“Renaldo, I need the Book of the Dead.” Diaglo crossed his arms, his silver eyes glowing with ire. The air around him seemed to crackle with barely contained energy, casting eerie shadows on the stone walls of the dimly lit chamber. “I need to craft the Stones of Power.”
Renaldo let a wicked expression fill his sapphire orbs, a slow, calculating smile spreading across his face. The flickering torchlight accentuated the sharp angles of his features, making him appear even more sinister. “Is that so? Now, why do you need the Stones of Power?”
Diaglo sighed, the weight of his mission pressing heavily on his shoulders. The room seemed to grow colder as he spoke. “Because Lumina will not listen to reason. She believes that taking away her people’s autonomy is acceptable, and I cannot stand by and let that happen.”
Renaldo’s smile faded as he crossed his arms, his demeanor turning cold and unyielding. “And why do you think I care what she does?”
“Well, the answer to that is simple.” Diaglo’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, his eyes narrowing. “I read your journal entries. That is the entire point of our dimension, is it not? If Lumina is allowed to stay in control and you allow it, do you not prove Telaria correct?”
Renaldo’s eyes narrowed further, his brows furrowing in frustration. He hated being bested, especially by Diaglo. “Fine, I will get you the book, but I will not make another one. It is going to go missing from Daric’s library, and you will have made an enemy today. Are you willing to go against The Order of the Obsidian Cabal?”
Diaglo chuckled, a dark, mirthless sound that echoed through the chamber. “You are the master strategist, aren’t you, Renaldo?”
The alchemist only smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “You have no idea yet, Diaglo, but you will.”
“Why do I have a feeling I am going to come to fear those words?” Diaglo eyed him with suspicion, a shiver running down his spine as the tension in the room became palpable.
“Because you will,” Renaldo replied, his voice a chilling promise that hung in the air like a dark omen.
Daric was in the middle of casting a spell to copy Renaldo’s Book of the Dead. The air crackled with arcane energy, and the room was filled with the scent of burning herbs and ancient parchment. Just as he was about to complete the spell, the original book vanished from his hands. “Fuck! How would he have known I was making a copy of it? I need to find a way to get it back!” Daric slammed his fist on the table, causing the various magical instruments to rattle.
At that moment, Aravic Ratellie entered the library, his face grim. “Sir, we have a problem. The prison planet is revolting against our control. We have lost the trilot mines.”
Daric growled, his frustration mounting. “If it is not one fucking thing, it is another! Renaldo just took his book away. I need to find a way to get it back from him.”
“I can always just go and ask him for it? I am sure he will tell us. I mean, after all, he gave it to you to begin with, right?” Aravic shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.
“Hmm, I suppose it is worth a try.” Daric became lost in thought, his mind racing with possibilities. Suddenly, a voice echoed in his head, ‘Renaldo does not have the book. Diaglo does.’ Daric growled again, his frustration turning to anger. “Aravic, I have successfully copied the first half of the book. In the first set of pages, it gives instructions on how to poison one’s blood with chaos magic.” He wanted creativity? Daric thought to himself, letting an evil expression dance in his eyes.
“Sir, what should we do about the prison planet?” Aravic pressed, his tone urgent.
Daric’s eyes met Aravic’s, a sinister smile forming on his lips. “You go live there and become king.”
Aravic raised his brow, surprised. “You are exiling me to the outermost planet?”
Daric laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. “Exiled, given a mission to? However you want to word it. I need that trilot, and you are the perfect person to take control. If you have to kill the king and take over, is there a problem?”
Aravic let a wicked expression cross his eyes. “Not at all. Can I take Kristi?”
Daric frowned, puzzled. “You want Renaldo’s pet? Why?”
Aravic wiggled his brows suggestively. “Because she looks fun.”
Daric shook his head, exasperated. “I do not care, but you need Renaldo’s permission first.”
Aravic laughed, a dark chuckle that echoed through the library. “He won’t, but I will try.”
“Diaglo, you know the dangers of using this book? The spell you cast will tie your own soul to a stone, You realize that right?”
Diaglo sighed. “I do, Elarian and I have discussed this. There is no other option. I always knew I was on borrowed time before I would need to yield to the voices in my head.”
Renaldo nodded. “You are willing to do this then?
“Nexus must be shattered.”
