Nerea's lips parted. A set of melodic notes drifted over the assembled crowd. Pure and resonant.
It wasn't just sound. It was a physical presence. Wrapping around them. A warm vibration that settled deep in their bones.
The holographic image of Hearth remained still. His focus was unwavering. His hands were aimed at the exact spot where the original seal would have been positioned.
The voice of the songstress should be an echo from centuries past. However, it still sounded crisp, powerful, and full of a mystical strength.
Nerea sang...
"Hearken now, ye shadows deep,
Where silent dread doth ever creep,
Let voices rise, a joyful sound,
Where life and laughter can be found."
As the first verse finished, the thick mist around the area recoiled. It didn't dissipate. Instead, it seemed to sway following the melody.
"From slumber's grasp, the world awakes,
A symphony the morning makes.
No more the hush, no more the dread,
But life's sweet chorus, bravely led."
The villagers shivered. Not from cold. But from the raw emotion and power in the ancient song.
The scholars watched with rapt attention. Scribbling notes even as their eyes darted between the ethereal figures and the retreating mist.
The acolytes gripped their holy symbols. Their eyes were wide with a mixture of reverence and awe.
Even Jack felt a prickle on his tough human skin. A resonance with the pure intent behind the song. This Nerea was no mere singer. She was a really powerful transcendent force.
"For every breath, a sound anew,
A river's rush, the morning dew.
The chirping bird, the human plea,
Release the song, and set it free!"
With these lines, the dragon fang and the silver ingots began to glow with a faint, inner light. They were dragged by some unknown power. Closer on the ground to the old box.
The silver shimmered. Losing its solid form. And flowed like mercury.
The rough, ancient bone of the dragon began to soften. Its jagged edges were smoothing. Its surface became molten.
These materials didn't simply melt. They dissolved. Their physical existence transformed into threads of pure, raw energy.
"The Deep Silence, it takes its leave,
No longer shall its dark weave grieve.
The world awakes, from slumber deep,
While ancient silence falls asleep."
The molten silver and bone threads swirled in the air. Then descended. Drawn by an invisible force. Directly into the metal box Jack had excavated.
The rusted, ancient iron box began to hum. A low, resonant vibration that pulsed through the ground. A brilliant, blinding white light erupted from within it. Forcing everyone to shield their eyes.
When the light subsided, the box was no longer the corroded, decrepit one. It stood gleaming. Transformed. Its surface was now a seamless, polished silver-white. Etched with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and flow.
It looked utterly new. Pristine. And impossibly strong. Radiating a faint, steady warmth. The strange runes on its surface glowed faintly.
"So hear this oath, by light and sound,
To keep the silence underground.
Till time unwinds, and stars grow cold,
And melody of life unfold!"
As Nerea sang the final lines, her voice swelling to a crescendo of ethereal power.
Hearth raised his hands. A surge of energy flared. Visible as a bright, shimmering aura. Bathing his whole body. It was the final reinforcement. The last, binding touch.
The mist which had danced along the Songstress' melody, dissipated entirely. With the last fading note of Nerea's song, the holographic figures of Hearth and Nerea shimmered. Elongated. And then dispersed into the clear afternoon air. Leaving only residual motes of light that quickly vanished.
The oppressive silence was lifted entirely. The air felt lighter. Vibrant. The faint chirping of distant birds, previously muffled, now became clear. A testament to the curse's breaking.
Jack felt a wave of satisfaction. The plan had worked. Better than expected, in fact. The box was sealed. And it looked clearly much more robust than its original version.
He glanced at Reina, who looked slightly pale but triumphant. Rune, floating beside her, pulsed with a content, soft green glow.
The assembled villagers erupted in emotional cheers. Many were openly weeping with relief. Father Minnow and the three acolytes from the Trinity Churches immediately approached the glowing box. Their expressions were a mixture of awe and stern resolve.
Father Lynx, from the Church of Justice, knelt and reverently touched its surface.
"This is a divine instrument." He declared. His voice was firm. "It must be guarded with the utmost sanctity. It should be transported to the central vault of the Trinity Churches for safekeeping."
Jack nodded. His expression was neutral. "Good!" He said. "As long as it stayed sealed. It is indeed too dangerous to leave it here."
He trusted the churches with such things more than anyone else. They were conservatives. And conservatives, for all their rigid dogma, understood the concept of containment.
They wouldn't poke and prod, dissect and analyze, in the way a scholarly institution might. The thought of Lonestone University's professors getting their hands on a Law Grade Entity's seal made him inwardly shudder.
They would inevitably try to 'study' it. To 'understand' its mechanics. And in the process, they would probably unleash it again.
It would be better to stay in the hands of those who understood. That some things were simply too dangerous to meddle with. Let them put it behind seven layers of consecrated steel. And forget about it. He had no desire for Deep Silence to make a return.
