"Here we are". Hamilton opened the massive oak doors. Hilda ignoring his lackluster tone stepped past him and soon enough was standing in the center of one of the most guarded vaults in all of Elyria.
"It's a lot bigger than I remembered". She thought, staring at the stone walls decorated with several inlaid vaults sealed off by magical iron chains that gave off an eerie red glow. "Are the rumors true? Hilda asked her counterpart.
"What rumors? Hamilton asked, his eyes still observing Hilda's every move as though she was some kind of thief.
"The ones about these chains being forged from the blood of some ancient beasts". Hilda's fingers rested on a vault.
"I'm not so sure". Hamilton replied. "Besides, the story does help deter most thieves".
"How would anyone even think of breaking in here? Hilda shook her head at the foolishness of people from this generation. Even before she stepped here, Hilda could already sense the immense amount of mana crisscrossing each of those vaults".
The kind that would make the poisoning she used on Davon look like some sort of joke.
"Elves have really come far". Hilda remarked, taking her eyes up a bit to stare at some bigger vaults adorning the ceilings.
"You can say that again". Hamilton beamed with pride.
"However,". Hilda chuckled. "It seems we humans still outrank you in our sense of aesthetics".
"How so?" Hamilton asked, suddenly getting angry again.
"Humans would have probably arranged these vaults on beautiful shelves; each being watched over by a selected group of caretakers.
Hamilton huffed. "This is a vault room; a place set aside for the safe keeping of dangerous and priceless artifacts that could result in great calamities if ever broken out.
"Besides". He continued with a raised eyebrow. "The vaults don't need caretakers because apart from now.
Hilda met Hamilton's glare with a grin.
"Nobody has ever tried to remove any of these dangerous items". He added.
"There must always be a first for everything, don't you think? Hilda's low laughter echoed against the inlaid vaults.
"Whatever". Hamilton rolled his eyes. "Follow me, we only have an hour before they return". Hilda noticed a slight tinge of fear in Hamilton's voice.
"They? She couldn't help but ask.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you anything relating to that". Hamilton briefly said, suddenly walking forward in order to avoid further conversation.
"Interesting". Hilda's eyes closed shut.
"I knew there was something suspicious about her". Hamilton took a quick glance and couldn't help but shiver at the vast amount of mana emanating from someone who was supposed to be at the same rank as him.
"SO, these are the 'they' ". Hilda couldn't help but smile, her golden eyes settling on the crimson threads swirling above them.
Another look at the ceilings confirmed her suspicions. "The fabled invisible guardians".
"Though it seems their runes haven't been activated". Hilda searched her memories for the last time she had seen these magical creatures.
Inferior wraiths as their name implied were false wraiths, created by a forbidden ritual involving archaic runes, an elven corpse and finally a conduit; which in most cases was a vampire mana core preserved by another ancient technique that Hilda hadn't yet fully understood.
"No wonder they hadn't bothered putting any physical security measures in place". Hilda's scholarly side couldn't help but take another look. "Which would have just been a waste". She concluded.
"After all these inferior wraiths, with their ability to remain invisible to all five senses are more than enough". Hilda couldn't help but wonder if apart from her and the Supremes, whether any other person on this forever realm could have the ability to notice these marvels of rune mastery.
"Even Hamilton might only be able to notice traces of their presence".
Normally she would have loved to study the runes of these ancient contraptions but alas duty called.
"Where is it?" She asked Hamilton.
There was no reply from Hamilton who simply pointed upwards at one of those massive vaults adorning the upper walls of the dwarven stone walls.
"How exactly are you going to get it? Hilda asked just out of necessity though she already had an idea of what was needed to release those mana chains.
"That my dear comrade". Hamilton smirked, "Is another secret which I can't afford to share with you.
"So, if you could just be a dear and turn around". Hamilton's hands made a circling gesture, knowing fully well that Hilda could still use a whole lot of spells to see how he unsealed the crimson chains.
"Don't worry". Hilda fought hard to hide the disgust and impatience rising up to her face. "Call me when you're done".
"I will make sure this is the last time the Sun ever admits someone form the Elyrian royal family int the Sun". Hilda stepped out of the stone hall just briefly.
"It is done". A certain voice sounded in her head.
"Took you long enough". Hilda pranced in with confidence.
"Hopefully this will be the last time the Sun makes me do something of this nature". Hamilton took in a deep breath, bringing Hilda's attention to the black box in his hands.
"Do not fret comrade". Hilda chuckled. "The Sun shall forever be in your debt".
"Now, hand it over". A feral grin crept onto her lips.
"Sure? Hamilton couldn't help but wonder why Hilda seemed so passionate about such a simple task.
"Unless". Hamilton shook away that thought. "After all, she was with the golden quill".
"Wasn't she?
"I guess that will be all". Hilda tucked the book into her sleeve and was out of the vault without so much as a goodbye.
"Perhaps it's time I inform Alicia about this". Hamilton rubbed his chin, walking after Hilda with slow calculated steps….
A few minutes later and Hilda was finally out of the Elyrian royal castle. "Let's hope that idiot manages to keep his mouth shut about all this".
"I think it's time for a good old reunion". Hilda caressed the black box a little, her eyes shining for a brief second before like the rest of her body it disappeared, leaving not a single trace.
Hamilton's mouth remained wide open in shock as he watched Hilda's exit.
"Did I just do something really bad? Hamilton couldn't help but gulp and in a second, he too disappeared, heading for answers to all the unspoken questions bothering his mind.