The teleportation light faded, leaving only the sound of wind curling around the cliffs. Snow still drifted down, untouched by the presence that had just vanished.

The commander stood at the edge of the array. For a long moment, he said nothing, his gaze fixed on the faint glow still clinging to the runes. Then, slowly, he reached into his coat and drew out the communication crystal.

It pulsed once in his palm. A connection stirred.

"Sir, Lark," the commander said, his voice steady. "Sir, Ren is coming there. I told him you are waiting for him."

The crystal flared brighter, a muted resonance carrying across distance.

On the other end, a low chuckle came. Calm, yet edged with the weight of expectation. "Good. Keep others secure there. We found something about Ren's parents. So special keep them safe. Ren and I have much to speak of."

"Okay sir, I will do that." Commander replied.

The light dimmed, the link fading.

The commander closed his hand around the stone and looked out over the white valley below. His expression was unreadable, but his shoulders seemed heavier than before.

He turned back into the quiet hall, the snow closing in behind him.

★★★

The Southern Archive Compound stood far from cities and trade routes, hidden deep within the quiet valleys of Qiyun. The land around it was dry and ancient, dotted with wind-worn stones and low, brittle trees that swayed under the weight of silence. A faint silver mist lingered across the ground, never fully dispersing, as if even the air here carried the burden of old knowledge. The knowledge that came from exploration, adventures and from researches.

The compound itself resembled a fortress of researchers and mages. Towering walls of pale sandstone surrounded the grounds, carved with faint runes that pulsed once in a while, like a heartbeat. Narrow watchtowers rose along the perimeter, not for defense against armies but against things that were better kept away from forgotten archives. The gate was an arch of black stone, heavy and silent, its surface etched with scripts no living tongue could read.

Inside, the heart of the compound was a vast library. Rows upon rows of colossal shelves stretched upward, filled with records sealed in iron casings, books bound in strange hide, scrolls kept under glass. The scent of old parchment mixed with candle wax and faint incense. The halls were lit by crystal lamps that hummed softly, their glow reflecting against polished floors of obsidian.

At the eastern courtyard stood the teleportation array. It was built into the stone itself, circular, with thirteen layered rings of carved sigils that radiated faint blue light. The ruins were ancient, far older than the compound, and pulsed with the rhythm of the world's Scientists found this place and in starting they didn't understood that sigils meanings. After time passed they understood it's meaning and found that this place was connected with old civilizations. After that they built there research facility.

When teleportation array activated, arcs of light would weave upward into a dome of flowing patterns before collapsing inward and drawing travelers across space. Guards in gray cloaks stood watch nearby, not to fight intruders, but to ensure no one tampered with the delicate runes. From here they found teleportation magic first time.

Small chambers for residents surrounded the main hall, each simple but quiet. Scholars, researchers, healers, and caretakers lived here, all stripped of worldly attachments, giving their days to record-keeping and preservation. To outsiders, it was a place of silence and exile. To those inside, it was sanctuary.

And in the southern wing, on a stone bench beneath a cracked mural of forgotten kings, Watson sat often, his figure quiet and withdrawn. From afar, he looked like another lost soul among records and silence. But to Ren, he was someone far more even if Watson no longer remembered him fully.

The world folded in on itself. The blue light of the teleportation array consumed Ren, then dispersed, leaving him standing on cold stone. The air here felt different older, heavy with the smell of dust and parchment.

He raised his eyes. Before him stood the towering walls of the Southern Archive Compound, runes faintly glowing along their edges. Tall shelves of knowledge loomed through open halls, shadows bending around forgotten tomes. This place was neither home nor battlefield, but something in between a sanctuary of the forgotten.

At the far end of the courtyard, a figure waited.

Lark stood with his hands behind his back, his black cloak brushing against the floor. The man did not look impatient, only steady, as though he had been waiting long before Ren even arrived. His eyes narrowed slightly when Ren appeared, the light of the array fading around him.

"Finally, You came." Lark's voice was low, carrying through the silent air.

Ren took a step forward. His boots echoed against the stone tiles, breaking the stillness of the compound. "Commander said you were waiting."

"I was," Lark replied simply. He studied Ren for a moment, his gaze sharp but unreadable. "I wanted to meet you with someone. But before that tell me. You were enjoyed with your parents or not? How was your journey?"

"It's great. But they don't remember me. That's felt awkward." Ren replied.

"Don't worry. We will do something for that. And actually I summoned you here for that." Lark spoked.

"For that. So you find way to bring back their memories." Ren spoked. His eyes seen brighter now.

"May be or maybe not. But before that it's good that you will meet Watson. We will discuss about it later." Lark spoked.

Ren frowned slightly at those words but did not ask what he meant. His body felt heavy still from the teleportation, yet his mind was alert. "Watson? Where he is?" he asked after a pause.

Lark's expression shifted, almost imperceptibly. "He is here. But not the same as before. His memories are scattered… most of him has been lost to the void. You will see soon enough."

The silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant hum of the glowing sigils beneath their feet.

Ren glanced around the compound once more, his eyes tracing the carved walls, the watchful guards, the endless shelves of forgotten knowledge. Something about this place felt timeless, as if those who entered were swallowed by history itself.

Finally, Lark turned, his cloak sweeping across the stones. "Come. We will go there. After that, there are things you need to understand."

"Okk." Ren spoked.

Ren followed, his steps quiet, his heart carrying a strange mix of anticipation and unease.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.