OLD-WORLD EXTRA-Chapter 114: Marcus Aurelius

A scream reverberated through the air as both Emir and Lyra readied themselves for an attack. They instantly rushed towards the location where the scream originated.

When they reached there, the duo were met by a young gang member on the ground, crying and breathing heavily as she watched the horror scene before them.

Said scene was where Lyra killed all five Templar group members with a single swing, cutting off their bodies in two and, in turn, bathing the ground with their blood and guts.

They both lowered their weapons and looked at each other, amusement filling their faces. Kiera approached the gang member and began calming her down.

Watching that scene, Emir composed himself and headed towards Kiera while saying:

"My friend Amanda here is quite an efficient killer, you see, so send my apologies to the kids."

Kiera shook her head.

"It's fine, we aren't children, she is... just not used to seeing things like this."

Emir nodded while patting her shoulder, he then left her alone and went back to Lyra.

[You certainly did a number on them.] He said.

She snickered.

[Not as much as you, it looked like you had quite a fun time over there.]

[Hell yeah, I did! Fights against other celestials are quite fun, you missed out.]

[You would be the only one to think like that Emir, though I love that about you too, so don't worry.]

He chuckled out loud.

[Seems like you're in a good mood today, to have you tease me like this.]

[Of course, because I realized something, but I'll keep it a secret.]

[Why?]

[Well... It's too embarrassing.]

Emir raised an eyebrow in surprise, and all he thought was a simple word:

'Cute.'

[You're doing this on purpose?] He asked, his tone sounding slightly suspicious.

Her face disfigured in despair for a fraction of a moment, but she snapped herself out of it, not wanting Emir to notice as he wasn't currently looking at her.

[Let's get going, we need to help them gather the loot.]

'Not a fan of manipulation-related questions then...'

He shrugged and followed behind her, not interested in her mood swings.

They began helping the gang clean up and collect all the gear scattered around the ruin.

And as a few minutes went by, they gathered everything and grouped up at the entrance of the grand library.

"So do you guys need our help in getting back?" Emir asked.

Kiera shook her head and said, "There's no need for that. Thanks again for helping us back there, and don't worry about anything that I heard today, my mouth is zipped tight."

"Of course, it's my pleasure, and that thought never crossed my mind. We just talked about this, didn't we?" He ended his sentence with a wink.

She smiled and waved at him for one last time as she and her gang members passed the entrance, leaving Lyra and Emir alone in the ruin.

He turned to her with a wild smile and said:

[Well then, let's get to it!]

[Of course, but before you attempt to go in, you should know that the manager, Silent, wants to test you.]

[Oh great! More tests, just what I like, yes, yes, I love tests, thank him for me, will you?]

She chuckled.

[I expected this, so I already told him that you would hate it.]

[As expected of you, my lovely ex-jailor.]

[So... Let's see what Silent has in store for me.]

He concluded their conversation as he once again set his eyes on the statue.

Emir soon stood before the runes, his eyes scanning every curve and symbol etched into their surface.

The patterns seemed to dance before him as if each line held a secret waiting to be unraveled.

His mind raced as he recalled all that he was taught about Aether and the knowledge of Arcanists he remembered from the novel.

Emir delved deep into his memory, piecing together the fragments of information he had.

Now as he focused back on the runes, he realized that each one held significance, symbolizing a unique Aspect of Aether and its inherent properties.

Aspects were what formed the rich tapestry of qualities, properties, and capabilities tied to the manipulation of Aether.

They emerged as a Celestial absorbed neutral Aether and transformed it into usable Aether, becoming the key to unlocking extraordinary abilities.

Through their chosen Aspects, Celestials tapped into Aether's boundless potential, molding the very fabric of their world to manifest their unique Celestial Essence.

Within this web of Aether Aspects, each entwined with its own set of skills and abilities lay a myriad of specializations.

These specializations served as pathed and un-pathed disciplines, guiding individuals to develop their expertise in a particular Aspect or Aspects of Aether manipulation.

Emir's fingertips gently grazed the surface of the first rune, his senses attuned to its texture. He absorbed the essence of the rune, allowing Aether to flow through him, imparting their

use.

And with each touch, the bond between him and the rune grew stronger, granting him the ability to understand its purpose.

Closing his eyes, he expanded his senses beyond the physical realm.

In his mind's eye, he visualized the invisible currents of Aether, which guided his perception.

Moving from rune to rune, Emir sought patterns and connections.

He observed the way the symbols intertwined and overlapped, he also analyzed the shapes,

the angles, the positions, and the relationships between the runes, seeking harmony amidst

the complexity.

Minutes stretched into hours as he delved deeper into the study of this puzzle.

He discarded false leads and focused his attention on the runes holding the key to unlocking

the memorial room.

Finally, a spark of recognition ignited within his mind.

He noticed a recurring motif, a subtle repetition that resonated with the very essence of

Aether.

The Arcanist behind this puzzle had embedded their Arcane language within the runes.

A language that only those with a deep understanding of their specializations could

comprehend.

With newfound clarity, Emir began to piece together the sequence.

He didn't try to understand it, that thought never crossed his mind, as he simply attempted to decipher the underlying logic-the subtle shifts in Aether that signaled the correct order, a

way simpler task.

And he realized that it was a delicate dance of interlocking melodies that only those attuned

to its frequency could hear.

The 'frequency' was the 'essence' and the 'melodies' were the 'paths.'

So carefully, step by step, he donned the correct celestial essence and traced the paths of the

runes, his fingertips gliding over their surface.

Emir infused each touch with a different essence as his Aether aligned himself with the resonance of the runes.

And as he progressed, a sense of certainty grew within him, while the atmosphere itself shifted, becoming charged with Aether.

Every surge of Aether from his core was a deliberate step closer to unlocking the secrets that

awaited within, and the runes indicated his success as they continued to pulsate with

increasing intensity.

They were responding to his touch as if awakening from a long slumber.

The air crackled, and whispers of forgotten indecipherable incantations echoed in Emir's

mind.

He could sense the presence of the Arcanist, their knowledge, and power intertwining with his

own.

It was as if they were guiding him through the dance of Aether manipulation, urging him closer to the memorial room.

Their knowledge flowed through him, guiding his every movement, as he traced the patterns

of the runes with his fingertips, almost in a trance-like state.

Each input of his Aether felt like a puzzle piece fitting perfectly into place.

And as the final surge of Aether coursed through Emir's veins, it flowed from his fingertips

and into the last rune.

At that moment, time appeared to hold its breath as the room filled with an intense, blinding

light.

Amidst the blinding brilliance, the room appeared to shift, as the concealed mechanisms within the statue's base came alive with a soft whir.

The statue of Marcus Aurelius transformed, unveiling a previously concealed passage that beckoned Emir into the heart of the memorial room.

With a magnetic pull, the entrance enticed him, extending an invitation to delve into the legacy encapsulated within, making him wonder about what mysteries he would discover.

Emir silently looked at Lyra, who was in the process of mouthing two words:

"Good luck." And waved her goodbye as he stepped down the ladder.

Both of them silently acknowledged the plan they discussed previously, as he descended

deeper into the abyss beneath the towering statue.

His surroundings soon grew darker, amplifying the anticipation that tingled in the air.

Reaching the bottom, he jumped off the ladder and crossed the threshold of a grand doorway.

A gateway that transported him into the heart of the memorial room.

After a step forward, a reverential hush wrapped around him, creating a sacred space where the echoes of ages past whispered their secrets.