Dawn on Gaelius brought not calm, but a sense of unease. As the group returned to their temporary shelter, the city streets seemed different: quieter, almost as if the city itself were holding its breath after the events in the bunker. The words of the Guardian of the Balance continued to echo in their minds: "You have upset the balance."
A Necessary Respite
At the hotel, Kael slumped in a chair, checking his equipment while muttering to himself. "Viktor's device was more than just advanced technology... It was directly connected to the Tree. If it was designed to catalyze its power, what other secrets could it be hiding?"
Aria walked to the window, looking out at the empty streets. "It's not just the Tree. It's the whole world that seems to be changing. The Guardian's presence means something bigger is afoot, something we can't quite grasp."
Akihiko, sitting on the ground with his katana resting on his legs, finally spoke. "If we want to protect this world, we must know everything about the Tree. Not just its fruits or its connection to the mafias, but its origin."
Aria turned to him, nodding. "Then we need someone who knows its history. Someone who's been researching the Tree longer than we have."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "That won't be easy. Most of those who knew anything about the Tree have disappeared or are closely guarding their secrets. But if anyone has answers, they're probably in the Shadow Archive."
A Search for Answers
The group decided to search for information in a hidden library known as the Shadow Archive, a place where mafias stored old documents related to the Tree of Eden. Getting there wouldn't be easy, as it was hidden deep in Dmitri Volkov's territory.
"Dmitri won't let us in," Kael warned as he adjusted his defense bracelet. "He's known for protecting his resources with an iron fist."
"Then we won't ask permission," Akihiko replied. "We'll just go in and grab what we need before they notice."
"You'd better have a plan for that," Aria countered, crossing her arms. "We can't afford any mistakes."
The Hidden Library
The Shadow Archive was located in the deepest levels of a seemingly ordinary building, a facade that concealed its true nature. Getting there required evading guards, disabling advanced security systems, and dodging deadly traps, something Kael demonstrated his ingenuity in.
"This is impressive," he muttered as he disabled a laser system. "Dmitri really doesn't skimp on protection."
The group moved forward cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the dark hallways. Finally, they reached a massive door with carvings depicting branches and fruit. Aria reached out a hand, feeling the energy emanating from the door.
"This is linked to the Tree," he whispered. "It's like it protects more than just knowledge."
When they finally managed to open the door, they found themselves in a vast room filled with bookshelves that reached to the ceiling. Ancient books, manuscripts, and artifacts were meticulously arranged.
Aria carefully scanned the shelves, her fingers brushing the spines of the books. "There's centuries of information here. But we need to focus on something specific: the origin of the Tree."
Kael found a terminal connected to a database. "If I can hack into this, I could find references quickly. Give me a moment."
While Kael worked, Akihiko watched the entrance. He knew they didn't have much time before they were discovered. "We have to move quickly. We don't know how long it will take them to notice our presence."
The Revelation
Kael finally accessed a file titled "Lux Aeterna and the First Fruit." She opened it, projecting a hologram showing ancient illustrations and text written in a forgotten language.
Aria translated some of the parts. "The Tree of Eden is not of this world... It was brought here as a bridge between dimensions. Every fruit it produces is a piece of that bridge, a tool to connect our reality with something else. But it's also a door... and not all doors lead to safe places."
Akihiko frowned. "What does that mean?"
Kael continued reading. "The Lux Aeterna isn't just a fruit. It's the core fragment, the one that controls the entire Tree. If it falls into the wrong hands, it could unleash forces our reality couldn't contain."
A sound of footsteps interrupted their conversation. "We have company," Akihiko warned, readying his katana.
A Dangerous Escape
Dmitri's guards had discovered their intrusion and were rapidly advancing toward the library. The group had no choice but to fight as they tried to escape with the data.
Kael used a device to create a diversion, releasing a cloud of smoke that gave them time to escape. Aria covered their retreat with barriers, blocking the guards' fire, while Akihiko led the way, eliminating any enemies who stood in their way.
In a moment of tension, one of the guards triggered a trap that closed the exits, trapping them in a narrow corridor. Kael, with his ingenuity, managed to overload the security system, unlocking an escape route.
Finally, they managed to escape the building and disappear into the streets of Gaelius. The adrenaline was still pumping through their veins when they reached safety.
Reflections
While reviewing the information they had gathered, the group reflected on what they had discovered.
"The Tree isn't just a power-giver," Aria said. "It's a dangerous tool, one that should never have fallen into human hands."
Akihiko looked toward the horizon, where the sun was beginning to set. "Then we can't allow the Lux Aeterna to fall into the wrong hands. If it's the key to all of this, we have to make sure no one uses it to open that door."
Kael, with a tired smile, replied, "Looks like the real game has just begun."
The group knew their path would be more dangerous than ever. But they also knew they couldn't turn back. The fate of the Tree of Eden, and possibly the world, was in their hands.