The The Melian Revelation
Episode 8

After passing through the dome chamber, the cave they passed through narrowed. Hundreds of stone pillars were sticking out of the roof and the bottom of the cave and blocking the road. But they finally arrived at their destination.

The center of the cave is a fairly large circular room. Laruen saw two people were already waiting for them there. Noticing Laruen's presence, one of them took off his robe, Valadin.

“Thank you for coming,” welcome him friendly. His schalantir was tucked in a leather belt and hung on his waist. The tip of the sword almost touched the ground. In the dark cave, Schalantir sparkles brighter than usual.

Almost simultaneously, Laruen, Karth, and Ellanese unscrew the hood of the robe they were wearing, except for the last member. That person was unmoved behind Valadin.

As usual Leidz Ellanese wore a dress that looked light, matching the color of her Vestal wand. Although not like it, Laruen must admit Leidz Ellanese is indeed very graceful. Her dark brown skin contrasted with her bright dress and hair.

Instead, Karth wore dark-colored leather trousers and a sleeveless vest, showing off his slender but muscular hands. A pair of leather belts wrapped around his waist, with dozens of throwing knives lined up there.

Karth fondles his green robe. “This cloak is amazing,” he said. “It would have been hard to hide the identity of the coachman and fisherman who drove us here were it not for this magical robe.”

“Confidentiality is part of our plan,” Valadin said.

“The robe of Chamael contains magic that blends the wearer with the surroundings. This cloak is hard to come by so keep it well for our next trip.”

Valadin approached the hooded figure behind him. “Now, let me introduce you to our last member. Eizen,” call him, “ayo, introduce yourself.”

After Valadin said it, then the person called Eizen opened his cloak. Eizen's bluish-gray hair was scattered covering part of his face. The man was wearing a long-sleeved gray suit. His sharp yellow eyes observed Laruen and Karth alternately. A mocking smile fell on his lips, making his face look hideous.

“Zen, this is Karth,” said Valadin. “And this Laruen ..”

Eizen interrupted Valadin. “A Vier-Elv?” tanyanya raised an eyebrow

“Laruen is different,” Valadin explains. “I trust him with all my heart.”

Laruen's face and cheeks were hot from Valadin's words. Karth had to elbow him to greet Eizen. Laruen extended his hand to Eizen. But the man turned his face the other way. Valadin sighed then gestured for them to follow him. “Ayo,” said.

They ventured deeper into the cave's belly. Valadin walked ahead, Eizen and Ellanese following behind him. Karth walked in the back. Laruen deliberately slowed his steps until he taught Karth.

“You know that shitty guy?” whispered Laruen. “Is he really the Magus that burned the Daemons? Why haven't I heard of Magus that great?”

Karth smiled. “That's natural, she's much older than the rest of us. It might be two or three hundred years older than Lourd Valadin”

The age difference between Laruen and the others in the group was indeed far, far away even. Karth, for example, he was already six hundred years old, Ellanese and Valadin were even older, whereas Laruen was not even twenty yet. As Vier-Elv, he was not endowed with longevity like other pure Elvar.

“What is he that famous for?” Laruen raised his eyebrows.

“I won't say fame, anyway,” replied Karth. “Which obviously his reputation can not be said to be good.”

“You mean?” laruen.

“I don't know him personally,” Karth explained. “Conon him one of the strongest Magus that ever lived in our era. But the battle is hard to guess. It seems like he used to hold a high position in the Falthemnar Legion before being disrespectfully issued.”

Laruen's eyeballs barely escaped upon hearing that. He remembered very well the difficulties he experienced when enlisting as an elite team of the Elvar Nation. Laruen is the only Vier-Elv in the Falthemnar— Legion thanks to Valadin of course. It seems like just yesterday the pure-blooded Elvar protested because of his appointment.

He turned his gaze to the figure of Eizen walking beside Valadin. If the man had really held such a high position, there was no doubt that he must have been a very powerful Magus

greatable.

But what crime did he commit that had to be fired? Laruen did not know and did not want to think about it any longer.

After a while, they arrived at the other side of the cave. An open courtyard located right in the middle of the coral island greeted them. The courtyard was enclosed by a sheer wall of coral on each side.

Despite being out in the open, Laruen could not see the night sky or the moon and stars. An incomparably dense Dark Mist hung in the sky right above their heads.

Eizen reached into his pocket and pulled out a thin wooden stick with metal. He whispered something, and with a single light movement bewitched the flaming incandescent that floated around them. Laruen felt calmer as the warmth of Eizen's artificial fire enveloped his body.

“Thank you, Zen,” Valadin smiled. But Eizen is not indifferent and takes his place at the end of the court, away from everyone.

The flame Eizen made was lit up brightly so that Laruen could see clearly. In the middle of the courtyard was a fairly high step, on top of which was a circular flat stone resembling a round, legless table. The stone is different from other rocks on the island, as if deliberately brought here and arranged in such a way.

