They passed through a rocky gap covered with ancient roots and soft, velvety moss. Above their heads, the gentle light of the full moon illuminated every detail, as if the gods were watching over their journey.
Their footprints quickly erased by the valley wind, which seemed to carry memories from a world older than the travelers themselves. This silent breeze was rumored to be the voice of souls lingering, trapped in time and space, longing for a past filled with wonder.
Beyond the gap, the world transformed into something extraordinary: more than just a forest, more than mere stones.
Before them lay the Inner Circle of Stones, a site steeped in mystery and history. The moonlight cast dancing shadows among the ancient rocks, evoking a deep curiosity and reverence for a place that had witnessed thousands of years of human history and countless magical beings.
A Place Never Forgotten by the Stones. According to legend, these stones serve as silent observers of the battles between gods and demons, with each crevice between them holding a tale worth telling. Each tale, passed down through generations, encapsulates the struggles and victories of spirits long gone, making them vital records of an unseen history.
The ground is hard, yet covered with a layer of silver moss that glimmers faintly in the shadows.
There stands a circle of standing stones:
Some stones have crumbled, while others stand tall like silent guardians, said to be beings sworn to protect this magical legacy from those with evil intentions.
Glyphs of Proto-Speech are etched in patterns that twist light and meaning simultaneously. Each stroke symbolizes various ancient languages once used to communicate between the mundane world and the magical realm, bridging the gap between cultures and epochs.
Within the circle lies a scattering of ancient artifacts:
Stone astrolabe — once used to read constellations and the paths of stars charted by angels. It is rumored that this artifact can unlock portals to other dimensions when wielded correctly.
Quartz tablet — inscribed with healing incantations from Raphael and formulas of celestial knowledge. Each letter sparkles, radiating energy capable of mending both emotional and physical wounds for those willing to listen. These incantations, believed to be derived from divine inspiration, have healed countless souls seeking solace.
An ancient magic circle — a complex pattern reflecting the paths of the Void and the old solar system. It is said that this circle can connect human minds with the stars, revealing secrets of the universe that have long been hidden.
Guardian statue — its face weathered by time, yet its eyes hold an unyielding will, suggestive of a spirit that has watched over countless visitors. It seems as though the soul trapped within has been waiting for the moment of freedom, watching every step of visitors with an aura of mystery, as if reminding them of the secrets hidden within this forest.
Surrounding the Inner Circle stand towering trees, ancient sentinels of this enchanted grove. Pilgrims who come from afar are often entranced by the grandeur and elegance of these trees, which seem to have witnessed thousands of years of history. Amidst their thick leaves, the whispers of the wind reveal ancient secrets, tales of deities and magical beings that once dwelt among their branches, and mesmerizing folklore that enriches the lore of this sacred place.
Their branches resemble the arms of gods lifting the heavens. It is said that at night, when the full moon shines, devotees can see ethereal figures dancing among the branches, connecting the human realm with the divine.
The canopy is dark and allows only a sliver of silvery light to filter through — moonlight woven into delicate threads. In that light, mysterious shadows appear to move their fingertips, as if trying to catch the attention of anyone brave enough to uncover the mysteries that lie beneath the shelter of these trees.
On the ground, roots as thick as ancient serpents slithered, intertwining to support this mystical ecosystem. These roots not only anchored the soil but also absorbed energy from the Void, forming a network of life that pulsates and vibrates with unseen power. Some of them emitted a faint blue glow, a sign that they had touched the strength of the Void and remained alive, serving as a bridge between two worlds: the visible and the unseen, a testament to resilience and connection.
Hidden behind the largest menhir — the central pillar known as "Caelum Mortis" — was a stone door that had long been sealed. Legend speaks of the final push from an ancient defender capable of opening this gate, allowing entry into another world filled with untold adventures and relentless threats.
Fitran placed his palm down. With a gentle motion, he awakened the ancient energy contained within the glyphs. The Proto-Speech glyphs ignited, revealing a descending passage that led deep into the earth. A rumbling sound echoed, as if the earth were exhaling its last breath, welcoming back the daring wanderers eager to explore the dark mysteries.
