Three months had passed since the two brothers completed their first task. They had been training five hours a day to strengthen their bodies, followed by another three hours of daily meditation for the sake of their Aura.
Zay rose from his sitting position on the floor and walked over to the door, double-checking that it was locked. He then moved to the curtains and paused before closing them, gazing out at the rising sun in the distance.
"It's almost morning. Tomorrow… is the day."
Renzo nodded, letting out a quiet exhale before slowly standing up. He made his way to the window, saw the sun as well, and clicked his tongue.
"You know… this might be a little random, but I haven't seen Shira since we left her house."
"She's probably just working at that clothing store… doing whatever it is she does."
As the sun continued to rise, shadows began to stretch from the buildings across the street. From their large window, they could see people below—humans, elves, and even small animals like wolves, dogs, cats, and birds moving about.
Renzo stepped away from the window, letting the curtain sway back into place. A shadow danced along the floor before disappearing as the fabric settled and blocked out the light once more.
"I'm heading to the library again. Just want to see if I can find anything. I'm still curious about that damn book we found."
Zay moved the curtain fully shut, glanced at Renzo, and gave a silent nod.
Renzo unlocked the door and stepped outside, closing it behind him. His footsteps echoed lightly down the hall.
Step. Step… Step…
Eventually, the sound of his steps faded, and Zay sighed, turning toward the door. He walked over, placed a hand on the handle, then opened it and left the room. He made sure the room key was in his pocket as he walked away. His footsteps echoed loudly against the floor as he descended the stairs. After a few minutes, he reached the common area and approached the same elf he and Renzo had spoken to when they first checked into the hotel.
Zay walked over to the elf, noticing that something about him looked different. It took him a moment to realize the elf's arms were noticeably bigger than the last time they spoke. Zay gave a small nod, silently respecting him for working out. He leaned over the desk casually.
The elf looked up and, to his surprise, saw Zay. He nodded briefly before closing his journal and speaking.
"What is it that I can help you with?"
"I was just going to ask if there's another library nearby. Besides the Dragon's Library—do you know of any others?"
The elf paused, his eyes drifting around the common area as if lost in thought. Then, a confident expression crossed his face, and he nodded.
"There's the Library of Noctis. It's only four buildings south of here."
Zay nodded, pushed off the desk, and walked out of the hotel, heading toward the Library of Noctis.
After only a few minutes of walking, he found himself in front of the entrance. It wasn't nearly as impressive as the Dragon's Library, nor as polished. The building was much smaller, made of cracked dark red bricks. A rusty iron gate surrounded it, and several windows were cracked.
Zay blinked a few times, staring at the worn building.
"This place looks disgusting…"
Just as he was about to step inside, he noticed someone in the window who looked oddly familiar—long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. The woman met his gaze for only a second before walking away.
"Is that who I think it is?"
Zay couldn't shake the feeling that it was someone he knew. Still, he considered that he might just be seeing things. He sighed, shook his hands out, clenched one into a fist, and walked up to the door. Releasing the tension in his fist, he grabbed the handle, pushed the door open, and stepped inside.
Despite how rundown the outside looked, the interior of the library surprised him. The floor was lined with red carpet, a marble staircase curved up to the second floor, and a large central desk sat in the middle of the room. The desk was detailed with silver carvings—elegant illustrations of butterflies made with what looked like black ink.
"Despite the outside of this place, it's surprisingly clean."
Looking around the first floor, Zay noticed three elves sitting at a polished wooden table, seated in leather chairs. They were dressed in all white and appeared to be scholars.
Zay glanced up and noticed multiple chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The soft light they cast gave the library a warm, quiet glow. He chuckled softly to himself.
He walked toward the large desk with the butterfly illustrations and looked down at the man working behind it—someone likely in his late forties or early fifties. Despite his age, the man's face was remarkably smooth and youthful. Zay could tell from experience that the man was older, though his appearance could've passed for someone barely twenty-five.
He wore a black suit, a dark blue tie, and a small black hat. When he noticed Zay, he looked up with calm confidence and warmth.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
Zay nodded after a brief pause.
"I'm looking for any books that were signed under the initials 'A.D.'"
The man sighed softly, opened a journal, and began flipping through pages of logs and records. His fingers glided across the top edge of each page, eyes scanning quickly and precisely. Eventually, he paused near the middle of the journal.
