The Trials of Magnus : Chapter 10
By: J. Charles Ramirez
Tags: Serial Fiction, Epic, Litrpg, Fantasy, Novel

Chapter 10: A Familiar Place

Something is calling me in there. I can feel it. This brand Hesh gave me burns at the sight of this place, dragging me closer and closer. I haven’t felt anything this powerful since the forest Ahnkiin found me in. I think I’m…afraid. Where is this coming from? I know the only way forward is through here. I know that I’ll find it here, this vault Ialdin selfishly hoards, pretending to provide a service to all when all he cares about is preventing the truth from being known.

They’re all selfish. Even Hesh.

Curse them all.

* * *

Magnus stood silent before the library again. Ahnkiin and Palvar were behind, the three of them shadowed in an alley between two towering buildings. The two traded looks as they watched Magnus in front of them, stoic and stationary. Palvar was the first to speak up.

“What are ya thinkin’, Mag?”

“I’ve been trying to see inside, see what I can gather from people coming or going. It doesn’t seem like there’s anyone there to greet you when you enter, or an information desk. At least from what I can see.” Magnus responded.

“That makes it easier.” Ahnkiin said.

“Maybe. It doesn’t mean there won’t be anybody there, though. Even if the public area is free of guards there will definitely be some in the lower levels.”

“So what’s the plan?” Palvar responded.

“Fortunately, the cloak will help Ahnkiin and I get in there undetected and stop people from paying too much attention to us.”

“A bit of a tight fit under there, eh?” Palvar chuckled. “How will I be running decoy, then?”

“I think the easiest part is actually going to be getting to the restricted section. Most likely, it’ll just be a few enchanted doors that I can take care of quite simply. The issue is that the moment we enter the library, our mana signatures are going to be tracked in some way. They’ll know when the enchantments break on the doors, and they’ll immediately try to track down who did it.” Magnus explained.

“So you need me ta be close enough ta ya ta be a suspect, but able ta get away, basically.”

“Exactly. Though there is one little hiccup.” Magnus hesitantly offered. Palvar shook his head in annoyance.

“Being?”

“Well, the book I’m looking for will definitely be on the lowest level. So you’re going to have to follow us down the first floor and stay with us until I can get us into the second floor. At that point you’ll have to get back out and escape.”

“Yer gonna get me in a world of trouble, there, Mag.”

“We appreciate your sacrifice.” Ahnkiin joked as he tapped Palvar on the shoulder reassuringly.

“Bah!” Palvar threw his hands up, “Yer lucky I like you.” he said, jabbing a finger at Ahnkiin’s chest.

“In any case I’ll give you some time to get out of the library, and then I’ll get out from under the cloak. That should cause some confusion and take the heat off of you, Palvar.” Magnus said.

“Would ya like me ta go scout it out first?”

“No time. You were right this morning, I think we are about to overstay our welcome here in Amshire.” Magnus glanced at his companions, saying, “Thank you, both of you, for helping.” Ahnkiin and Palvar both nodded sharply in response, determination on their faces. The three gathered their wits, and walked out of the shadowed street they hid in towards the gargantuan library. As they crossed the street, Magnus stopped well short of the building’s doors, looking down the walkways on both sides.

“Another step and we will be inside its field; they’ll see us.” Magnus informed them. Ahnkiin then lifted the back of his cloak up and Magnus tried to crawl inside. After a few moments of struggling, much to Palvar’s enjoyment, he got out from behind Ahnkiin.

“Maybe we should have tried to figure this out first.” Magnus joked. In response Ahnkiin undid the cord that kept the cloak tight around his shoulders and stretched out the right side. Once again Magnus attempted to get underneath the cloak’s enchanted threads and managed to fit in by standing shoulder to shoulder with Ahnkiin, his left arm wrapped around his friend’s back.

“Well, guess we just hope that’s gonna work.” Palvar noted.

The three then walked firmly into the observation field that surrounded the library, walking up the ornate marble steps and to the beautifully decorated front doors, the green patina of its copper intricately embossed with motifs of books, animals, and humans. It seemed to tell a story of a time long past. Above the stone lintel of the frame lay a large eyeball with three pupils, arranged in a triangular fashion, the symbol of Ialdin and his followers.

Palvar moved side to side for a moment, visibly disturbed.

“Is it me or is that thing looking right at me?” Palvar asked.

Magnus rolled his eyes and pulled on the handle of one of the doors, surprised by its apparent lack of weight despite being wrought of solid metal. It glided open on its hinges and the splendor of the interior washed over him as the party walked inside.

There were few others nearby that Magnus could see, he and Ahnkiin choosing instead to stay closer to the walls, hiding in the wake of large columns that pierced upwards, holding balconies aloft at impossible heights. The entire center of the room was open straight towards the ceiling; a marvelous stained glass facade allowing natural light to filter down, illuminating the majority of the library’s many levels. The glass was fashioned in much the same style as the doors had been; a story immortalized in art. Towering shelves held books of all sizes, colors, and ages; even delicately inscribed scrolls were safely kept. Desks and other lounging areas dotted the main floor that Magnus could see, and other alcoves were hinted at on the upper floors. Unlike The Gold Feather, Magnus thought this place to be tastefully extravagant.

