As they rode deeper into the city, the streets opened into a grand middle court. At its center stood a magnificent hall—constructed entirely of dark teak wood, its surface carved with intricate patterns that told stories of old. The wood gleamed with age, polished by centuries of wind and rain.
At the entrance of the hall stood a white magis.
He was ancient—his body withered by time, his skin papery and thin, his white hair wispy and sparse. His robes were simple but immaculate, and his eyes, though clouded with age, held a sharpness that spoke of a mind still keen.
He had been standing there for a while, waiting.
The group dismounted. They approached the old man and bowed—Kaiser inclining his head, Levain and Fifi following suit. Ayumu and Rhea curtsied gracefully.
The old white magis spoke, his voice thin but warm. "Welcome to Graitan… welcome home." His gaze drifted to Kaiser. "It has been a while, Lord Kaiser."
Kaiser straightened and met the old man's eyes. "It has been a while, Chancellor Alaric. You look like you have seen too many seasons pass."
The brown magis attendant standing beside the chancellor bristled. "Lord Kaiser, mind your manners to the Chancellor!"
Chancellor Alaric laughed—a dry, wheezing sound. "Ho ho ho. Do not mind him. The Wrath family has always been such rude people." He said it with a twinkle in his eye, half a joke. "It is good to see you all…" His gaze shifted. "…and you as well, Lady Ayumu."
Ayumu was no longer hiding behind Kaiser. She stood beside him, her hands clasped in front of her, her chin lifted with quiet determination. She met the chancellor's gaze.
"Ayumu Velmiar," she said, her voice soft but clear. "Great Chancellor."
The chancellor studied her for a long moment. His cloudy eyes seemed to see more than just her face—they seemed to see her lineage, her history, the weight of her name.
He smiled.
"This is your home, Lady Ayumu. Do not fear whatever stirs in your heart. The people here rejoice in your presence."
Ayumu looked at him with solemn eyes, then nodded once.
"Come," the chancellor said, turning. "The ministers will show you around the city tomorrow. But today, if you would follow me, I think we have much to discuss."
They entered the great hall.
Inside, the air was cool and smelled of ancient wood. A stone corridor stretched before them, lit by flickering torches that cast dancing shadows on the walls. They followed it deeper into the building, past archways and alcoves, until they reached a marble staircase.
The stairs were well-lit at first, but grew dimmer the further they descended. The air grew cooler. The silence grew thicker.
Soon they reached a wall.
Rhea, Fifi, and Levain exchanged confused glances. They looked at each other, then at the chancellor, wondering if the old man's mind had finally wandered.
The chancellor's brown magis attendant—Vemma, they had learned—stepped aside. The chancellor then gestured to the wall.
"Please, Lady Ayumu and Lord Kaiser," the chancellor said. "If you would."
Ayumu nodded. She and Kaiser stepped forward.
A small needle was offered to them. Ayumu took it without hesitation—she knew what to do. She pricked her finger, just enough for a bead of blood to well up, and smeared it on the marble wall.
Kaiser did the same after Ayumu.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then—the marble began to glow.
The blood was absorbed into the stone, and carvings began to appear—intricate patterns that pulsed with white and black light. The wall rumbled, gears turning deep within the rock, and with a grinding groan, the marble folded in on itself following the carvings like a dissembling puzzle, forming a grand entrance into a massive chamber beyond.
It was like a library. A very vast library.
Shelf after shelf stretched into the shadows, filled with ancient books and scrolls. Several doors lined the walls, each labeled with symbols representing treasures, artifacts and other safe keeps.
The others stared in awe.
This was the secret chamber, guarded by white magis for centuries. Holding the nations secrets, forbidden books and magic. Only the heads of the five families could grant access.
Fifi's voice was barely a whisper. "This… this is my dream. To enter this place."
The chancellor smiled. "You three will have special access to this place—which is usually off-limits."
Vemma stepped forward, her voice sharp. "But do not touch or do anything. I have the right to execute anyone who does not behave."
Fifi and Levain shrieked in fear, shrinking back.
The chancellor laughed—his wheezing, ho-ho-ho sound echoing through the cavernous space. "Ho ho ho. Do not be like that, Vemma. They are not children." He gestured forward. "Come. Let us go in."
They entered the chamber.
The inside was vast—a maze of corridors and rooms, each door made of different materials. Wood. Stone. Iron. And deeper still, metal doors inscribed with ancient runes.
