Reya’s research project had hit an insurmountable dead end, and while Ms. Wexler might be satisfied with her progress, Reya knew there was more to uncover, a mystery yet to be unraveled wholly. Reya's biggest fear was that while her mentor thought the extent of her research was enough, the Blue Council might not share the sentiment with her being essentially an outsider. She was always under a magnifying glass at the Academia, her actions not tolerated as most student’s due to her low lineage, gender, age, and uncanny aptitude for getting in trouble.

Please be there, please be there - Reya said to herself, summoning her willpower and mechanically headed straight to the library, bracing herself for the bad news and many scenarios she went over in her head many times now.

 

Alchzard Mary Wexler had chosen to work in the Library today, which was indeed fortunate for Reya. She had hoped Mary would take it easy on her with other students around rather than them. Alchzard Mary did not favor students and would not hesitate to put Reya on the spot in front of everyone to make a bigger point. Reya believed there had to be a good reason behind it for her mentor to do so as she was the one that picked Reya for the mentoring, and everyone knew Alchzard Mary rarely did mentoring herself.

Unlike many of the other formal and austere Academia Alchzards, Mary possessed an approachability that made her a cherished mentor among students, though her attention was gifted only to few random lucky students. Reya did not know what Mary saw in her but was thrilled when Mary had picked her for mentoring. That did not mean she took their relationship for granted or expected to get any free passes which was proven to her many times.

 

Mary specialized in teaching the "Myths and Weapons of Old" class and often manned the Library's front desk as the head librarian. It was her passion to assist students in a rather unique way – she provided them with the tools to find information themselves through riddles and clues rather than simply handing it to them. This method instilled a sense of great achievement when students succeeded in their research. Reya admired her mentor's dedication to fostering hard work and diligence in students, eschewing shortcuts that many others, even those from Great Houses, often took. Reya believed that in Mary's eyes, every student was equal, their worth determined solely by their knowledge, wit, and skills. This obvious unwavering belief in meritocracy was a guiding principle in Mary’s approach to mentoring, one that transcended social status, birthright, or family background. When she was first admitted, Reya believed that within the hallowed halls of the Academia, everyone had an opportunity to excel, perhaps not equal at times, but that it boiled down to their individual efforts and intellect that truly mattered in the end. Only to quickly realize that was all true unless the students in question were of impure blood like hers. Then the chance for success was random and based on how NOT to attract attention, a thing she was not good at with her sharp tongue and tall frame that stood out.

 

Reya was lucky to be mentored by Mary as her egalitarian perspective fostered an environment where Mary’s students were free to pursue their passions and explore their potential without fear of discrimination or prejudice. Mary encouraged her charges to stretch their intellectual boundaries, to question the status quo, and to seek knowledge not for the sake of recognition but for the betterment of themselves and the world around them despite the external forces. This sense of shared values made Reya respect Mary in a special way. Beyond the teacher-student relationship, they shared a connection forged in their mutual dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and the desire to unearth the secrets of the past. The girl felt a genuine closeness to her mentor, a sense of camaraderie that transcended the formality often associated with Academia Alchzards. Mary's willingness to impart wisdom through friendly guidance rather than authoritarian directives created a nurturing environment in which Reya thrived despite the other side of the Academia that made her feel small and unwanted. It was this unique mentorship that allowed Reya to grow and blossom not only as a scholar in the short time but also as an individual who cherished the value of knowledge, hard work, and equality above all else, even toward students who mistreated her. Mary's influence extended far beyond the classroom, shaping Reya's character into something new despite her past and instilling in her a profound respect for those who shared her unwavering commitment to the pursuit of truth and understanding.

 

Reya really did not know what to expect after delivering the bad news, still under the impression of Alchzard Kostiver’s unwanted attention and the horrifying experience. She came through the big glass doors ready and braced for the worst scenario her mind produced.

 

Mary sat behind the Library's prominent front desk, inspecting something that evaded Reya's eyes through a monocle. As Reya came closer, she sensed a tinge of a repellent aura coming from her mentor's direction that was gone as soon as Mary saw her approaching. Now able to focus her sight properly without the magic influencing her, Reya saw that it was an old big book, its tattered edges and darkened pages indicative of its long existence. As Reya approached and walked through the shimmering air surrounding her mentor in a protective barrier, she was hit with a full strength of a repellent aura of the book, a clear indication that the book was very dangerous. It was good Mary had shielded the aura of the old book with her own as the aura was quite pungent and felt like a poison making Reya feel weak and nauseated.

