15. Remina

The tension lingered in the air like a storm waiting to break as I stepped out of the council chambers.

I watched as the council members trickled out; their faces were etched with the lingering melancholy that accompanied the meeting. My eyes locked onto Hael, his silhouette tall even against the sky. His vibrant green hair, an homage to the verdant hues of nature, cascades in a flowing symphony down his back.

I hastened my steps to catch up with him, calling out, "Frost! I mean Hael, wait up!"

He turned, his gaze meeting mine with a calm intensity. "Raven, I was wondering if you would approach me."

I fell into step beside him, the click of our shoes echoing in the empty street. The quiet tension around us mirrored the unease within me. "I have been meaning to talk to you," I confessed, trying to read the subtle shifts in his expression.

Hael inclined his head, inviting me to continue. "Did you know who I was all this time?" I asked, searching his eyes for any telltale sign.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I"ve always known," he admitted, his voice steady. "It didn"t bother me, Raven. I figured we were both at those fights to forget about our responsibilities for a while."

I nodded, relieved that he hadn"t judged me based on my position within the order. "Well, I have to confess, I had no clue who you were," I admitted with a small laugh, attempting to ease the weight of the conversation.

Hael chuckled, the sound deep and resonant. "I figured. Would it have changed anything?"

I nodded, processing his response. "I wish I could say it wouldn't have."

Hael chuckled; the sound was a melodic blend that echoed through the quiet street. "Ignorance has its perks, doesn"t it?"

I hesitated for a moment before diving into the question that had been gnawing at me since learning who he was. "Did you tell the others?"

A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "No, Remina. Your secret is safe with me."

"Thank you, Hael," I said, with genuine gratitude in my voice.

Hael studied me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You know, Raven, if you ever feel like a repeat of one of our nights while you're in Astur, I'd be happy to oblige."

I smiled as he traced a finger along my lower lip. "I'll keep that in mind, Frost." The chemistry between us flared to life but I needed to consider the consequences of hooking up with Hael now that I knew who he was.

I reluctantly stepped away from Hael and his lips tilted in a knowing smile as his hand dropped away. "I've got to start with my investigation. I'll see you around."

Each step back to Gi-Gi"s apartment I carried the gravity of responsibility. The warm sunlight shining down on the compound was a stark contrast to the situation we found ourselves in.

My mind swirled with thoughts as I walked. The rhythmic tapping of my boots on the cobblestones was a soundtrack to my thoughts. Each step felt like an echo of my racing thoughts, a staccato rhythm mirroring the urgency of the task ahead.

Lucius" warning from days prior echoed in the confines of my mind. Was there a connection between his words and the sudden disappearance of supes? I couldn"t dismiss the possibility that the chaos he had alluded to was somehow entwined with what we were now facing. He had spoken about a prophecy, but I wasn't aware of one that involved chaos rising. I would have to visit the archives to gain more insight.

As I reached Gi-Gi"s door, I hesitated for a moment, grappling with the realization that so many supes had been taken. The weight of their disappearance pressed against my chest, and I took a deep breath to steady myself before entering.

Gi-Gi"s apartment greeted me with a familiar warmth. The scent of lavender, her favorite fragrance, hung in the air, a calming presence that momentarily eased the tension in my shoulders. The soft glow of sunshine through the window painted a serene picture, but the storm of thoughts within me persisted.

I sank into the couch, the cushions cradling me like a comforting embrace. The muted hum of the air conditioning filled the room. How had it come to this? Why were so many missing? Had they been taken? The memory of Slade"s abrupt appearance lingered in my mind. Gi-Gi and I had been mid-movie when he barged in with urgency.

As I reflected on the events, I traced the patterns on the throw pillow absentmindedly. The council meeting had unfolded swiftly, surprising me with the relative lack of resistance to my demands. I had expected pushback, but it was as if the council members sensed the imminent threat and yielded to the necessity of swift action.

