This is a weird chapter. Not much happens. It's really short. In my opinion, boring. Oh well. The next one is MUCH better. Trust me.
Chapter 4: The Hologram
Our adventure has only just begun. So many things are out there, waiting to be discovered. Take Alex, for instance. What happened to him? Everyone believes he is still alive… out there… somewhere. If he did make that tunnel, what was his motivation? Where is he now? Why did he leave in the first place? I guess only time will tell.
Another thing: What about those four blades? None of our researchers have been able to uncover any information about them. In the whole wide world of Weyard, they could be anywhere. News has broken out that the Dark Paladins have gained information on where the Alchemy Sanctum is, but that may just be a lie to fool us.
As for things here in the headquarters, everything seems to be well. Everyone is staying on task and no trouble has been caused. What I'm currently doing is finding information on the Alchemy Sanctum. After all, it is essential to creating the Alchemy Blade. So far, I've found out it was built by three divine beings, one of which is the Wise One. I haven't exactly named the other two. I have uncovered an ancient drawing of all three gods together. However, one of the figures is completely obscured and I cannot identify it. Obviously one figure is the Wise One. The other character is a human. From what I can tell, it is a male. He has long hair, almost touching his feet. He is dressed in a full suit of armor with a massive sword by his side. This thing is huge, believe me. That's all I could depict; the picture was without color and not very clear.
The sanctum itself is a giant puzzle, full of many traps and dead ends. After all the hazards are overcome, there is a great room in the heart of the temple. There are four pedestals, in which each blade is placed. One giant pedestal is located in the middle of all the other pedestals, and this is where the Alchemy Blade is formed.
That's all I have for now. I will record my future findings in this notebook.
Auroch put his quill pen down. Some of the black ink dripped onto the paper he was writing. He quickly moved it aside, and then opened his case and dropped the pen in. He closed his notebook and put it in his desk. He moved his chair further out and reclined. He closed his eyes and began to relax. With deep breaths and in a sense of pure tranquility, this moment was very peaceful. After a few more minutes of rest, he woke up again. He got out of his chair and walked out of his office.
He took a few steps down the hallway when Ivan came running down the opposite end of the hall.
"AUROCH!!! YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT I FOUND!!!" Ivan shouted as he sprinted down the remaining length of the hall. He was holding a small metallic stone in his hand. Panting, he reached Auroch and came to a halt.
"Ivan, what? What's going on?" Auroch said. He didn't expect this to happen.
"I fo- I foun- I found," Ivan said, his speech interrupted by his energy consumed from running. He took some more breaths and regained his energy. "I found evidence of Alex. It's here, all in this stone. Alex recorded a message in this."
"Come into my office. We'll watch it in private there," Auroch said.
They began to walk back to Auroch's office. Auroch pulled out his key and twisted the knob, and the two walked in. Auroch sat down in his chair while Ivan put the stone on his desk.
"It's one of those stones that hold a hologram," Ivan said. "I found it upon further inspection of that tunnel we found the other day."
'Well, go head and show it," Auroch said. He was getting a little impatient.
"Sure thing."
Ivan rubbed the smooth stone and soon it began to glow. A beautiful, bright blue aura was being emitted. Slowly the light thinned and Alex's figure came into view. He began to talk.
"If you are listening to this message, you have uncovered the secret tunnel I have formed. Congratulations to you, Sherlock.
"Also if you are listening to this message, I have 'mysteriously' left the Silver Sages. I have no regrets. I have joined the Dark Paladins. They know what is going on. They have the perfect plan. I have left this puny excuse for a group and joined the true winners.
"Each day we come closer and closer to controlling Alchemy. Neil is a truly brilliant man. I hope I can one day achieve half the greatness he possesses.
"If you are listening to this message, you are most likely shocked. What, can't believe your 'respectable, honorable leader' has joined the 'bad guys'? Get over it, you wimp. You are too stubborn to realize how weak the Silver Sages are, and how triumphant the Dark Paladins have become.
"The Silver Sages will die at the hands of the Dark Paladins. I guarantee that."
Alex slowly faded away. The light weakened until it was completely gone. The stone was back to normal.
"That son of a bitch! Just who the hell does he think he is?" Auroch screamed out. His face was red with rage.
"I see Alex's prediction has come true," Ivan said, laughing.
"Just shut the hell up, Ivan. You're not the one who has to deal with this shit. Things aren't looking so good for us now. The Dark Paladins have some of the strongest Adepts in all of history. We are going to need serious planning to beat them."
"I hope you can think of something."
"I will. The Dark Paladins will die at the hands of the Silver Sages. I guarantee that."