 

“Ahh, just who I was hoping to see!” Mary said and with her wrist motion the aura of the book greatly diminished leaving only Mary’s familiar aura that had a dangerous and powerful feeling to it but protective toward Reya. Upon spotting the girl, Mary's initial cheerful greeting shifted to concern, a reaction to Reya’s somber expression. “Miss Howl, what is the matter?”

 

Ashamed to voice her failure aloud, especially in the presence of potential eavesdroppers, Reya stared at the ground, burdened by the weight of her words. Staring around to see if there were any other people who may overhear and stalling for courage to find her, she finally said “I failed. I reached a dead end. A very dead end… pun intended.” Reya felt even worse after saying the words out loud despite all the preparation for this moment and little humor to help her.

 

"I thought I had it," Reya confessed, "the final clue about what might have happened with the Shield after the Battle of Sons. But I hit a dead end after Rosaline's defeat."

 

Rosaline, a notable female commander and warrior of Old, had once been the bearer of the Shield of Screams, one of the five known relics that had nearly brought the world to the brink of destruction. The relic's potency was not solely attributed to its inherent power; it hinged on the will and strength of its wielder. While the stories of the other three relics held their own mysteries, none compared to the obscurity surrounding the Shield of Screams. Little was known about its origins, and despite the events dating back only 600 years, it was rendered a less explored facet of history. In contrast, the last relic known to be as potent as the other five, the Watch of Gilgamesh, had become the focal point of intense interest and research among students and Alchzards alike, driven by the aspiration to gain recognition from the Great Houses or even secure a place with the Crown.

 

The society within the expansive realm of Walansi was marked by a complex hierarchy, which, despite the passage of time into the modern era, retained a deep-rooted structure. At the apex of this hierarchy, reigning over all, was the formidable Queen. The vast expanse of Walansi spanned two big islands, its borders extending a bit to the continent as well. In its ceaseless quest for supremacy and expansion, the nation engaged in perpetual conflicts with the continent, neighboring lands and rival countries. These conflicts were multifaceted, encompassing battles waged not only for territorial expansion but also for the control of knowledge, the acquisition of power, the recruitment of people, and the accumulation of precious resources that the islands simply did not have enough.

The intricate fabric of Walansi's governance was woven from the threads of autonomy and submission. The land was intricately divided into numerous autonomous regions, each characterized by its distinct governance structure and unique culture. These autonomous regions operated with a degree of self-rule, administering their own affairs, and maintaining a semblance of independence. However, their autonomy came at a price – all reported dutifully to the sovereign authority of the Crown and the steep price she asked for. Sometimes it was the money or resources like food, and sometimes it was the toughest price - people. She would take very young children to be trained and serve in her armies so many families mutilated their children to keep them close and safe. For the nobility, the treatment was somewhat different, but still rigorous. Their children were allowed to know their parents although they were still brainwashed into obedience and servitude which bound the Great Houses of the nobility to the Queen's power and favor.

Within this intricate web of alliances, rivalries, and complexities between the regions, the Great Houses played a prominent role. Numbering thirteen in total, these influential Houses held considerable sway over the destiny of the nation. Each Great House had its own unique political agenda, and they navigated the turbulent waters of Walansian politics with cunning and strategic acumen through their children and their autonomy within the regions they governed. Some Great Houses aligned themselves against the Queen's regime, opposing her authority and advocating for alternative visions of governance. Others were staunch supporters, willing to lend their loyalty to the reigning monarch in exchange for special privileges and dominance over the other Houses. The political landscape was characterized by a constant struggle for influence, where alliances were forged and severed, and betrayal was an ever-present threat.

Despite the socio-political intricacies and competing agendas, there were a few Great Houses that remained steadfastly neutral. These select Houses chose to prioritize the pursuit of knowledge and scientific advancement, often aligning their interests with the pursuit of truth and enlightenment within the halls of the Academia of Magic and Mystical Arts. Their dedication to the pursuit of knowledge served as a beacon of hope, a reminder that amidst the political machinations and power struggles, there were those who sought to elevate the nation through wisdom and innovation, helping the people in need acquire resources to succeed, making them influential parts of society. Weaving together a rich tapestry of conflict, ambition, and progress, the Great Houses were always in the relentless pursuit of supremacy between themselves and the Guilds that outnumbered them.

