ONLINE: Blades of Eternity

Chapter 107 A CITY WITH SECRETS

'I have finally arrived'

As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the sprawling Valen City, Kelvin finally arrived at the city's entrance. The towering gates of Valen, adorned with ancient runes, loomed before him, their worn edges a testament to centuries of history and magic. He had traveled for days, moving in secret to avoid unwanted attention.

Now, standing at the threshold of the city, he hesitated for only a moment before slipping past the guards under the cover of dusk.

The streets were bustling with activity, merchants closing their stalls, and citizens hurrying home as the day drew to a close. Kelvin pulled his hood lower over his face, blending into the crowd as he made his way deeper into the city. His goal was clear—find the information he sought and leave unnoticed.

But as he moved further into Valen's labyrinthine streets, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in his chest. Something felt off, though he couldn't quite pinpoint what.

As Kelvin turned down a quieter street, lined with tall, scholarly buildings and old manors, he felt the weight of eyes on him. He quickened his pace but tried not to appear suspicious. Just as he was about to round a corner, a voice, calm and measured, called out from the shadows.

"You there, traveler."

Kelvin stopped, his conciousness instinctively moving toward his storage ring hidden under his cloak. He turned slowly to find an elderly man standing a few paces behind him. The man's white beard flowed down to his chest, and he wore robes of deep blue embroidered with symbols Kelvin didn't recognize.

His eyes, though aged, were sharp and intelligent, glinting with a curiosity that immediately set Kelvin on edge.

"I don't mean to alarm you," the old man continued, taking a step closer. "But it's not often I see a newcomer enter Valen unnoticed. You're either quite skilled or quite foolish."

Kelvin's muscles tensed, but he kept his voice steady. "Just passing through," he replied, trying to gauge the man's intentions. "I didn't want to draw any unnecessary attention."

The elderly man smiled, his gaze never leaving Kelvin's face. "Ah, a cautious one. I can appreciate that. Perhaps you would join me for a drink at my manor? I'd be most interested to hear of your travels."

Kelvin's instincts screamed at him to refuse, but there was something in the man's demeanor—something unsettling that he couldn't quite place. He knew better than to trust a stranger, especially one who seemed far too interested in him. Yet, despite his unease, he found himself nodding.

The old man's smile widened. "Excellent. Follow me, then."

Kelvin followed the scholar through the narrow streets, his mind racing. Every step closer to the man's manor deepened the sense of foreboding in his gut. The buildings around them grew older, the streets darker, until they arrived at a tall, imposing manor nestled at the edge of the city. The house was ancient, its stone walls covered in ivy and moss, and the air around it seemed unnaturally cold.

The old man opened the creaking door, gesturing for Kelvin to enter. "Please, make yourself comfortable."

Kelvin hesitated at the threshold, his eyes scanning the darkened interior of the manor. Something about the place felt wrong. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and the feeling of being watched intensified. He couldn't shake the sensation that he was walking into a trap, yet he couldn't pinpoint what, exactly, was setting him on edge.

The man's eyes gleamed with amusement. "We were watching you from the moment you set foot in Valen City. We knew what you were after, and frankly, we've been expecting you. You're not as invisible as you think." He stepped closer, his smile widening. "Welcome, Kelvin, to the heart of the followers of the First Magi."

Kelvin's breath hitched. The First Magi—the secretive organization he had been hunting for months. They were responsible for his sister's death, And now, here he was, standing in the middle of their lair, surrounded by their followers.

The man in front of him—their spokesperson—crossed his arms, his eyes never leaving Kelvin's face. "You're after our leader, aren't you? The one you think is responsible for your sister's death." He let out a low chuckle. "You've been chasing Venerable s, Kelvin. But now, the henchmen of these Venerables have caught you."

Kelvin's heart raced as the full weight of the situation sank in. He was trapped, surrounded by people who had likely been following his every move. How had he fallen into their trap so easily? And worse—how long had he been under their illusion?

"You knew," Kelvin said, his voice low but steady, despite the fear gnawing at him. "You knew I was coming."

The man nodded slowly. "Indeed. Your obsession with finding our leaders was rather... predictable. After all, you want revenge, don't you? For your sister."

Kelvin's jaw clenched, anger flaring inside him. "Where is your leader?" he demanded, his voice sharper now. "I want to face him."

The followers around him stirred slightly, but the spokesperson merely laughed, the sound cold and hollow. "Oh, Kelvin... you're not ready for that. You don't even know what you're truly up against." He gestured around the chamber. "The First Magi are not just an organization—they are an idea, a power that stretches far beyond the limitations of men like you. But you will see soon enough."

Kelvin's eyes darted to the robed figures surrounding him. They were silent, their faces hidden, but he could feel their gaze burning into him, judging him. He tightened his grip on his scythe, but the spokesperson raised a hand.

"You won't need that weapon here," he said, his voice taking on a more dangerous edge. "We didn't bring you here to kill you, Kelvin. Not yet. No... we brought you here because we know you're useful. And because, like it or not, you're part of this now."

Kelvin took a step forward, his eyes narrowing. "I'll never be part of whatever this is. You're monsters."

The man's smile faltered for a brief moment before he regained his composure. "Monsters?" he echoed softly. "You have no idea what a true monster is. But if you stay on this path... you will."

Kelvin's mind raced, trying to find an escape, a way out of this nightmare. But he knew there was no easy way out. Not with the First Magi, and certainly not with their followers all around him.

The spokesperson leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "You're looking for answers. I understand that. And I can give them to you. But it will come at a price. So, I ask you now, Kelvin—how far are you willing to go for your revenge?"

Kelvin met the man's gaze, his fists clenched at his sides. He could feel the weight of the decision bearing down on him, but one thing was clear—he would not stop until the leader of the First Magi paid for what they had done to his sister.

"I'll go as far as I have to," Kelvin said, his voice filled with resolve.

The spokesperson's smile returned, wider and darker than before. "Good," he said softly. "That's exactly what we were hoping to hear."