As you walked the streets from the Arch Gate to the statue of Ky the citizens of Kath lined the streets, they mumbled things as you passed by, gave you disapproving looks. "These are your people and this is your city, what is going on? you thought. Maeka waited at the foot of the Statue of Ky. She stood arms crossed and legs wide in a stance that was unwelcoming. She declared to the gathered crowd that these two mages were a danger to the Mage tribe and to the city of Kath. She told the curious onlookers that she would be speaking against you today to lay out your crimes before the city and all of magedom, she was accusing you of time travel code violations: unauthorized use of temporal artifacts, endangering the timeline, and altering historical events without approval.

Shocked as you stood before the assembly, Maeka's voice rang out, aggressive and accusatory. "These young mages, in their youth and inexperience, have made grave judgment errors, they follow their whims to serve selfish purposes, traveled the islands manufacturing crises and problems that they say only they could solve to aggrandize themselves. Used mage powers for their own advancement and sullied the name of mages across Solea. She went on to declare that other tribes had sent riders and sent a written denunciation of  you and Talik, Haden, Alster, and Drue for endangering all history." She continued her tirade, building in fury and anger and then she mentioned how you had vanquished the water warrior with those powers that you weren't trained to use yet.

Talik leaned over and whispered, "That didn't happen in the current timeline. It was after you reappeared. I think Maeka is compromised. I think it's Delrona."

Your heart raced as you raised your voice. "This is not Maeka! I believe she is an imposter. I ask to be allowed to prove it."

The assembly murmured, and the chief mages—Caska, Aerka, and Rek—looked between each other. Sensing the truth, as they had witnessed and almost unhinged denunciation from Maeka who was typically the peacemaker of the city and known for her serenity.  Maeka refused to allow it but they nodded and said, "let them speak." 

Thinking quickly you said, "I don't believe that is Maeka and I have a test that can prove it."

"Very well," Caska said. "What is your test?"

You stepped forward, your voice clear. "How many stories tall were the towers of Alderat?"

Maeka's eyes narrowed. She hesitated. "What does this have to do with anything?"

"Answer the question," you pressed.

"The towers of Alderat were... twenty..." she faltered.

"Twenty-five," you finished for her. "It's in the Tome of Knowledge and Maeka helped write the entry for that fact in the Tome of Knowledge, so you are not Maeka."

Maeka didn't answer. She looked trapped, trying to talk her way out of it with more accusations. But the chief mages, sensing the truth, drew on their powers. The ground trembled as Rek summoned the power of earth, winds whipped around Aerka, and water swirled in Caska's hands.

"Reveal yourself, Delrona!" Aerka commanded.

In an instant, Maeka's form twisted and changed, revealing the sinister visage of Delrona. Chaos erupted as people scattered. The three elder mages engaged Delrona in a battle of elemental powers, earth, air, and water clashing against her dark magic.

Talik stood by your side, her eyes fierce. "We have to help them!"

You nodded, joining the fray. Delrona was powerful, but the combined strength of the elder mages was overwhelming. As the battle raged on, you could see the tide turning. Rek's earth barriers held strong, Aerka's winds kept Delrona off balance, and Caska's water attacks wore her down.

Finally, with a final, desperate surge, the elder mages combined their powers. The ground, air, and water converged on Delrona, binding her in place in a slurry of material that quickly hardened into a concrete like encasement. The people in the square, seeing the mages' success, joined in, lending their own powers to the effort.

In the end, Delrona was securely bound, her power contained and finally at an end. The scene quieted as the mages began to tidy up the square. You stood with Talik, breathing heavily but victorious.

Caska approached you, her expression softened. "You were right. We owe you an apology."

Talik grinned, squeezing your shoulder. "Looks like we're not just famous, we're heroes too."

Rek nodded in agreement. "Your bravery and quick thinking saved us all." 

"Well, I know one thing, it pays to read," you laughed and Talik mimed you reading your Tome of Knowledge. 

As you looked around at the gathered mages and the statue of Ky, you felt a sense of peace. The journey had been long and difficult, but in the end, you had proven your worth and safeguarded the future of Solea.

"Now, home Talik! My mom is expecting us and will have stew and rice ready for us. Boy, do I have some stories to tell!" You laughed,  grabbed Talik by the hand and disappeared into the alleyways of the greatest city in Solea. 

The End