They walked past several doors, turning left, then right, then left again. The corridors twisted and wound like a maze.
Finally, they stopped before a door of black metal.
The decoration on its surface was unmistakable—a skeleton, its bones emerging from the metal as if it were crawling out of the door itself. Its empty eye sockets seemed to watch them as they approached.
The chancellor raised a hand.
"This is the door you seek.
Ayumu simply stared at the skeletal door, her golden eyes unblinking.
The chancellor folded his hands behind his back, his ancient eyes surveying the group before settling on Kaiser.
"I have seen the letter you delivered beforehand, Lord Kaiser. I understand what it is you seek." He paused, his gaze shifting to Ayumu. "But perhaps, before we open the door, it would be best to speak with the being we wish to send back to its original realm."
Ayumu met his gaze and nodded.
She looked down at her shadow—the dark shape that followed her every movement, clinging to her feet like a second self. She crouched down and touched it.
Kaiser's jaw tightened. He looked displeased.
But from Ayumu's hand, as she rose slowly, her shadow crept upward—climbing her arm, swelling, expanding. It materialized into a larger mass of darkness that rose from the floor like smoke given form.
The djinn stood before them once more.
The air around them stirred, a wind picking up even though there were no windows, no gaps in the stone walls. His white eyes scanned the room, then settled on the elderly white magis before him.
The chancellor inclined his head. "It is a pleasure to meet you, djinn. I am Alaric, the Keeper of Secrets in Graitan."
The djinn's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "You are similar to Ayumu, O white one. Now tell me, keeper of secrets—where is the Book of the Sun?"
Alaric gestured toward the skeletal door. "The book you seek is beyond that door. But the door is guarded by a being from your realm as well. A Lector. Perhaps you can help to open the door with your powers."
The djinn's white eyes narrowed. "Do not fool me, white magis. You are fully capable of opening that door yourself. You are testing me." The djinn growled, discontent.
Alaric met the djinn's gaze without an ounce of fear. "O djinn, we know not of your intentions. Let the Lector on the door define your purpose and it can deicide to open the door or not."
Ayumu stepped forward, her voice gentle. "The chancellor means you no harm or mockery, Great Djinn. I hope you can understand."
The djinn's anger flickered—then softened as he looked at Ayumu. His form relaxed, the tension in his shadows easing.
Without another word, he drifted toward the door.
His shadowy form pressed against the black metal, and a pulse of dark energy rippled from him into the carvings. The skeletal being on the door—the Lector—stirred. Its hollow eye sockets glowed red, and with a series of clicks and clanks, it reached down and pulled a lever.
The door groaned open. Inside was an empty room.
Simple. Unadorned. At its center, a single glass showcase stood on a pedestal. Inside it, resting on faded velvet, was a book.
The Book of the Sun.
All entered the room, keeping a respectful distance from the artifact.
The chancellor walked closer, stopping a few paces from the showcase.
"The Book of the Sun," he said quietly. "Is it as you remembered, djinn?"
The djinn's white eyes burned with disgust.
This book. This cursed book. It had been written by a human consumed by hate—a man who had wielded forbidden magic and spells, possessed by a djinn from another realm. The book was made of human skin, its pages stitched together with sinew. The ink used to write it was a mixture of ink and human blood. It contained pictures, spells, and unimaginable curses—knowledge that could open gateways to realms unknown, including the one the djinn wished to return to.
"Just open the cursed book," the djinn growled, "so I can go back to where I came from."
Alaric shook his head slowly. "It is not that simple, djinn. You cannot touch the book… and neither can we."
The djinn's shadows flared. "Ludicrous! The beings that brought me here used to read this very same book!"
Kaiser's voice cut through, sharp and cold. "The book contains things beyond mortal comprehension. Reading such evil, such curses—will corrupt anyone who dares."
The djinn turned to him. "Then you—you can do it, black magis."
Kaiser's red eyes narrowed. "And why should I help you, djinn?"
The djinn's anger boiled over. "Why, you cursed being—!"
Alaric stepped between them, his frail body somehow commanding the space.
"A black magis cannot read such a book," he said firmly. "And a powerful one like Lord Kaiser—if he were to be corrupted, he could cause destruction across the land. We would not be able to stop him."
Kaiser looked away, his jaw tight. He knew of this.
But he hated the djinn. Hated the thought of him following Ayumu. Hated that he could not simply destroy this being and be done with it.
Silence settled over the room.
The book sat in its glass case, waiting.