The soft creak of the apartment door brought me back to the present. Gi-Gi entered, her eyes reflecting concern and curiosity. The fragrance of herbal tea wafted from the kitchen, a subtle reminder of our usual routines, now disrupted by the pressing matters at hand.

"Remina, what happened in the meeting?" Gi-Gi"s voice cut through the silence, her eyes searching mine for answers.

The task ahead pressed against me. "Supes are disappearing, Gi-Gi. We don"t know why or how, but it"s happening across all sectors. The council has asked for my help with finding them and bringing them back. I'm going to be staying a little longer than planned," I admitted, my fingers idly tracing the patterns on the throw pillow.

Gi-Gi"s gaze remained fixed on me, a silent invitation to share my burden. The room felt stifled as if the walls themselves were aware of the turmoil within.

"There's been no trace of the supes, Gi," I started, the words heavy on my tongue. "And it's not just a few—it's a lot. It"s like they"re being plucked from the very heart of the community."

Her expression shifted from curiosity to concern, the lines deepening. "What do you mean, Remina? Is it some kind of attack?"

My eyes locked onto hers. "I'm not sure. But I'll find out. It"s not a coincidence, that's for sure."

Gi-Gi"s silence mirrored the gravity of the situation. I could almost feel her unspoken questions, her concern for me mingling with the broader unease of the situation. "You can find them, right?" Gi-Gi"s voice broke the silence, a mixture of hope and concern woven into her words.

I nodded. "I can, but it won"t be easy. It"s like chasing shadows. There is a lot that doesn"t add up."

Gi-Gi reached for my hand, her touch a grounding force amid the storm of emotions. "Whatever you need to do, Remina, I"m here for you and you know you can stay as long as you need," she reassured, her gaze sure.

As we sat in her apartment, the reality of the task at hand sank in. I got up to shower and change. I'd need to be fresh and alert to face the days to come.

The heavy oak door creaked open as I stepped into the lower levels of Astur"s vast library, the air thick with the comforting smell of leather and paper. The muted glow of flickering candlelight revealed rows upon rows of towering bookshelves.

As I ventured deeper into the archives, the temperature seemed to drop, and a chill slithered down my spine. The shadows danced in rhythmic patterns through the lower levels. The archived library was breathtaking. The knowledge and information held within these shelves dated back thousands of years and my fingers twitched, wanting to reach out and run along the spines of each book. As I walked through the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, I caught sight of a lone figure immersed in an ancient tome.

Seated at a worn oak table, surrounded by towering stacks of books, a Light Fae with an ethereal aura was engrossed in his reading. His sharp features and luminous eyes spoke of centuries of wisdom, and the air around him shimmered with the glow of power. This must be Jasper, the guardian of Astur"s archives.

Approaching him with cautious steps, I could hear the soft rustle of parchment as he turned a page, the echo of ancient words that seemed to come alive in the dimly lit chamber. The flickering candlelight cast a golden hue on the delicate features of the light fae, his wings, folded gracefully behind him, adding an otherworldly elegance to his presence.

"Jasper?" I spoke, my voice was purposely soft so as not to startle him. His eyes, pools of radiant luminescence, met mine. The intensity of his focus seemed to penetrate to the core of my being as if he could read the very essence of my existence.

"Hello, Remina. I see Gi-Gi passed along the directions correctly," he acknowledged; his voice was a melodic resonance that echoed through the archives. I extended a hand in greeting, the warmth of his touch noticeable in the cool room.

"So, what brings you to the depths of Astur"s knowledge? I was surprised when Gi-Gi told me you'd like to meet. The Order has their extensive archive after all" he inquired, his tone measured and scholarly. I hesitated for a moment before broaching the subject that had led me to seek him out.

"I"m looking for information on prophecies," I confessed, the weight of the words hanging in the air. Jasper"s eyes, reflective like pools of ancient wisdom, bore into mine.

