Together you creep down the staircase, Talik and Rek as the Fire Mages leading the way with small flames in their palms. You come out in a dusty room, cluttered with tattered documents and books.
"This existed here ... all this time?" Maeka asks breathlessly.
A mural stretches across the far wall, familiar symbols painted on its surface. "Those are the same markings that are on the artifact," Talik says, her eyes wide behind her mask. "The ones for the four elements."
The mural is a stunning piece of ancient art, depicting the elemental forces in vivid detail. Flames dance with lifelike intensity, water flows and churns, air swirls with invisible power, and earth stands solid and unyielding. The intricate design seems to pulse with a hidden energy, hinting at the profound knowledge and skill of the Voek, the legendary race from Solean lore known for their mastery of elemental magic and complex machinery.
Alster rifles through some of the books and papers. "Maybe there's a clue around here," the Healer says.
Kiva turns toward the mural, then clears away rolls of parchment covering what you thought was just another desk. A pedestal sits underneath, an indentation and a message etched on its surface.
"I remember this handwriting," he says. "This is Ky's signature." He begins to read. "If you've found this, you've been entrusted by the Voek. Know this: The greatest power of our island lies below the sister mountains. Use it wisely, lest it destroy. Beware of Power. Only one who's true of heart may open the path to seek its source."
"Clearly that's the Air Mages." Aerka steps forward, shoving her hand on the pedestal. But nothing happens. One after another, the Mage leaders place their hand, but there's no reaction. You watch the mage leaders and think to yourself how unadult they seem at times. You imagined as you were growing up that these great leaders were perfect, like your parents, but as you aged you saw there many flaws and you even began to see yourself as their equal in many ways.
Maeka is the last to try. No sooner do her fingertips graze the pedestal's surface that you hear the heavy scraping of a door opening. All four elements on the mural glow, shining brighter until Maeka is engulfed in light.
Draw, Paint, Clip and paste or collage the mural described in the Message from Ky. Add your art to Thy Quests.
Next: E3Q3 Key to the Island