The air was filled with a noise so overwhelmingly loud that it seed as if it could tear ones soul into shreds. This unrelenting sound reverberated through the guardians consciousness, leaving him in a state of turmoil and confusion. As ti passed, the intense sensations began to dissipate, and it was only after what felt like an eternity that he regained awareness of his own existence.
He beca aware of the thumping rhythm of his own heartbeat. Gathering his wits with considerable effort, his rational mind clawed its way back from the edge of insanity to regain a foothold in the realm of human thought and understanding. Then, as if waking up from a vivid nightmare, he suddenly comprehended the strange series of events he had just experienced. Almost reflexively, he lifted his head towards a sound he couldnt quite identify.
Standing before him was Duncan, whose presence was underscored by the lingering outline of a ghostly fla. Duncan appeared as if he were a dark cloud that had descended from the heavens, exuding an atmosphere so oppressive it was nearly indescribable.
It was at this mont that the guardian rembered the advice Nina, a young girl hed spoken with earlier, had offered him: Dont be afraid, whatever happens.
He recognized Duncan, standing so ominously before him. To an elf like him, a century was but a short interval in morys long span.
Before he could even gasp in surprise, a calming force suddenly washed over his mind. Simultaneously, a familiar voice echoed not far from him, saying, Ill take it from here.
Turning his head toward the voice, he saw a middle-aged man garbed in a deep blue academic robe walk into the room. Strands of grey streaked the mans hair, and he carried a thick, ancient to under his arm. The mans eyes were serene but touched with a glint of fatigue.
Truth Keeper! the guardian exclaid, his spirits lifting as if he had just been saved from so perilous fate. He quickly rose from his desk and hastily moved away from both Nina and Duncan.
He opened his mouth as if to report on recent events, but the man, known as the Truth Keeper, silenced him with a simple gesture. I am already aware of the situation here. This matter has now been transferred to the jurisdiction of the university. Do not ask any more questions. Your duties for today are over. After you exit, proceed directly to the psychological counseling room for a ntal evaluation. Now, off you go.
With a head full of unanswered questions and a sense of lingering bewildernt, the guardian left the room. Duncan then turned his attention to the middle-aged elf, studying his tired features. After a mont, Duncan asked inquisitively, Who are you?
Do you not recognize ? The middle-aged elf looked puzzled for a mont but then nodded with sudden understanding. Ah, of course. I heard your mory was affected by subspace.
As he spoke, his voice was tinged with a deep seated fatigue that seed to seep from his very bones. Even his expression of montary surprise seed flat and unchanging in its tone. Finally, letting out a weary sigh, he introduced himself: I am Ted Lir, the Truth Keeper of Wind Harbor. Im in charge of dealing with the supernatural safety of this city. You and I knew each other about a century ago. Back then, you often invited for drinks, and we engaged in many a debate concerning the borderlands.
Ted Lir? The Truth Keeper?
Duncans eyebrows furrowed in confusion. This na ant nothing to him, a result he found unsurprising given that he possessed the body of soone whose mory hadnt survived the transition. Yet, despite this, he couldnt shake off the feeling that eting familiar faces in Wind Harbor was sowhat expected. He had prepared for the possibility of encountering those who might recognize him. After all, a century for elves isnt a supernatural span of ti, and the Vanished had often engaged in transactions and communications with frontier states like Wind Harbor.
After taking a brief mont to collect his thoughts, Duncan offered a carefully rehearsed explanation. I must apologize, I have no recollection of you. The toll subspace has taken on my mory is significant. I hope you can understand.
Ted Lir gestured dismissively with his hand. Its fine. Forgetfulness is Lahems greatest gift. Ive grown rather accustod to dealing with forgetfulness, as you might say.
Duncan paused, sensing a layer of hidden bitterness in Ted Lirs words about forgetfulness. However, before he could delve into it, the Truth Keeper continued, Ive been briefed by Miss Lucretia and the field team leader about the current situation. I assu the young lady standing behind you is Nina?
By now, Nina had risen from her chair and positioned herself protectively behind Duncan. Her eyes were filled with curiosity as she studied the unfamiliar man. At the ntion of her na, she stepped forward politely and introduced herself. Hello, I am Nina.
Nina then turned her gaze upward towards Duncan, her eyes tinged with guilt. Im sorry, Uncle Duncan. Did I get you into trouble?
Duncan smiled warmly and tousled Ninas hair affectionately. Its a minor issue, Nina. Dont worry about it.
Inside, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. Stumbling into a supernatural event while trying to report anomalies was a far less grievous circumstance than being apprehended by the town sheriff for causing a public disturbance with a crew of ghostly sailorsan escapade his friend Lawrence had once managed to get entangled in.
As he pondered this, a question surfaced in his mind. Where is Shirley?
No sooner had he voiced the inquiry than the sound of footsteps resonated from the entrance. Lucretia walked into the room, followed by Shirley. Papa, Shirleys here.
Shirleys expression was marked by visible concern. She scanned Duncans face cautiously before darting towards him. As she moved, she began to explain hurriedly, I didnt do anything wrong! Nina and I were actually heading to the guardians to report sothing when this weird event occurred, and those overly cautious guardians just
Ted Lir cut her off politely, turning his gaze toward her. Allow to apologize on their behalf. Its part of our standard safety procedures.