"All of those books, journals, and documents are located on the second floor…"
He paused, coughing into his arm. He blinked a few times, visibly annoyed, before sighing.
"My apologies. As I was saying, they're located on the second floor, section RT-g4. It's in the back-left corner."
He smiled warmly and opened a drawer, retrieving a small silver key, which he handed to Zay.
"All of the books are kept in containers, so please remember to return them when you're done."
"No problem at all. I'll make sure of it. Thanks a lot." Zay smiled, taking the key and heading toward the marble staircase.
After reaching the second floor, Zay made his way to the back-left section, following the signs until he spotted one hanging from the ceiling labeled RT-g4. He walked into the aisle and scanned the shelves until he saw a large container on the bottom shelf with the initials A.D. written across it.
He crouched down, gripped both sides of the container, and carefully pulled it onto the floor. From his pocket, he retrieved the silver key and inserted it into the lock on top. With a quiet click, the container opened.
As he started sifting through the books, he caught a glimpse of blonde hair in his peripheral vision—and then, a soft voice.
"I see... you're looking for something there."
Zay slowly looked up. "Lyra? How the hell—no, why the hell are you here?"
Lyra sighed as she bent to her knees beside him. Without answering right away, she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small book.
"I've been here for months. I also saw you two at the Dragon's Library. A book dropped to the floor, so I picked it up and... well, it doesn't matter how I got it."
She smiled softly and handed the book to him. Zay glanced down at the cover—plain black, with only one word written on the front:
"Waves."
He chuckled under his breath, then sighed.
"Well, thanks for that... I think?"
Lyra didn't reply immediately. Instead, she peered into the container, head tilting slightly in curiosity.
"So, wait... why exactly are you even looking for books with those initials?"
Zay set the book she gave him down on the floor and continued flipping through small documents, placing some aside, others back. He opened a journal and scanned through a few pages before answering.
"We have a book... and we're hoping another book, or some kind of document—"
Before he could finish, Lyra cut in with a faint smirk.
"Journal or anything else that can help you understand the first one?"
He glanced sideways at her.
"How the hell did you know I was gonna say that?"
She ignored the question and kept looking. After a moment, she slipped two books into her sleeve and stood up.
"I'll meet you in nine hours, in the common area of your hotel. If you want these books, be there. Also... I'd recommend leaving soon."
"Why?"
She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "People are starting to ask about that little... bi—" she reframed herself from using the words she wanted, "I mean, elf friend of yours from a few months ago, darling."
She stood slowly, brushed dust from her robe, and gave him a playful wink before walking off with a knowing smile on her face.
Zay watched her walk away, unable to stop his mind from spiraling. How did she know about that? How long had she known? Did she tell anyone? Where had she been? Did she see it happen? Who was asking about the elf?
A dozen questions flashed through his mind in seconds as his thoughts raced.
"How the fuck did she know?" Zay muttered under his breath, watching her disappear from view, descending the marble staircase.
He looked down at the book she had handed him and crouched. Gently, he picked it up and turned it over, checking the back. Nothing unusual.
With a quiet sigh, he placed it back down onto the red carpet.
He moved quickly, returning the scattered documents, journals, and books he'd pulled from the container — all except the two Lyra had taken with her.
Another long exhale escaped him as the thoughts rushed back in. Zay had considered these possibilities before, but never this intensely.
He didn't know how she had found out—but that wasn't what mattered now. If she had wanted to turn him in, she'd had plenty of chances. And yet… she never had.
That alone told him enough to believe her words.
He slid the heavy container back onto the bottom shelf.
Then, without hesitation, he picked up the book she'd given him, tightening his grip before standing. He moved quickly through the aisles, descended the marble stairs, and exited the library in a rush.
Unknowingly, he left with the silver key still tucked in his pocket—he'd slipped it there without even thinking.
Zay walked back to the hotel, passed through the common area, down the corridor, and up all thirteen floors before reaching their room—only to find Renzo sitting against the wall next to the door.
"Why are you just... sitting against the wall?"
Renzo looked up at him and shook his head.
"I've only been here a few minutes. The door was locked."
Zay checked his pocket and pulled out the gold key. He approached the door, inserted the key, and turned it. With a soft click, the door unlocked and swung open.