The church members began carefully preparing the newly sealed box for transport. Rigging it with a sturdy, enchanted cart the local church had provided.
Jack turned his attention to the Academy group. Alenna, Nick, and Harold were still staring at the spot where the ancient founders had vanished. Their faces were alight with academic fervor. Their professors, Enderson, Timbercreek, and Crafton, looked similarly enthralled.
"Professors!" Jack called. Drawing their attention. "And students. I believe you've witnessed a truly unique event."
Professor Enderson cleared his throat. "Indeed, Mr. Night. A historical record, made to manifest. The implications for Mystic Archaeology are... profound."
"Even more profound, perhaps..." Jack continued. Gesturing vaguely towards the north, "... is what lies in the North Caves. The fang I used for the ritual came from a dragon skeleton there. It's a full skeletal structure, remarkably preserved. A true behemoth."
He smiled and continued. "If you're looking for something to study that won't potentially unleash another ancient horror, that might be more suitable target."
The professors exchanged glances. A complete dragon skeleton was an unprecedented discovery. Most found were fragments. Or highly deteriorated. This was a goldmine for biological, mystical, and historical research.
Alenna, Nick, and Harold's eyes lit up with renewed excitement. The allure of ancient academic discovery eclipsing even the recent sealing.
"A dragon skeleton?" Dr. Crafton murmured. His eyes were gleaming. "A complete one? Unheard of!"
"I can guide you." Jack offered. "The dragon resting chamber is stable. Plenty of space to set up equipment. But the pathway there was a little bit complicated. It was like a maze after all. You might need to prepare ways to mark it."
Earl Timbercreek stroked his beard. "This changes everything. We'll need to send word back to the university. But such a discovery... it warrants immediate, on-site investigation."
The decision was swift. The professors agreed. They would send a runner to Lonestone University for more supplies and backup. But for now, they, along with Alenna, Nick, and Harold, would set up a temporary camp near the North Cave. And begin preliminary studies of the dragon skeleton.
It was a perfect outcome. The churches took the danger. The academy got their research. And he and Reina could leave the village without lingering concerns.
At that exact moment, a system notification flared directly in Jack's perception.
[LEVEL UP!]
Another level up notification. It had been a while for it to appear.
[AVAILABLE NEW SUPERNATURAL TRAITS] CHOOSE ONE:
[DJINN'S WISH MANIFESTATION]
[DULLAHAN'S HOLLOW ARMOR]
[ALP'S NIGHTMARE CREATION]
Jack's inner monologue kicked into overdrive. Again. No details. Just the damn names. He cursed his system's bluntness every time. Yet he had learned to work with it.
He reached for the repository of forgotten legends and obscure myths in his mind. ANd immediately began sifting through the data.
Djinn's Wish Manifestation... The word 'Djinn' immediately conjured images of Middle Eastern folklore. Aladdin. The magic lamp. Three wishes.
But Jack knew better than to take the popular tales at face value. Djinn were not always benevolent genies granting wishes.
In horror stories, they were also powerful spiritual creatures. Often malicious. Mischievous. Or at best, literalists who twisted wishes to their most terrible interpretations. They were creatures with immense power but no moral compass.
The phrase 'Wish Manifestation' was key. Did he make wishes? Or did the trait simply manifest things based on his desires? Was it consciously or subconsciously? Could it warp reality based on his thoughts?
This sounded incredibly potent. Allowing for creation or alteration of the physical world. But the inherent trickery associated with Djinn was a massive red flag. Yet, the sheer power implied was undeniable. It could bypass so many limitations.
Dullahan's Hollow Armor... Dullahan. Irish folklore. The Headless Horseman. A harbinger of death. Riding a dark steed. Carrying his severed head. Sometimes wielding a whip made of a human spine. Definitely a grim figure.
The 'Hollow Armor' part was interesting. Was it a literal suit of spectral armor he could summon? Or an intangible defense? 'Hollow' could imply invulnerability to certain attacks. Or could it allow him to remotely control an unequipped armor?
It sounded like a purely defensive combat-oriented trait. It was useful, no doubt. And probably safer choice. But would it be more useful than the first choice?
Alp's Nightmare Creation... Alp. He vaguely remembered that one. Germanic folklore. A demon that caused nightmares. Often described as sitting on the chest of sleepers. Causing sleep paralysis and terrifying dreams.
It was similar to an incubus or succubus. But specifically focused on psychological torment rather than sexual ones. 'Nightmare Creation' was a clear mental attack or illusionary power.
Jack already possessed the [Mysterious Anomaly] trait. One which allowed him to twist perceptions, manifest fear, create illusions, and even slightly manipulate reality. It would be... redundant.
His analysis was swift, ruthless, and practical. Alp's Nightmare Creation was out. Now, he needed to choose the Djinn's Wish Manifestation or the Dullahan's Hollow Armor.