And the djinn's white eyes burned with ancient frustration.
The chancellor continued, his voice steady despite the weight of his words. "Only uncorrupted beings can read the book…pure beings... and it is not certain that they will remain uncorrupted. But the risk of danger and harm to themselves and others will be lesser."
Ayumu stepped forward. "Then I will read the book."
"No!"
Kaiser's voice cut through the chamber like a blade. He strode toward Ayumu, his red eyes blazing, his composure cracking. "Why is it always you who must sacrifice yourself for others? This is not your problem in the first place!" His hands clenched at his sides. "I will not allow it."
Vemma stepped forward, her voice grave. "Lady Ayumu cannot be the one to read the book… because to open a portal... a life must be given."
The room went still.
Kaiser's fury turned to something colder. Darker.
Rhea and the others took a step back, the weight of Vemma's words pressing down on them like a physical force and the silence stretched.
Then the chancellor spoke, a small smile on his weathered face. "No need to fret. I will be the one to do it."
Ayumu's eyes widened, her golden gaze fixed on the old man with somber disbelief.
Vemma remained silent. She had anticipated this.
Levain stepped forward, his voice rising. "Chancellor Alaric! You cannot be serious…"
The chancellor began to walk slowly around the room, his hands clasped behind his back. His steps were measured, unhurried—the steps of a man at peace with his decision.
"It is not exactly a life that you need to give," he said calmly. "To be exact, it is one's life force... I am old… three hundred years I have walked this earth." He paused and looked at Ayumu. "If this is to be my final mission, then so be it." His smile deepened. "And I get to see you in my final moments, Lady Ayumu. It brings me great joy."
The djinn, who had been silent throughout, finally spoke. His ancient voice was low, almost curious. "Why would you do this, white magis?"
The chancellor turned to face the djinn. "In life, there are many things we will never have answers to. If you were to remain on this earth, djinn, we would not know what might come of it. It is best to have you back where you belong." He paused. "And we white magis—you can see us as creatures who have not much care for the world beyond helping others. That is all I can say."
The djinn was quiet for a long moment. Then: "You are very peculiar." His white eyes studied the chancellor. "Is there anything you wish for in exchange for what you are to do for me?"
The chancellor shook his head. "None. The last of my kin is Lady Ayumu. My people...the people of Graitan, they have their own ways of life and are living in prosperity. There is nothing more I can ever wish for. It is simply… my final wish to be of help."
After a long pause, the djinn inclined his head. "…So be it."
Kaiser stepped forward, his voice tight. "You do not have to do this, Chancellor. We can share the life force—all of us."
"No, Lord Kaiser." The chancellor's expression was serious. "You are all destined for great things. Besides, I do not know what will happen to me if I were to read that book. It is best that I bring whatever I read to my death. I must do this alone."
Ayumu approached him, her voice soft but steady. "I will help, Chancellor Alaric. To seal the book after the deed is done."
The chancellor smiled warmly. "Yes… yes, that will be good. Only you can do it, Ayumu. You will not be tempted towards corruption." He straightened himself, drawing up to his full height. "Come. Let us not waste time. Let us be done with it."
This sudden turn of events were unexpected.
Things had gone downhill quickly. Their intention had been to send the djinn back and that is all. They were not prepared for such a situation to happen, what more to have someone as esteemed as the chancellor, whom some of them had only just met, give up his life force without hesitation… it was hard to comprehend.
But for the chancellor, it was expected.
He knew his time was up. If he is able to part with this world with one final thing to do, something he can help with, he is delighted over the fact.
The chancellor turned to Vemma. "You know what to do, Vemma. This place will now be guarded by the few selected charoite and brown magis people. I leave it to you...goodbye Vemma. It was a pleasure." he smiled.
Vemma nodded, her face a mask of solemn acceptance. "It was an honour to be by your side Chancellor Alaric".
She turned and escorted the others toward the exit. Kaiser lingered, his gaze fixed on Ayumu. He could not leave her. Not like this.
He stepped toward her, and before anyone could react, he pulled her into an embrace, then he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Everyone was shocked.
A black magis. Showing such open affection is a rare sight.
Ayumu looked up at him with a small smile, her eyes squinting gently, silently telling him not to worry.
Kaiser lingered for just a moment longer. Then he turned and followed the others.
The door began to close.
Kaiser looked back one final time—and saw Ayumu standing tall and gentle, her white robes glowing softly in the dim light, her golden eyes steady.
Then the door shut.