After taking a two-day break, Deneve and Lord Red made their way back to the Cokro Chamber. Thanks to Lord Red, Deneve learned the spell to herself down the significant drop. He looked a bit disappointed as they floated down the deep chasm. 

“Why the face?” Deneve asked curiously as they passed through the corridor, heading further into the depths.

Lord Red shook his head. “I’m silly.” He admitted. “But I kind of like how we did it the first time.”

Deneve chuckled, “How so?”

“Probably better if I stay silent,” He decided, averting his gaze.

 This caused Deneve to chuckle again as they walked into Cokro Chamber. She worried that she might start to feel ill again. But since the Black Spirit had his home, they were both fine. Now that the Kibelius Spear was complete, the slot in the ancient artifact made sense. Deneve pushed the Spear into place, and the artifact opened, revealing a slate with writing. 

“What is it?” Lord Red asked curiously.

Deneve was silent as she read the ancient script. “It’s Edana’s Slate.” She finally replied.

“Edana?” He said thoughtfully, “He was one of the ancients, right? Head of the Kabau tribe?

Deneve nodded before adding, “Said to be the first to overcome his ego. Supposedly he died and was buried under black stones. He came back to life to live a second life, as it were. But when he died at the end of this second awakened lifespan, he was gone for good.”

Use the device in the back. We need to go to another place. Blackie instructed.

“Seems we need to do more traveling,” Deneve smirked, reaching for Lord Red’s hand.

He gazed at Deneve curiously but didn’t resist as they walked over to one of the devices in the room. Deneve touched the device, and they heard a whoosh as everything blurred. When they opened their eyes, they were in another chamber.

I remember this place, go to the dais.

Deneve looked at Lord Red as she squeezed his hand. “You ready?”
He looked down at her with a smile. “Of course.”

They stepped on the dais, and once they were in the middle. It began to rise. Deneve wobbled for a moment. Lord Red gently caught hold of her elbow to steady her. They entered the room above them and saw a large circular alcove above them. 

Deneve had seen these types of large alcoves in the Cokro Chamber area before. In fact, they were so large that she and Lord Red had climbed into one out of curiosity. This one was different. The runes on the outside were lit up, and it looked as though something was inside.

That was when they saw it. Something moved from inside. From the bottom of the alcove, a skeletal arm danced out. It was long and had a rocky similar to the other ancient machines they had seen.
They both watched in awe as the hand planted itself firmly on the ground.

Another limb appeared as the creature undulated gracefully in a full circle. The new leg looked like a single claw or leg. As it fixed itself to the ground, two more legs appeared and settled as well. The creature’s body was hard to see in the darkened room, but the runes on the body, face, and legs were lit up brightly.

“You have finally come.” It said in a booming voice.
Deneve looked over to see if Lord Red could hear it as well. By the look on his face, she could say with certainty that he could.

“The descendant of our king,” The voice continued. “O, great one …Destiny shall guide me.” 

Deneve looked up at the creature, bewildered. “What do you mean?”
As if the beast was sensing Deneve’s confusion, it said, “My apologies, I have been guarding this place since the time of the first king of Valencia. I am a bit eager to talk. Perhaps I should explain first.”

“Please,” Deneve asked politely.

Plush pillows appeared before them as the creature gestured for them to make themselves comfortable. “I am Edana’s Guardian. As I had mentioned, I have been guarding this gate since his time. Before the time of Edana, the black stone fell from the sky with meteorites onto Valencia. Much of this black stone was shattered, which caused red dust to be spread about the country.”

May I? Deneve smiled as Garzar made its presence known.

 “Ah, I see you know this part of the story already,” the Guardian nodded at Garzar. “Animals started running wild, and people did as well. Some went mad, many perished.” The Guardian explained. “Some woke up to the meteorite explosions found themselves in an unknown place. Their single thought was to find Black Stone.”

“But why?” Deneve queried, tilting her head.

“It is because they are Guardians of the black stone. Once the spirit attaches itself to a host, they use that host to find their way home. If they cannot find a host, they are absorbed into any black stones that are nearby, thus in their own way dying. However, if a host is present, they will attach themselves to the host, as you well know.” It said.