 

Reya was one of those children that was not mutilated but was not taken due to her weakness and sickly body. For that reason, she turned toward the books when she had down time despite her parents being illiterate. The work they did as a family to survive did not exclude her despite her frail state. What she had however was a strong will, sharp tongue and wits that had helped her countless times.
Failure was not an option for Reya, not in this world which she just discovered and fought hard to become a part of despite the odds stacked against her. That was why this dead-end, however insignificant to many, felt like internal failure of her as a person. It was illogical, she knew. She had the need to be in control over her life, at least in the things she was good at to feel worthy. It fueled her to get up from the bed in the morning despite her recurring sickness.

 

"My dear," Mary began, her voice warm and reassuring looking up from the old book, "the Council won't hold your limited progress against you, especially when investigating a tale dating back six centuries with scant available information. The Shield's story may well be a bloated myth, as we've discovered with some other relics of the Old. You've already made a remarkable breakthrough by uncovering details about Rosaline and her brief tenure as the Shield's wielder. That wasn't a minor accomplishment, and it took considerable courage to write such powerful letters to such influential figures and actually receive responses. I should say I am surprised you got answers."

 

Mary's words had the desired effect, slowly lifting Reya’s spirits and allowing her to shake off the morning's melancholy.

 

“I know you are concerned about the Council, but don’t be. You are a smart young woman and have much to offer.” Mary said.

 

“Not as much as the nobles here. I have no connections, I have passed the entrance exams by a miracle…”Reya started before Mary held up a hand stopping her.

 

“Let me stop your pity party right here Miss Howl. You know that the written tests are made on the Mercurial paper and there are no ways to cheat with those. If you did not learn by now, and I would have to talk to the Alchzard Anabethy about what she teaches her students, the blood you pour into the ink vial is the test in itself - testing your aptitude for magic. Not to mention how you got here in the first place.. Even if it was luck, which I am assuring you it was not as Mercurial has a mind of its own, let me remind you that you passed the physical exam too. And at your age nonetheless despite your lineage! You are a curiosity, dare I not say miracle.” Mary said, taking Reya’s chin with her old hand and lifting it up to meet her eyes.

 

“Never let anyone tell you otherwise. Believe in yourself like I believe in you. Council will see the greatness in you which is not to say you don’t have to work hard to make that greatness come out. Shape it into a tool you can use. There were many students that had true greatness in them, but they were too blinded or proud to exercise their abilities so that greatness dulled and became useless, much like them. I can sense it in you, your drive, so don’t be ordinary - adapt and be smart, but never fall for mediocracy.” This was the first time Mary was that personal with Reya, schooling her like a mother and not just as the teacher. Perhaps it was because by becoming an Alchzard and going through the final transformation of body and mind she had lost the ability to have children and felt the need to be one. It was not an uncommon occurrence but they all knew the many and various risks.

 

"Now," Mary continued on a brighter note, "let’s change the air and get that brain of yours a good stretch. ” Letting go of her chin, Mary turned toward the old book once more and Reya wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. She needed that. A reminder of what she can do if she works hard enough. Mary’s words gave her wings to fly, especially as she valued Mary’s judgment and mentorship.

Reya senses perked up as the air around them shifted with magic. Mary shrouded them in a simple privacy spell, making them obscured from the eyes and unheard to the curious eavesdroppers unless you knew exactly what to look for. Simple magic was possible on this floor, but that was the extent of it with many protective spells in place to guard the Academia from outside and inside dangers. Simple spells were easy, the students started mastering them at the start of the second year. Reya did not have many magical abilities like other students, even the simplest spells were hard for her, but she had the perseverance and Mary’s support to focus her energy where she excelled. That gave her hope that her role would perhaps be more of a supportive one to the great Alchzards, despite how far her schooling reached. She just needed to pass this year into the third for many reasons. If she did, she would have a place and a permanent job at the Academia of Magic and Mythical Arts despite where her magical aptitude reached its limits.

