With a sense of purpose, Michael entered the Runemasters Guild. The interior was a spacious hall with high ceilings, adorned with enchanting runes etched into the marble walls, which pulsed with a soft, ethereal glow. In the center of the hall, groups of orcs huddled around thick books, engrossed in deep discussions about runic magic.
As he made his way further inside, Michael noticed a series of portraits hanging on the walls. They depicted great orc runemasters from different eras, as well as a few distinguished elves who had contributed to the guild's history. Each portrait was a testament to the rich legacy of the guild and the powerful knowledge it held.
Not wanting to waste any time, Michael approached a counter where a young female orc with sharp, intelligent eyes stood. He politely inquired, "I'm here to meet Runemaster Gilrut."
The young orc, whose nameplate read "Eshka," looked at Michael curiously. "May I have your name, please?"
Michael replied smoothly, "John."
Eshka nodded and gave him a warm smile. "Very well, Young Master John. Runemaster Gilrut is expecting you on the second floor. Take the stairs to your right, and you'll find his chamber at the end of the hallway."
Michael expressed his gratitude with a nod and followed Eshka's directions, ascending the stairs to meet Gilrut and Vedora.
Upon reaching the second floor, Michael found himself standing in front of a wooden door adorned with intricate runes and designs.
"Come in," He knocked, and a deep, resonant voice from within instructed him to enter.
Pushing the door open, Michael stepped into the chamber. It was a room filled scrolls and books with a fireplace in the corner. In the center of the chamber, Vedora, coiled itself gracefully atop a jade table.
Behind the table sat Runemaster Gilrut. His piercing gaze locked onto Michael as he entered.
Gilrut frowned deeply and began, "Do you know anything about the robbery that occurred in Eden's Garden?"
Michael, wearing an expression of polite curiosity, shrugged casually. "Robbery in Eden's Garden? I had no idea,"
His response seemed genuinely puzzled, as though he had no prior knowledge of the heist that had taken place in the realm's renowned alchemical sanctuary.
"Took you long enough," Ayag quipped as they flapped their tiny wings and perched on Michael's shoulder.
"We learned so much about our kind and the artificially bred hydras," Sarba added, their tone full of hope and excitement.
Michael gently nudged Sarba's tiny head before turning his attention back to Gilrut.
"Is everything ready?" Michael inquired.
"Yeah, I know you apparently have no idea what happened in Eden's Garden, but you still need to be careful. Just in case," Gilrut replied skeptically, his gaze suggesting that he didn't entirely believe Michael had no involvement in the recent heist.
Gilrut continued, "The portal gate is downstairs. I've set it up to open a gateway to the Runemasters Guild in Sagespire." Sagespire was the domain of Seshat, the Goddess of Wisdom.
"You're attending the Divine Towers auction, I assume?" Gilrut asked. Michael nodded in confirmation.
"It seems like several of my colleagues will also attend the event," Gilrut added with a hearty chuckle.
"Any idea what they're trying to buy?" Michael inquired.
Gilrut's laughter continued as he replied, "Everyone thinks we share everything, but the reality is, we only share after we finish a new rune or a project. Until then, we safeguard our research and everything related to it with our lives."
Michael knew that what the orcs were attempting to purchase was a secret. However, thanks to Pink's interactions with the runemasters while they were inebriated, they had learned that the orcs were seeking a particular book written by Seshat's angel, believed to contain deeper knowledge about the gods.
"I'll see for myself," Michael responded.
"I wish I could give you a token to enter the auction. But I don't have any. It seems like you need to get one. If I were you, I'd try buying one in the black market," Gilrut advised.
Michael nodded thoughtfully. He could have easily acquired a token from Vilnius, but he preferred to keep his whereabouts as secret as possible. Besides, he was confident in his ability to purchase a token in Sagespire.
As Michael followed Gilrut downstairs, they encountered a young female orc who wore round glasses perched on her nose. She had shoulder-length black hair, and her scholarly attire gave her an intellectual air.
"Ah, Gilrut, there you are," she said with close familiarity, a warm smile on her face. "Don't forget to come to the Temple of Norebo later this evening. We'll be discussing those runic enhancements."
Gilrut nodded in acknowledgment of their plans. The female orc then turned her attention to Michael and raised an eyebrow. "And who's this? A human friend, Gilrut? That's rather unusual."
Gilrut chuckled and patted Michael on the back. "This is John, the one who assisted me at the Rideon Funds."
Recognition flashed in the young orc's eyes. "You're the one who risked your life to save the hostages, aren't you?" Her voice held a tone of genuine gratitude. "Thank you for what you did."
