Eldric Varen: Secrets of the Other Realm

After a long rest, Eldric decided to make the most of the still bright day. He prepared himself, made sure his sword was still strapped to his waist, and stepped out of the inn towards his next destination—the library.

The Grenholde City Library stood majestically on the eastern side of the town square, not far from the City Hall. The building was a stunning architectural feature with ornate wooden carvings covering the doors and windows. On the front, a plaque with the words "Grenholde City Library" neatly hung, surrounded by beautiful geometric patterns.

As Eldric entered the library, the distinct scent of old books greeted him. The interior was much larger than it looked from the outside, with tall shelves filled with hundreds of books neatly lined up.

Several people were seen sitting at long tables, busy reading or copying notes. Some of them were dressed in luxurious clothing that indicated their status as nobles or scholars.

Eldric watched everything in awe, until someone's voice brought him back to his senses.

"Welcome to the Grenholde Library, sir," greeted a woman standing at the front counter. She was dressed in a simple, but clean and tidy uniform, with a friendly smile on her face. "Would you like to come in?"

"Yes," Eldric answered shortly, nodding politely.

The woman then continued, "The entrance fee is ten coins. We have been implementing this policy for some time now. There were incidents where visitors fought inside and some of our books were stolen. This fee helps us maintain the security and care of the books."

Eldric nodded in understanding. "Of course, that makes sense." He reached into his pocket and handed over 10 coins.

The woman smiled, accepted the payment, and handed Eldric a small card. "This is your pass. As long as you hold this, you are free to explore the library, but remember to be quiet and not take any books out without permission. If you need help finding something, I am here to help."

Eldric took the card, then began to explore the room. Every corner of the library offered something interesting—books on the history of Elythra, notes on the local flora and fauna, and even fragile-looking ancient manuscripts.

He circled the shelves to find a book that suited his needs. He finally stopped at a shelf filled with books on the history of Elythra. The title caught his eye: "History of Elythra: Regions."

Curious, Eldric picked up the book and brought it to an empty table in the corner of the room.

Opening the book "History of Elythra: Regions," Eldric began to read intently. The book explained that Elythra was a world divided into five major continents, each with its own unique characteristics, inhabitants, and cultures.

The Central Continent (Eryndor) is known as a center of power and trade. The region is lush with green valleys and large rivers, and is where human civilization thrives. The Kingdom of Velkyria is one of the strongest, with an elite army of Aurora Knights who use light-based fighting techniques. The people of Eryndor value education and the arts, with major festivals such as the Nightlight Festival.

The Eastern Continent (Aelyndra) is a land inhabited by various magical races, such as elves and dryads. Elven cities such as Luthrialle stand atop giant trees, while areas such as the Dark Rift of Vael'dun are home to the mysterious Dark Elves. Magic is an integral part of their lives, with branches of nature, spirit, and time magic thriving.

The Western Continent (Vyrenthal) consists of mountains and deep caverns, rich in natural resources such as mithral. The dwarves here are known as the finest metalworkers, creating weapons and artifacts that are prized throughout the world. The sacred peak of Arkenwynd is also a spiritual symbol for many.

The Southern Continent (Zephyrria) is a barren land of vast deserts, home to nomadic tribes such as the Ra'kal, who possess extraordinary physical strength. Despite the harshness, life on Zephyrria thrives, with spiritual centers such as the Astralis Oasis serving as gathering places for tribes. Oral stories and traveling bards, the Griots, play an important role in their culture.

The Northern Continent (Frostvale) is a snowy region filled with mages who master ice and wind magic. The Ice Fortress of Morvhal serves as the headquarters for the Ice Mages who lead research into weather magic. Life here is harsh, and the surviving society has a strong connection to nature and emphasizes cooperation and rituals to survive.

In Elythra, there are various organizations and martial schools that play an important role in the lives of the community:

The Order of the Rising Sun: A knightly organization originating from Velkyria, focused on protecting justice and righteousness throughout the world. They are known for their bravery and honor in battle.

The School of the Shadow Wind: A secret martial sect that teaches swift movements, stealth techniques, and attacks that are difficult to catch. This sect is famous for their ability to control shadows in battle.

Elythra Mage Guild: The largest magical organization in the world, with branches spread across every continent. This guild regulates the use of magic and protects the world from the misuse of magical power that can be destructive.

Continental Merchant Guild: A trade alliance that connects the various continents through major trade routes. They have a great influence on the economy of Elythra, controlling the distribution of goods and wealth between kingdoms and tribes.

Eldric turned the pages of the book curiously. Having previously read about the continents of Elythra, he found a new section that felt darker and more secretive.

The page was adorned with a large image of a fearsome looking demon with curling horns and glowing red eyes. Underneath the image was a bold inscription:

The Eternal War with Darkness

The book explained that thousands of years ago, Elythra was nearly overrun by a race of demons that had emerged from another dimension. The demons, led by the Seven Lords of Darkness, began a massive invasion that nearly destroyed the world. However, through the unity of the races of Elythra—humans, elves, dwarves, beastmen, and wizards—the demons were defeated in a war called the War of the Closing of the Gates.

