Chapter 4

A few days had passed since the siege of Nuurgan. Peace was slowly returning within the city walls, though its people still lived under the weight of what had happened.

One morning, Vyth was training with Llyris in the courtyard of the Guard Quarters when he noticed a familiar figure approaching from the city gate. Golden armor gleamed in the sunlight. There was no doubt.

"Amarah..." he whispered to himself, then immediately started toward him.

Amarah’s face looked tired, and in his eyes lingered a quiet bitterness that was hard to define. When Vyth reached him, Amarah stopped and gave a brief nod.

"You’ve returned." Vyth’s voice carried a faint note of relief. "Were you successful?"

Amarah shook his head.

"No. I didn’t find what I was looking for." he replied curtly.

Vyth blinked in surprise. "What were you looking for?"

Amarah was silent for a moment before finally answering.

"Something important. An object. But for now, I can’t say more." His voice was calm, but Vyth could feel the tension behind it.

"I understand." Vyth nodded. "Can I help with anything?"

"Not now. I’m going to the Temple. I might find a clue there."

Vyth didn’t ask further. He respected Amarah’s decision.

Amarah turned toward the Temple. The metallic sound of his armor echoed with every step.

The halls of the Temple were silent, lit only by the light filtering through the tall windows, illuminating the frescoes painted on the walls. Amarah walked along the corridors, his footsteps echoing on the marble floor. He stopped for a moment before the library door, then stepped inside.

The Temple’s library was not vast, but it was remarkable. Its shelves held the knowledge of centuries. stood side by side. The air carried the scent of old parchment, and the light of candles flickered between the thick volumes.

Amarah did not waste any time. Step by step, he searched through the shelves, looking for anything that could lead him to the object. He went through the volumes titled Forgotten Relics and Divine Artifacts, page by page, line by line. But nothing. Only repeating legends, old stories, and many vague references, but none that matched what he was seeking.

Hours passed. The sun was already setting when Amarah finally closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. Silence filled the room. Only his heartbeat and the faint crackle of the candles could be heard.

At last, he stood up and made his way toward the High Priest’s chamber.

Aryn was sitting at her desk when Amarah entered. She looked up, as if she had been expecting him.

"You found nothing." she said softly.

Amarah shook his head. "There was nothing specific. It’s as if... as if the object I’m looking for doesn’t even exist."

Aryn fell silent in thought, then stood and walked to the window. She looked out at the city, where the first lanterns were already lit.

"Perhaps you were searching in the wrong place." she said at last. "There is a place worth visiting. An underwater city. Abydore. Those who live there keep away from the affairs of the surface, but their knowledge is vast. In their chronicles, you may find things long forgotten elsewhere."

Amarah raised an eyebrow. "Abydore? It really exists?"

Aryn smiled. "More people question its existence than those who have actually seen it. But it does exist. And if anywhere, perhaps there you will find your answer."

Amarah stood still for a moment, watching the High Priest, then nodded.

"All right. Then Abydore will be my next destination."

The sun had barely risen above the city when Amarah appeared at the entrance of the Guard Quarters. Vyth was standing beside the training ground, cleaning his sword, but as soon as he saw the familiar Golden armor, he stood up and walked toward him.

"Amarah." he said, slightly surprised. "You’ve already returned?"

Amarah nodded. There was no trace of a smile on his face.

"I need to speak with you. I must go to Abydore, and I want you to come with me."

"Abydore? The underwater city?"

"Yes." Amarah replied shortly. "I’m searching for something important, but I found nothing in the libraries here. According to High Priest Aryn, there’s a good chance I might find some clues in Abydore."

Vyth nodded. "All right. I’ll go with you."

Amarah gave him a grateful look, then briefly told him when and where to prepare for departure. Vyth stayed a little longer before heading toward the Temple. He was looking for Aryn.

Silence reigned within the Temple. Vyth moved with familiarity among the marble columns until he spotted Aryn standing behind one of them, her eyes fixed on a book.

"High Priest Aryn." he called softly. Aryn raised her gaze.

"Vyth. How can I help you?"

"Amarah is leaving for Abydore, and I’m going with him. But... I want to know what he’s really looking for. Why is it so important to him?"

Aryn remained silent for a moment, then closed the book.

