Conquering the underworld with my beautiful dragon wives-Chapter 34: Shadows on the Road to Velisa

The road to the ancient library was twisty, full of fog, and weirdly quiet. The group was moving forward, the mysterious key in hand, now with a new goal. No one said a word. Only the soft sound of their footsteps on the dirt filled the air.

Fayra walked ahead of the group, holding an old map in her hands, carefully following the path. Sometimes she’d stop, glance up at the sky, then keep going again.

Alice was dragging her feet a bit, bored, fidgeting with her bag of books. Luna and Selena followed quietly behind, saying nothing, but the tension in the air was obvious.

Then suddenly—

A rustling noise came from the trees on the left side of the road.

Everyone froze. Ethan quickly raised his sword, still glowing with that faint green light.

"Something’s there..." Luna whispered.

Selena closed her eyes, feeling the energy in the air.

"There are three of them. Not human... not animal either..."

Fayra stepped forward.

"They’re made of darkness. I don’t recognize their energy... but they’re dangerous."

From inside the mist, three tall shadowy figures appeared. They were cloaked in black, faces hidden under gray hoods. They didn’t speak. They just stood there... completely still.

One of them took a step forward. Its voice was raspy and cold:

"Give us the key... or all of you die here."

Ethan stepped up, gripping his sword tight.

"What are you? What do you want?"

The creature spoke again, its voice low and heavy.

"We are the Watchers of the Dark. Our job is to make sure the gate stays closed. That key... is a threat. To all of you."

Selena took a step back, whispering:

"If they know about the key... it must be way more important than we thought."

Fayra summoned her fire sword, flames licking the blade.

"Alright then. Move out of the way... or burn."

But the fight didn’t start—not yet.

Suddenly, one of the shadowy things disappeared in a blink and showed up right behind Ethan. But his green sword lit up fast... almost like it knew what to do.

It blocked the first strike by itself, and Ethan spun around, swinging hard. His blade cut through the shadow—but instead of blood, a dark smoke hissed out and faded into the air.

"They don’t die?!" Alice shouted.

Luna replied quickly.

"Not as long as their energy source is active... We need to move. Now!"

Ethan shoved the key back into his bag and said:

"Then let’s run. We’re not letting them follow us."

they all started running. Through the forest, under the rain, dodging trees that bent in the wind. The enemies were right behind them but the group, holding onto new hope, ran toward the only place that might have the answers they needed.

The narrow alleys of the old city felt more like tunnels than actual streets. The tall stone walls and flickering streetlights gave everything a creepy vibe. And behind them... that constant scratching sound. The shadows were still chasing, not giving them even a second to breathe.

Fayra was leading the way, holding a rolled-up map in one hand and clutching her cloak with the other so it wouldn’t catch on anything.

"One more alley, then a left turn... I think that’s it!" she said, panting hard.

Alice, struggling to keep up, grumbled between breaths:

"You think? So you’re not even sure?!"

Fayra shot a glare over her shoulder.

"If you know so much, why don’t you lead the way, Professor?"

Then she turned back and kept running.

Selena chuckled softly.

"Alice, I wouldn’t push Fayra when she’s like this... If she gets mad enough, she might turn into a dragon and roast us all right here in Velisa."

Luna, who was trailing behind, whispered:

"I’m pretty sure those spirits are still following us... You guys hear that scratching?"

Everyone stopped. Silence.

Scrrch... scrrch...

Alice let out a breath.

"Great. They’re getting closer..."

Fayra held up the map. The dim streetlight gave just enough light for her to see.

"If this is right, the library should be behind this wall. But there’s no door... no sign or anything."

Selena ran her hand over the cold stone wall.

"Maybe there’s a hidden entrance. Or a magic seal?"

Alice nodded.

"I remember reading something about old libraries like this... Some only open to people with special powers. And Ethan’s not here..."

Fayra paused and glanced at the mark on Ethan’s hand.

"Maybe we can’t open it... but maybe we can wake it up."

Right as she said that, Luna’s eyes widened.

"They’re here!" she yelled, as the shadows started appearing at the end of the alley.

Fayra raised her hand and traced a fiery spell on the wall—but nothing happened.

Alice stepped forward, closed her eyes, and whispered a short chant.

Then suddenly, the bricks started glowing. A section of the wall slid open, revealing a narrow staircase going down.

Selena didn’t wait.

"Well? What are we standing here for? Let’s go!"

Everyone rushed down the steps, and Fayra used a spell to seal the door behind them.

Now they were inside a dark passage lit only by faint blue flames on the walls. The silence down there... it was deeper than anything above.

Luna whispered, eyes wide:

"I think... we’re in. The ancient library of Velisa."

Fayra took a breath and looked at the group.

"Now we just have to figure out what we’re looking for. This place holds the answers—about the sword, the key, that weird guy, and the new enemies that just showed up..."

Alice gave a tired little smile.

"Let’s just hope the answers are easier than the questions."

Everyone chuckled quietly—but deep down, they were still nervous.

Because they all knew... entering the library was just the beginning of the real danger.

The stone steps echoed under their feet. With every step down, the air grew colder. It felt like they were leaving behind the living world—stepping into something forgotten, something ancient.

After several turns and passing a long hallway decorated with green and blue stained glass, Fayra suddenly stopped. Everyone held their breath.

And there it was...

A massive gate, tall as five grown men, stood in the wall ahead. The door was covered in ancient carvings—creatures that looked half-human, half-dragon. Their eyes were made of emerald stone, and when the torchlight hit them, they sparkled like they were watching... like they were still alive.

Fayra slowly reached out and touched the door. For a second, nothing happened—then, without even a creak, the heavy stone door slid open.

What they saw took their breath away.

The ceiling was so high, the torchlight barely reached it. The arches were decorated with dull gold and shadowy silver, and from above, glass chandeliers floated—magical ones, glowing on their own. The light wasn’t still—it shimmered, danced... like the flames had minds of their own.

The main hall was packed with shelves that stretched from floor to ceiling. The wood looked ancient—like it came from trees that hadn’t existed for centuries. Each shelf was protected by a magical aura, glowing softly with rune patterns that lit up as they got closer.

Alice whispered in awe:

"This... this isn’t just a library. It’s a temple. A temple of knowledge."

In the center of the room, a round pool shimmered. The water wasn’t clear—it was a soft green, glowing with silver swirls on the surface. It looked more like a mirror... but instead of showing reflections, it felt like it held the memories of the world.

The walls were painted with images—ancient wars, giant dragons, kings holding glowing swords. In some of the faces... there was something oddly familiar. Some looked like Ethan. Others... like Fayra. But older. Way older.

Selena sighed, her voice quiet:

"It’s like this place was cut right out of time..."

Fayra just stared at the walls in silence. There was something in her eyes. Like a memory. Something really, really old.

Luna was completely focused on the books. A giant shelf full of rolled-up scrolls had caught her attention. Each scroll had a strange symbol on it—none of them in any known language.

Alice stepped forward too, but for once, she said nothing. The girl who always had answers... now looked full of questions.

And then it happened.

A deep, rough voice echoed from somewhere deep inside the library.

"Those who have entered... are you ready to learn the truth? A truth that may change who you are?"

Everyone froze in place. The voice wasn’t human.

But it sounded like... it was coming from the library itself.