The gates through which the demons came were eventually sealed using an ancient magic known as the Supreme Arcane Magic, which could only be accomplished by the sacrifice of the most powerful wizards of all races. However, before the gates were completely closed, the demon leaders divided themselves and their colonies into various regions of Elythra, hiding themselves in order to one day launch another invasion.

Demon Territory and Hidden Colonies

It is said that the continent of Elythra holds ancient seals in certain places that serve as the headquarters of demon colonies. The book does not give the exact location, but it does mention that the demon leaders left behind a trail of destruction, dark energy, and ferocious creatures that serve as guardians of the seals.

"No one knows for sure where the demons hide, but legends say they are scattered across Elythra: in hidden caves, ancient ruins, or even beneath the ocean."

War with the Beast Tribe

Eldric continued reading, finding another story that was no less interesting. Elythra was also once hit by a great war with the Beast Tribe Kingdom that was once centered on a mysterious continent called Thalvorr.

The beast tribe, consisting of half-humans such as wolves, tigers, and eagles, initially lived in peace. However, after the arrival of the demons, most of the beast tribe was possessed by dark energy and turned into wild, bloodthirsty creatures. This great war forced Elythra to reunite, but the casualties were enormous.

"Thalvorr, the continent of origin of the beast tribe, is now a forbidden land, filled with destruction and ferocious creatures that never stop targeting their prey."

Dragon Legends and Mythical Beasts

The next page takes Eldric to the story of dragons, mythical creatures that are said to be few left on Elythra. Dragons were thought to be the keepers of balance in the world, but the war against demons caused most of them to disappear or die out. Several other mythical beasts are also mentioned,

Griffins in the Arkenwynd Mountains (Vyrenthal): Symbols of wisdom and protection.

Phoenixes in the Desert of Tiamat (Zephyrria): Immortal firebirds that can be reborn from their ashes.

Nightwolves in Eldrin (Frostvale): Creatures that only appear during a full moon, considered guardian spirits of the night.

Eldric was stunned when he saw a crude map depicting an abandoned continent south of Elythra. The book called it the Continent of Maltherion.

The continent was described as a barren land, with a few abandoned cities still standing as silent witnesses to a lost civilization. Oddly enough, unlike other continents that only recorded important regions, this continent recorded the names of specific cities, such as:

Grenholde, a border city located on the western side of Maltherion.

Kael'tharr, a city said to have once been the center of ancient magic.

Vorrakk's Deep, ruins in the center of the continent believed to hold great secrets about demons.

Eldric studied the map of Elythra carefully. It outlined vast areas of the world in bold colors and mysterious symbols. However, each color carried an important message, a warning to those who dared to venture into this world.

Red: Marks areas of grave threat. Packs of wild beasts, wild creatures, or bandits often roam these areas, ready to attack anyone who crosses them. Explorers are advised to bring adequate supplies or seek local guidance before entering these areas.

Black: Represents extreme danger. These areas are often abandoned, even by the most hardened adventurers. Tales of dark energy, cursed ruins, or demonic colonies are often associated with these areas. Only those who are truly prepared to face death would dare approach them.

Green: Relatively safe areas, cities or villages well-guarded by local troops. These locations are usually strategically located, difficult to reach by dangerous creatures. However, visitors are still reminded to be vigilant, as danger can appear at any time.

Eldric noticed that the city of Grenholde was surrounded by a red area, indicating the dangers that lurk beyond the city limits. However, his attention was soon drawn to a small blue symbol on the map, shaped like a tower with a glowing dot at the top. The symbol was located not far from the town of Grenholde.

Ancient Communication Tower

The book explains that the blue dot represents an Ancient Communication Tower, a structure from a bygone era designed to detect danger and relay messages to nearby cities.

"These towers use magical energy to monitor major changes in the environment, such as the movement of wild beasts, the activity of demonic creatures, or even natural phenomena that could potentially harm humans. If something happens, the signal from the tower will beam a bright light into the sky, sending a warning message to the surrounding cities."

Eldric nods slowly, understanding the importance of these towers. The note also explains that not all of the towers are still functioning. Many are damaged or abandoned due to a lack of guards who understand how to operate their magical mechanisms.

However, the tower near Grenholde appears to still be active, at least based on the map.

On the side of the map, Eldric notices a more striking feature, a large area south of Elythra that is completely devoid of color, simply labeled: "Unexplored Region."

The note below it states that this region is almost completely unknown to the inhabitants of Elythra. Adventurers who ventured into the area rarely returned, and those who did returned only vague tales of strange creatures, vast ruins, and an atmosphere filled with strange energies.

"Why is such a vast region still a mystery?" Eldric wondered.

The book explained that the unexplored region was thought to hold great secrets, including the possible existence of ancient demonic seals or even clues to the origins of dragons and other mythical creatures.

In Elythra, gods and divine entities influence the life and culture of every continent. Some gods are the center of worship, while others are recognized only by certain groups. Those blessed by the gods often become important figures in Elythra's history.

