Chapter 17: Secrets in Stone

Arthur's gaze remained fixed on Ethan as the lab assistant completed the scan. That symbol... it can't be a coincidence. He filed the information away, knowing he'd need to investigate further. No need to make a fuss now, I better look into it in Atheria.

"All done, Mr. Steelhart," Ethan announced, his attention already back on his tablet. "You can proceed to Mr. Albright's office."

With a nod, Arthur followed the two lab assistants out of the capsule room and into the brightly lit corridors of Chronos Labs. His muscles felt like cotton, a dull ache reminding him of his recent immobility. A knot of unease tightened in his stomach. Too many events, too much information, and that damn symbol... it was all swirling in his head, threatening to overwhelm him. As they walked, however, a strange clarity began to emerge. The sterile white walls of the corridor seemed sharper, the hum of the ventilation system less grating. It was as if his senses were slowly recalibrating, shaking off the fog of the jump. Is it because of that nutrient formula they pumped me full of? What could be in that stuff?

Upon reaching Victor's office, the assistants opened the door and ushered Arthur inside. Victor rose from his desk with a warm smile on his face, his imposing figure filling the room. The scent of expensive cigars hung in the air, a familiar comfort.

"Arthur, finally! Welcome back," Victor boomed, extending a hand. "Come in, come in. Tell me everything! I'm dying to know what happened."

Arthur shook Victor's hand firmly, the old man's grip surprisingly strong. After settling into a chair, Arthur began his account of Atheria. He described receiving the title of nobility, attracting attention, and starting to train with Ether. He recounted the life and customs in the castle, the history, and the political landscape of Atheria. He also mentioned the blue-skinned humanoid Jaxx'im and the artifact detector, but omitted the symbol, wondering if Victor might somehow be connected to it as well. Can't be too careful, he thought.

Victor listened intently, his eyes widening with each new revelation. "Artifacts, Ether, matter alteration? They have an entire science built around Ether over there! That's incredible, Arthur! Absolutely incredible!" He leaned forward, his voice filled with excitement. "Arthur, you have to master this Ether, whatever it takes! If there's a chance that we can somehow use it on Earth, it would be an even bigger revolution than interdimensional travel itself!"

Arthur nodded, his brow furrowed. "That's an interesting theory. I'm deeply invested in understanding its power, so our goals align here."

Victor steepled his fingers, his expression thoughtful. "You've gathered a tremendous amount of information in just three days. Don't burn yourself out. Continue training and living a peaceful life in Atheria, gradually gathering information. Maybe read something from the castle library."

Yeah, as soon as I help Isla, I'll start living a peaceful life.

Arthur braced himself, knowing what was coming. "How long this time?"

"One week," Victor stated, his voice firm. "Seven days in Atheria. We need you to learn more about this Ether, Arthur. Understand its properties, its potential. See if it can be harnessed, if it can be... brought back here."

"Alright, Victor," Arthur said, his voice resolute. "Just tell your guys to hurry up and make a capsule with automatic muscle tone support. I could barely stand after just three days."

Victor grinned, clapping Arthur on the shoulder. "First thing on the agenda, my friend! Now, get back. You'll need to get some sleep in that body."

Back in the capsule, Arthur closed his eyes, focusing on the task ahead. A week... I mustn't forget who I am. Life there is too good. He took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind. Here we go.

With a familiar jolt, Arthur's consciousness was once again transferred to the world of Atheria.

He awoke with a start, the soft silk sheets of his bed a welcome sensation against his skin. The room was dark, illuminated only by the faint moonlight filtering through the window. He glanced around, reorienting himself. I'm starting to get used to these jumps, and this body is handling it better.

He stretched and closed his eyes, forcing himself back to sleep. Tomorrow, the secret trip to the city. Hopefully, if we get caught, Darius won't kick me out of the castle, although maybe that wouldn't be so bad.