Down there: With every step taken, the ground trembles as if recalling the long journey traversed by ancestors; inviting every soul to delve into the history buried within the darkness of this ancient site.
The low-ceilinged room, shaped by the hands of humans and time itself, centers around an altar made of stone, adorned with symbols depicting the epic battles between light and darkness.
Stone shelves hold quartz codices, dragon skin scrolls, and crystal tubes that contain the resonances of ancestral memories. Each item here is not only physically valuable, but also emanates an aura of nostalgia, evoking memories of the past and the promises hidden among the layers of time.
The obsidian-layered floor holds reflections of faces that blend with the shimmering light of the glyphs, concealing the secrets of countless stories etched into eternity. The history of this place weaves a mystical thread that connects every individual who has ever stepped upon it. Every scratch represents a footprint leading towards the quest for truth, and every reflection is a mirror of the soul unveiling their destiny, reminding us of our shared past.
On the wall is the carved Astronomical Incantation, which first connected the heavens, magic, and morality. The sound of whispering wind seems to recount tales from ancient times, when great sorcerers and brilliant thinkers gathered here to accumulate knowledge. It is said that each letter of the incantation was drawn from the stars, radiating light and enduring meaning, making this place sacred between heaven and earth, a bridge between the celestial and the terrestrial.
In the center of the room stands the Council Table of the Seven Angels — Septem Custodes Empyreum. Seven empty chairs symbolize Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel. In the silence, it is as if their voices still resonate in the wind, reviving hope and imparting lessons to anyone willing to listen.
Above the table:
The Celestial Concordat
(Charter of Heavenly Agreement)
A tablet declaring that humans and angels once made a pact:
Knowledge will be inherited, but the will to use it must be chosen by a pure heart. This is not merely a rule, but a profound call to bravely step forward, following the footsteps of predecessors who dared to break the confines of arrogance and ignorance, underscoring the responsibilities that come with wisdom.
As Fitran and Rinoa entered, whispers echoed from the walls and floor, flowing like a sacred stream:
"Those who come are not seeking power…
but to understand the burden of meaning…
are worthy to cross the last threshold." Each word seemed woven from starlit silk, entwining their souls with a blend of hope and doubt.
The voice was not merely an echo. It was the memory of the stones.
The Inner Circle remembers everyone who comes to conquer… and those who come to understand. In every moment, there is certainly someone recording, creating an invisible ledger wisely etched by this land, generation after generation.
Fitran stood beneath the statue of Raphael — a symbol of healing and hope.
The seal of Pactum Harmoniae pulsed softly against his chest.
His Voidwright no longer rebelled.
His Astral Theorist walked alongside the world, not against it.
Surrounding them, a gentle aura moved affectionately, carrying the whispers of the guardians of old, the architects of the magical beings that obeyed the laws of the cosmos. The echoes of their footsteps could still be felt, as if the entire place was filled with souls seeking peace.
"I have finally stopped fighting against my own power," he whispered.
"I choose the strength that walks with you."
Rinoa squeezed his hand.
"Once, I believed strength meant protection. Now I understand that strength means embracing the meanings we choose… together."
At the end of the library, behind the Proto-Speech portal shaped like a spiral that swirled with meaning and light, there was a descending hallway leading to the depths unnamed. This corridor stood as a silent witness to thousands of wanderers seeking wisdom in the dark; a place where ancient words met silence, and darkness held secrets waiting to be unraveled by those brave enough to delve deeper into the labyrinth of knowledge and mystery.
Here lie the Center Stones.
The root of all magic, all will, all history.
Below the stone foundation, which has withstood the test of time, luminous orbs glimmer in a spectrum of colors, narrating tales inked in the fabric of destiny — perhaps even the door to the true Gamma.
They walked toward the final gap.
Not as seekers of power.
Not as challengers of gods.
But as two souls who have chosen their wounds.
Choosing love.
Choosing meaning.
The gentle wind whispers around them, as if the world is ready to listen. Beneath them,
darkness is not the end.
It is a canvas upon which new hope will be painted…
by hands that understand the meaning of sacrifice and the significance of hope. Within that darkness, there is dew waiting to flow out, revitalizing the memories of those who have struggled, and providing new light to those who come after, illuminating paths forged by the courageous.