"To be honest, I don’t know." she said at last. "He only told me that he’s searching for a relic. Something that... means a great deal to him. But why, or what exactly it is, he didn’t tell me either."

Vyth nodded but didn’t ask further. He thanked her for the information, then headed back to the Guard Quarters to prepare.

Not long after, Amarah appeared again, this time with a backpack and a travel cloak. Vyth was already waiting for him at the entrance, ready to depart as well.

"Shall we go?" Vyth asked.

"Let’s go." Amarah replied.

Leaving the city gates behind, they set their course toward the coast. The road ahead was long and uncertain, but they both knew that if Amarah was truly searching for something important, they could not afford to waste any time.

The road toward the sea proved long and tiring, but in a different way than Vyth had expected. There were no demons, no bloodshed, no mortal danger. Only nature, the silent, timeless landscape, and two travelers who, for days, had nothing to rely on but each other’s company and the direction drawn beneath the open sky.

The mountains they had left behind covered the morning air with damp mist, and as they descended deeper into the valleys, the treetops formed a green tunnel above them. Early sunlight filtered through the leaves. The chirping of birds brought calm to Vyth, who still found it strange to be on a journey that did not involve weapons and blood.

During the day they spoke from time to time, but silence ruled most of their travel. Amarah seemed deep in thought. At times, he would take out one of his books and read a few lines as he walked, without ever stopping.

One evening, when the sun had sunk below the horizon and the ocean breeze could already be felt in the air, they settled on top of a hill. From there, the ocean was visible, though only as a thin silver line. Vyth leaned over the fire, watching the glowing embers, and spoke quietly.

"This feels different from anything I’ve experienced before. I don’t feel death close by. And yet... there’s a strange unease inside me."

Amarah didn’t answer right away, only watched the sea. Then he spoke softly.

"Because we don’t know exactly what we’re searching for. And because something important awaits us. But even we don’t know what it is yet."

By noon the next day, they finally reached the ocean. The sight was breathtaking. The water stretched to the horizon, gentle waves lapped at the shore, and a salty wind blew across the land.

Vyth stopped on a high rocky ledge and looked around.

"So what now? Which way?"

Amarah took out one of the leather-bound books he had brought from Glelrun’s library and carefully began to turn the pages.

"Abydore lies somewhere along this coastline, at least according to the records. But they don’t say exactly how to enter it. Only that the city rests beneath the waves, guarded by ancient magic."

"So we just dive in and start searching?" Vyth asked skeptically.

"No. First, I’ll try to interpret the text." Amarah replied, then sat down on the sandy ground and began reading again.

Over the next few hours, they searched the shoreline. At times they climbed between rocks, other times they waded into shallow water, hoping to find some trace of what they sought. The wind grew stronger, the waves higher, yet nothing hinted that anything lay hidden beneath the surface. Even after sunset they continued their search under the darkening sky, lighting their way with torches.

Vyth finally exhaled.

"This isn’t working. If something’s there, it’s hidden so well that…"

But before he could finish, a faint rumble echoed from beneath the water. The waves suddenly split apart along the shallower stretch of the shore, and from the ocean rose two figures. Their bodies were clad in sapphire-blue armor that almost glowed under the moonlight. The armor was smooth and elegant, decorated with shell-like patterns, yet their faces were concealed beneath helmets.

The two warriors stopped silently before Amarah and Vyth. One of them stepped forward.

"For what purpose do you seek the gates of Abydore?" A deep, distorted voice asked.

Vyth stepped back, but Amarah stood tall and answered.

"My name is Amarah. Knight of Goddess Ylena. I seek knowledge, that I have not found elsewhere."

For a few seconds, the sapphire armored warriors stood in silence. Then the other one spoke.

"If what you say is true, then follow us."

They slowly turned and began walking back toward the ocean.

Vyth glanced at Amarah.

"So we’re diving straight into the unknown?"

Amarah smiled.

"This time, quite literally."

Then together, they followed the sapphire warriors toward the dark, deepening water.

The two Sapphire Knights led them silently into the depths. Behind Amarah and Vyth, the ocean closed, and the light grew weaker, yet strangely, darkness never became complete. A faint bluish glow radiated from the armored escorts’ bodies.