"So, where'd you go off to?" Renzo asked, curious.
"Just went for a run and came back. Also stopped by a nearby library—found a book with those initials. I'm not sure what's in it since I didn't read it... but I brought it back."
Renzo got up from the floor and followed Zay into the room. They both sat at a wooden desk, pulling up a pair of chairs.
Zay placed the plain black book on the desk and slowly opened it.
Hours passed. The sun climbed to its peak, then began its slow descent. The two of them tried everything—mixing words, swapping letters—but nothing made any sense.
Zay stood up abruptly and rubbed his brow."What the hell is up with this book? I might be good at deciphering, but so far, nothing adds up."
Renzo stretched his arms and stood as well, shaking his head in silence, clearly just as lost.
"Arbiter: Resonance Lens," Zay said quietly.
As he spoke, glowing sigils shimmered into existence, shifting and reshaping into readable words.
⌈Name: Zay Yuso⌋
Resonance Name: Forsaken by Dawn
⌈Current Location: Caelondis⌋
⌈Age: 20⌋
⌈Time: June 13th, 6:30⌋
Condition:
– Perfect Health
– Aura Reserves: 200%
Core:
Aura Core: 100% | Unsealed
Monster Core: 100% | Primordial | Unable to access this Monster Core Rank with your current strength. Lowered to - Ravager
After several seconds of reading, Zay's eyes widened—he saw that he possessed a Resonance Name. He had never bothered to check his Resonance Lens until now. Words escaped him as he tried to request a description. Resonance Names typically came with explanations and passives and even Resonance Echos that connected to an Arbiter's Seal, their core, or even innate traits they were born with. Yet, no matter how many times he clicked on it, nothing appeared.
[Error. Attempting to access information about a Resonance Name that the Arbiter will die from reading due to the strength difference. Attempt failed. Information will not become visible to the Arbiter.]
That was the error message that popped up every time Zay tried, until he finally gave up with a heavy sigh.
'What the hell is this Resonance Name, then? Why the hell do I even have it if I can't read anything about it?'
He shook the thought away and checked the time. Then he remembered—Lyra. It was almost time.
"Renzo, I'll be gone for a bit. I'm leaving you the key. The knock to know it's me will be three soft knocks, followed by two quick, loud ones."
Renzo looked at him and nodded. "Got it. Don't worry about anything."
Zay smiled, then left the room. It took him a few minutes, but he finally arrived in the common area after walking down thirteen stories of stairs and passing through the corridor. He sat down on a leather couch, waiting for Lyra to show.
After thirty minutes of waiting, the doors to the hotel finally creaked open. Lyra stepped in, her eyes locking onto Zay's almost instantly. She walked toward him with a graceful confidence. Without breaking eye contact, she sat down beside him, close enough that their shoulders nearly touched. With a teasing smile, she held out the two books she had taken from the library.
"As promised... the stolen books," she said with a wink, her voice smooth and honeyed.
Before she could say more, Zay reached out, his fingers gently lifting her chin so she had no choice but to meet his eyes directly. His tone dropped to a whisper, sharp and deliberate.
"Tell me how the hell you knew about that."
Lyra didn't flinch. Her expression shifted, eyes narrowing slightly before a sly smirk curved her lips. She leaned in just a bit, her breath brushing lightly against his skin.
"About what, exactly?" she asked innocently, her voice laced with amusement.
"About Shira," he said flatly. "I never told anyone. No one was there when we left. So how?"
Lyra gently took his hand and lowered it from her chin, not breaking eye contact. Then she leaned back into the couch, stretching with a soft sigh before casually tossing her hair over her shoulder.
"It's a secret, darling," she said, the word darling laced with playful sarcasm. "And I don't plan on spoiling the fun just yet. But don't worry..." —she shot him a sultry glance as she stood up— "you'll get your answer eventually."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked off, the faint click of her boots echoing as she disappeared down the corridor—leaving Zay with the books.