Caught off guard, Shirley halted, her eyes widening as she turned to assess the seemingly unremarkable, middle-aged man standing before her. Who else is here Who are you, sir?
Hes Ted Lir, the Truth Keeper of Wind Harbor, Lucretia interjected, standing not too far from the group. The woman, known as the Sea Witch, nodded respectfully toward Ted before elaborating, You could consider him the Gatekeeper or even the Inquisitor responsible for the city-states supernatural affairs.
Hearing these titles, Shirley swiftly moved to stand beside Duncan, her eyes widening with a mixture of intrigue and apprehension.
Ted observed Shirleys sudden movent and turned his gaze towards Lucretia, raising an eyebrow. Do I truly give off such a frightening aura?
Lucretia spread her hands in a noncommittal gesture, her eyes twinkling with amusent. I think their reaction has less to do with you and more to do with the titles you carry.
Duncan glanced down at Shirley, who had positioned herself closely beside him. You seem perfectly comfortable around Vanna most of the ti. Why the sudden fear of soone who could be described as an Inquisitor?
Shirley muttered, almost inaudibly, as she stole a sideways glance at Ted Lir. Vanna is part of our gang, so its different. This guys an outsider.
Duncan gave her a disapproving look. Team, Shirley. How many tis have I told you its a team, not a circle or a gang!
Shirley rely mumbled an unconvincing Uh in response.
Sighing, Duncan lifted his eyes to et those of Ted Lir and Lucretia, who were approaching. Nina has already filled in on the basics of what transpired here. Can we skip the extended formalities and focus on this strange thing that Shirley ntioned? Is it stored sowhere in this building?
Ted nodded, his eyes revealing a glimr of fatigue. Yes, its in Sample Containnt Room 24. The room is located within the underground archives of the central area. I can take you there.
As he spoke, Ted pulled out the thick, ancient to that he had been carrying under his arm. He casually opened it to a particular page and tapped his finger on an illustration. Duncan watched in awe as the page lifted into the air, revealing a sketched image of a grand door adorned with an array of intricate, arcane symbols. Within monts, the flat illustration began to morph, transforming into a fully-dinsional, ethereal door that hovered in the air before them.
The phantom-like door then swung open, unveiling a misty corridor that appeared to lead deep into so subterranean chamber.
Duncan was montarily spellbound. This is why theyre considered the most culturally advanced faction on the planet, he mused. The visual spectacle before him, conjured by a representative of the esteed Academy of Truths, was far more extravagant than any of Vannas teleportation abilities.
His next thought was one of audacious curiosity: what would happen if he reached out and grabbed the levitating page during its magical transformation? The notion twirled in his mind for a re second before he caught Lucretias eye. Her glance was subtle but unmistakably cautionary.
With a wry smile, she whispered, Papa, dont ss with it.
Be cautious, Lucretiaknown to so as Miss Witchmurmured so softly that her warning was barely more than a whisper.
Taking the subtle hint, Duncan dismissed the daring impulse that had montarily captured his imagination. He turned his attention back to the scene unfolding before him.
Following Ted Lirs lead, the group, comprised of Duncan, Lucretia, and the visibly excited young won Shirley and Nina, stepped through the ethereal, floating doorway. A fleeting wave of disorientation washed over them; their senses seed to montarily detach from their surroundings. When their perception cleared and stabilized, they found themselves standing in the subterranean vault that Ted Lir had describedthe underground archives of the central area.
Duncan surveyed the corridor they had landed in. It was a long, solemn hallway, dimly lit by gas lamps that cast eerie shadows on the walls. The walls themselves were impressive, adorned with ornate stone panels that bore a variety of holy symbols, iconic representations, and sacred scriptures dedicated to the God of Wisdom, Lahem. Periodically, the hallway was interrupted by heavy, ergency isolation gates, behind which lay securely sealed rooms.
This is our containnt sector, Ted Lir began, noting the curious expressions on Shirley and Ninas faces. Its designed to house temporary itemsobjects or anomalies that have been deed suspicious but of dium-to-low threat level. Its also where we keep contaminated artifacts that cannot be imdiately neutralized or destroyed. These rooms are organized by the level of danger posed by their contents, as well as the specific containnt requirents needed to hold them. I would strongly advise against getting too close to these doors; whats inside them is not generally amicable.
To accentuate his warning, a series of uncanny noises started to filter into the hallway from behind the sealed doors. The sounds were disconcertinga tallic scrape of chains, the unsettling murmur of what sounded like a sleep-talker, the repellent squelching of so liquid substance, and the ominous patter of footsteps as if sothing within was readying to burst out at any mont.
The young won, Shirley and Nina, instinctively pulled back, their faces losing their earlier curiosity to adopt a more serious, even tense, deanor.
Duncans eyes scanned the room numbers and safety asures attached to each door. He seed to be ntally noting each detail, maybe even assessing the level of potential threat or interest behind them.
Then, almost as if responding to an unspoken command, the unsettling sounds from the various rooms abruptly ceased. The entire hallway was swallowed in silence.
Now thats better. Theyve decided to be well-behaved, Duncan remarked, nodding in quiet approval.
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