Charter: «Secrets Of The Past» Store

Calcium felt her tension ease a little, but something was still nagging at the back of her mind.

"What if this city hides more than we think?"

They stepped inside the city of Miran, and Calcium looked back at Lian, who led them through narrow streets full of smells and sounds that seemed to hide the secrets of the past. She had a feeling that her fate was intertwined with this place.

And if she can change what was once written down, maybe her future won't be what she imagined.

Walking through the streets of Miran, Calcium noticed how the city lives its life. People were rushing about their business, merchants were shouting their offers, laughter and conversations could be heard everywhere. But something was wrong.

There were too many hidden glances, people seemed to be looking warily at strangers, and there was a shadow around every corner, as if someone was watching.

This place was saturated with tension.

Lian walked with a confident step, as if he knew exactly where they should go. But Calcium sensed that his calmness was hiding some kind of anxiety.

Perhaps it was just her intuition, or something more. But she didn't have time to think, her assignment was clear.

"Find the tablet. Solve the mystery."– these words echoed in her head.

They turned into one of the narrow streets, where there were not so many people, and Calcium noticed an old store. He looked unkempt, as if he had been abandoned by time. The shop windows were covered with a layer of dust, and above the door hung a sign on which the words "Secrets of the Past" were barely legible.

Lian, without slowing down, opened the door and went inside, and Calcium, succumbing to curiosity, followed him. Inside, there was a thick smell of old books, charcoal, and something metallic.

A lot of shelves with sealed boxes and forgotten manuscripts lined the walls. In the center of the room stood an old man with a long gray beard, dressed in a shabby dress. His eyes were closed, and it seemed like he was sleeping, but not like an ordinary person.

–Do you feel it? – Lian stopped, looked at the Calcium, and added in a whisper: – This man knows a lot. But he's not just a salesman.

Calcium thought about it. She felt that there was something important hidden in this store. And maybe this is where she'll find some of what she's looking for. The old man, without opening his eyes, said softly but clearly:

–You came for secrets. But be careful. Not everything that is hidden is worth being found.

Calcium came closer, and her attention was drawn to the strange symbols carved on the shelves, which glowed faintly in the dim candlelight.

–I'm looking for the tablet– She said, not hiding her interest.: – Do you have anything that will help me find her?

The old man opened his eyes. He looked at the Calcium with unexpected insight. As if he had forgotten what he had said before, he repeated the same thing:

–The tablet?Ah, you're looking for her. –His voice was calm, but it sounded like a harbinger of something inevitable: – But remember, not every story has to be revealed. Not all secrets should be brought to light.

Lian was already impatient, and his eyes flashed.

–We won't be here for long. Just tell me where she is.

The old man nodded silently and pointed to the far corner of the room. There was a tall bookshelf with a half-worn layer of dust. He approached her, pushed aside one of the books with difficulty, and a hidden doorway opened in front of them.

Calcium felt her heart beat faster. They entered a small, dark room with an old stone altar in the center. There was a tablet on it. She looked as if she was absorbing the light herself, emitting a soft silvery glow.

– It's her...– Calcium whispered to herself.

She took a step towards the tablet, and her hand tentatively touched its surface. But as soon as she touched it, images instantly appeared in her head — scenes from other people's lives, rapidly changing, without stopping. Strange feelings, other people's experiences — everything was mixed up in her head.

[Ancient history discovered: "?????".]

[ Potential threat: ???.]

[Anomaly! Mistake! Error!]

[Attempt to read: Failed ]

The tablet began to dim, and Calcium felt her energy drain away. Pain shot through her body. Every cell seemed to be screaming. She pulled her hand away and gasped, realizing that this artifact was not just a source of knowledge. It was a test.

Lian, noticing her condition, jumped up to her.

–Are you okay?– His voice was anxious.

Calcium sighed heavily, trying to control the pain.

–I...I'm fine.– It just takes a little time.

She looked at the tablet and realized that she had just begun to unravel its mystery.

However, with each new step, the path became more dangerous.

–I probably shouldn't watch this story yet, I feel like I'm going to keep getting failures.But still, why am I here, I found the tablet, what's next?

Calcium and Lian were slowly moving through the dark store when suddenly the door suddenly opened, and something white flew into the opening, with a speed that eluded the eye. The creature swept past them, launching a light wave of air, and with a loud squeak stopped at one of the antique cabinets.

It was a mole-like creature, but with bright white fur that swayed slightly in the wind, like a pillow when it was shaken. He had big, slightly anxious eyes that seemed to be able to see every detail around him.

It crept in unnoticed, but having escaped the eyes, it rushed to the shelf with valuable artifacts, immediately picking up a couple of ancient objects with its small paws.

The old man, who seemed to be floating in the clouds, suddenly abruptly opened his eyes, and his voice sounded harsh like a rough stone.

–The thief! The treasure thief! – He didn't just shout it out, but shouted, directing his old but bright eyes at the creature that was trying to smuggle stolen property into one of its sides.

Calcium instantly tensed up. She didn't have time to really understand what was going on, as the voice of the system was immediately superimposed on her consciousness.

[Danger! An important object has been stolen!]

[Task: Deal with the thief. Either tame him or eliminate him.]

She instantly glanced at the mole, who, seizing the moment, abruptly disappeared under some shelf with overshadowed books. A slight squeak could be clearly heard as his paws continued to run across the shelf, dragging artifacts.

"What the hell is this?" thought Calcium, trying to hide the worry in her eyes.

–Have you been stealing? – She said loudly: – What are you doing?

The mole immediately peeked out, looking at her with that same strange gaze, almost exploring. His eyes were intelligent, like those of an animal that had already been through a lot.

But at the moment when Calcium took a step towards him, the mole jerked and rushed towards the exit. He was too fast for her eyes, and her attempt to catch him was unsuccessful.

The system notified her again:

[Attempt to tame failed.]

//To be continued, please like and save…