As they descended deeper, Vyth felt as though even time itself had slowed. He no longer knew how long they had been swimming, and the ocean’s depths took on increasingly surreal shapes. Then suddenly, the darkness broke apart, and before them appeared immense translucent domes, supported by columns of stone and coral, with crystal windows behind which lights drifted like stars.

This was Abydore. The underwater city whose walls, trembling under the pressure of the deep, still radiated immense strength.

At the gate, their two guides stopped. One of them stepped forward and, for the first time, removed his helmet. His face looked young, with pale skin and dark blue eyes, and there was an unreal purity in his presence.

"My name is Caevyr. Our God, Neiryl, sent us. We knew you were coming. We were ordered to escort you."

Amarah simply nodded and slowly began to follow through the gate.

As they crossed the threshold, the water inside the dome receded, as if held back by an invisible wall. Beneath their feet stretched solid, crystal-like ground, and their clothes remained dry, as though they had never been beneath the sea.

In the center of the city, on a wide square, a figure awaited them. His eyes shimmered silver, and his voice was calm and deep.

"Welcome to Abydore. My name is Neiryl. I know who you are, and I know why you have come."

Amarah took a few steps forward but said nothing. Neiryl continued.

"I am a friend of Goddess Ylena, and I owe her my gratitude. Our bond goes far back, and for that reason, I grant you permission to move freely through Abydore and to return here whenever you may need to."

Vyth watched the godlike being with curiosity. He seemed more like a tranquil sage than a power-hungry entity.

"You must know that Abydore’s purpose is the preservation of peace. We have withdrawn from the wars and demonic power struggles of the surface. The demons do not know the city’s location, and the ocean itself provides a natural defense they cannot penetrate. This place is not a sanctuary. It is a memory. A collection."

Neiryl raised his hand, and small lights appeared around them. Then images of books, scrolls, and crystal tablets began to float in the air.

"We have gathered all the knowledge of the world. Everything ever written. The past, the secrets of the present, and even what mankind has long forgotten. You now have access to it all. Use it wisely."

Amarah slowly nodded.

"Thank you, Neiryl. This means more than you can imagine."

"I know." Neiryl replied. "And I hope you find what you are searching for."

Neiryl cast one last glance at them, then his body was slowly consumed by light, and he vanished.

In the silence, only the distant sound of the water could be heard. Amarah and Vyth exchanged a glance, then began walking toward the library, where the centuries-old knowledge of Abydore awaited them.

Abydore’s library was breathtaking. The vast domed hall seemed almost endless, its walls lined with bookshelves made of coral and translucent crystal that coiled upward all the way to the ceiling. On the shelves rested parchments, books, and texts engraved on crystal tablets. Some floated gently in the air through magical levitation, while others glowed with shimmering letters on platforms made of rare materials.

Amarah stopped before a long row of shelves, his fingers slowly running across the spines of the books.

"It has to be here somewhere." he said quietly.

"What exactly are we looking for?" Vyth asked, glancing around in confusion. "There are too many books. I have no idea where to start."

Amarah stayed silent for a moment, then his voice echoed softly between the crystal walls.

"We’re looking for a necklace. An ancient relic, of which very little remains known. It is said to grant its wearer exceptional abilities... a power beyond ordinary Holy Relics."

"That’s it? A necklace, with no name, no description?"

"It’s more than nothing." Amarah replied. "If we find any reference at all, a map, a legend, even a single sentence, that’s already progress."

The search went on for hours. Amarah moved methodically, from one shelf to the next, from one book to another. At first, Vyth tried to follow him, but he quickly became lost among the strange texts written in unknown languages, magical symbols, and foreign codexes. In the end, he simply helped where he could, bringing books, holding pages, and watching Amarah’s face for any sign that he had found something.

Then suddenly, at a pale green leather-bound book, Amarah stopped. He turned a few pages, then went back to one again. His eyes slowly scanned several handwritten lines, then he closed them and let out a quiet sigh.

"Found it?" Vyth asked.

"Maybe..." Amarah sat down beside the book. "The text mentions a cave. Most likely a hidden place, far from the usual paths."

Vyth nodded. "Then there’s nothing left but to find it."

Amarah closed the book, his fingers resting on the cover for a moment longer. "At least now we have a lead."

The crystal light flickered faintly on the walls of the library as the two of them made their way out.