Michael offered a polite smile. "It was the right thing to do. Nice to meet you."
Meeka pouted playfully, looking up at Gilrut. "You didn't introduce me to your friend, Gilrut. Don't be so stingy."
Gilrut sighed with an amused shake of his head. "My apologies, John. This is Meeka, a fellow runemaster. Meeka, meet John."
Meeka turned her attention back to Michael and gave him a sultry look. "Pleasure to meet you, John. Maybe I'll see you later." She added a suggestive wink before turning away, her departure filled with allure.
Gilrut bid farewell to Meeka and excused himself. As they continued their journey to the portal gate, Michael couldn't help but chuckle at the encounter. "Seems like you have some interesting friends, Gilrut."
The orc rune expert chuckled as well. "Meeka's one of a kind. She's a genius when it comes to runic enhancements, though. You'll see."
Ayag chuckled mischievously, flapping her tiny wings. "She practically threw you a 'do me' look,"
Sarba joined in, adding to the teasing. "Yeah, how would that even work? How does a human and an orc have... you know...?" Sarba trailed off, looking at Michael with a mischievous grin.
Cain chimed in, "If Gaya were here, she'd turn her into mincemeat for looking at you like that."
Gilrut overheard their conversation and asked, "Gaya? Do you mean the Goddess of Monsters?"
Michael sighed with a hint of nostalgia in his smile. "Yes, that's her."
Gilrut couldn't help but inquire further, "Do you miss her?"
Michael's smile remained, but there was a touch of sadness in his eyes as he replied simply, "Every day."
Finally, they arrived before a thick copper door adorned with intricate runes. Gilrut placed his hands on the door, causing the runes to light up with a soft, mystical glow. The copper door slowly creaked open, revealing a massive silver teleportation portal beyond it.
The silver frame of the portal was adorned with countless more runes, and a couple of orcs were busy working in the room, meticulously adjusting the magical machinery that powered the portal.
Michael's eyes were drawn to the centerpiece of the portal room: a giant purple Celestial crystal. It sat at the center of a glowing magical chakra, radiating an otherworldly energy that hummed with power.
Gilrut turned to Michael and said, "This portal will take you directly to Sagespire, the domain of Seshat. Remember, the Divine Towers Auction is a grand event, so stay vigilant."
As Michael stood there, a couple of young orcs approached Gilrut, greeting him with respect. One of them said, "Master Gilrut, everything is prepared as per your instructions."
Gilrut nodded and instructed the young orcs, "Activate the portal."
The young orcs turned their attention to Michael, looking slightly surprised but not daring to ask any questions. They hurried toward the portal and began drawing intricate runes in the air with their hands.
Michael sensed the energy fluctuations in the room intensify, and the giant Celestial crystal at the center of the portal channeled more power, glowing brighter and brighter. The runes on the silver frame surrounding the portal lit up one by one as a spatial vortex started forming within it.
Gilrut turned to Michael and said, "You can step into the vortex whenever you're ready. It will take you directly to the Sagespire Runemasters Guild. When you arrive, hand over this jade coin to whomever meets you on the other side. They will know you came from here."
Michael took the jade coin, his fingers brushing its cool surface.
"When you finish everything in Sagespire, you can use this coin to return here. But remember, if you lose this coin, they won't let you use the portal," Gilrut warned Michael.
Michael nodded, his steps deliberate as he approached the swirling portal. There was an unmistakable mix of excitement and trepidation in his gut, as if he were stepping into something of profound significance.
"Whatever you're going to do, I wish you the best of luck," Gilrut said with a warm smile.
Michael responded with a pat on Gilrut's shoulder, a gesture that left the young apprentices nearby curious about the identity of the man who seemed so familiar with the renowned runemaster.
"Take care, Gilrut. Don't get yourself killed," Michael quipped as they neared the portal.
He felt the portal's irresistible tug as he drew a deep breath, preparing to step through. Gilrut leaned closer, his voice softening.
"Take care, God of Darkness," Gilrut whispered. Michael offered a nod before disappearing into the swirling vortex, leaving the onlookers in awe and anticipation.
As Michael vanished into the swirling portal, he remained blissfully unaware that this would be the final time he'd set eyes on Gilrut. The future held an unforeseen, cruel twist for the runemaster, yet neither of them had any idea of the impending fate that would alter Gilrut's life forever.
With the uncertainty of what lay ahead, Michael embarked on this journey, determined to acquire something that could potentially shift the balance in his ongoing war against the pantheon.
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