True to his hunch, Magnus could not see any kind of living guard keeping an eye on the floor. There had to be some nearby, in the building at least, but for now, he felt safe from prying eyes. He looked over at Ahnkiin, who’s eyes sparkled with a hunger Magnus couldn’t relate to. He could feel his companion’s desire to explore and pour over the books palpably, the touch of it putting Magnus on edge.

“Ahnkiin, focus.” he reprimanded his friend, trying to steady the objective in Ahnkiin’s mind. Palvar, for his part, seemed nonplussed and at ease. He, too, seemed impressed by the magnificence on display.

“Palvar, let’s go that way,” Magnus began, pointing towards the right side of the building, “we’ve got to find that entrance down.”

Palvar stayed a good distance away from Magnus and Ahnkiin as they slinked around the edges of the library. Magnus held his hand out and felt along the wall as they moved, searching for hidden doors or enchantments. Twice as they made their way around did someone pass by them, looking for books of their own. Both had taken a look right at Palvar, exchanged curt greetings, and moved on, completely disregarding Ahnkiin and Magnus.

Around the time they passed the wall farthest from the entrance Magnus’ brand began to burn, its purple glow slowly emerging from under the fur. Ahnkiin noticed Magnus’ short breath when the pain came on, looking over in concern.

“Is everything okay?” Ahnkiin whispered. Magnus lifted his hand from the cool stone of the wall and showed the top of it to Ahnkiin, the brand visible.

“We’re close. She’s showing me the way.”

“The Goddess?” Ahnkiin asked, Magnus affirming. Magnus then looked over towards Palvar and waited a few moments until he looked back to check on them. Magnus lifted a finger and swirled it in a circular pattern, indicating they were near to the entrance to the restricted levels. Shortly after, in a small section encased by shelves one wall appeared, a small symbol embossed in the marble.

The mark of Ialdin, Magnus realized. “Here!”

Ahnkiin paused to allow Magnus a moment to inspect the wall. There were no obvious marks of a door; no seam in the wall, handle, nor scores in the flooring where the door would swing. Magnus focused intently on every little aspect, running his hand over the wall and around it. When he placed his palm on the symbol, however, something changed. He could feel threads of mana emanating from it.

“There’s an enchantment nearby that acts on the wall here.” Magnus relayed to Ahnkiin.

“Break it and let’s get in there already. I’ve seen this same man four times already; I think he’s watching me.” Palvar whispered back.

Magnus focused on the feeling of the faint lines of mana being transferred along the stone. It wasn’t a unique form of mana, like elemental mana, but rather just neutral mana that naturally existed everywhere. He could barely discern it from the rest of the mana in the stone, save for an almost imperceptible sense of movement snaking into the symbol. Following the hidden signs, Magnus traced the line into the bookshelf to the left of the wall and onto an inconspicuous book on a middle shelf. The moment his hand touched the book he could feel the enchantment inside. He opened it to a page halfway through and a large circle of gold inscribed it. Inside that was lettering of a style Magnus realized as the enchanter’s language; a secret script created by Ialdin that allowed him to store mana and set parameters for it to be used.

Magnus was taught long ago that the enchanter’s script was an awesome power; able to set in motion things sorcerers couldn’t ordinarily do. As such, only Ialdin knew the total scope of it, and his chosen few were the only to receive the blessing of being taught it. Despite it being a guarded secret, there have been many sorcerers who have used existing enchantments to try and recreate them in new objects, but have all failed. The script, as he was told, requires absolute understanding of the meaning and context of its lettering for it to be able to harness mana. This knowledge was also a large part of why Ahnkiin’s cloak was so astounding to Magnus; enchanted items were among the most rare in all of Liuwrend.

“Let’s hope the door opens and stays that way.” Magnus said hesitantly.

“What does that mean?” Palvar exclaimed, shock punctuating his question.

“Well… I’m breaking the door, basically. If it closes; I’m not sure there will be another way to open it.”

“Maybe we should reconsider, aye?” Palvar asked. A beat later and Magnus tore the mana apart with his own, ripping it from the pages of the book and absorbing it into his own body.

“Too late.” Magnus grinned.

A second later, the wall in front of them fell into the ground, a loud thud piercing the silence the library solemnly held.

“Time to run, we have to move as fast as possible down to the second door!” Magnus yelled, nearly lifting Ahnkiin up as he dashed into the dimly lit corridor in front of him. Palvar followed on his tail.

The hall they were in quickly turned into stairs down what seemed to be one of the towers on the edge of the library. Sconces were affixed to the wall, a magically lit flame hovering in a glass cylinder above it. The marbled stone quickly gave way to granite blocks and a cold air permeated the path. Eventually the stairs morphed into a long hall with doors nearly equidistant from each other; no books in sight. The scene was eerily familiar to the prison Magnus had first met Ahnkiin, and he could see the fear in his friend’s eyes at the sight.