The city of Abydore fascinated them both. Its streets were wide and covered with a smooth, shell-like surface. Though the city lay beneath the sea, the air inside the translucent dome surrounding it was surprisingly clear, and a warm, golden light filled the streets. It was as if the rays of the sun somehow managed to filter through the water, or perhaps some form of magic kept this strange world alive.

Vyth and Amarah moved silently toward the underwater city center. Everywhere, softly floating crystal orbs illuminated the paths, and between the decorations of the houses, aquatic plants could be seen. Some of the buildings were made of translucent material, and within them, water creatures moved gracefully. It was as if they were not entirely separated from the sea itself.

"This... is an entirely different world." Vyth said quietly, stopping before a fountain whose streams hovered in the air, spiraling in graceful motion. "I’ve never seen anything like it."

"This is not just a city." Amarah replied thoughtfully. "It’s a sanctuary... a living creation."

Upon reaching the marketplace, they passed several sapphire-armored warriors and water dwellers, all moving calmly and peacefully as they carried out their daily tasks.

At the heart of the city stood a great water-colored obelisk, surrounded by spiral-carved steps.

Then Neiryl appeared. "I see you like what you see." he said in his calm, deep voice.

"This place... it’s magnificent." Vyth said, still glancing around in wonder.

"Abydore is not a place of power or warfare." Neiryl replied. "We preserve the past. There are no battles here, no sieges. Our purpose is knowledge. What is lost above in war, lives on here. Writings, stories, memories, they all continue to exist in this place."

Amarah nodded. "And yet you are still protected. Even the demons cannot find their way here."

For a moment, silence fell. The faint sound of the water could still be heard from somewhere far away.

"Return to the library if you wish to continue your research. Or explore the city. No one is in a hurry here."

Then Neiryl slowly began walking back toward the main hall. Amarah and Vyth remained standing in silence for a long while, simply watching the city. Abydore truly was something else, a living monument, home to forgotten history and hidden truths.

Night settled peacefully over the city of Abydore. Outside the dome, the dark ocean swirled slowly, while within, everything was silent. The faint bluish glow of the crystal lamps cast blurred shadows upon the walls.

Vyth slowly sat up in his bed. Something had disturbed him. He heard soft, barely perceptible footsteps, and when he looked up, he saw that the door was open. He rose and stepped out onto the small balcony attached to the room.

Amarah was standing there, his back turned, leaning on the railing. He stared ahead motionlessly, as if searching for answers somewhere beyond the water.

"Can’t sleep?" Vyth asked softly.

Amarah didn’t turn around but nodded. "Too many thoughts in my head."

Vyth stepped closer and stopped beside him. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

"Ever since... that fight with Vorgath..." Amarah began, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Not a day goes by without feeling that power... that difference between him and me."

Vyth watched him from the corner of his eye. He could see the tension in his gaze, the anger he tried to hide.

"The Golden armor... the oath, the expectations... and still, I couldn’t stop him. I couldn’t even wound him." Amarah gave a bitter smile. "I thought I was ready for anything. I thought I was enough."

"You saved many lives," Vyth replied. "Without you, in Glelrun, far more would have died."

"But that wasn’t what I wanted, not just for them to survive. I wanted to protect them. And that’s not the same thing."

Silence settled between them again. Beyond the dome, the silhouette of a sea creature drifted by slowly, leaving trails of phosphorescent light behind.

Finally, Vyth spoke. "I don’t think it’s weakness to realize you still have room to grow. The real problem would be if you didn’t care."

Amarah turned his head slightly, his gaze resting on Vyth’s face for a brief moment. Then he looked forward again.

"This necklace... it’s not just a relic to me. It’s something more. A chance to finally not just survive, but to protect."

Vyth nodded. "Then we’ll find it."

Amarah smiled faintly. He didn’t say anything, only closed his eyes for a long moment. Then, slowly turning around, they both stepped back into the room.

The next morning was quiet. Outside the crystal dome, fish swam in slow, silent motion, while inside, the city’s lights filtered dimly through the windows. Amarah was already prepared to leave. He fastened his weapon, tightened his clothing, and determination shone in his eyes.

Vyth was waiting at the entrance. When he saw him, he immediately stepped forward.