 

“Look at this page and tell me what you see.” Mary said looking at the book and performing difficult hand gestures that drew sigils in the air and served to examine the book on a magic level that were still invisible to Reya, although she could taste the magic in the air and feel it coursing through her body from all around, making her feel weaker then she was when she walked in.

The book was written on a Mercurial paper, the paper used for the most magical items and important secrets. Mercurial paper, found only on a particular island and made from the rare Mer-cur plant, was utilized for the most arcane of magical items and safeguarded secrets. It possessed an uncanny ability to reveal different information based on its reader, regardless of what was written on it. However, the exact mechanics behind this phenomenon remained a mystery. What you wrote down may not be the only thing the paper showed to two persons alike as it used its writer's blood mixed with ink to work, ordinary ink would just disappear. It seemed that the magic paper had a mind of its own.

 

Mary motioned the big book in front of her and turned it so Reya could see it. The book's illustration showcased two strikingly similar hammers, both relatively small and reminiscent of a child's toy. One thin and delicate and one a bit bulkier, handles made out of wood and etched with some runes while the heads of the hammers shimmered like stars, material Reya discerned as the Blue Goldstone. Both heads had the same shape and with rings etched deep in them. The only difference between them were their wooden handles, one with a thick and almost bulky handle and one with a thin and more finely shaped handle.

 

While Reya could perform limited spells, she excelled in observation and her ordinary spells were amazingly strong. She looked at her mentor without having to ask for permission and got a small nod to proceed. Reya picked a small vial from her belt and drank a light blue liquid from it. Then she rolled her neck back cracking her head and blew a short breath willing the magic to show her the hidden. Unlike Alchzards, she had to rely on alchemy to perform spells as her body has not yet been through transformation. The energy had to come from somewhere otherwise it could kill you, and even the alchemy strained her body.

 

Looking down, Reya was focusing on the drawings hard, almost seeing the rings move inside the Goldstone heads in opposite directions. Lines of text began to appear on the page next to hammer drawings before them. The words formed a narrative, recounting the tale of the twin hammers.

 

In a land where hammers roam,

Two twins emerged, not alone.

One forged of light, the other of might,

A tale of balance, shining bright.

 

Together they stood, hand in hand,

Guiding hearts through shifting sand.

 

Twin hammers, forged as one,

Light and heavy, moon and sun.

Through the battles they would go,

Bringing harmony to highs and lows.

 

The light hammer, swift and fleet,

Gently caressed each heart it'd meet.

With warmth and grace, it soothed the pain,

Embracing souls in its gentle reign.

 

The heavy hammer, mighty and strong,

Its strikes are resounding, fierce and long.

Toppling walls and breaking chains,

A force of power that never wanes.

 

In unity, their strength grew vast,

A testament to a bond unsurpassed.

The light and heavy, intertwined,

For a mighty soul, their love defined.

 

As they journeyed through the land,

The twins encountered a golden strand.

A challenge arose, a test so great,

To bring balance to a realm's dire fate.

 

With the light hammer's healing touch,

They mended wounds that hurt so much.

While the heavy hammer cleared the way,

Breaking barriers to the light of day.

 

In the end, the twins prevailed,

Their purpose fulfilled, their bond unveiled.

Twin hammers, a symbol of hope,

Together they soared, their spirits afloat.

 

Twin hammers, forever intertwined,

In every heart, their legacy enshrined.

Light and heavy, bound in love's embrace,

A song of balance, a timeless grace.

As the words hung in the air before they etched themselves upon the page, Reya looked at Mary. Mary's reaction was notably subdued, her countenance a mask of contemplation as she gazed at the text. Her eyes, framed by delicate wrinkles that spoke of wisdom and experience, remained unfazed, betraying little emotion.

 

Reya, too, was caught in the spell of the moment, drawn into the enigma unfolding before her. Her voice, tinged with curiosity and intrigue, broke the silence “Mary.. This.. This is… could they be...” She could not finish the words, afraid she may be overheard despite the privacy spell.

 

After Mary was still silent for a long while just looking at the book, Reya broke the uncomfortable silence “Where did you say you got the book? It might lead to its origins, don’t you think?”

