Chapter 8: Secrets of the Sealed Tome
The treasure box rested on the center table of the Heroes’ Guild Hall, radiating an eerie, magical glow that seemed to pulse with each passing second. A faint hum emanated from it, vibrating the air with an arcane energy that no one could identify. Akuma, Kira, Jiro, and the other gathered heroes stood around it, their faces a mix of awe and unease.
“I’ve tried every spell I know,” Vikas muttered, pacing back and forth. His frustration was evident as he glanced at the box again. “It’s not ordinary magic. Whatever’s in there is beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”
“Maybe we should just smash it open,” Jiro suggested with an exaggerated shrug, his usual nervous grin plastered across his face.
“Yeah, genius idea,” Kira replied, rolling her eyes. “Why don’t we just invite every demon within a hundred miles while we’re at it?”
“Hey, it was just a thought,” Jiro muttered, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
Vikas sighed and pulled out a communication orb. “There’s only one solution. We need the best. I’ll call Mercury and Nikko.”
Within moments, a gust of wind signaled the arrival of Mercury. His presence was as commanding as the storm he had ridden in on. Tall and cloaked in a flowing cape, his silver hair shimmered as if caught in an eternal breeze. His piercing blue eyes scanned the room before he spoke.
“I heard you needed help,” Mercury said, his tone calm but resolute.
A crackle of electricity filled the air as Nikko appeared next. Unlike Mercury’s serene demeanor, Nikko’s arrival was accompanied by a surge of water swirling around his feet, quickly evaporating into steam. His sharp, dark eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief as he crossed his arms.
“So, what’s the fuss about this box? Need me to fry it open?” Nikko asked, a smirk tugging at his lips.
“No frying anything,” Mercury replied with a sigh. “Let’s take this seriously.”
“I am serious,” Nikko retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Dead serious.”
As the two heroes bantered, Vikas interrupted. “This isn’t the time. The magic sealing this box is ancient. It requires more than brute force.”
“Then let’s get to it,” Mercury said, stepping forward. He placed his hands on the box, his wind magic swirling around him as he attempted to analyze the seal. Nikko followed, summoning a stream of water that danced across the surface, searching for weak points in the enchantment.
Finally, the seal began to crack under their combined efforts, releasing a surge of magical energy that made everyone step back. The lid slowly creaked open, revealing its contents: a thick, leather-bound tome. Its cover was inscribed with symbols that seemed to shift and writhe, defying comprehension.
“A book?” Jiro asked, tilting his head. “All that trouble for a dusty old book?”
“It’s not just any book,” Vikas said, his voice trembling. “This is knowledge. Ancient knowledge about the curses that plague our world.”
Mercury reached out, lifting the tome carefully. “The language is unfamiliar,” he said, his brow furrowing as he flipped through the pages. “Who could even read this?”
“There is one,” Vikas replied, his eyes narrowing. “The oldest saint still alive: Garo. He’s the only one who might understand these writings.”
The journey to find Garo took days. The saint lived in solitude, his small, secluded monastery hidden deep within the mountains. When the group arrived, they found Garo hunched over a stack of manuscripts, his frail frame barely visible beneath his tattered robes. Despite his age, his eyes sparkled with intelligence and wisdom.
“So, you bring me a puzzle,” Garo said, his voice raspy but steady. He examined the book, his gnarled fingers tracing the shifting symbols. “This… this is a relic of the Old World.”
Hours passed as Garo deciphered the first few pages. His discoveries sent chills down everyone’s spines. The book spoke of curses—five types, each more dangerous than the last:
Forbidden Curse: The most dangerous, sealed away by the ancient wizards themselves.
Ancient Curse: Relics of the Old World, their origins shrouded in mystery.
Blood Curse: Fueled by life essence, often requiring horrific sacrifices.
Normal Curse: The most common, but still deadly in skilled hands.
Item Curse: Bound to objects, granting immense power at a steep cost.
Garo paused, his expression grave. “This book holds the key to breaking these curses. But it also reveals the horrors that birthed them. The world we know was shaped by a great wizard’s curse—a curse that changed everything.”
Before he could elaborate, the ground shook violently. A chilling roar echoed through the mountains, followed by the sound of beating wings.
Two figures descended from the sky, their dark auras suffocating. The first was massive, with bulging muscles and a cruel smile. His eyes burned with rage as he wielded a jagged blade. This was Leon, the No. 1 demon. Beside him floated Lokey, a lean and agile figure with crimson eyes that gleamed with bloodlust.
“We’ve come for the book,” Lokey hissed, his voice a sinister whisper. “Hand it over, and we might spare you.”
“Not happening,” Mercury said, stepping forward. His wind magic began to swirl, creating a protective barrier around the group.
Nikko cracked his knuckles, lightning sparking at his fingertips. “Looks like it’s our lucky day. I’ve been itching for a good fight.”
Leon roared, charging at Mercury with his massive blade. The clash of wind and brute force sent shockwaves through the air. Lokey, meanwhile, darted toward Nikko, his movements a blur. Nikko countered with a torrent of water, electrified to form a deadly current.
The battle raged, each side unleashing devastating attacks. Mercury’s wind tore through the mountain’s rocky surface, while Nikko’s combination of water and lightning forced Lokey to retreat momentarily. However, the demons’ strength was overwhelming, their cursed powers amplifying their attacks.
Amidst the chaos, Jiro cowered behind a boulder, his usual humor replaced by genuine fear. “I… I think I’ll just… stay here. Yeah, you guys got this,” he stammered, though his hands sparked with nervous electricity.
“Get up, Jiro!” Kira shouted, her bracelets glowing as she deflected a stray attack. “We need everyone fighting!”
Jiro hesitated, then gritted his teeth. “Fine! But if I die, I’m haunting you!” With a burst of speed, he joined the fray, his electric attacks surprising even Lokey.
As the fight intensified, Garo clutched the book tightly, his mind racing. “This knowledge must not fall into their hands,” he muttered.
The chapter ended with the clash between the top two heroes and the deadly demons. The treasure’s secrets and the world’s fate hung in the balance, shrouded in mystery and danger.
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