"Are we leaving?" he asked simply.

"I am." Amarah replied. "You, however, are going home."

Vyth froze. "What are you talking about?"

"You can’t come with me any further." Amarah’s voice was calm but firm.

"Why not?" Vyth asked, slightly confused. "Why bring me this far just to send me away now?"

Amarah turned his gaze aside for a moment, as if trying to collect his thoughts, then looked back at Vyth.

"Because I wanted you to know where Abydore is. So that if you ever need it, if anything happens, you’ll have a place to return to. A safe place. And because I felt it might help you to see this world. But what I’m looking for now, I must find alone. I don’t know what awaits me, and I can’t risk involving you in it. I want you to return safely to Glelrun."

For a long moment, Vyth said nothing. Finally, he lowered his head and nodded. "Alright."

They didn’t say a long goodbye. Only one last silent glance, and then they went their separate ways.

The first day of the journey home passed peacefully. Vyth recalled the path that had led him to Abydore, the quiet trails, the calm shores, and the empty fields.

But on the second day, something changed. A small group of demons leapt out from the thicket and charged at him. Though surprised, his reflexes acted quickly. He drew his sword and cut them down one after another with steady movements. They didn’t even scratch him.

The third day was different. The sky was cloudy, and little light filtered through the trees. Vyth was walking along the edge of a rocky gorge when the air shifted.

Suddenly, a dozen demons attacked. Each one different in shape and form, long claws, horns. Two tried to surprise him from behind, three lunged at his neck at once. Vyth turned just in time, and one of them already fell to the ground.

The fight lasted long. The demons weren’t particularly strong, but they had the advantage in numbers. As the minutes passed, he grew more tired. Blood ran down one side of his body, a small cut marked his face, and his breathing became heavy and uneven.

At last, the ground was covered with the scattered, ash-like remains of the fallen demons. Vyth stood among them, panting. He still held his sword tightly, though his hand was trembling.

And then, in the middle of the silence, a familiar voice spoke.

"Impressive. Truly remarkable what you’ve achieved in such a short time."

Vyth turned around.

Aezyra stood before him. The faint light reflecting in her crimson eyes. Her long white hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and her stillness carried an unsettling calm. Though she was a demon, one would never guess it by looking at her. Her face was smooth, almost unreadable, and her gaze was so cold it felt like a silent test for anyone who dared to meet it. Her arms were crossed before her, as if she had merely paused in the middle of a walk.

"You..." Vyth growled.

"Don’t worry." Aezyra raised a hand. "I didn’t come to fight. I was just... curious. I wanted to see how much you’ve grown. And I wasn’t disappointed."

Vyth said nothing, only straightened slowly. He could still feel the fatigue of battle, but Aezyra didn’t attack. Not yet, at least.

"What do you want?" he finally asked.

"To make you an offer." Aezyra replied. "An opportunity. I’ve seen what you can do. But I also see how limited you are. Rules, oaths, superiors who tell you when to fight and when to stay silent. With us, it’s not like that. On Khuarus’s side, nothing binds you. We would give you strength. Real strength. The kind Glelrun will never offer you."

"So that’s why you came?" Vyth asked quietly. "To make me a traitor?"

"This isn’t betrayal." Aezyra smiled. "It’s just a new perspective. Another path."

Vyth stepped closer, his eyes hardening.

"You think for even a moment I’d consider that? That I’d abandon Glelrun? Those who trust me? Betray the city I’ve fought for?"

Aezyra shrugged. "Many say that at first."

"Don’t compare me to them." Vyth growled. "What you call loyalty is just selfishness. But I... I know what true loyalty means."

Aezyra fell silent. For a moment he watched Vyth quietly, then finally nodded.

"Very well. But remember this, Vyth. Every power has its price. And every choice, its consequence."

Then, almost imperceptibly, Aezyra stepped back and vanished into the shadows.

Vyth stood still for a while, watching the darkness of the forest. Then he exhaled, shook his head, and slowly continued on his way. The road was calmer now. The demons did not return.

The sun was already high when Vyth crossed the borders of Glelrun. Within the city walls, everything felt familiar, the cobblestone streets, the tall towers, the noise of the bustling square.

He didn’t hesitate long and went straight to Aryn. The High Priest had just returned from a small council meeting when she saw Vyth at the bottom of the steps. She stopped for a moment, then motioned for him to follow her.

