The Third Tower, housing the Dark Library, stood ominously against the gray sky. The journey from Tower Two had been uneventful, but the foreboding feeling from Alster's dream clung to each of you like a heavy shroud. The Dark Tower itself was an intimidating sight, covered in a thick layer of black mold that gave off an unsettling, musty smell. The walls were windowless and clammy to the touch, exuding an air of abandonment and decay.

As you approached, Talik cast fire to nearby torches, their flickering flames casting eerie shadows on the tower's exterior. The light revealed a set of narrow stairs leading upward. You hesitated briefly before starting the climb, the sense of dread growing stronger with each step.

At the top, you entered a circular room filled with bookcases, both around the walls and in concentric circles in the center. The books seemed ancient, their spines worn and titles faded. In the dim light, you noticed a Sprite, Librus, guarding the entrance. His eyes narrowed as he took in your group.

"Halt!" Librus demanded. "You cannot enter here without the pass of the Elders or a key from Mister Minz."

You quickly explained your quest, detailing the support of the Woman of Light and Elder Tharah. As you spoke, Librus' stern demeanor softened, recognizing the gravity of your mission and the threat posed by the Witch of the Water. 

"Very well," Librus said. "Give me the scroll you carry. Its secrets to the control of teleportation will be safe here. We are glad that you have brought it here. Mister Minz sent word that there was a theft at the Library of the Arcanum a few months ago and that this is now the most secure location for all our important documents, you know we are quite isolated here, it is very safe."

You are surprised to here of the theft, " What has taken?" asked Alster. 

"At first they thought that the entire collection of remnants from Book of Lyt was stolen but in their haste to escape the thieves only  made off with a page from the text.  That book holds the secretst to many powers that remain unopen to us to this day and it is considered very valuable for its historic and magical value. Enough said about that the rest of the pages are safe and this scroll will likewise be protected here. Before you leave here you will need to read the Book of Kiva. It contains secrets about the power of a shield crystal that can work in reverse. Find it. Read it. I will take this scroll to the Vault."

You began searching the shelves and after some time your eyes finally fall on a plain, unassuming volume: The Book of Kiva: Dark Secrets. The title could have been a little less conspicuous you thought but you guess it's serving a purpose, almost deliberately so. Gathering around, Haden began to read aloud.

"The crystals," Haden mumbled, her finger flicking through chapters and pages, "Crystals can change... " she mumbles to herself, "there are some unusual behaviour...... never encase a crystal in carbon...I'll have to come back to that one... shield crystals have certain powers...fire will allow... Ah ha, here. A shield crystal, when held by a pure warrior after a full charge, can be emptied of its entire contents in a reversal of immense outflow of power. The energy is so powerful that only with the support of a second warrior can it be released."

You pondered this information, counting silently in your head before speaking aloud. "Two warriors for the crystal, one healer to do the fire incantation, one mage to use the light darts, and two of us are going to die! And we have to defeat the Witch of the Water... I don't feel good about any of this! You realise that Drue will have to be the second warrior?"

The others looked at you with a mixture of concern and determination. Drue placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder.

"We'll find a way," he said. "We have to."

Librus helped you copy down the instructions, and together you discussed how this might work. The weight of your mission pressed heavily on you, but with each passing moment, the resolve of your group strengthened.

"We'll need to be precise," Talik said, her voice steady. "There's no room for error."

Haden nodded. "We have each other's backs. We can do this."

As you finalized your plans, the sense of dread began to lift, replaced by a fierce determination. The Witch of the Water was powerful, but you had a plan, and together, you would see it through and protect the Solean Archipelago.

Two warriors holding a tool that allows a flow of energy from a lava river towards its target. What does that image remind you of in the real world? Describe it in Thy Quests to continue.

Next: E8Q2 Tower Five