Bab 2: Hidden Archive

They chattered until a sound of footsteps broke their conversation. They both looked up and saw Brianna walking toward them. Her black clothes blending with the shadow.

"It's late," Brianna's grey eyes locked on Liana.

Liana immediately got up. "Sorry."

Nea frowned but didn't say a word.

Brianna turned to her. "I heard that you skipped today's lesson."

Nea replied, "It's useless for me to attend. How about you just let me join the scout?"

"Pass the test first."

Nea snorted. "Just wait for me to break the record."

"Pride is never good in a warrior," Brianna chided.

Nea jutted her chin out. "It's not pride if it's true."

"Still too young." Brianna looked at Liana. "Come."

"See you tomorrow!" Nea waved her hands to Liana before running away and through the inactive protection array. Although there was nothing preventing people from approaching the Sanctum, almost all residents still show their respect and stay away from the Sanctum's ground. Nea was the only one bold enough to saunter inside.

Liana turned her gaze away when Nea's figure disappear. She looked at the towering structure in front of her. The Sanctum was the remnant of an ancient tree long gone. Its bark was white. The leaves that no longer there were said to be as red as blood. One could see the Sanctum from anywhere on the island. Its height stretched into the sky as if wanting to grasp the stars. The crystal door of the Sanctum twinkled as they passed through. They stepped on the teleportation array engraved into the floor. It shone as Brianna activated it. In a flash, they arrived at the floor where Liana resided.

"Next time remember to wear thicker clothes," Brianna said.

"I will." Liana was about to close the door of her room, but she noticed Brianna was still standing there. "Is there anything else?"

Briana was silent for a moment. "…Remember to get some sleep."

Liana raised her eyebrow at Briana's retreating figure.

Like any other room in the Sanctum, Liana's room was dominated by white. The soft red carpet on the ground and the warm orange of the night stone splashed some hue into an otherwise monochromatic color. One side of the room was filled with many kinds of books, scrolls, and other documents. There were even memory jades stored inside a small box on the top shelf.

Liana fell to the bed with a thump. The smell of old parchment had permeated into the bedding. How many days had she spent lying on this bed with only books as her company? She was too lazy to take a bath but she also didn't want to sleep yet. She laid there for a long time, her mind meandering until she stumbled on Nea's suggestion.

"No, it's stupid." Liana tried to stop herself from continuing down this thought.

Although her position was unshakable and she had the authority, there were still some unspoken rules. One of them was not sneaking around in the middle of the night and entering places she shouldn't go. However, just like Nea, the suggestion poked and prodded her. Unfortunately, unlike Nea, she couldn't shove it away and tell it to mind its own business. Liana endured it. She tossed on her bed until she couldn't bear it anymore.

"This is such a bad idea," Liana groaned. She got up and silently opened the door. She looked around. The hallway was empty. "Okay, I'm just going to see the entrance, and then I'll go back."

There were not many guards patrolling the inner Sanctum, most of the guards were stationed outside. The long peace had lowered the vigilance of the people on the island. They spent their days lazing around and taking their time. No one would expect an intruder to infiltrate the Sanctum.

Liana stepped on the teleportation

array and tried to move herself to one of the top floors that she had never visited. She once asked Brianna about it and was told not to go there. She didn't ask why and only obeyed. She was quite surprised to find that she could enter. It seemed that at least the Sanctum considered her to have the authority to access this part. The Council on the other hand… well she already get her might as well see what was stored here.

The walls were filled with shelves filled with books, scrolls, documents, and jades. There was a spiral stair winding up. Liana was curious about the book but decided to climb the stairs first. There were several floors where she could stop but she wanted to see what was on the very top. Her breathing was getting labored. When finally reaching her destination, she had to stop and took large gulps of breath. Once again, she felt her incompetence.

In front of her was a huge door with carvings. It showed the Ancient battle between humans and ancient beasts. In the chamber beyond the door, artifacts were laid on pedestals. An array was carved on each ground surrounding the pedestal and the pedestal itself. Liana examined these artifacts, not daring to touch any of them. Her eyes swept the room and landed on an innocuous-looking artifact. It was a small transparent marble. Its diameter barely the size of the width of two fingers. Liana approached the pedestal. There was something different about this artifact. Unconsciously, her hand rose and reached out.

"Don't you know it's not polite to touch something that is not yours?"

Liana froze. Behind her was a boy with short white hair. Sharp blue eyes stared straight at her.