"Prophecies," he mused, his fingers tracing the intricate patterns on the pages. "Ah yes, I suppose the Order would have no use for the tales of seers. Humans don't like to put stock in what we know to be powerful predictions. What specifically are you searching for?"

I chose my words carefully, aware of the seriousness of the information I sought. "Any prophecies that may foretell chaos rising. I know it's not much to go on, but I thought it was worth looking into."

Jasper"s expression darkened; the gravity of my inquiry was not lost on him. The very air in the archives seemed to hum with tension as he closed the grimoire and regarded me with a seriousness that matched the weight of my request.

"Prophecies are elusive, cryptic glimpses into the possible futures," he began, guiding me toward a shelf lined with ancient scrolls. "I haven"t heard of the one you seek but they often reveal themselves only to those who seek them with purpose. This row here holds all recorded prophecies from Astur. Guide your hand along the spines and use your initiative to choose the one that feels right. Picture in your mind that which you seek."

I raised my hand towards the row Jasper had pointed to. My senses guided me, an instinct honed through years of navigating the supernatural realms. There was a pull, an invisible thread drawing me toward a particular section at the end of the long row. I let my fingers dance along the spines until an invisible force seemed to guide my hand to a specific book. The leather cover felt cool beneath my touch, and as I pulled it from the shelf, the air seemed to ripple with magic.

Jasper joined me as I walked to the closest table and opened the ancient text. The pages crackled with age, the faded ink bearing the weight of forgotten prophecies. The letters seemed to come alive, swirling with otherworldly energy as Jasper and I delved into the secrets hidden within.

The words unfurled before our eyes, a poetic dance that told of celestial alignments and the ominous presence of a child of darkness. The air in the archives tingled with heightened awareness as if the very walls were privy to the implications of the prophecy. The words etched in the archaic script painted a haunting picture of destruction, a key to the chaos that lay dormant in the soul of the prophesied child.

"By the stars aligned and the moon"s stark grace, a child of darkness the world shall face. The key to destruction in their soul it lies, to unlock the gates where chaos shall rise," Jasper read aloud, his voice resonating with a somber melody that echoed through the hallowed halls.

The prophecy hung in the air. I felt a shiver crawl down my spine. The words hinted at a sinister force, a harbinger of chaos that lurked within the shadows of the supernatural realm.

Jasper"s gaze met mine, his eyes reflecting the same unease that gnawed at my senses. We had unveiled a prophecy that hinted at a looming threat. Lucius had spoken of the prophecies" existence and now we were faced with the reality that this could indeed come to pass.

"The child of darkness ... do we know who this is referring to?" I asked, my voice a hushed murmur. Jasper"s brows furrowed in contemplation.

"My initial assumption would be a child of the Dark Fae or perhaps even a Dark Mage," Jasper replied, closing the ancient tome. "But the Dark Fae were banished to another realm entirely and the last Dark Mages died fifteen years ago."

A sickening realization began to take root. I felt a knot tighten in the pit of my stomach, a gnawing discomfort at Jasper"s words. Jasper, engrossed in his thoughts, was oblivious to the internal struggle unraveling within me. I tried to push aside the creeping unease, but the more I contemplated the prophecy, the more I felt a connection to its ominous words. Could I be the child of darkness the prophecy spoke of? Surely a child of darkness involved more than simply being a Dark Mage. The implications clawed at the edges of my consciousness.

The words of the prophecy played on a loop in my mind, each repetition intensifying the sickening realization that I might be entwined in the fate it foretold.

I stole a glance at Jasper, his expression a mask of concentration. I couldn"t bring myself to voice the unsettling revelation that churned within me. Instead, I focused on the pages before us, my fingers tracing the archaic script as if seeking solace in the dance of forgotten ink.

My gaze shifted to Jasper; his features illuminated by the dim glow of flickering candles. The urgency to unravel the prophecy"s secrets clawed at me, and I finally voiced the question that echoed in the chambers of my mind. "Jasper, how can we find more information about what this prophecy means? There must be something we"re missing."

