Black memory

Eliora, Riven, and Leora entered the tavern.

The thick, suffocating smell of alcohol filled the room, mingling with cigarette smoke and whispers of forgotten regrets.

Some young men sat scattered around the tables, silently sipping their drinks as if fleeing from a world that did not want them.

In a corner, a woman lay slumped over a table, her head bowed, one arm dangling beside a glass… she had dozed off before finishing her story.

Leora looked around in bewilderment, her face twisted with disgust:

"How are we supposed to get any information from a place like this?"

Eliora smiled slyly, a mocking sparkle in his eyes, then said quietly,

"Just watch… and you'll understand."

Eliora approached the old vendor behind a worn wooden counter, bent slightly, and whispered words that seemed meaningless:

"Regret of time."

The vendor's expression changed immediately; the coldness faded from his face, replaced by a subtle tension. He looked at Eliora carefully, then nodded toward a distant corner and whispered,

"Go to those mirrors… you'll find your answers there."

Riven raised an eyebrow, watching the scene unfold, muttering sarcastically,

"Strange bunch… indeed."

The three of them approached the mirrors as the vendor indicated. They were dusty and dull, as if untouched for centuries.

But the moment Eliora touched the frame of one, the air around them trembled, and a faint glow rose, quickly forming a magical barrier encasing them entirely, shielding them from the tavern's noise.

The mirrors began to shake, then one by one opened like secret doors, revealing a strange corridor whose sides glittered with reflections unlike reality.

Leora looked around in amazement as they stepped inside the corridor, saying,

"This day… really is full of surprises."

They started walking down the magical passage. The floor beneath their feet shimmered with mysterious reflections, as if they were walking on a still sheet of water.

Suddenly, with the last step, the magical barrier vanished, and an imposing scene opened before them…

A gigantic library.

Towering shelves reached the ceiling, stretching endlessly, crowded with thousands of books and scrolls—some floating in the air. The lighting was dim, coming from crystals hanging in the air like stars in a closed space.

Riven stopped in place, astonished, and said softly,

"What is this place…?"

Leora put her hand on her forehead and sighed,

"I think my head aches… just from looking."

As their eyes wandered around the vast library, slow footsteps echoed on the stone floor.

An old man appeared from between the shelves, stooped, leaning on a wooden cane adorned with an old worn symbol.

His white beard flowed down to his chest, and his sunken eyes carried the scent of years, but his voice held a strange warmth, like meeting a memory that never died.

The old man spoke in a trembling voice,

"It's been a long time… Eliora. Where have you been all this time?"

Eliora smiled slowly, raising his head to look at the old man with eyes mixing respect and nostalgia:

"Hello, old Harvis, it truly has been a long time."

Harvis glanced beside Eliora, where Liora stood, staring at her deeply as if reading an old story in her eyes.

Then he opened his eyes wide and said quietly but filled with astonishment,

"I understand now…"

He whispered to himself, barely moving his lips,

"She is the daughter of Arya and Arso, then…

What a short life."

Eliora smiled lightly and said softly,

"Seems you realized that, Harvis."

Then he gestured toward Liora and added warmly,

"Yes… she is their daughter."

Harvis smiled sadly, shaking his head,

"I know… she resembles Arya a lot, even in the glance of her eyes."

Leora stepped forward hesitantly, surprise painted on her face, and asked in a voice near a whisper,

"Did you… did you know my mother?"

Harvis nodded slowly, looking at Liora as if the past was alive in his eyes,

"Yes, I knew her… she and your father used to come here often. Learning things, asking questions no one else dared… then leaving as they came, leaving an indelible mark."

He sighed, staring at the surrounding books, as if they still held their voices:

"They were passionate, curious… and sometimes perplexing."

Then he smiled and added,

"Just like you."

Leora smiled, tears welling up but held back,

"I'm glad… there are those who remember them too."

Her voice was soft like a breeze of longing, and her smile trembled as if hiding a yearning for years she never lived.

Harvis slowly approached, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, and said,

"Their memory is unforgettable, little one… souls that leave a mark on the earth are never swallowed by forgetfulness."

Harvis continued, eyes sparkling with an old curiosity:

"And that boy…"

Then he slowly turned toward Raven, staring at him for a long moment.

He approached quietly and gently placed his hand on Riven's forehead.

A moment of silence filled the room before Harvis spoke in a soft but confident tone:

"A lightning user, then…"

Eliora spoke calmly and confidently, folding his arms:

"I have come here to gather some information."

