Rot Heart: A LitRPG of Rot Magic in an Ancient World (Book 1 completed)

"You brought me an interesting character, Terebus," Emerios said with a smile.

Terebus's eyes shone. "I don't know what you're talking about. Those four are under the protection of Trabine."

"What do you want?"

"There's nothing you have that I would desire," Terebus laughed. "When you've lived as long as I have, you need to find pleasure in the little things."

Panos, rubbing his brow, interrupted the conversation. "Terebus, please stop."

"Ah," the old man spat. "Look at you, always worrying over nothing. He would have found out sooner or later. Look at the boy. He looks just like his uncle."

He stared into Emerios' eyes. "But of course, this young man isn't a member of your clan, so you won't cause trouble for him in my lands."

Smiling thinly, Emerios said, "Naturally, I'm simply happy to meet a long-lost relative. I'll be sure to return with an appropriate reward for these four young heroes."

With those words, Emerios turned on his heels and left the hall, leaving the door open behind him.

Terebus sighed and waved his hand, using a flick of magic to close the door.

Silence followed.

Div stared at the door, muscles tense.

Terebus let out a slow breath. "That went about as well as it could have."

Panos nodded. "Indeed, Emerios is too prideful, we're lucky he's the one leading the Kheironite army here."

Div hadn't moved since Emerios left. His stomach was tight, his breath short. The man's words—he looks just like his uncle—echoed in his head. His fists clenched. He knew what Basil looked like, how every eye was drawn to him, how he exuded confidence and power.

He was nothing like him.

He swallowed hard. "Why did you expose me?"

While Emerios hadn't done anything yet, knowing his old clan, it was just a matter of time.

Terebus turned to him. "Div, do you really think you can stay in Trabine without Emerios finding out who you are?"

"Terebus used this opportunity to show him you were under our protection," Panos added. "You bringing back the cursed artifact is a great contribution, we will not allow you to suffer from it."

Div was relieved. It didn't completely assuage his worries, and he was still anxious about interacting with Kheironite soldiers, but at least there were people on his side.

"As for you, Dana," Terebus continued. "It is not my intention to put myself between you and your commanders. If you run into trouble with your hierarchy because of what happened today, do reach out to us. We'll do our best to help you."

Dana stiffened, caught off guard by the offer. A pause. Then she nodded. "Understood."

While she didn't appreciate them using her for political leverage, it was a minor issue compared to what would happen if her actions toward the Thesios clan's hoplites were discovered.

Div looked at her, concern etched on his face. There wasn't much he could do, but he was concerned their friendship would become a problem for her.

Terebus and Panos took the four of them to an empty house on the outskirts of the village. Perched on a hill, Trabine was well protected.

The path to the outskirts was steep, and the late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the stone walls of Trabine. From up here, they could see the river winding far below.

The outer defenses were impressive. Multilayered walls etched with enchantments that shimmered faintly in the light. It reminded Div of the wall of trees protecting Camboaci, except this was no spirit. This was deliberate, precise. Manmade.

Div's breath caught in his throat. There was so much he didn't know: rituals, formations, enchantments, entire schools of magic beyond his reach.

But, while he could fantasize about learning everything, he knew better than to split his focus too much. He barely had enough time to explore rot magic. Maybe if he ascended and gained centuries of lifespan, he would consider branching out.

"There," Terebus said, unlocking the house's door. "It's not much, but with all the refugees streaming in, we don't have enough accommodations for everyone. This is one of my personal properties, you can stay there for now. That applies to you as well, Dana."

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Dana nodded. "Thank you, but I should report to the Kheironite camp."

"You should, but it will have to wait until we properly reward you," Terebus said. "And, of course, until Emerios fulfills his part of the agreement."

Stepping inside the house, Div was surprised to see it was completely empty. It was small, only a single room. They would have to find kindling for the hearth, procure bedding, and other essentials.

"Better than sleeping in the wilds," Lugsellos said with a shrug.

Gennorina placed Suce's pebble on the windowsill and the spirit rushed in. The lifeforce drain couldn't reach them inside the village's magical wards. They were finally safe.

"Alright," Terebus said. "You leave your bags here, and Panos will take you to the library. Lugsellos, you come with me."

"Why?" Lugsellos asked.

"We need to talk about your skills."

"Elder Terebus…" Div started, ready to defend his friend.

