"The War of Ashes…" Miria repeated.
— It took place in a valley that the founders knew perfectly well, Asher explained.
They lured the armies there and trapped them.
Miria put her hand to her mouth.
— They killed them all...?
- No.
She looked up, stunned.
—No one died that day.
On the contrary... to survive, each species had to collaborate with another.
He paused.
— In this valley, where the blood of the four clans mingled... peace was born.
—And this is where they were named founders?
- Yes.
Their names were:
Siobhan, queen of the vampires.
Teona, queen of the werewolves.
Noreen, queen of wizards.
And Nell, queen of supernatural hunters.
Miria frowned.
"But you said they weren't of royal blood.
- It's true.
But their wisdom, their courage and their desire for peace pushed each people to choose them as guides.
An amazed smile appeared on Miria's face.
— It's a story of hatred… that ends in love.
Then his gaze hardened.
—And the grimoire?
Asher took a deep breath.
— The grimoire is a collection of all knowledge.
Vampires, werewolves, wizards and hunters.
All.
— You mean… absolutely everything?
- Yes.
Whoever holds it has power beyond imaginable.
Miria shivered.
— That's why it must never fall into the wrong hands.
She hesitated.
— But… how does Fishlegs know of its existence?
And what species does it belong to?
— Fishlegs is a werewolf.
And he knows the grimoire because he was... the student of the founders.
- What ?!
But this story dates back thousands of years!
— Werewolves are not immortal, yes.
But Fishlegs would have used spells from the grimoire to prolong his life... or stay forever young.
Miria felt a shiver run through her.
—Why would he do that?
— To take revenge.
— From whom?
— Of those who killed his mother.
— His mother was killed...? whispered Miria, horrified.
- Yes.
She fell during the War of Ashes.
He lowered his voice.
—After the alliance, his hatred only grew.
The founders tried to reason with him… in vain.
— What did he do...?
— We're not sure.
But some of them were killed.
Miria clenched her fists.
—And the grimoire… how did it come to my family?
Asher looked her straight in the eyes.
— Because you are Noreen's descendant.
She was considered the wisest of the four.
It was to her that the others entrusted the mission of protecting the grimoire.
Silence fell again.
Miria remained still, trying to assimilate each word, each revelation.
His world had just changed… forever.