Harvis smiled quietly, his eyes gleaming with the wisdom of years, and said with a tone full of expectation,

"I know… you're here for the Dark Gate. I have waited a long time for you to come."

Eliora looked at Harvis with anxious eyes and asked quietly,

"Do you know who opened it?"

Harvis sighed lightly, then answered seriously,

"Yes… It's a dark organization. I don't know much about them, but their name is 'Nexoria Dominatus'."

He continued, staring into the distance as if the words came from the folds of memory,

"A giant organization with deep roots stretching through time. For the past eight years, they have spread corruption in every corner of this world, forming small groups serving them, sowing chaos, and spreading darkness.

"There are other dark organizations that have recently appeared, like the 'Azarim'…

An evil group controlling the Ziraath, carrying out their orders mercilessly.

They are a formidable enemy, responsible for much destruction and fear."

Eliora fixed his gaze on Harvis with confidence:

"Azarim, then… I have heard of them."

He stood upright, his voice full of determination and resolve:

"I have made my decision… our first target is to bring down the Azarim."

Leora responded with a sharp, angry look:

"The Ziraath? I will crush them… they destroyed Moraliska."

Riven stepped forward enthusiastically and shouted,

"Of course! I'm ready to crush them at any cost."

But Harvis interrupted with a serious, sharp voice, his eyes flashing caution:

"It's not that simple, and you know it well, you foolish Eliora.

The Azarim are a dark group, their magic is dark and fierce… you must be careful."

Eliora approached, raising his head with a confidence that held no lack of challenge:

"I know… but I have to be great in front of them."

They prepared to leave. Eliora stood firmly, looking at the old Harvis who was studying Leora with wise eyes.

Eliora said confidently and reassuringly,

"Don't worry, she is Arya's daughter after all."

Harvis smiled calmly, replying thoughtfully,

"Arya was the one who closed the Dark Gate in the past… and this time, her daughter will do it. What fate."

Harvis extended his hand and gave Eliora an old wooden staff, covered with mysterious engravings that shimmered faintly under the light of the crystals.

He said in a low, serious voice,

"Leora, Lady of the Crimson Fire… give her this staff. She must feed on its magic; the power lies in this spark."

Eliora looked at the staff with admiration, then carefully took it, feeling the weight of the growing responsibility.

Eliora moved calmly toward Harvis, looking at him with eyes full of respect and trust, and said with a reassuring smile,

"You seem worried about your granddaughter… don't worry, I will take good care of her."

Harvis smiled slowly and nodded approvingly, as if his heart was at ease.

As they exited the library, Liora turned to Harvis with a warm smile, raising her hands in a friendly wave, gently signaling goodbye.

Harvis replied with a calm smile, as if bidding farewell to a dear memory, waving to them from afar.

Harvis stood quietly contemplating the place, his face shining with a hidden nostalgia that time could not hide.

He muttered softly, filled with admiration,

"It seems you gave birth to a copy of yourself, Arya…

Or maybe even stronger."

Eliora, Riven, and Leora left the library and returned to the tavern's familiar smells of wood, horses, and people.

Leora stood, gazing in amazement:

"I can't believe such a huge place was hidden here."

Riven smiled beside her, sharing the astonishment:

"Me too, I never expected anything like this."

As they stepped out of the tavern's door, that boy appeared again, running swiftly before stopping suddenly in front of them.

Leora looked at him in surprise, and the boy said, panting,

"Oh, you again… Can you help me this time?"

Riven smiled mischievously, rubbing his hands together as if ready to fight:

"There you are! I've been looking for you."

Leora quickly grabbed Riven's hand and said sternly,

"This is not the time, you idiot."

Eliora looked sharply at the boy and asked,

"What do you want us to help you with?"

Suddenly, the sound of soldiers echoed from afar, shouting,

"This way! He passed through here!"

The boy said anxiously, glancing around nervously,

"I think the answer has come to you…"

The soldiers' voices grew closer, calling out,

"Hurry! There's no time!"

Leora grabbed the boy's hand firmly and started running with him quickly, calling out excitedly,

"Catch up to us quickly!"

Riven pulled the boy's hand with a mocking smile,

"That idiot!"

Then he sprinted after them, not wanting to miss the moment.

Eliora turned to them, holding his head in his hand in disbelief, and said sarcastically,

"Kids these days…"