“So what happens to someone like Garzar or me who have had this ‘specter’ with them for longer?” Deneve asked.

The Guardian taps its hand for a moment before answering. “You are awakened. The black spirit is awakened and found its home. In your case, you and the spirit exist in both present and past. You have become one as an Ancient.”

“And Garzar?” Deneve pressed. 

“Since Garzar was a part of you when you awakened, so did the spirit within the dragon.” The Guardian answered. “It just wanted to come with you or perhaps wanted confirmation.”

Deneve looked at Garzar as the dragon lifted the corners of her mouth in some semblance of a wry smile. “It seems I have been outed.” 

“So, what does this mean?” Deneve probed.

“I see you still don’t quite understand.” The Guardian said kindly. “You are our leader, an ancient man…well woman. I would not be able to animate if you weren’t one of the ancients already. We owe our existence to you. Don’t ever forget that.”

“Wait, are there no other ancients?” She asked.

The Guardian shook his head. “There are a few descendants of ancients who still exist. They work to keep the power of the ancient artifacts out of the hands of those who would do wrong with them. But the only living ancient is you.”

Deneve stood up, and Lord Red followed as Garzar vanished.

“You have much work ahead of you,” The Guardian cautioned, “Just like the great Edana did. You will use and control the black power to enlighten the unenlightened. We will meet again.”

“I understand,” Deneve stated as she took Lord Red’s hand and started walking to the back of the chamber. 

“I will send you back now,” The Guardian said as the room blurred. 

Once everything came into focus, they found themselves back in the Cokro Chamber. They made their way out of there and into one of the larger rooms when Edan met. 

“I thought I might find you here,” he says worriedly. “I had entered the chamber to find the relic gone.”

“It’s not gone,” Deneve stated. “I have it.”

“Would you be willing to give it to the secret guards?” Edan asked hopefully.

“I was supposed to give it to the King of Valencia, as he thought it was some strange key. Then the Aakman, Atosa made it very clear that this is not just Edana’s slate. It is a halidom, and that I was to keep it.” Deneve stated.

Edan nodded, “but what of the other issues.”

“What issue?” Deneve asked. 

“The hunger of the black spirit,” Edan replied. “And the king’s request.”
Blackie was a bit agitated by Edan’s attitude, decided to materialize. Edan jumps in surprise at the sudden appearance of the spirit in his awakened form. “As you can see Blackie isn’t an issue. You might want to stop perpetuating the idea that having a black spirit is some sin you have to be absolved of. My soul does not need to be cleansed. In fact, these spirits are the reason there can be living ancients today. By expunging the spirits from the people, you are in effect killing the Ancients.”

Edan blinked a few times and then sat down. “You are an….ancient. I can feel the pull on my mind as I am a descendant of Edana. I believe you.” 

“So, what do we do?” He asked.

“I have an idea of what to do with the slate, but we need to find a way to appease the Valencian Royal Family,” Deneve said firmly. “I know this slate is powerful, and everyone will want it. I will put it somewhere safe.” 

With that, she shimmered and disappeared, leaving both Edan and Lord Red in shock. A few minutes later, she reappeared as if nothing happened. Lord Red realized she had moved the slate from one world to another with less than a finger snap.

Edan didn’t understand that, though, so he asked, “Will it be safe?” 

Deneve nodded, “I put it in a place where it will appear to be an innocuous stone tablet.”

 “That works for me. Having to guard a bunch of powerful relics is hard when there are so few of us to do it,” Edan said with a smirk. “However, I do have a favor to ask of you. I was wondering if you could share your journey to subdue… I mean, awaken the black spirit. You see, Era has been afflicted.”

“Speak to the Aakmans. I suggest Atosa he may be able to guide you,” Deneve informed him.

“Thanks,” Edan said gratefully as he stood up. “Here,” He reached into his pocket to pull out a very ornate key. “I was going to barter this fake key for the slate, but use it as you see fit.”