Inside, the sanctuary was quiet. A soft light illuminated the walls, and the air carried the scent of incense. Aryn sat down on her chair, and Vyth took a seat across from her.

"Tell me." Aryn said briefly.

Vyth nodded and began. He told her everything in detail , the research in the library, the wonders of Abydore, the calm world beneath the water. The Sapphire Knights, Neiryl’s words, and Amarah’s determination when he sent him away. Then he spoke of the journey home, the demons, the attacks... and Aezyra’s appearance.

Aryn’s face remained calm, but her eyes glinted with sharp attention at the mention of the name, though she didn’t interrupt.

"And she didn’t attack you?" she finally asked.

"No." Vyth replied. "She only spoke. Watched me fight, and... made an offer."

"What kind of offer?"

"Power. Strength. To join them. To stand with Khuarus."

Aryn fell silent. Her gaze drifted into the distance.

"That’s... troubling." she said quietly at last. "Aezyra isn’t the type to observe someone out of curiosity. If she decides someone is worth her attention... there’s always a reason."

"You don’t know why she spared me?" Vyth asked.

Aryn slowly shook her head. "No. But we’ll keep an eye on her. For now... you need to rest. You’ve earned it."

Vyth nodded and took his leave. As he stepped out of the sanctuary, the sunlight nearly blinded him. The exhaustion he had ignored throughout his journey now settled heavily upon him.

But he didn’t go to rest. Instead, he made his way straight to the training grounds, where Llyris was already practicing.

When he saw Vyth, he smiled and gestured for him to wait.

"I heard you returned." Llyris said. "How was your journey?"

"Long. I’ll tell you later. For now, let’s move a little."

Vyth drew his sword, and Llyris took his stance as well. It wasn’t a real duel, more like an exchange, a test of movement and focus. Vyth observed him closely. He was fast, unpredictable, and precise. With every swing, he changed rhythm, testing his defense with new combinations.

"So..." Vyth spoke between two strikes. "I never asked... how did you become a Guardian?"

Llyris paused for a brief moment, then attacked again while answering.

"My parents were warriors of Glelrun. They died in an ambush when I was seven. After that... I had no one left."

Vyth listened intently while countering his blows.

"I lived on the streets. A pickpocket. I hated Glelrun. I thought the city had sacrificed them. And me, too."

"How did you end up here?"

"I got caught." he said with a faint shrug. "At twelve. But the Commander saw me differently. He didn’t send me to prison, he took me in. Trained me from the start, taught me discipline, and little by little... my view changed. I no longer wanted to punish the city. I wanted to protect it. Like my parents once did."

Vyth nodded. "So being a Guardian... it’s personal for you too."

"Maybe too personal." Llyris said with a faint smile. "And you? Your family?"

Vyth fell silent for a moment, then lowered his sword.

"I never knew my mother. My father raised me. He was a Guardian too, but after my mother disappeared, he left the service. He chose a simpler, safer life so he could raise me. He never told me what happened to her, if he even knew..."

Llyris slowly lowered her sword as well.

"And that’s why you became a Guardian?"

"In part. My father never spoke of it, but I could see how he feared for me because of it. I... wanted him to be proud of me."

Silence settled between them, a clear, brief moment untouched by anger or tension. Just understanding.

The sparring grew more intense, yet every movement remained controlled and precise. There was no desire to prove anything, only two warriors testing one another.

Llyris was faster than Vyth remembered. He had learned to use his agility, and behind him seemingly unpredictable style lay the focus of a trained mind and refined technique. His strength wasn’t in raw power, but in rhythm, in timing.

With a sudden move, Vyth caught Llyris’s blade and twisted, throwing him slightly off balance. He didn’t bring him down, only showed that this time, he would have won.

Llyris stepped back and exhaled.

"You’re getting better." Vyth said, taking position again.

"Now I finally feel like I might have a chance to catch up to you one day." Llyris replied, determination shining in his eyes.

Vyth nodded but didn’t answer. He simply watched him. Deep down, he admitted to himself that he no longer saw him as just a student. Llyris’s progress wasn’t only impressive, it was promising. There was something in him that went beyond technique. Something that couldn’t be taught.