“I’ve got you.” Magnus tried to reassure Ahnkiin, and he softened slightly at Magnus’ words. Palvar was running next to the two, scanning each door as they passed, gleaning what he could from the small porthole openings in the doors. The smell was nearly overwhelming in this hall; death, rot, mold, and waste permeated it.

“Mag! Company!”

Magnus turned his head slightly to see a ball of light beginning to exit the stairway turning into torches as four men entered the hall. As he looked forward again he could see a single door on the far wall; an exit.

“Palvar, can you break through that door?” Magnus asked.

“Isn’t it enchanted?” Palvar hollered back.

“We don’t have much other choice. If I have to waste time looking for another enchantment we won’t get out of here.” Magnus responded, before turning to Ahnkiin and whispering, “Are you okay?”

“Fine, Magnus. This is just… a familiar place.” Ahnkiin responded coldly. “Let us find this book and get out of here.” Magnus nodded as Palvar barreled past, his skin turning into a black metal and he collided with all of his force against the door.

The door itself buckled under the immense pressure Palvar hit it with but did not break. Palvar stepped back, pulling his arms back as he tensed his muscles and forced both of his palms into the metal door. After a few seconds of straining he managed to push the door completely off the hinges and toss it to the floor in front of him. Magnus and Ahnkiin leaped through the opening and dashed down the stairs in front of them.

“Get the hell out of here Palvar! Stay safe!” Magnus yelled up at him.

“Aye! Ya better have that damned book when I see ya next!” Palvar then lifted the thick metal door in front of him like a shield, and took off down the hallway back to its entrance, his battlecry reverberating and rumbling all the way down the stairwell.

Despite the cloak’s disguising ability, Magnus and Ahnkiin continued in haste forward. Ahnkiin seemed to almost run desperately, and Magnus struggled to maintain his footing with him. I’ll have to ask him about his time in the prison, later. Something is terribly wrong.

This stairwell seemed to be at least twice as tall as the previous one, winding down in a spiral even further into the ground than Magnus thought possible. Several minutes passed before they found the landing and entered a slim doorway into a cavernous room.

The spherical room was encased by stalactites and stalagmites, devoid of any trimmings or paraphernalia such as chairs and displays. Instead, the center of the room was dominated by an enormous circle, with countless enchantments engraved in the stone floor. Swirling circles of blue domed the center, many stories high, its undulating mass casting brilliant light in all directions. The field surrounded a single podium in the exact center of the room, a book softly turning as it floated above. Magnus looked around and saw even more enchantments burned into the cave walls as the light bouncing from the center splashed over them.

“This is dangerous.” Ahnkiin fretted, his psyche already in a dangerous state.

“I know. I’m sorry.” Magnus replied, sadness tinged his words. Then, he slid out from under Ahnkiin’s cloak. “It’s about time we gave our friend a fighting chance.”

Wordlessly, Magnus proceeded forward, Ahnkiin starting behind him. Magnus held out his hand to stop him, and shook his head.

“Don’t. I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.” Magnus confided.

Magnus stalked forward, flaring his mana to cover his body in a sea of void. Slowly, he reached an arm out and placed it on the blue wall in front of him. The mana within buckling and breaking away before it could contact Magnus. With a deep breath, he pushed on, walking straight through. That obstacle down, Magnus high-tailed it towards the center and snatched the floating book from its seat and looked down at it. The cover simply read ‘The Nine’.

Magnus was nearly overwhelmed by emotion for finally finding it. He had searched for so long, and now he can finally move forward in his quest. He looked back towards Ahnkiin and flashed his toothy smile, and he saw his friend smiling back; grateful at their fortune. Magnus’ eye was drawn to the entrance, however, and he saw a shadowed figure standing in wait.

“Ahnkiin! Move!” Magnus hollered, unsure if his voice would reach him. He dashed forward furiously, but knew he wouldn’t be able to make it in time. Thankfully, Ahnkiin turned, seeing the intruder, then teleported to another side of the room just as the figure slashed an eerie sword through the black mist Ahnkiin left as a parting gift.

Magnus burst through the cerulean dome and came out, looking at Ahnkiin, then at the stranger. The sword he carried was crystalline, an unusual off-white glow emanating from it’s beige blade. The man stepped forward just as a beam of light passed by, illuminating him and his sleek smile. He was Eirskottir.

“Magnus. Fancy meeting the failure here.” he spoke smoothly.

Without responding, Magnus ran to Ahnkiin and crashed into him with the book, shoving it towards his chest.

“Ahnkiin, get out of here! As fast as you can!” Magnus yelled as Ahnkiin nodded and disappeared. Magnus looked down to see one of his hands covered in a small amount of blood. Where…? He slowly turned an eye over his shoulder towards his enemy, then summoned his own violet blade, his bloodlust exploding outwards.