Valadin climbed the steps and stood right in front of the flat stone. He spread his hands wide. “Welcome to Templia Sang Aether Voltress,”. Templia is a sacred place dedicated to the worship of the Aether.

Laruen could barely hide his admiration. Valadin looked so mesmerizing, his eyes and hair sparkling golden among the fiery incandescence that surrounded them.

Instead, Karth furrowed his brows. “You're kidding, right?” tanyakanya. “This Daemon's remote nest island?”

Ellanese snorted at Karth's question. “You doubt Lourd Valadin's remarks?”

“But what you don't know is that the Aether we adore is really alive and real.” Valadin stared at Karth and Laruen alternately before adding, “And it is on this island that the Aether Voltress dwells.”

Laruen. Valadin noticed a change in Laruen's expression, but he continued. “Our two and Queen Ratana know this, but they choose to keep it a secret. They kept secret the location of the seven Templia where the Aether lived, one of which was this island.”

But Karth wasn't that easy to believe. “But if the Queen and Terua keep this a secret, where do you know it?”

Valadin smiled understandingly. “Because Me and Ellanese are Gardian, the Secret Keeper of this Templia. Our task is to protect Templia and the existence of Aether in a continent increasingly populated by Humans,” explains Valadin.

“Then what is your purpose of inviting us here and telling us all this?” ask Karth again.

“I invite you,” replied Valadin. “Because I need your help to get the power of the Aether.”

Laruen. “What!?”

Eizen who had been silent, suddenly spoke. “The Aether promises us power over their elements. If we are able to pass the test they gave, of course,” he explained in a rather raucous heavy voice.

This time Laruen was amazed, it was the first time he had heard Eizen speak more than two words.

Valadin. “Eizen true. You can imagine the full power of the seven elements that make up this world and its contents. Such a great power would change the nation's position

we are in this continent.”

“Wait a minute,” by Karth. “If that was the case, why didn't the Elders use the power of Aether during the Great War against the Draeg people fifteen hundred years ago? Why did we try it first?”

Valadin was about to answer, but Eizen preceded him. “No! I am the first,” he replied sharply. “I used to be Gardian. I want to see and feel the power of the

Aether.”

Karth raised his eyebrows. “Can I deduce that's why you got fired?”

“That's how it is,” replied Eizen. “And you will also have the same fate as me if the Elders knew this,” he circulated his gaze to everyone.

Ellanesse snapped his wand roughly to the ground. “Do not equate us with you,” hardiknya. “We don't want that power for ourselves. We do this for the good of the Elvar Nation.”

Eizen laughed bitterly. “Do not laugh!” he rebuked. “You did this because deep down you realize our nation is weak. We are nothing like trash on this continent! I don't want to be part of a weak nation, that's why I do it.”

Karth's story about Eizen's reputation is self-evident. Not even an hour before getting to know the man, Laruen immediately understood why Leidz Ellanese hated the man. As for this, he and Ellanese agreed.

But not to mention Ellanese had time to avenge Eizen's insults, Valadin interrupted. “No, Zen,” said. “Nation we are strong. It's just that they don't realize the abilities they have. Queen Ratana and the Elders held on to the ancient rules for too long. Our job is to make them aware of the mistake.”

“You cannot awaken the donkeys of their own foolishness,” said Eizen riled. “I tried it, see what happened to me?”

Ellanese—which indeed did not hide her hatred towards Eizen— stepped forward. If Valadin had not held him back, he would have slapped Eizen.

“Maybe for you my dream is too ambitious,” Valadin said. “But I believe, you have the same dream. That's why you're here with us, right?” tanyakanya.

This time Eizen just clenched his jaw tightly. Valadin turned around, instead looking at Laruen and Karth. “We are here to gain the power of the Aether and give hope to our nation. The Elders and Queen Ratana were too stubborn to see reality. If it wasn't us who did this, gradually this continent would have been destroyed at hand

Man.”

Silence welcomed Valadin's words. Laruen heard nothing but the roar of the breaking waves along the beach.

“I've said everything I need to say,” Valadin added. “But I have to remind. If you decide to carry out this mission, you must be prepared for all the risks. Including hurting our compatriots or even .. killing them.”

Laruen choked in shock. “You mean?”

“I chose this Templia as the first location because me and Ellanese are the Gardians. But in the other Templia we will have to deal with the other Gardians. They will bet their lives to stop us,” explained Valadin.

Eizen shrugged his shoulders. “I don't care. The elders thwarted me once. I won't let anyone get in my way this time.”

Ellanese shook weakly. “The fall of the victim is indeed unfortunate,” he said. “But I understood the risks and decided to move on. What about you guys?” tanyanya while observing Laruen and Karth.

Laruen avoided Ellanese's sharp gaze and glanced at Karth. He could see his partner nodding slowly.

“It has been so far. It's impossible to back off again, right?” karth.

Laruen hurriedly turned his head towards Valadin. “A-me too,” she said. “I'll always be with you no matter what, Lourd Valadin.”

“I'm glad to hear it.” Valadin smile. “Well, the night is getting late. We better call Sang Aether Voltress now.”