'The only thing I can think of... the only reasonable explanation is either her Seal or her Contract grants her a heightened sense—something that lets her glimpse a portion of the future... or she has one of the Eight Oracle Rings. Though... that shouldn't be possible. The one who holds the Chrono Ring of Akser should be "Dane Grim"—a dangerously powerful... beast who uses the ring to alter the course of every battle he's fought. His victory rate is one hundred percent. Over seven hundred battles... and not a single loss. So there's no way she has that. Maybe a different Oracle Ring? No... that's not possible either. One ring per realm. Eight realms. Eight rings. That's it. So it has to be some sort of Seal or Contract. She's very interesting... and someone I haven't seen in any reset, yet also not a person designed within the Sequence since she showed up in reality... so really, who the hell is she?'
He paused for a moment, letting the thought settle, but nothing clicked. He couldn't think of any Seal or Contract that allowed someone to see the future with the only side effect being unconsciousness for a short while. Every ability tied to time—whether glimpsing the past or future—always came with a heavy price. It didn't matter who you were. That was... law, you could say. Besides the Oracle Rings. Those were the only exceptions to this law.
After a few minutes of thinking, he got up from the couch and made his way back to the hotel room and knocked three times softly, before two quick and loud knocks. The door opened and Zay walked in with the two books in hand before walking to the desk and placed the two books with the other plain black book as he collapsed onto the bed, thoughts running through his mind constantly.
Renzo saw frustration on Zay's face and decided not to ask as he thought it might be for the better.
Night fell quickly as the two brothers went to sleep and by the time morning rose into the sky, slightly. They both were already awake as they sat on the floor.
"Ready?" Zay's voice came out as he swallowed.
"Second Sequence... we'll clear it easily." Renzo said with a smile as they held hands and they both closed their eyes, violet and red aura clashed together. The two of them focused, steadying their breath.
Thirty seconds passed.
[Arbiter, would you like to access the second Sequence?]
[Yes / No]
Without hesitation, Zay reached his hand out and clicked yes.
[Good luck on the second Sequence.]
The world blurred and twisted before snapping back into focus. When Zay and Renzo opened their eyes, they found themselves locked in a dark, iron cell. The heavy groan of metal echoed as the vessel they were on rocked violently, waves slamming into its sides with relentless force. The air stank of salt, rust, and rot. Cold shackles of iron and steel bound their wrists and ankles, chained to the floor and to each other.
Renzo glanced around, taking in the others shackled alongside them—most slumped in defeat on worn wooden benches bolted to the floor. Zay's gaze dropped to his feet, where rusted chains connected every prisoner by their limbs, like livestock.
Suddenly, a harsh wave crashed against the hull, knocking a scrawny child off balance. The boy crumpled to the floor with a yelp, pulling down the shackles of the towering man beside him. The man looked down at the child with disgust in his eyes. With a sharp tug of his chains, he yanked the child upright.
"You little shit," the man growled, his voice a low, rumbling snarl that seemed to shake the air. "You even attempt to pull me down like that again, and I'll twist your fucking neck my damn self."
He loomed like a monster carved from stone—massive shoulders bulging beneath tattered, grimy clothes. His beard was thick with filth, matted with dried mud and gods-knew-what else. He spat as he spoke, spraying foul saliva across the floor, revealing blackened gums and three jagged gaps where teeth used to be. His cracked lips looked raw, torn nearly to the flesh, and his eyes… his eyes burned with a vicious, unhinged malice.
Several other people looked similar to him, some with, and without a beard. Others with long hair, some with no hair, and others with short hair.
At the front of the group sat a woman clad in a slick, skin-tight black outfit that shimmered faintly in the dim light hanging from the ceiling—though Zay couldn't make out many details from where he was. The man beside her stared with a sick, predatory glint in his eyes, like a vulture circling prey, hungry for the chance to tear into her. The intent in his gaze was vile, as if he wanted to rape, and ravage her completely—leave her bones broken, helpless, and unable to resist his urges.
But then, she looked at him.
A single glance—cold, dark, sharp, and dangerous.
Something in that man's very soul faltered. He froze. His stare shattered like glass under pressure. Without a word, he turned his head and shifted away, suddenly desperate to put distance between them.
Zay noticed the exchange and narrowed his eyes. What the hell just happened? he wondered, but didn't speak, choosing instead to watch in silence.
Moments later, guards moved around from outside of the cells. They wore uniforms of deep blue, marked with an insignia—a snake entwined with a bird, stitched in silver across their chests. Each one carried a whip, a short sword at the hip, and a spear clutched tightly in hand.
[Welcome to the Second Sequence: The Silent Sea]