thoughts were racing. What if Lian disappears too? What if his goal was just to lead her to the next step and leave her alone? As with Elmar, there is emptiness after completing the task.

– I don't know what I'm hiding, Lian. – Calcium finally said, her voice was steady, but the gleam of concern in her eyes did not subside: – But it seems to me that you can disappear too.

Lian did not immediately react, but his gaze became more serious, as if he was reading the hidden motives of her words.

–Do you really believe in fate? – His reply was quiet, but still defiant.

Calcium paused, trying to find the words. She didn't believe in fate. But then how to explain all these coincidences? Why did she meet such people, why did they end up next to her, and then disappear, leaving her alone?

Elmar's face flashed through her mind again. This man who taught her a lot, but at some point, like all the others, disappeared without leaving a trace. Why do they disappear?

– I don't believe in fate, Lian. – Finally, she said,But if it's not her, then what is it? Why are you here with me? Why don't you leave like everyone else?

Lian didn't seem to expect such a question, and his eyes clouded for a moment. He couldn't answer directly. Instead, he looked into the distance, where the dark mountain began, hiding the answer she was looking for.

–The answers will come later, Calcium. You know that. For no one would have predicted the path you are going. But don't forget, the further we go, the more secrets we have to uncover.

Calcium looked at him and, feeling her nerves on edge, opened her eyes into the empty distance. A mystery lurked in every momentary shadow. She could only hope that one day they would both see the truth, even if it cost them their friendship, their understanding of what they meant to each other.

Her gaze fell back on the mountain Temple that was hidden in the fog. There was a goal ahead, and no matter how difficult it was, she couldn't stop.

But she couldn't forget that she wasn't alone on this path. And the closer they got to their goal, the more questions she couldn't afford not to ask.

Calcium stood on the edge of the cliff, her gaze fixed into the distance. Snow was rushing around, covering the ground with a thick layer. The wind blew her thoughts away, leaving only questions.

Why is Lian still with her? What if he was just watching her move, knowing that when the moment came, it would all be over? But maybe she was wrong. Perhaps her fears were unfounded.

Darkness gradually engulfed the mountains stretching to the horizon, and she felt the air getting colder. Her heart was beating faster with every step.

They had to pass through these mountains to find the temple where the Seal of the Seer was kept. But as soon as she looked at Lian, she felt uncomfortable again. He looked at her intently, as if understanding her thoughts, but not expressing a single word.

– Do you feel something wrong? – His voice was restrained, but there was a hint of wariness in it.

Calcium shuddered. He always seemed to find a moment to see her inner state.

– I don't know. Everything seems strange.

She couldn't hide the confusion in her voice.

– After I finished with Elmar, I kept thinking that it was some kind of sign. But here you are... You're here anyway. Why?

Lian was silent, his face hidden in the shadow of the hood. The dark gaze wouldn't let go of her. He seemed to know something. But she couldn't figure out what it was.

– We're all connected. – He said finally: – And no matter what happens, I can't leave you alone. None of this is accidental.

//To be continued, please like and save.