But the old man waved him off. "Nothing will happen to him."

"Don't worry Div," Lugsellos said, patting his shoulder. "I think I know what he wants."

Terebus chuckled. "Mind readers have a way to get on my nerves. Let's go."

Div, Gennorina, and Dana followed Elder Panos to the village's library. The elder was walking fast, they barely had time to remember the way back to their house.

"I know it feels rushed. But I'll just show you the way and introduce you to the librarian. Everyone is overworked with the preparations for war."

"We understand, Elder Panos," Gennorina said. "We're grateful you took the time for us."

Panos sighed. "It's less than you deserve. The artifact could prove decisive in the war. You'd gain access to our library sooner or later if you settle in Trabine."

"Still," Div said. "We appreciate your help."

Panos walked ahead of them, soon reaching a small wooden building. Located on the upper sections of the village, it was barely larger than an outhouse.

"Is this the library?" Div asked. He didn't see how books could fit inside such a small space. It wasn't even large enough to allow more than one person inside.

Panos smiled. "It is. Not the most impressive yet, but Terebus was very impressed by his visit to Hyeshut and started this project a few centuries ago. We're still far from the great library, but you should find a few things up your alley."

Div exchanged a look with his friends.

But before he could express his doubts, Panos pulled the door open, revealing a flight of stairs swirling down into the belly of the hill. The walls were lit by fireless torches, clearly mana-powered.

Panos chuckled. "It always gets them. We figured books were better stored underground. Safer from fire, easier to enchant."

The torches cast flickering shadows along the stone stairwell as the three descended in silence, following Elder Panos. Each step took them deeper into the heart of the hill, the temperature gradually dropping, the air thickening with the scent of parchment and old dust. The walls were smooth, carved carefully from the mountain's stone.

They reached the bottom. Before them stood a wooden door, reinforced with bronze and carved with spiraling symbols—wards, no doubt. Panos didn't bother knocking. He pushed it open with a grunt and stepped aside, gesturing them in.

The room inside was vast, though crowded with shelves upon shelves filled with books, parchments, papyri, and tablets. Div's breath hitched at the sight. The ceiling arched high overhead, supported by wide stone columns etched with softly glowing runes.

"This is incredible…" Gennorina whispered, wide-eyed.

Dana, ever composed, gave a slow nod. "It's better protected than I expected."

Panos cleared his throat. "You'll find this place has layers. Oerix will guide you. Be respectful."

"Who's Oerix?" Div asked.

"You'll see."

As if summoned by the name, a figure emerged from behind one of the closer shelves. Thin, tall, and impossibly pale, with long limbs and a strange, fluid grace to his movement. Robes draped around him in layers of grey and dark blue, covered in ink stains and dust. His hair was the color of paper left too long in the sun. His eyes were calm like a bottomless pond.

"Oerix," Panos said. "Our guests."

The librarian tilted his head. "I heard you arrive. The stairs are loud."

His voice was androgynous, soft but deliberate.

"Oerix manages the entire library," Panos explained. "You'll find no better guide in this place."

Div stepped forward. "Thank you for having us."

Oerix sniffed the air near him. Div froze. After a moment, the librarian straightened.

"Rot magic. Unstable. Rare." They paused. "Promising."

Div wasn't sure whether to thank them or not.

"Follow," Oerix said, turning on their heel and walking deeper into the stacks. "You will begin with the catalog. Then you will tell me what you think you want to learn. Then I will tell you what you should learn."

Div shared a glance with the others. "Well," he muttered, "at least he's direct."

Panos gave a rare smile. "Good luck. I'll leave you to it. Make the most of this."

With that, he turned and made his way back up the stairs, the sound of his footsteps quickly swallowed by the vault's silence.

Oerix stopped at a desk that seemed to grow from the floor itself, made of fused stone and embedded with shifting glyphs.

"This is the index. A fantastical piece of enchantment drawing on multiple attunements to catalogue every single work we own."

The librarian paused.

"Can we read anything we want?" Div asked. He was starting to hope that they would have something on rot magic. With that many books, and this level of magical mastery, they had to. Right?

"Of course not," Oerix shook his head, amused. "Papyri are too fragile to let you put your coarse hands on them. You're limited to the languages you can read, and, of course, some knowledge is restricted."

"Then, what can we access?" Dana asked.

"Tell me, and I shall guide you."