 

“My thoughts exactly. Sadly, the friend in question died before I was able to learn more. What I can tell you, is what he wrote to me in his last letter. He has visited the ruins of Alancho, deep in the jungle of an island that he has found by chance once and never again after that. Its elusiveness was odd and that is why he wrote to me thinking I came across it in my research. The notion of an ever-moving island was something I have never heard of. His sister was kind enough to send me all of his research after his death, amongst which I found this book. He never spoke about the book, even to me or anyone else that I know of - I asked,” Mary recalled.

“Can you imagine if these were real?” Reya said dreamily.

“Can you try to read the inscription? It is curious how these pages reacted to you, nothing has changed until now and I am weary of showing them to other people, but I can trust you, can I?” Mary asked.

 

“Yes Alchzard Wexler. I will not tell a soul” Reya confirmed.

 

Reya took her time as she examined the inscription on the hammers. Nothing was happening but she did not relent despite her body being drained from magic use even from such a weak potion. Her head was dizzy and she could feel sweat on her face but she did not give up even after her legs started shaking a bit. Oh come on, not now! Reya thought to herself, feeling her sickness coming in waves.

 

Mary saw her student looking paler and started to say something but then as Reya exhaled in an attempt to hold herself together, a bit of residual magic came out of her lips and faint notes on the page's edges started appearing. Her peripheral view registered the almost invisible change as her perception was drawn to the ghostly remnants of words, their pale imprints hinting at the passage of time. Each notation appeared to be composed in distinct handwriting, the randomness of their arrangement puzzling in itself. With her focus on the faint notes, they became more solid and of this world etching themselves in the parchment before them.

 

Intrigued, Reya said “These seem to be written by different people and in different languages,” she said, examining them closer. The notes indeed seemed to be a fragmented narrative, akin to cryptic whispers of, apparently, many different people based on the different handwriting, adding yet another layer of complexity to the artifact's history.

 

“I have not seen Mercurial change twice for one person before. Yes, it looks like different people wrote these notes. I wonder if they have to do with the power of these tools…” Mary mused almost to herself.

 

“By what we learned of the other relics, the power of the relic changed somewhat depending on its wielder. Perhaps these notes were made by their wielders, what handling them has been like or something like that,” said Reya.

 

“Possibly, but it begs the question of how they got a hold of this particular book. The rest of the pages are either empty or in a language I have never seen before.”

The looming presence of another Alchzard approaching their desk prompted Mary to take swift action.

 

“I am sorry we could not explore this any further, should I have known… Let’s pick this conversation up after the evening classes in my office. Come to my chambers, and I don’t have to tell you to be discreet about all of this. You know how our kind gets,” she said, quickly motioning Reya away and shrank the book with a spell to fit her palm, placing it in an old wooden box away from prying eyes or senses. With a deft hand gesture, she then dissolved the privacy spell that was mirroring two of them doing nothing special and shielding their actions from the outside world. Powerful privacy spells could do that, while the basic weaker ones just blurred the vision a bit, which only spoke volumes of her mentor's power despite the restrictions of this floor.

 

“Of course Alchzard Wexler.” Reya said.

 

She said our kind, Reya thought to herself happily walking away quickly from her mentor's desk deeper in the Library toward the staff rooms to get in an hour of cleaning before her next lesson so could be free tonight. Our kind!

 

One of the ways she managed to afford attending the Academy was getting a job that no other student wanted and that was not beneath her, she had done worse to get by. Putting on long gloves and a stained apron, she grabbed a green liquid vial from the shelf along with cleaning supplies and decided to start at the bottom and work her way up. Today it was toilet cleaning day for her.

 

As Reya cleaned the toilets, she often wondered how come they could not self-clean like many other self sufficient things that were magicked to work in this place. But then again if that was the case, she could not afford to be here in the first place and decided to keep her mouth closed in hopes no one else would remember to ask the same question.

 

Cleaning was hard work for her weak body, but she tried to exercise the weakness out of herself as much as she could and over the years she had built muscle that never seemed to show on her too thin arms and legs. Working with her hands gave her mind free reign to ponder many things and go many places. Still under the impression of the discovery, Reya thought about the discretion in an institution where knowledge was power, and revelations of this nature could easily spark competition, covetousness, or murder even among students and faculty alike. She recalled the arduous journey she had undertaken to uncover the last known whereabouts of the Shield, only for the information to be taken from her by a higher assistant and presented as his own, no matter how insignificant it seemed in the scheme of things. That discovery got him the seat with a Guild House, not that that was something that interested Reya in turn. She loathed the Guild Houses.

