Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

Kaizen observed the statue of Maelora with silent reverence. The grandeur of the Ancient One carved in stone seemed to emanate a majestic presence, as if it were on the lookout for intruders venturing into the forbidden corridors.

Alina and Jayaa, hiding behind Kaizen's shoulders, looked with surprise at this statue, which did indeed seem to emanate grandeur.

What's more, the surroundings were more solemn and tranquil than they had been, with only the subtle murmur of the wind echoing in the corridors. It was as if the Citadel of the Magi itself was empty, or just watching events unfold.

Kaizen felt a growing pressure on his shoulders, the weight of responsibility increasing with every step.

"This is the place," whispered Alina. "The hidden corridor to the library should be just behind it, as indicated on the map." She pointed to the statue with her chin.

Kaizen agreed and headed towards the statue, examining every detail. He felt as if he was being assessed by Maelora herself, whose eyes seemed to follow his movements. As he touched the base of the statue, a strange sensation ran through him. With firm pressure, Kaizen discovered a button concealed in the base of the statue. He pressed it, and a soft vibration echoed through the hall.

Slowly, the statue of Maelora began to move, revealing a hidden passage behind it.

Alina cast an excited glance at Kaizen and together they entered the hidden corridor, leaving behind the imposing statue which now returned to its original position, as if it had never moved.

The corridor was narrow, lit only by a dim magical light. The air had a peculiar smell, a mixture of dust and sand. As they went along, Kaizen noticed magical inscriptions on the walls, pulsing with an ancient energy as they walked.

"We're on the right track." murmured Alina, her yellow eyes shining with confidence. "The library should be nearby."

Kaizen agreed and they advanced cautiously down the winding corridor. As Kaizen, Jayaa and Alina advanced down the narrow hidden corridor, the atmosphere around them seemed to take on a unique magical density. The dim magical light that illuminated the path became more intense as they approached the library, revealing ancient runic inscriptions on the walls that pulsed in a soft bluish glow.

The ground beneath their feet sloped slightly, leading them deeper into the Citadel of the Magi. Each step echoed in the silent corridor, amplifying the sound into an almost supernatural whisper. Kaizen, fueled by a mixture of nerves and determination, led the group with confidence, keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of danger.

At last they reached the end of the corridor, where there was a large wooden door.

The wooden door was imposing, covered in a large carving which, looking from a distance, could be seen to be a large magic circle. Kaizen looked at Alina for confirmation before pressing the cold doorknob. With a soft creak, the door opened to reveal the vastness of the hidden library.

An enigmatic aroma of ancient scrolls, magical dust and millennia-old wisdom enveloped the group as they entered the sanctuary of knowledge. Endless shelves held leather-bound books, yellowed parchments and magical artifacts forgotten by time. A soft ethereal light from floating magic globes illuminated the space with golden and blue hues.

Jayaa's eyes sparkled with excitement as he examined the shelves of books that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Kaizen walked down the main corridor, where a magical tapestry illustrated the story of the creation of the world by the Ancient Magi, in silence. However, Alina had stopped at the door and her words made him freeze.

"Kaizen, don't you feel like you've been in this library before?" asked Alina with wide eyes.

She confirmed his impression. This library they had just arrived at was, apart from a few differences, a replica of the Library of the Magi that Alina had protected since her childhood. The similarity to the original library was striking, and Kaizen felt a deep connection to this place, as if he were returning to a long-lost home.

"Yes, and that gives me a very strange feeling." Kaizen replied.

"It's as if the Elders have recreated the original library here," commented Alina, her voice full of wonder and amazement. "But why would they do that?"

Kaizen contemplated the question as he walked slowly down the main corridor, tracing his fingers along the spines of old books.

"Alina, when the original library was taken away by your father, perhaps the Elders decided to recreate it here in the likeness of the other one?" suggested Kaizen, examining a shelf of magical tomes. "It's possible that hiding this fact was a security measure to protect the secrets contained here."

Alina nodded, agreeing with the theory. Jayaa, meanwhile, was fascinated by a floating magic globe that displayed ever-changing astral maps.

"This place is amazing," Jayaa murmured, her eyes fixed on the celestial dance depicted on the globe. "Alina's library doesn't have those floating things, does it?"

"No, these globes are mana receptors and were used in the past for mana containers. When a person has too much mana to control, they usually deposit some of it in these globes so that they can have more control over the rest. This works up to a certain level, after which it becomes useless."

With Alina's explanation of the magic globes, Jayaa became even more curious about the grandeur and complexity of the hidden library. His eyes shone brightly, reflecting the golden and blue lights that danced around the floating globes.

Alina then followed Kaizen down the main corridor, her footsteps echoing softly across the polished stone floor. In every detail of this place, she had the slight feeling of recognition. Each shelf, each book, contained secrets and stories that had long since been lost to the rest of the world and that today perhaps only Alina, apart from the Elders, knew.

She felt the pulsating energy of magic permeating the air, as if the library itself were alive and breathing beneath her feet

Suddenly, a soft murmur echoed through the corridor, and Kaizen looked up, searching for the source of that voice that seemed to echo from every corner of the library. It was like a high, melodic voice, humming a tune.

Alina held his hand, feeling the tension in the air. "Did you hear that?" whispered Alina, her voice full of emotion and uncertainty.