Chapter 11: The Assassin’s Path
The entrance to the Arclight Archive stood before Evan.
The building was enormous.
Pale stone walls rose several stories high, covered in ancient symbols.
Glowing crystals floated above the entrance, casting a soft light across the steps.
Evan looked up.
“So this is where we’ll find answers about the Fourfold?”
Ronan nodded.
“If the answers still exist.”
Kaela glanced at Evan.
“You look nervous again.”
“I am.”
“Why?”
Evan looked toward the Archive.
“Because every answer we’ve found so far has created three more questions.”
Kaela smiled.
“Then I guess we’re getting good at finding questions.”
Evan laughed quietly.
Together, the four entered the Archive.
The inside was much larger than Evan expected.
Shelves stretched higher than he could see, disappearing into the upper levels.
Floating books moved slowly through the air, guided by magical crystals.
Researchers sat at long tables, studying ancient documents.
Evan looked around.
He had never seen so many books in one place.
A librarian approached them.
“Can I help you?”
Ronan answered.
“We’re looking for information about the Fourfold Travelers.”
The librarian’s expression immediately changed.
“You should speak with the senior archivist.”
“Where can we find them?”
“Third level. Eastern section.”
Ronan thanked her.
As they walked away, Evan lowered his voice.
“Why did she look scared?”
Ronan glanced back.
“Because the Fourfold records aren’t ordinary history.”
Kaela looked at Evan.
“Neither are you.”
Evan sighed.
“I was afraid you’d say that.”
They reached the third level.
An elderly archivist sat alone behind a large wooden desk.
Ancient books surrounded him, some so old that their covers had nearly fallen apart.
He looked up as they approached.
“What are you searching for?”
Ronan placed a small piece of parchment on the desk.
“Elias Veyr.”
The archivist stared at the name.
Then his eyes moved toward Evan.
They narrowed.
“Who are you?”
“Evan.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Evan remained silent.
Kaela stepped beside him.
“He’s a Traveler.”
The archivist looked at her.
“From where?”
Evan finally answered.
“Earth.”
The old man froze.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then he quietly closed the book in front of him.
“Follow me.”
They entered a private room.
The archivist locked the door behind them.
Evan immediately became suspicious.
“Why are we here?”
“Because if anyone hears that an Earth traveler has entered this Archive, you will have problems.”
Evan frowned.
“Why?”
The archivist looked directly at him.
“Because people have been waiting for another one.”
Kaela stepped forward.
“Another Fourfold?”
The archivist nodded.
“Elias was not the only person who came from Earth.”
Evan’s expression changed.
“How many?”
“We don’t know.”
“Then why haven’t I heard about them?”
“Because most of the records were destroyed.”
The archivist hesitated.
“Aurelion Veyr.”
Evan’s hand tightened.
That name again.
Kaela noticed his reaction.
“You know him?”
“Not personally.”
Evan looked at the archivist.
“But I’ve seen him.”
The archivist stared at him.
“Where?”
“In a vision.”
The old man’s face became pale.
“What kind of vision?”
“Elias was there.”
The archivist slowly stood.
“You saw Elias?”
Evan nodded.
“And Aurelion.”
The archivist walked toward a locked cabinet.
“This is no longer a simple investigation.”
He removed an ancient book and carefully placed it on the desk.
“Elias Veyr was recorded as the First Fourfold Traveler.”
He opened the book.
“He arrived in this world many years ago.”
Evan leaned closer.
“What happened to him?”
The archivist turned a page.
“He became an assassin.”
Evan blinked.
“An assassin?”
The archivist nodded.
“He discovered that the World Gates were being used by people who wanted to control travel between worlds. Elias believed the Gates had to be protected.”
Ronan crossed his arms.
“And Aurelion?”
“He disagreed.”
The archivist turned another page.
“Aurelion believed the Gates should be opened.”
Kaela frowned.
“Why?”
The archivist paused.
“Power.”
He closed the book.
“At least, that’s what the surviving records claim.”
Evan looked at the Fourfold symbol carved into the cover.
“What happened between them?”
The archivist’s expression darkened.
“That is where the records become incomplete.”
