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The Lost Crystal of Gyptia | Chapter 2

Updated: Oct 11, 2024

Mana, who had never been the most optimistic by nature, was beginning to wonder if his days were numbered. His anxiety spiked when Mälwe, with the methodical precision of a clockmaker, pointed her staff at the imposing stranger who had just entered.


"Who are you?" she asked, her voice sharp.


"Aranon," the stranger replied in a deep voice.


Manwë squares up to the behemoth Aranon while Mana and Sparko look on with concern...

At those words, the murmurs in the tavern fell silent almost instantly. "That's Aranon..." was whispered in the shadowy corners of the room, and suddenly, all the insistent gazes that had weighed on the two adventurers magically disappeared. Only the tavern keeper continued polishing his mugs without raising his eyes.


"Ah... so you're the one we've been waiting for," concluded Mälwe, a relieved smile lighting up her face. She gestured for Aranon to sit. "You seem to have picked the most impressive guide around," Mana whispered to the elf, his voice a mixture of relief and skepticism.


With calculated slowness, Aranon pulled back his hood, revealing a face that, despite its stern features and piercing eyes, radiated an odd sense of reliability.


"So, where do you want to go?" Aranon asked. "The tourist temples? The Grand Bazz’ar?"


Mälwe, a spark of excitement in her eyes, responded without hesitation, "We’re looking for the ancient library of Alak Zind'ria."


"No problem! Aranon knows every place in Gyptia!" he declared with quiet confidence.


"Perfect, let’s go!" exclaimed Mälwe, already eager to get moving. Mana, however, glanced at his barely-touched stew with regret. The chances of finishing it before they left had dramatically plummeted.


The trio stood up, leaving behind a tavern keeper whose stoicism could have made a statue blush. Aranon led the way, and Mälwe took the opportunity to murmur to Mana:


"I hope we’ll find more information in the library. I fear the quest for the sapphire won’t sit well with everyone. Given the reception at the tavern, we need to stay on our guard."


Mana nodded, still preoccupied with the question gnawing at him. "But how did they know about it? Aside from us, no one knows about our plan."


Mälwe paused for a moment, her gaze scrutinizing Mana as if she were looking for a crack in a wall. "You swear you didn’t tell anyone, Mana? This stone is of critical importance."


"I swear! On my honor as an archaeologist!" Mana exclaimed, and Sparko frantically shook his little head in agreement. Mälwe, gifted with the famous elven ability to detect lies, sensed nothing but sincerity in the young blonde's eyes and those of his reptilian companion.


Hoping to lighten the mood, Mana added, "Anyway, with this mountain of muscles by our side, we’re not in much danger. We’re just beginners, but Aranon must be at least a level five warrior."


Mälwe nodded in agreement. The items he carried, discreetly but with the assurance of someone who knew their worth, testified to an experience few adventurers could claim.


"We need to cross the desert on camelback," declared Aranon, pointing toward a man bustling about, renting various types of camels. The non-elemental camels were the cheapest, but the water and ice camels, promising more comfortable journeys, were the most sought after and expensive. There were even refreshing water parasols offered in various durations, for those who feared melting like butter under the relentless sun.


After an intense negotiation, during which Aranon demonstrated that his skills in bargaining nearly matched his prowess as a warrior, they secured water camels that, at regular intervals, sprayed a refreshing mist, making their journey far more bearable.


"Is haggling really common here?" Mana asked, impressed by the vigor of the negotiation.


Aranon smiled, a wide and somewhat intimidating smile. "It’s not just common, it’s the norm! We haggle over everything!" And, as they advanced through the desert, the warrior, whose face had until then been frozen in a mask of impassivity, gradually relaxed, sharing tales of his adventures with an enthusiasm one wouldn’t have expected from him.


After about thirty minutes, Aranon announced a break near an oasis so the camels could rest. Mana took the opportunity to pull out a pre-packed snack, sharing some of it with Sparko, while Mälwe reviewed her notes, trying to orient herself among the clues she had patiently gathered. Aranon, for his part, attended to their mounts with careful attention.


As a refreshing breeze brushed against his face, Mana turned toward the water. Something felt off. The water seemed... too calm.






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