The morning sun streamed through the window, rousing Aren from his slumber. He rose, stretched, and donned his training clothes. He hadn't slept well; the jump had definitely disrupted his deep sleep. Do they have coffee here?

At breakfast, he asked if they had some kind of invigorating drink, to which Darius handed him a mug of mead. Aren shrugged and didn't refuse. The sweet, honeyed liquid warmed him from the inside out, chasing away some of the lingering grogginess.

The training session passed without any breakthroughs. Leo made some progress with his speed flows, his youthful energy practically radiating off him, but Aren remained stuck at square one. The young men were full of enthusiasm after Jaxx'im's instructions and trained until lunchtime.

After lunch, Aren headed to the map room, feeling a growing sense of anticipation. He was about to embark on a secret mission with Isla, which would be his first official adventure in this new world.

Along the way, he tried to act as if nothing was amiss, passing by guards and servants. He reached the map room and saw Isla waiting for him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She was dressed in a simple, unassuming dress, her hair pulled back in a practical braid. The map room itself was a large, circular chamber, dominated by a massive table covered in detailed maps of the surrounding lands.

"Ready to go to the city?" she asked with a smile on her lips.

"And where's your disguise?" Aren asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Isla pointed to a partially open travel bag with clothes inside. "Our outfits are in here. We'll change outside the castle."

Aren raised an eyebrow, surveying the clothes. At first glance, they were rough and ill-fitting, clearly intended for someone of a much lower station. "Just what we need."

"Alright, let's review the plan," Isla said, her voice low and serious. "We'll get out of the castle, avoiding the patrols. I've mapped out their schedules, and no one should notice us. If we do run into someone, we are going to pretend I'm just showing you around the castle. It's so big that no one will look for us until dinner, at least. Once we're outside the castle, we'll change into these simple clothes and head to the Adventurers' Guild, stopping by one of the taverns along the way. You'll ask about the Black Market, and I'll cover my face with a hood and a bandage."

"Not a bad plan, Isla. Keep it up. Maybe you'll take General Valerian's place someday," Aren teased, a playful smirk on his face.

"Let's go!" Isla said, ignoring his joke.

They moved through the complex corridors of the castle, entering parts where Aren had never been before. The air was thick with the scent of dust and old stone, and the silence was broken only by the echo of their footsteps. A couple of guards were in the way, but Aren and Isla deftly slipped past unnoticed, their movements practiced and silent. Eventually, they reached the castle wall, which abutted a cliff. Descending a steep ladder, they found themselves in a small room within the wall, where Isla pointed to an inconspicuous door built into the rock. "Here," she whispered. "This is an old secret exit that my grandmother used to escape in search of adventure. It leads directly into the forest, outside the city."

Aren nodded, a thrill of excitement coursing through him. A secret passage, how interesting. "Help me open it."

They approached the door and began to undo the bolts. There were three in total, each one heavy and rusted. The metal groaned in protest as they worked, the sound echoing in the small space. Together, they pushed the heavy door open and found themselves in a narrow, dark tunnel. The smell of dampness and mold hit Aren's nose, making him wrinkle his face. He could feel the cool, clammy air on his skin, and the darkness seemed to press in on him from all sides.

They walked through the tunnel for quite a while, making many turns. Apparently, it was a labyrinth, designed to prevent strangers on the other side from infiltrating the castle. The walls were rough and uneven, and the floor was littered with loose stones. Finally, they saw a faint light ahead. Isla stopped and listened, her head cocked to one side.

"Seems clear," she whispered. "Ready?"

Aren nodded, clenching his fists. Time to show this world what an old geezer from the 22nd century is capable of!

They pushed the bolts back and shoved the heavy door open, emerging into a dense forest. Sunlight streamed through the foliage, creating bizarre shadows on the ground. The air was fresh and clean, a welcome change from the musty tunnel.

"Great, we're out," Isla said, looking around. "Now we need to change."