'Wait a minute... the book can read my mind now?! It couldn't do that before though. Well I guess unsealing it led to some of its powers being unlocked. The path of mysteries can possibly read minds? Or maybe the book is unique. Memories can also be considered thoughts though.'
"I am incapable of looking into your memories, young master. But it is very possible for me to read your surface level thoughts. I am sorry if you do not wish for me to do this. Using Veiling on yourself would hide any thoughts you have from me."
Kharon slowly scratched his head as he sighed. The grimoire shook a bit before pages began to turn. As he watched this Kharon quickly said, "You being able to read my mind makes much easier and more convenient. Now that I have learnt what my tier 3 ritual is, how do I leave this place? The ritual altar was destroyed long ago, so what do I have to do now...?"
"You can simply connect to your aether on the outside. Any object which you have marked can act as an anchor. It could be a runic device or an object which was recently reinforced with lingering traces of aether. But if you haven't done this, then you could try distorting the spatial rift above the crater."
'Luckily, I just marked Silvaen so it shouldn't be too hard. Using my Null Order ring would be too risky. I still don't know if this mausoleum is a pocket dimension in the real world. Or if it is an entirely separate dimension. Can you answer this question?'
"Not yet, young master. You would need to unseal another layer of my seal to receive an answer. But it is far too early for that. I also want to add that, you must not take me out of this mausoleum. Not until you have risen to the rank of a demi-god. Then my true purpose will be revealed."
Kharon veiled himself as he thought, 'Its true purpose? What could that mean? Maybe it has to do with why I was put in this mausoleum. Maybe I can finally find out how old I am if I just ask. Or think.'
Kharon quickly dispelled his ability as he hurriedly asked, "How old am I? Can you give me a specific number...?"
"I can't quite give a specific age. However, you were born before the War of Gods and took part in it. This war took place a century after the Obelisk's crash in 2150."
"Before I go, I need to understand... what truly happened during the War of Gods?"
"It was a catastrophic event which changed the course of history. A disagreement and growing animosity between the Gods caused a confrontation which ravaged the land. Countless lives were lost and the children of divine birth fell. The arcane paths were thought to be gifts from God and in a sense they were, for those who weren't born into divinity. That is all I can tell you."
'What type of disagreement caused the Gods to wage war?! Did it have to do with their children? Or knowledge about the arcane paths?'
"I am sorry, but I can't answer that. Once you become an angel, you will begin to understand."
Kharon unconsciously nodded as he knelt down. He was about to place it down when a thought flashed through his mind.
'Can I take the sealed mystic constructs here? If I unseal them, I will be able to either sell them or store them in the Null Order's armoury. It would provide more versatility to our organisation.'
As he thought about this, the grimoire flipped through several pages before words began appearing. Kharon blankly stared as each letter of black ink slowly formed on the white, creaseless paper.
"The mystic constructs are yours. You can do with them as you wish. However, there are still a few which are better left untouched. Good luck with your organisation, young master."
The grimoire slowly closed itself as Kharon placed it down. Once he did, he stood up and began picking up several items. They all emitted faint traces of aether as he felt their repressed power. As he picked up each construct, he drew several runeweaves which completely hid their aether.
'These constructs should all be quite useful. I can't believe that I got twenty mystic constructs. And some of them are tier 3 weapons. Once I become an angel, then the few dangerous tier 3 and tier 2 constructs will be mine. I am just glad that I wouldn't need to spend a fortune for a few measly constructs.'
Seeing as his work was done, Kharon made his way to the crater. He slowly lifted his hand up as he felt the spatial distortion above the crater. His eyes slowly closed as he focused on connecting to his aether. He felt a faint stream leave him as it travelled through the rift. It quickly flowed towards a massive tree with dozens of vines. The tree quickly reacted as its vines reached out towards the gentle stream of familiar aether.
Kharon felt himself being pulled as his body became weightless. A brief moment of darkness passed before he felt his feet touch partially solid ground. The pleasant smell of the trees and the feeling of the breeze pushing against his face made Kharon smile as his eyes slowly opened. He turned around as he saw Silvaen who was bathed in a golden glow. Its silver leaves shone with a resplendent, golden light.
'This is quite a beautiful sight. I wish I could stay for a bit longer and admire it. Just like in the past with-'
A sudden headache made Kharon freeze mid-thought as he swayed. Silvaen quickly supported him with its vines as Kharon tapped it gently. He smiled as he looked at his magnificent tree and said, "I can't stay today... but I'll return soon. Just keep growing while I'm away."
Saying this, Kharon pulled out a few carcasses as he gave them to Silvaen. The tree's vines quickly took the gifts as they began absorbing the remaining traces of aether. As they did, the carcasses began to rot until they were nothing but bones. Kharon smiled at his tree as he stroked its now smoother bark.
"I will be going now. If I don't get back before the sunset, then I will be in trouble. Then again I could try and teleport into the Eclipse Sanctum. But the physical containment is in Lunaris Haven and Axel said teleportation from the outside can be sensed and tracked. It would be a disaster if my organisation's headquarters was to be found. You understand right?"
When Silvaen remained still, Kharon chuckled awkwardly as he began floating. In an instant, he was already flying through the forest as he took out several tier 5 beasts. He quickly stored their remains as he continued, unperturbed by his slight delay. In less than a second, he had already arrived at the clearing as he walked up to where the door was and knocked. He stood in silence as he waited for a response, but nothing happened.
He knocked again, a little harder this time, yet no one answered. Being unsure of what to do, Kharon drew a few runes before using True Sight. He faintly sensed the presence of someone beyond the door.
'Why isn't he answering me? Is there a specific rhythm I need to know? Maybe I can control his body... but he may see me as an enemy. My only choice is to hope someone else returns a bit late and explains how this works.'
As if on cue someone suddenly appeared behind Kharon. He looked back as he saw Luke walking up to him. His face brightened as he greeted the young hunter.
"Well, good evening Luke. I am glad to see you."
"It's nice to see you again..."
"Raven. Raven Duskveil."
"Raven! I am sorry, I didn't ask your name when we spoke."
"That was my fault. You introduced yourself, but I didn't. But anyways, I hope you had a good hunt."
"I did thank you. Did you complete your mission?"
Kharon scratched his head as he answered, "I did. But it took a bit longer than I expected. I am just glad I got here on time and met you. I don't know how to get back in. Could you tell me if there is a phrase or knocking rhythm?"
Luke didn't provide an answer as he walked up to the massive tree trunk. He knocked on it rhythmically as Kharon listened carefully. Shortly after, a part of the trunk swung open. Luke signalled to Kharon as he quickly followed him inside. They handed the guard a few Aethermarks before making their way down a flight of stairs.
"I am sorry for not informing you about the knock. It completely slipped my mind and when I realised, it was already too late. But just so you know, the rhythm rotates everyday. There are seven different ones and you usually get informed by the guard in front of the giant gate."
'Did the guard purposefully not tell me this? Maybe he was a fan of that group of hunters. It doesn't matter though. I am just glad Luke was here to help me.'