This thought brought to the forefront the clandestine world of Guild Houses, which operated in the shadowy corners of underbelly of Walansi's society. Unlike the Great Houses, Guild Houses were formed by like-minded individuals who shared common interests, objectives, or skills, and together, they forged a House of their own. What set Guild Houses apart was their unyielding competitiveness and their willingness to engage in activities that others might deem unsavory or beneath them. Their actions were not bound by the constraints of tradition or honor, which made them unpredictable and, at times, ruthless in their quest for glory and money. Despite their lack of nobility, they commanded considerable influence and could shape the course of events within Walansi, if they ever united, which was impossible due to many feuds they had with one another.

 

Which was as likely as Alchzard Dune not making a rude comment or punishing me every time he saw me, Reya thought scrubbing at the particularly hard stain.

 

Reya knew the establishment of a new Guild House was not easy, their legitimacy was overseen by the Great Houses, who sought to maintain a delicate balance of power within the kingdom. The formation of too many Guild Houses or their undue consolidation could pose a threat to the established order, creating a turbulent environment that even the Crown found challenging to control. As a result, the Great Houses carefully oversaw the creation of Guild Houses and the rise of their key players to power through exchange of favors. The rivalry between Guild Houses was often fierce, but it was a dynamic that served the interests of the Great Houses and the Crown, keeping Guild Houses in a state of perpetual competition rather than cooperation.

 

Reya knew all this because of Lara. Her sister had chosen to align herself with one of these Guild Houses, setting herself on a path that diverged sharply from Reya’s own principles or that of their family. This was the source of many disagreements between the sisters. Reya firmly believed in the value of meritocracy, where one earned their place through legitimate and virtuous means. In her eyes, "good begets good," and she held the conviction that true greatness should come from noble and honorable deeds, and the Guild House was anything but that. These organizations attracted a diverse array of members, including glorified mercenaries, cunning thieves, skilled assassins, and, on rare occasions, adventurers like Lara. Many Guild Houses took on the dirty and unsavory tasks that others shied away from, embracing the darker aspects of their professions.

Despite the discord stemming from their differing paths, Reya loved her sister Lara, even as they found themselves on opposing sides of the moral spectrum and a grudge that left them on barely speaking terms. Still, Lara tried to stay in touch with Reya. Sometimes it was truly sisterly concern when she sent some coins to help with the food rations, but mostly it was fishing for the information Reya did not have or did not want to share because of her sister's associations. Reya knew that the inside information from the Academia could get Lara killed or herself expelled and she was not going to lose the only family member she had left for the sake of some Guild.

Reya’s own research was very important to her and knowing that her discovery had become a stepping stone for someone else's ascent within the Academia was a sobering reminder of the cutthroat nature of knowledge acquisition and advancement. So the book was going to be a secret that may eat her from the inside but she was not going to talk about it with anyone other than Mary.

Finishing cleaning the men's restroom on the highest floor of the Library, Reya raised up wiping at her forehead, rag in hand, only to see a man passing behind her in the mirror. As she quickly turned around to look at the stranger she did not hear come in, she splattered a little of the green liquid on her neck from how quickly she turned with the green solution drenched rag. There was no one there. Only the dark stalls of the empty restroom.

 

Taking her gloves off as fast as she could, she opened water and started rubbing at her neck as it started burning from the harsh solution. This is going to leave yet another scar, great. What stupid joke will they come up with now, I wonder, she muttered to herself a headache starting to pound again while inspecting her red neck. Then her eyes fell on the clock on the wall and a headache stuck her like a train.

 

"I am so late! Alchzard Dune will have my head this time!" she exclaimed, her heart pounding fast. She hastily gathered her belongings with no time to take further care for her now swollen neck, only stopping to return the cleaning supplies back to the cleaning closet.

 

As she ran across the courtyard to the lesson halls, Reya tried to keep her mind out of the inevitable by thinking of the tantalizing prospect of unraveling the mystery. It now burned brightly in her mind, a beacon of hope and determination guiding her steps through the intricate labyrinth of the Academia’s halls, despite Alchzard’s Dune inevitable punishment.