The ward-circle dims to a soft glow. Settling crystal clicks through the chamber, mingling with Coco’s unsteady breathing as the last green radiance fades from the walls.
Maelis
Easy. The rift is anchored, and the immediate danger has passed. Aurelia’s healers can treat your headache, while the Adventurer’s Guild can provide shelter and lawful work.
The spellcaster retrieves clean cloth and a shallow bowl of water from a stone cabinet, then sets both within reach before stepping back beyond the circle.
Maelis
The Royal Citadel can offer answers, though its scholars may ask difficult questions. The Grand Academy of Aetheria may understand the power that answered the breach.
Maelis
Your journal contains warnings, does it not? I saw the way you guarded it. What does it say about that power, or about the rift recognizing you?
No soldiers enter, and no other companion remains in the ward chamber. Only the spellcaster stays with Coco beneath the citadel, maintaining the quiet distance they promised.
Maelis
You need not surrender the journal or explain everything at once. Tell me only what you can safely remember.
✓ Quest Accepted
Uncover the journal's connection to the rift
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the spellcaster's cooperation
“Can you make the spell caster an female elf?”
NO, BUT (Likely, rolled 71)
The spellcaster’s pointed ears become unmistakable as the chamber’s light settles, though no change grants her the features Coco imagined. A faint green line appears beneath the ward-circle.
Maelis
No. I am not an elf. But the rift has left a trace, and that trace leads beyond Aurelia’s lower streets.
She kneels beside the new mark without crossing the circle. Its shape resembles a narrow doorway, etched in light between two ancient sigils.
Maelis
This is usable. The Academy’s records may explain it, but the mark itself points toward an old Eidolon access way beneath the city.
The line pulses once, answering the journal’s presence. Dust lifts from a sealed section of crystal wall, revealing a symbol worn nearly smooth by age.
Maelis
You may keep your book. If you choose, we can follow this path together before the citadel’s scholars notice what has awakened.
“Does the mark match a symbol in my journal?”
YES (VeryLikely, rolled 33)
The journal’s softened cover warms beneath Coco’s hand. Through its pages, inked circles and half-erased notes seem to align with the narrow doorway glowing beneath the ward-circle.
Maelis
It matches, does it not? Not merely the shape. The old marks in your journal were copied from this access way, or from something built upon it.
The symbol on the crystal wall brightens in three deliberate pulses. Beneath it, a smaller line of script emerges, written in the same angular hand as several warnings in Coco’s journal.
Maelis
That establishes a connection between you and the Eidolon passage. Someone who knew this place expected you to find it, even if you no longer remember why.
Coco
The handwriting is mine, but the memory behind it is missing.
The spellcaster does not reach for the journal. Instead, she traces the air above the glowing mark, and a faint outline of descending steps appears within the crystal wall.
Maelis
We should move carefully. The Academy may explain the symbol, but whatever lies below Aurelia has already recognized your presence.
“"Idk wait before we go anywhere I want to rest or do you think we shuld go in the passageway I still dont know whats going on and I need to rest and figure this out later theres to much going on"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Coco
Wait. Before we go anywhere, I need to rest. I still do not know what is happening, and there is too much to figure out.
Coco lowers his hands and steps away from the glowing passage. The doorway’s outline fades to a quiet ember as the ward-circle releases its hold.
Maelis
Then we will not enter it tonight. Rest is sensible, and understanding your condition matters more than following an old passage.
She gathers the cloth and bowl, then points toward a narrow stair leading upward through the citadel. The chamber settles into ordinary crystal silence.
Maelis
I can take you to a guarded guest room. A healer will examine your headache, and you may keep your journal with you.
Coco
The passage is sealed for now, and the journal is still in my hands.
Maelis
When you are rested, we can discuss the rift, the mark, and the Academy. Nothing below will be disturbed while you recover.
Quest Complete
Secure the spellcaster's cooperation
“"btw whats your name? my name is.... shit I cant remember"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Coco
By the way, what’s your name? Mine is... shit, I can’t remember.
The question hangs beneath the citadel. Coco searches for the missing name, but finds only pressure behind his eyes and the journal’s familiar weight against his side.
Maelis
My name is Maelis. You may call me that, if you wish.
Maelis
As for your name, do not force it. A memory pressed too hard may retreat further, and you have already endured enough strain tonight.
Maelis watches him carefully, her guarded expression easing into concern. She does not reach for the journal or ask him to prove anything.
Coco
Maelis. My own name is still missing.
Maelis
Until it returns, we can use Coco, if that is what your journal calls you. The guest room remains ready, and your book stays with you.