Charter 32: Voices Of Secrecy

Calcium took a deep breath and took a step forward. The air in the temple became heavier and heavier, saturated with ancient magic, which seemed to be absorbed into the skin. She could feel it in every cell.

Lian walked beside her, not breaking the silence. He looked collected, but something about him made Calcium keep her distance. Perhaps it was her usual caution, or perhaps she had the feeling that he was not telling her something.

–It's too quiet in here. – She muttered, breaking the tense silence.

–This place has long been forgotten.– Lian replied, looking around: –But the echoes of the past are still here.

Calcium ran her fingers along the stone wall, feeling a faint warmth radiate from it. These signs… It was as if they were calling her.

"If the tablet is really here, I have to find it."

At that moment, her palm glowed faintly. Symbols flashed on the tattoo, forming a new message.:

[Side quest: "Echoes of the Past."]

[Find the ancient record in the Temple of the Forgotten Name.]

Calcium narrowed her eyes. This was not her main goal, but perhaps this recording will help her understand what this temple hides.

She glanced at Lian.

–We need to take a closer look at this place. – She said, trying to sound calm.

Lian looked at her for a little longer than necessary, but nodded.

- OK. But if you feel anything strange, tell me right away.

Calcium just nodded, though she chuckled inside. "As if I'm going to tell you something."

She started walking, and there was a soft sound behind her. A barely perceptible rustle, as if someone was watching them from the depths of the temple.

Calcium felt a slight excitement run through her body. She didn't know what exactly was bothering her: the strange silence of the temple, the secrecy of the Creeper, or the very idea that somewhere in the depths of this place the very tablet might be hiding.

"I need to check my status."

She mentally concentrated, and a familiar translucent screen flashed in front of her eyes:

[Character Status ]

[Name]: Calcium

[Profession]: Story Tattoo Artist

[Rank]: Tablet Master

[Level]: 6

[Mana]: 220/300

[Endurance]: 240/400

[Power]: 19

[Agility]: 22

[Special abilities]:

Creating Tablets 2 lvl (Active) allows you to record stories using mana

The Hidden Scribe 1 lvl Temporarily makes recordings invisible to outsiders.

Recording History (Passive)

Forbidden Tablet (????)

Echoes Of the Stories 1 lvl. ( Active ) makes it possible to catch faint echoes of the past.

Active effects: The attention of mysterious forces (unknown consequences).

[Available skills:]

Printing Fire Story (40 mana)

Reading hidden Texts (10 mana)

Historical record (30 mana)

Bestiary Recording (20 mana)

Deep Memory (30 Mana)

[Achievements]:

You have learned a forbidden secret (+500 experience)

This is the first time you've written a Tablet that changed reality (+1 level)

The Council of Shadows is afraid of you (????)

Code: The Call of Wisdom

Tasks:

[Main: "The Secret of Stolen Knowledge" (in progress)]

[Side effect: "Echoes of the Past" (in progress)]

Calcium frowned.

"I've already reached the sixth level, but I'm still far from understanding my strength. There is still enough mana, but if you have to use your abilities often, the supply will quickly run out."

She glanced at Lian, who was walking a little ahead, carefully looking around.

"I do not know what awaits me next, but I need to be careful."

Closing her eyes, Calcium took a deeper breath and walked on, focusing on each step.

Calcium swiped away the system window and focused on the surrounding space. There was ancient magic in the air, and her intuition told her that this place held much more than it seemed at first glance.

Lian suddenly stopped and slowly ran his fingers along the wall, his gaze became intense.

–There's something here. – he muttered.

Calcium squinted and came closer. The wall that Lian was pointing at seemed ordinary, but her fingers felt a slight tingling sensation, as if the stone was charged with magic.

"Echoes of History"

She activated the ability, and ghostly silhouettes of the past flashed before her eyes. People in long robes were walking along the corridor, one of them carrying something wrapped in a dark cloth. Their faces were serious and their steps were quick, as if they were in a hurry to hide something important.

–They were carrying… The tablet?

The vision ended, and Calcium shuddered. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her heartbeat.

–Did you see something?– Lian asked, watching her closely.

Calcium hesitated. She didn't fully understand whether it was worth sharing this information.

– It seems that there is an important record hidden here. She replied evasively.

Lian nodded, as if expecting such an answer: –Then let's find her.

He pressed his palm against the wall, and suddenly, ancient symbols appeared on the stone surface, glowing with a dim blue light.

Calcium was about to ask how he knew how to start it, but a narrow passage leading deeper into the temple slowly opened in front of them.

A cold wind ran over my skin, and a faint echo of a distant voice came from the darkness.

Calcium exchanged glances with Lian.

–Do you think it's a trap? – she asked softly.

– I think there's no turning back. – He replied and took the first step inside.

Calcium took a deep breath and followed him. As soon as the vision disappeared, Calcium felt something change inside her. It was like a warm wave swept through my body, and then a new system message popped up in front of my eyes:

[The Echoes of History ability has been improved! Level increased to 2.]

[Perception radius increased.]

[The visions have become clearer.]

[Now you can hear the echoes of voices from the past.]

Calcium blinked.

"Now I can not only see them, but also hear them?"

The thought was exciting and frightening at the same time. Now the stories of the past could open up even more deeply in front of her... but with it came more suspense.

Lian watched her, but did not ask what had happened.

Calcium quickly removed the system window and nodded.

–Then let's find her. – She repeated, hiding her inner excitement.

Her fingers were trembling, but not from fear, but from premonition. She just got stronger. The "Echoes of History" improved — now she could not only see, but also hear the voices of the past.

But what if they start talking to her?

The corridor was narrow, and the walls were covered with ancient symbols that flickered faintly, as if reacting to their presence. Lian walked ahead, confidently, as if he knew the way.

Calcium narrowed her eyes skeptically.

–Have you been here before?

Lian didn't turn around.

– Then why are you walking so confidently?

– I just feel where I need to go. – He replied, slightly slowing down his pace.

"Either he's lying, or something is driving him."

She mentally activated the "Echoes of History," and this time her consciousness embraced not only images, but also sounds.

"They must not find this place!"

"Seal the doors! We were betrayed!"

"Someone opened the temple! Someone is coming!"

The last sentence sounded very close, as if someone had whispered it right in his ear.Calcium shuddered and stopped abruptly.

– What happened ? –Lian turned around, noticing her sudden alarm.

–They know we're here," Calcium whispered, and at that moment the walls began to shake.

//To be continued, please like and save…