Jasper met my gaze, his eyes inquisitive. He leaned back, setting aside the tome before him, and turned his full attention to me. The ambient light painted shadows on the shelves around us, creating an ethereal backdrop to our conversation.

"Well," Jasper began, his voice a soft cadence, "the prophecy you found is rather cryptic. Usually, I'd suggest going straight to the source. Unfortunately, this seer, Adele, passed over thirty years ago. However, she may have recorded personal notes or insights that could shed light on its meaning."

A surge of hope flickered within me. I leaned in as I absorbed every word Jasper spoke. The air seemed to thicken with anticipation as if the very archives held its breath.

Jasper continued, "Adele was a Light Mage, it"s possible that she chronicled more details in her writings. These archives house an extensive collection, but her notes would have been left with her protege."

"It"s a place to start," I sighed, my voice echoing softly. "Do you know if the seer"s protege is still alive? Or who they are?"

Jasper"s expression shifted, a subtle smile crossing his features. His eyes, illuminated by the muted glow of candles, held a knowing glint. "Speak to Seraphina. Her mother was Adele's protege. When her mother died last year, Seraphina would have inherited all her possessions. With any luck, she kept Adele's grimoire and seer recordings."

With a nod of gratitude to Jasper, I made my way back to the staircase leading to the upper levels of the library. The creak of the floorboards beneath my steps gave away my ascent.

The air was less oppressive the higher I climbed and by the time I reached the top, it was as fresh and warm as the day outside.

Leaving the library, I stepped into the main courtyard of the compound. The transition from the secluded, candlelit corridors to the bright outdoors brought an immediate shift in the atmosphere.

As I walked towards the Light Mage sector, the sound of distant laughter and hushed conversations added to the lively pulse of the compound.

Navigating through the gracefully arching walkways of the light mage district, I approached Seraphina"s office in the heart of the sector. The architectural elegance of the buildings exuded a sense of timeless wisdom, and the soft radiance of magical wards adorned the surroundings, creating an ethereal ambiance.

Upon reaching Seraphina"s door, adorned with symbols of light and intricate runes, I took a moment to steady myself. The intricate patterns of magic etched into the door glowed faintly in response to my presence, alerting Seraphina and granting me access to the office beyond.

As I entered her office, the transition from the vibrant, sunlit district to the serene interior brought a sense of calm. The room was adorned with shelves of meticulously organized scrolls and tomes. The scent of ancient parchment mingled with the soft fragrance of enchanted candles, creating a haven for magic users.

Seraphina was seated at her desk and smiled as I entered. The glow of magical orbs suspended in the air behind her illuminated her features, casting a gentle radiance upon her workspace. The soft rustling of parchment accompanied her movements as she put her work aside and gave me her full attention.

"Remina," she greeted, her voice a melodic resonance that reverberated with wisdom. "I was just finishing up my reports of the missing Light Mages to give to you. Is that what you've come to collect?"

I took a deep breath and filled her in on what I had learned. "I"ll take them with me when I leave but I came to ask about your mother. I fear there is a prophecy tied up in all of this, but I need more information to be sure. Unfortunately, there isn't much to go on other than the prophecy itself. The seer who foretold the prophecy was Adele."

Seraphina"s eyes glimmered with understanding, and she rose from her seat. "Ahh, a talented seer Adele was," she mused. "My mother would have kept her records. I"m sure there will be more information there for you. Come, let"s take a look. The answers we seek may lie within Adele's musings."

With a subtle gesture, Seraphina beckoned me to join her with an ornate painting that adorned one wall. The painting depicted a light fae and a light mage standing side by side, their connection eternally captured in vivid brushstrokes. The colors seemed to pulsate with the energy of their shared existence, a visual testament to the intricate bond between the two magical species.

As Seraphina reached out to the painting, her fingers traced the outlines of the depicted figures. With a delicate touch, Seraphina pulled the painting forward and unveiled a concealed vault door, ornate and inscribed with multiple runes.