On the next page, the page is decorated with magnificent ornaments, carvings of sacred symbols, and shimmering ink that glows different colors under the light. The names of the gods are written in stunning calligraphy, depicting their power and majesty.

Kaelor, God of Light, Worshipped in the Temple of Light Velkyria, the largest city in the Central Continent (Eryndor). Kaelor is the protector of truth, justice, and hope. He carries a sacred sword called Luminas and is believed to grant courage to the Aurora Knights.

Velistra, Goddess of Daggers, Ruler of shadows and silent attacks. Her shrine is hidden in the caves of Eryndor, guarded by assassins who call her the Silent Protector.

Orvelyn, God of Arrows, Patron of hunters and explorers. He is revered throughout Elythra, especially in the forests of Aelyndra. His bow, Starshot, is believed to pierce the darkness.

Thyros, God of Spirit Magic, Guardian of the balance between life and death. He is mentioned in various rituals in the Valhendra Forest and the Ethereal Wilds.

Eldara, Guardian of the World Tree, In the elven forest of Aelyndra, lies the World Tree of Luthrialle, a giant tree that is the center of the elven city. This tree has sentience and is known as an entity equal to a god. Eldara, the eternal spirit of this tree, is believed to protect life and the balance of nature.

Valkharn, God of War, A god of war revered by warriors in Elythra. He carries a giant warhammer and is often depicted standing on a battlefield.

Dromir, God of the Forge, Lord of the art of forging and smithing, worshipped primarily in the Fortress of Gagalon on the Western Continent (Vyrenthal). He is known for creating legendary artifacts.

Thalren, God of the Sea, God of the ocean and guardian of the deep. Worshipped by sailors and coastal tribes throughout Elythra. His shrines are often found on high cliffs and hidden coves. Thalren carries a trident called Abyssus, which is said to be able to control storms.

Aelthara, the Witch Sage, An immortal entity who taught the ancient arts of magic. Though not a god, Aelthara is revered as the first mentor of the witches of Elythra.

Eldric stared at the last page of the book with a mixture of awe and skepticism. He still couldn't believe that gods really existed in this world. In his previous life, stories about gods were just fairy tales to scare children or give false hope to those who were desperate.

However, now he was in a completely different world, with the presence of the gods feeling more real.

"Maybe I just read too much," he muttered with a sigh. Although he felt a little doubtful, there was a spirit of adventure that began to grow in his heart. However, Eldric knew that he was not the type of person who looked for trouble. If he could choose, he would rather live comfortably and away from danger. Unfortunately, reality did not side with his wishes. The continent where he lived was now full of threats, like a time bomb that could explode at any moment.

"I guess this is enough for today," Eldric thought as he slowly closed the book. There were still other pages that he had not read, but he felt that the information he had obtained was more than enough for now. Carefully, he stood up from his seat and took the book to the counter where the librarian was.

However, in the middle of his journey, an unexpected incident occurred. A young woman suddenly ran hurriedly from the other direction, bumping into Eldric quite hard. "Ah, I'm sorry!" the woman shouted in a panicked tone, but it was too late. Her body hit Eldric, and the book he was holding slipped from his hand, falling to the floor with a thud.

Eldric staggered a little but immediately balanced himself. He looked at the woman with a look that was a mixture of annoyance and confusion. Her long hair was a little messy, and she seemed to be carrying several large rolls of paper.

"Hey, be careful when you walk," Eldric said as he bent down to pick up his book.

"I'm really sorry," the woman replied, her face looking a little red with embarrassment. She also crouched down to help Eldric pick up the fallen book.

When their fingers almost touched on the cover of the book, the woman suddenly froze, her eyes fixed on the strange symbols that decorated the cover. "This is... a book of elyhtra history?" she asked.

Eldric raised his eyebrows, curious about the woman's reaction. "Yes, why?"

However, before the woman could answer, the librarian's voice called out from a distance. "Hey! Don't disturb other visitors!"

The woman hesitated for a moment, then with an awkward smile, she got up and handed the book back to Eldric. "Sorry again. Maybe we'll meet again," she said before running away with hurried steps.

Eldric just stood there, watching the woman's back disappear between the bookshelves. "Strange day," he muttered before continuing his steps to the library counter.

While walking towards the library counter, Eldric thought again about the woman who had just bumped into him. Her long white hair was beautifully flowing, combined with the white robe that covered her body, even though her body was tightly covered, her face still radiated a beauty that was hard to forget. Her pitch-black eyes looked mysterious yet captivating, and the small smile she gave implied something unsaid.

Eldric couldn't help but feel the strange feeling that arose when the woman looked at him, as if there was something important, something that involved them.

The woman, before leaving, had said in a soft yet meaningful voice, "We'll meet again." Those words echoed in his mind, making Eldric wonder if it was just a casual remark or if there was a deeper meaning. What did she mean? Would their destinies really be connected in the future? Eldric felt that there was something bigger waiting, even though he didn't know what it was yet.