Chapter 1618: Changes

Erebus’s frown deepened when he heard the question.

Erend studied his face carefully, searching for any sign that he might know something about the Dragonborn Nest.

However, all he could see was genuine confusion.

"I guess he doesn’t know anything about it."

Perhaps that was because Erebus had been born when the war was already underway and had spent most of his life within the boundaries of this city.

"I’ve never heard of it," Erebus replied. Yet his expression suggested that the question had awakened a certain suspicion within him. "What exactly do you mean by that? A nest?"

"Yeah. I received some information from my source that... there might be a nest of some kind in this world, and we need to find it," Erend explained.

Erebus’s expression grew even stiffer. Erend had not thought it was possible for him to look any more stern than he already did, but the way his jaw tightened and his eyes began to shine with a strange glint proved otherwise.

For a moment, Erebus said nothing. Then he released a heavy sigh as though Erend’s question had reminded him of something he would rather not remember.

"I was born in this city while our war against that creature was still going on, and when we defeated it the city fell into this curse. I never had the chance to see anything beyond this city and its darkness."

Erebus’s gaze drifted toward the sky. He stared into the endless darkness above as though he hoped that he could somehow see through it and discover what lay beyond.

There was something deeply sorrowful in his expression that Erend had not noticed before.

Only then did Erend begin to understand what Erebus had been feeling all this time.

He had been trapped in this place since birth. While the people of Scadri had known him as a Dragonborn and a powerful protector who could serve as their greatest weapon against their enemies, there was another side to him that few had ever considered.

Beneath that imposing presence was someone who had never known what the outside world looked like. His entire life had been spent surrounded by darkness and suffering, with no opportunity to experience anything beyond the cursed city.

Erend felt a pang of sadness for him. He could hardly imagine what it must have been like to live that way for so long, knowing that an entire world existed beyond the darkness yet never having the chance to see it.

At that moment, Erend made up his mind that he would do everything in his power to free Erebus and the people of Scadri from their imprisonment.

"Never mind that for now. Let’s continue looking," Erend said. "I promise I’ll destroy this darkness for you. I’ll make sure that you and everyone else here get to see the world outside again."

Erebus turned toward him. His stern expression gradually softened until a faint smile appeared on his face.

Erend’s words had reached somewhere deep within him, touching a feeling he had kept buried for so long. It was as though Erend had somehow understood what it meant to be imprisoned in this darkness and had offered him something he had almost forgotten how to hope for.

Erebus did not even realize that he was smiling until the expression had already formed.

Erend noticed the change in his face, and his own determination grew stronger.

"Thank you," Erebus said quietly.

Erend responded with a firm nod. "Yeah."

Erebus looked toward the sky once more. But this time there was a faint sense of hope in his eyes as he imagined finally escaping the curse.

Meanwhile, Adrius had taken up a position in another corner of the city. He reached into his belongings and brought out a metal plate engraved with a collection of symbols that he, Lysander, and Sylmira had designed together.

The other two Archmages were stationed in different parts of the city, each carrying an identical plate bearing the same arrangement of symbols.

They had prepared these objects as part of their attempt to unravel the curse. They could not be certain if the method would work, but they believed that activating the symbols would at least reveal something about the nature of the curse.

Adrius established a connection with Lysander and Sylmira to check if they were ready. Both of them quickly confirmed that they had completed their preparations.

"Then let’s begin," Adrius said.

He lowered the metal plate and placed it carefully on the ground before channeling his Magic energy into it.

The symbols engraved across the surface began to glow, filling the surrounding area with a faint light.

Before long, the black mist covering the ground and hanging in the air began to retreat from the plate, as though something had forced it away.

Adrius watched the reaction with satisfaction and gave a small nod to himself. Their preparations seemed to be working as intended.

However, the result did not last long before the mist and the air around him began to move erratically. A disturbance happened within the thick darkness that hung over the surroundings.

Then the mist grew restless. Its countless tendrils twisted and coiled, sweeping through the air as though caught in a storm.

The darkness seemed to writhe and thrash, growing increasingly violent. A calm and dormant presence now appeared almost enraged, like something had awakened it from a long slumber.

Adrius watched the spectacle. Rather than retreating or showing the slightest hint of fear, a smile appeared on his face because he knew he had done something right.

For who knew how long, this strange mist was motionless and calm. But now for the first time it was responding. Whatever he had just done finally produced a result.

"Alright. We’ve got something," he muttered, his smile widening.

Erend had noticed the change as well. He looked at the turbulent darkness, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

"Something happened..." he muttered, almost unable to believe what he was seeing.

For as long as he could remember, this place was undisturbed. The black mist was always quiet and dormant. But now something finally changed.

Something big was about to happen.

His initial disbelief gradually gave way to excitement.