The Veil of Darkness
Chapter 360: Dead Weapons - Second Trial

Chapter 360: Dead Weapons - Second Trial

When Annalise opened her eyes, she found herself standing in another room. This one was quite bigger than the previous one and dozens of lanterns were illuminating the place with their warm glow.

The walls were lined with wooden shelves, vials of potions, herbs, and some magical treasures filling the long rows and columns.

There were huge cauldrons of water sitting near what appeared to be a stone table. There was also a fire pit that was bustling with a faint fire.

Looking at the familiar layout of the room, Annalise immediately knew that this particular task was related to weapons. She wondered if she needed to forge another weapon to pass this trial.

This time, there was no message appearing in the thin air, instead, the task and its rules were told to her directly by Elder Elaron.

"There are five weapons sitting on the wooden table in front of you..."

Annalise walked closer to the said wooden table and noticed the five very different types of weapons sitting on top. Looking closely, she realized that all of the weapons were covered in years of rust.

"... these weapons used to be some of the most powerful weapons to exist in the Seelie Realm, but after their masters passed away, they were left unattended, resulting in their current state where not only they are covered in rust but their magic has gone dormant a long time ago."

Annalise listened carefully, absorbing all the details as Elder Elaron continued to explain - "Your task this time is to select any one of these five weapons and bring that particular one back to life. You will once again have an hour as the given time limit. If you succeed, you will pass this segment of trial, and if you don’t, then you will fail."

Both the task and its rules were simple and clear.

As Annalise’s gaze shifted from one weapon to another, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement and trepidation. The room hummed with an otherworldly energy, and the anticipation of the challenge ahead left her heart racing. She took a deep breath, centering herself, before focusing on the array of weapons in front of her.

The first weapon that caught her attention was a broadsword, its once-sharp edges now dulled by the passage of time. Etched runes along its hilt spoke of ancient battles and heroic deeds long forgotten.

The second was a delicate-looking staff, intricately carved with symbols that seemed to shimmer faintly under the lantern light. A pair of curved daggers rested nearby, their blades glinting dully amidst the layers of rust that enveloped them. The fourth was a slender bow, its once-taut string now frayed and brittle. The final weapon was a long-forgotten shield, its once-gleaming surface now marred by deep scratches and signs of countless clashes.

As she stood there, contemplating her choices, the words of Elder Elaron echoed in her mind. She knew she needed to choose wisely. Each weapon seemed to call out to her, pleading to be restored to its former glory. Yet, only one could be her focus. Annalise closed her eyes for a moment, allowing her intuition to guide her.

When she opened them, her gaze fell on the ancient staff. Its ethereal glow seemed to pulsate gently, as if urging her to bring back its lost magic. With determination in her heart, she reached out and lifted the staff from the table, feeling a surge of energy course through her veins as her fingertips made contact.

Once she held the staff firmly, she could feel a faint whisper, as if the weapon itself was trying to communicate with her. It spoke of battles fought in distant realms, of the wielders long past, and the magic that once flowed effortlessly through its core. Annalise closed her eyes, allowing the memories of the staff to merge with her own consciousness.

In that moment of connection, she saw the staff’s former master, a powerful fae named Lyra, who had used its magic to protect the innocent and safeguard the balance between realms. But with her passing, the staff had been left dormant, forgotten, and lost amidst the passage of time.

Determined to honor Lyra’s legacy, Annalise set out to reverse the effects of neglect and decay. She began her work, meticulously studying the intricate carvings and runes that adorned the staff. Using a combination of ancient restorative spells and her own innate magical prowess, she channeled her energy into the staff, coaxing the dormant magic to awaken once more.

As the minutes ticked by, Annalise could feel the staff responding to her efforts. Its glow intensified, and the symbols etched onto its surface seemed to come alive, pulsating with renewed vitality. A soft hum filled the air, growing stronger with each passing moment, as if the very essence of the staff was being reawakened by her determination and skill.

However, as she delved deeper into the restoration process, she encountered unexpected challenges. The staff resisted the revival, as if burdened by the weight of its dormant state. Annalise realized that the staff’s connection to its former wielder was a crucial aspect of its revival. She had to earn the staff’s trust, to prove herself worthy of wielding its power.

Drawing upon her memories of the lessons learned from her previous trials, Annalise infused the staff with her own determination and resolve. She poured her essence into the staff, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to protect the realm and uphold the values it stood for.

With each passing moment, the staff responded to her efforts, its glow growing brighter and more vibrant. The symbols etched onto its surface began to pulse with a newfound energy, resonating with Annalise’s own magical aura. It was as if the staff had recognized her as its new guardian, entrusting her with the responsibility of carrying on its legacy.

As the final moments of the hour approached, Annalise could feel a surge of triumph welling up within her. The staff, now fully revitalized, emitted a brilliant light that bathed the entire room in a warm, soothing glow. The rust that had once encased it had completely dissolved, leaving behind a gleaming artifact that radiated with newfound power and purpose.

The given time came to an end and Annalise was sucked back to the real world where her husbands, Esmeray, and Elder Elaron were waiting for her.

She gave a final look to the gleaming staff in her hands before she handed it over to Elder Elaron who had a bewildered look on his face.

"Is something wrong?" She asked as all her happiness disappeared and she quickly took a glance in the direction of her husbands and Esmeray, only to find that the four of them were also carrying similar expressions to Elder Elaron on their faces.

"You actually brought it back to life..." Elder Elaron’s voice was filled with pure shock as if the result had turned out against his expectation.

"Right... but is it not what you wanted me to do? Or did I misunderstood the task?" Annalise was at a loss and all that she could do at the moment was to cluelessly exchange glances between all five men.

All of a sudden, Esmeray burst out into a fit of laughter, sending Annalise into another wave of pure confusion. "What is going on?" Her question was not directed at anyone in particular but it was Valerius who decided to answer and end all the confusion.

"Nothing is wrong. It’s just... we all are surprised that you actually succeeded in bringing this weapon back to life."

Annalise frowned at her husband’s explanation. "What do you mean? Did you all think that I can’t pass this trial?" Even though not intentional, her tone still sounded accusing.

"Oh no, Little Bird, don’t misunderstand. It’s true that we all are taken aback by the result of this trial, but it’s mainly because what you have just done has never been done ever before in the history of four realms."

"That’s right, Annalise. These are no ordinary weapons, but really powerful ones that once belonged to powerful faes, and are known to die along with their masters. Throughout our history, very few such weapons have returned to their full glory but only when they found their new masters. But you... you just brought a long dead weapon back to life without it choosing you as its new master. Your magic alone was enough to make it return to find its new weirder."