Charter 28: The Mystery Of Lost Knowledge

His words hung in the air. Calcium thought about it. What did he mean by that? If she hadn't met him through the system, maybe things would have gone differently. But they were moving forward, step by step, and it wasn't profitable to stay away.

–Don't you understand too? We... can't back down. The temple is in front of us. You feel it's important, don't you? – Her voice became firm despite her anxiety.

Lian nodded without answering. He was her companion, but was he her friend? She couldn't say for sure. In the depths of her heart, she wondered if his presence was also part of something bigger than she could have imagined. And if he disappears like Elmar, what will happen to her?

When Calcium looked at Lian, his words sounded like an echo, echoes of her worries, but her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a flash of memories. Like a chain of chains, images surfaced: the first moment of their meeting, when the Council of Shadows tried to take Lian away, when his unusual presence attracted her attention.

Then, as soon as she noticed him, she felt something strange and for the first time noticed the task popping up in her mind.

[An object with an unstable fate has been discovered.]

[Danger: high.]

[Potential story: "The Secret of Stolen Knowledge."]

[Start recording?]

Lian's fate. Calcium couldn't shake the feeling that everything about him was hiding a lot more than she might have expected.

Then, right after the assignment popped up, she decided that maybe it was a mistake. But now, here with him, all the answers suddenly became clear. She couldn't keep avoiding this road, not knowing that it would lead her eventually.

–You don't know how I feel? – Calcium, unable to stand it, said with a note of confusion: – Have you ever felt that your destiny is just... breaking? Or that every step you take has an unknown thread that may one day break?

Lian looked at her, and his eyes became colder, as if he was carefully watching her every move, but there was something new and hidden in his gaze.

–I'm not sure I fully understand you, Calcium. But maybe we're both on the same path, only I haven't realized it yet, and you're too early. – His reply was quiet but meaningful.

Calcium fell silent, but her inner world could no longer remain aloof. The task she had received was no longer a simple warning. It escalated, taking on the form of reality itself.

New phrases flashed through her mind. This story was a part of his life, a story she had to solve. Not only because of the assignment, but also because of his own growing uncertainty.

When she thought that Lian might have been involved in something more than she expected, something in her chest lit up–the answer lies in what he's hiding.

–I've decided. – Calcium looked into his eyes, and despite the inner fear, her voice became firm: – You help me find my truth, and I will help you. I have to find out what's really going on with you, Lian.

Lian did not move, and his gaze became more and more penetrating.

– Are you sure about this? – His voice was calm, but there was a spark of worry underneath.

– Yes.– Calcium replied with determination: – I need to understand who you are, and what was behind your disappearance, behind your ways. The secret you're hiding and your fate… I can't just walk away from this, Lian.

Her words hung in the air, but they were enough for their meaning to permeate her entire being.

She realized that it wasn't just an assignment. It was more than just another step on the path to power or wealth. It was a chance to understand himself, to understand what lies behind Lian's fate, and perhaps his own.

She took a step forward, ready to accept the unknown, and at that moment she noticed the flash in front of her eyes again:

[Recording started]

[The Secret Of Stolen Knowledge.]

The moment slowed down. A deep, sudden chill ran through her skin, and she felt magic bind her to this task. It was more than just magical energy–it was a purpose.

"Anyway, I would have helped him sooner or later anyway."

What is this knowledge that Lian is hiding? Why is the Shadow Council trying so hard to get him? And what role does she play in this?

Calcium slowly turned to Lian.

There was no surprise on his face, but there was something in his eyes that made her heart speed up its rhythm. He knew she would make this move. He knew that now their paths were intertwined not only with magic, but also with their common mysteries.

– I'll be with you. No matter what happens. Her words sounded decisive.

And the path they had chosen was no longer just her own.

Calcium stood on the edge of the cliff, feeling the fresh wind wrap around her face, while her eyes kept following the horizon, where the outlines of the temple began to appear in the misty distance. The snowstorm that had been mercilessly tossing around seemed to have subsided a little, leaving only a deep silence. However, the silence inside her was not so calm.

The familiar energy buzzed inside her head again. It was a feeling as if something was changing, something was merging, combining the two paths. It wasn't just magic, it was a change in the very order of things.

[Task pooling has been completed successfully.]

[Task 1: The Secret of Stolen Knowledge]

[Task 2: Temple of the Forgotten Name]

[The tasks are now merging into one. Expect a new assignment and improved conditions.]

Calcium pressed her palm to her chest, feeling her tattoo flicker softly again, as if coming to life for a moment. It wasn't just a message. It was a confirmation that her path had indeed led to something more. She wasn't just walking towards the temple. She was on her way to a solution that could change everything.

Lian, who was standing next to her, noticed her confusion. He was already used to how often her gaze turned thoughtful when she began to realize something.

–Did you notice something. – He asked, his voice soft but strained.

– Let's move on to the Temple. – She said, feeling the inner fire rekindled in her chest: – We can't stand here.

– So the temple is not just a place.… It's related to what you're looking for. With your destiny. – His voice was low, as if he, too, had realized at some point that there was more behind them than they could have expected.

–You're right. – She replied, gritting her teeth: – I still don't understand why I have to solve all these riddles.

But Lian didn't answer.

Instead of words, he just reached out, gently touching her shoulder, as if trying to convey his confidence in her abilities. Calcium felt her heart begin to beat faster, but not from fear – from the fact that this path had become her destiny.

It was at this moment, when their conversation became so meaningful and their thoughts intertwined with reality, that the message sounded again:

[New assignment: "Exploring the Temple of the Forgotten Name."

[Host: Lian.]

[Requirements: Find the sources of power and the sources of knowledge.]

[You have obtained the key to ancient knowledge. The path to solving the mystery is not over. Be ready.]

The task was clear, but the question remained: how is this knowledge related to the Vine? Why did his fate become the key to the temple?

– Well, are you ready to go? – Lian asked, taking a step forward.

His gaze was resolute. He was ready, despite everything that was hidden in the shadows of his past.

Calcium knew that now, no matter how this path ended, they were partners, and she couldn't turn back.

She took a step, and with each movement, an uneasy feeling grew in her chest, as if she was approaching something important. Her heart was beating in unison with the fact that they were moving together.

The task was combined, but now it was necessary to solve the first part of the mystery of the temple.

What is this ancient temple hiding?

//To be continued, please like and save.