CRASH!
A loud impact came from outside.
Everyone turned.
The door shook.
Ronan immediately drew his sword.
Kaela reached for her weapon.
Evan’s natural red eyes focused on the door.
The archivist whispered,
“They found you.”
“Who?”
Before he could answer—
BOOM!
The door burst open.
Three masked figures entered.
The first carried a short blade.
The second raised a hand surrounded by dark magic.
The third remained behind them, watching.
Evan stepped forward.
“Who are you?”
No answer.
The first attacker rushed toward him.
Evan moved aside.
The blade passed close to his shoulder.
He drew one of his daggers and blocked the next strike.
The attacker was strong, but Evan had learned to rely on movement rather than brute force.
He shifted his weight, stepped inside the attacker’s guard, and knocked their weapon aside.
The second attacker released a wave of dark magic.
Evan raised his hand.
His Fourfold mark activated.
His natural red eyes shifted to violet-black.
Darkness spread across the floor.
The incoming magic vanished into the shadows.
Kaela stared for a moment.
“His control is improving.”
Ronan shouted,
“Don’t let them surround you!”
Evan moved.
Shadow Step.
His body disappeared into the darkness and reappeared behind the first attacker.
One precise strike knocked the weapon from their hand.
Evan stopped his dagger before it could cause serious injury.
“Tell me who sent you.”
Then the third figure suddenly appeared behind Kaela.
Evan’s eyes widened.
“Kaela!”
Kaela turned just in time.
The stranger attacked.
She blocked the strike but was pushed several steps backward.
Evan reacted immediately.
Lightning surged through his body.
His eyes shifted from red to a bright golden color.
He moved faster than before.
His dagger flashed toward the attacker, forcing them to retreat.
Ronan joined the fight.
Together, they drove the three attackers toward the doorway.
Suddenly, the third attacker threw a small black object onto the floor.
BOOM!
Dark smoke filled the room.
Everyone covered their faces.
When the smoke cleared— the attackers were gone.
Silence returned.
Kaela looked at Evan.
“Are you okay?”
Evan nodded.
“Yeah.”
She studied his eyes.
“They changed again.”
Evan touched his face.
“I felt it.”
“What did it feel like?”
Evan thought about it.
“Like something inside me woke up.”
The archivist looked deeply worried.
“That is the Fourfold power.”
Evan turned toward him.
“What does that mean?”
The archivist looked at the destroyed doorway.
“It means your power is beginning to recognize itself.”
Ronan picked up the black object left behind by the attackers.
A strange symbol was carved into its surface.
The same symbol found on the black feather.
Evan stared at it.
“The Voidborn.”
The archivist shook his head.
“Not necessarily.”
“Then who?”
The archivist turned the object over.
A single letter was carved into the back.
V
Kaela frowned.
“Veyr?”
The archivist didn’t answer.
Evan felt increasingly uneasy.
The connection between Elias, Aurelion, the World Gates, and his own arrival was becoming stronger.
But one question remained.
“Why did they come after me?”
The archivist looked at him.
“They weren’t trying to kill you.”
Evan frowned.
“Then what were they trying to do?”
The old man’s gaze moved toward Evan’s hand.
“They wanted to see your power.”
Evan’s expression hardened.
“Why?”
The archivist answered quietly.
“Because someone is trying to determine whether you’re truly the Second Fourfold Traveler.”
Evan looked at Kaela.
“And if I am?”
The archivist opened the ancient book again.
His finger stopped on one final sentence.
The First Fourfold Traveler changed this world.
He looked at Evan.
“The Second may decide whether it survives.”
Evan stared at the words.
Outside the Archive, the enormous World Gate suddenly began to glow.
A deep vibration traveled through the building.
Everyone looked toward the windows.
Evan’s Fourfold mark began to burn.
Something had responded to his presence.
And somewhere in the city, someone was watching.
The investigation had only just begun.
But Evan was beginning to understand one thing.
The path of the Fourfold Traveler was not simply a path of power.
It was a path someone had walked before him.
An assassin.
A traveler from Earth.
A man named Elias Veyr.
And now Evan was walking the same road.