Erend, Adrien, and Billy exchanged glances, each of them instantly alert at the sound of Adrius's voice echoing in their minds. The suddenness of the intrusion caught them off guard but they quickly regained their composure.
Erend's eyes narrowed slightly, while Adrien furrowed his brow, his military instincts kicking in.
"What's happening?" Adrien asked, his voice laced with concern. "And uhh, are you okay?"
There was a brief pause, and then Adrius's voice came through again, clearer this time but tinged with a sense of urgency.
"Yeah, I'm fine, thank you for asking," Adrius replied. "But there's no time to waste. I've uncovered something crucial that you all need to hear."
Erend's eyes hardened as he processed Adrius's words. The urgency in his voice was enough to signal that whatever he had discovered was of very important.
"We need to go," Erend said firmly, while looking at Adrien and Billy. "Back to King Gulben's council. Whatever Adrius has found it's something I'm sure we all need to hear it."
Adrien nodded, already pushing himself up from where he had been sitting. The exhaustion that had weighed heavily on him moments before seemed to dissipate.
"Right," he said, his voice steady. "Let's move. This could be the key to figuring out our next steps."
The three of them made their way, moving with a sense of urgency through the winding corridors of the Elf Palace.
As they approached the grand hall where King Gulben and his council usually convened, the atmosphere grew tense. Elves they passed along the way could sense the shift in energy and gave them respectful nods, stepping aside to let them pass.
The chamber was filled with the soft glow of the light. King Gulben and his advisors were already seated around the large, circular table. Their eyes turning toward them as they entered.
Erend cleared his throat, drawing the attention of everyone present.
"Adrius, the human Archmage from Astoria kingdom we meet in our journey to the Khazadrim Mountain, said that he has discovered something," he began, his deep voice resonating through the hall. "We need to hear what he has to say—now."
There was a murmur of agreement from the council members, and King Gulben inclined his head slightly, granting permission for Adrius to speak.
"Go ahead, Adrius," Erend said aloud, though he knew the Archmage would hear him. "We're all listening."
The chamber fell silent as they awaited Adrius's words.
The chamber's silence was suddenly broken by a humming vibration that rippled through the air.
Erend, Adrien, and Billy felt the shift in the Magical energies around them. The familiar voice of Adrius, which had previously only been heard within their minds, now seemed to take on a more tangible presence.
A soft light flared behind the trio and quickly took form. Within moments the spectral outline of Adrius appeared, his figure coalescing from the shimmering light. He was not physically there yet his presence felt almost as real as if he had been.
The Archmage stood tall and imposing, his eyes glowing with the wisdom and power. King Gulben leaned forward in his seat, his brows furrowing in intrigue.
Adrius inclined his head in acknowledgment, his ethereal form pulsing slightly as he addressed them.
"Forgive the suddenness, Your Majesty, and everyone present here," he began, his voice resonating through the chamber, no longer confined to their minds. "But time is not on our side, and what I have uncovered cannot be delayed."
The spectral figure of Adrius drifted closer, his gaze sweeping over the gathered assembly, ensuring that every ear was attuned to his words.
"The tome I have been studying contains a prophecy that was recorded centuries ago by a shaman whose name has long since been lost to history."
His voice grew more somber, carrying the weight of the revelation.
"This prophecy was dismissed by many as the ramblings of a madman, labeled 'The Vision of the Meat of Doom.' But upon closer examination I believe it to be a vital piece of our puzzle—a prophecy that speaks directly to the Great Calamity we now face."
A murmur ran through the room, the council members exchanging uneasy glances as the words "Meat of Doom" hung ominously in the air.
"The shaman spoke of a living, pulsating mass of flesh, a thing of nightmares that would herald the end of days. This 'Meat of Doom,' as he called it, would feed on the fear and despair of the living, growing stronger as the darkness spread.
It is said to be hidden in a place where shadows writhe and light is devoured, guarded by lesser manifestations of the darkness—creatures designed to mislead and terrify any who seek to destroy it."
Erend and Ecccar felt a chill run down his spine as the full implications of Adrius's words sank in. The prophecy wasn't just a cryptic warning—it was a roadmap to the heart of the darkness they too also saw in their vision.
"But there is more," Adrius added. "The shaman foretold that only those with the strength of Dragons and the wisdom of the ancients would stand a chance of finding this flesh. And even then, locating it would not be the end of their struggle."
Billy swallowed hard, his eyes flicking to Adrien and then back to Adrius. "So... what does that mean for us?"
"It means," Adrius said, his form flickering slightly, "that the path ahead will be even harder. But it also means that we now have a direction."
"Then we have to find this Meat of Doom and destroy it," Adrien said.
Adrius's form flickered back into clarity as if drawn by an urgent of his mind. The atmosphere in the room, already heavy, seemed to press down even further as the Archmage spoke again.
"There is one more thing," Adrius said. "In my research, I have uncovered another disturbing truth. Before the Great Calamity reveals its true form, there will be harbingers—monstrous entities, born of the same darkness, that will emerge to sow chaos and despair. They are not the Calamity itself but they will pave its way, weakening our defenses and spreading more fear."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the room.
"I still don't know where, when, or how they will appeared. I will continue my research, and I can only say that we need to be more vigilant. The real battle has yet to begin."
With that, his projection faded completely, leaving the room in a tense, foreboding silence as the implications of his warning took hold.