The vault door swung open, revealing a trove of mystical treasures that ignited the senses. The faint crackling of contained magical energies, and the visual feast of artifacts adorned the secret chamber. Rows of shelves held enchanted grimoires. Vials of rare ingredients shimmered with ethereal hues, and ancient relics whispered to my magic.

Seraphina gestured toward the vast repository, her eyes gleaming with the excitement of a seasoned scholar. "This is the heart of my collection—the accumulation of centuries" worth of magical knowledge, artifacts, and prophecies. I"ve stored both my mother's and Adele's possessions here. Hopefully, we will find the key to unraveling the mysteries of the prophecy you uncovered."

Together, we delved into the contents of the vault. The tactile caress of aged leather and the faint hum of enchanted relics created a heavy weight to the air. As we perused the artifacts, Seraphina"s scholarly musings provided a soundtrack to our exploration, unraveling the layers of mystique that surrounded each item.

Among the treasures, we discovered a grimoire that bore the markings of a light mage seer—its pages brimming with symbols and divination. The inked words seemed to come alive as Seraphina delicately turned the pages, revealing insights into Adele's prophecies and visions.

As I stood beside Seraphina, the flickering light of mystical orbs cast shadows that danced upon the walls. The grimoire lay open before us on a pedestal in Seraphina"s vault. Its pages whispered of arcane secrets; each line etched with the ink of foresight. The book thrummed with an otherworldly energy that echoed through the chamber.

Seraphina"s fingers traced the intricate symbols on the pages, her eyes scanning Adele"s meticulous annotations. The atmosphere became charged with an unspoken suspense as we ventured deeper into the pages.

Near the end of the book, Seraphina paused. I looked down at the page that had the prophecy we were looking for, scrawled in elegant handwriting. The words on the page seemed to pulse with a sinister energy.

Adele's words, written with an uncanny clarity, foretold the prophecy and its meaning. In the inked script, the child of darkness emerged as the central figure, a being born of the union between dark fae and dark mage. The implications were profound—a key to unlocking the gates of a sealed realm, a harbinger of chaos and destruction.

Seraphina"s gaze met mine, a silent acknowledgment of the gravity of our findings. The prophecy painted a chilling portrait of a future marred by the actions of this enigmatic child.

With a steadying breath, I turned to Seraphina. "Seraphina," I began, the words carrying relief, "I initially believed the prophecy might be about me. But considering both my parents are Dark Mages, it can"t be, right?" The question hung in the air, a testament to the intricate interplay of fate and lineage.

Seraphina"s eyes met mine, her gaze contemplative. The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the Light Mage"s response. The implications of the prophecy, once a looming specter, now assumed a more distant, manageable form. I felt like a mariner steering through treacherous waters, finally glimpsing a sliver of clear sky on the horizon.

Seraphina"s voice, a calm river cutting through the uncharted terrain of the prophecy, reassured me. "You"re right, Remina. The prophecy"s focus on the child born of both Dark Fae and Dark Mage lineage is incompatible with your heritage. I would say it refers to another. Who that is, however, is another matter entirely."

A wave of relief washed over me. The revelation, while sparing me from the ominous destiny outlined in the prophecy, left a residual sense of disquiet. Who did the prophecy refer to? As far as I knew there were no Dark Fae or Mages left in this realm. Although maybe a child with a mixing of such races would be kept hidden. It wasn"t impossible.

Seraphina"s hand rested on my shoulder, a gesture of solidarity. "If this is somehow connected to the missing supes, we will deal with it. For now, all we can do is wait for a link."

The air seemed to clear. Seraphina was right. Until we found another connection between the prophecy and the missing supes, the only thing I could focus on was finding them. Digging into old prophecies wouldn"t lead me to their whereabouts. It was time to go through all the reports from the different sectors.

I followed Seraphina out of the vault and thanked her for her help. I had the afternoon to go through the reports and see if there was a lead that would prove fruitful.