---- VALERIA Thene, step closer to this table," he led me to a massive oval-shaped marble table with a gigantic map spread across it.


    Some areas were drawn out, while others appeared opaque and concealed.


    "Bring me the box!" he ordered, and they brought him a small wooden box.


    It looked familiar, and when he opened it and showed me the contents, I recognized the stone I had once touchedpretending it was harmlessonly to have it burn my hand.


    This stone is made from the Mother Altar, the very first one, located at the Lunar Gate.


    Its a relic of your race.


    Take it with one hand and extend the other to me," hemanded arrogantly, leaving me no choice but to obey.


    My trembling fingers reached for the dark rock that seemed to glow as if it had minerals inside.


    Iremembered all too well the pain it had caused mest time, but now I only felt its calllike an invisible thread pulling me toward something sacred and incredible.


    The cold touch finally met my hand as I lifted it from the velvet-lined box.


    This time, it didnt burn meas it did before, and a deep longing swelled in my heart.


    "Stretch out your other hand," he ordered, and I didonly to hiss in pain when he mercilessly sliced a deep wound into my palm with a dagger.


    Pour your blood over the stone and summon your power to call the silver relics from all the altars.


    Ihave several here, but others were left scattered." lobserved some of those artifacts I recognizedtwo of them remained secured in Aldric''s castle.


    Could they be summoned here? My blood dripped onto the stone from my wound.


    I didnt know how to do it, but I closed my eyes and followed my instincts.


    The stone began to heat up, glowing red, and I could even feel steam escaping through its cracksyet it didnt burn me.


    I felt the urge to press it against that idiot Kings face and roast him once and for all.


    Ipushed aside my hatred, focusing on the shape of the relics.


    Slowly, images of each one appeared in my mind, even some I had never actually seen before.


    Words whispered in my head in an ancientnguage, and my lips moved, reciting them.


    I felt