After another day, Alex and Mathis reached the gates of Rivar. The city was huge. People were bustling about the many streets. Some people were peddling small "miracle potions". Others were offering themselves for hire to be a tutor. The place was a focal point for knowledge all across Lograndia.
After asking several people, Mathis discovered the location of the library. There, they thought, they would be able to find information on this Kane.
The library was old and archaic looking. Nonetheless, they believed they would find what they wanted in there. Inside, there were rows, after rows, of books. The books themselves looked rather old. The library had a rather stale and musty odor.
A man dressed in blue robes walked up to the two. He was obviously a scholar of some sort. "So," he said as he clasped his hand together, "how can I help you two?"
"I want information on a man named Kane. We think he might have been an Ancient."
"So you want to know about the great Kane, eh? OK, just sit down and listen." The man led the two over to a table and sat them down. "First of all, my name is Dr. Lewis Ambrosius, I'm the head researcher in The Great War."
"Nice to meet you Dr. Ambrosius. I am Alex, and this is Mathis." Mathis nodded in agreement when he heard his name.
"Well Alex, let's start from the beginning. Long ago, there was a race of peaceful, and intelligent beings known as the Nezytes. Uneducated people usually call them 'Ancients', because for a long time we didn't know what their proper name was.
"Well anyway, the Nezytes had technology that far surpasses ours. They also had the ability to use magic. The Nezytes lived in peaceful harmony with nature, and there was peace with their human neighbors."
"Wait a sec," Mathis interrupted, "what do you mean by 'human' neighbors. Are you saying that the Nezytes weren't human?"
"Oh they weren't human. They are the ancestors of the present day monsters that roam the world right now. Just a lot more intelligent and peaceful. Back to the story.
"The Nezytes lived beyond the Arkhis mountain range, in the Valley of Mullandra. No humans lived in this valley, but there was said to be a road across mountains, so the humans and Nezytes could trade.
"One day however, the serenity was broken. An evil Nezyte known as Malachy, started to revolt against the ruler. The ruler at the time, was named Kane. Malachy thought that their power should be used to conquer the world. From that day on, all his followers were known as Malachytes.
"And so started The Great War. At first the Nezytes were way ahead because they had the power of the four mighty Phoenixes on their side. But then, the Malachytes created a sinister weapon, The ARMORs. The ARMORs were weapons of mass destruction. They were beasts made of metal that could level whole cities easily. This evened the score.
"The fighting went on for years, until the Malachytes completed their ultimate weapon. The tower of Magalensis. It is said that the tower reached the sky. The tower would suck up all the mana, and life energy from the land, then concentrate it into a wave of pure energy that would destroy everything except the tower itself. Fortunately, Kane and his forces were able to climb the tower before he could fire it. In a final battle, Kane sealed Malachy away at the top of the tower.
"Unfortunately, it was too late. The tower had already sapped every ounce of life out of the valley, and most of the Nezytes died in the final battle. What happened next is unknown, and it was also said that three of the Phoenixes died. The Nezytes still live on, in their Matron crystals that are strewn all over this vast world. And there are still some Malachytes that roam around, that's obvious."
Alex and Mathis both pondered a moment after hearing his story. Mathis was the first to ask a question. "What's the difference between a normal monster, and a descendant of a Malachyte?"
"Well that's an easy one. The Malachytes are your smarter monsters, the one's who can speak, and think rationally. They are also the most dangerous."
"All right," Alex said as he stood up, "I know what I have to do. I have to cross the Arkhis mountain range, and reach the Valley of Mullandra."
"Wait, not so fast!" yelled Lewis. "It's not just that easy! Don't you know anything about Lograndia! Any idiot knows that you can't just easily cross the Arkhis Mountains!"
Alex admitted that he in fact didn't know anything about Lograndia, and about the reasons for his determination to find Kane. "I'm sorry," Lewis said, "I didn't know."
"It's all right," Alex said, "this kinda thing doesn't exactly happen every day you know."
"Well, since you're so determined to save your home planet, I feel a need to help you. I can't go with you personally, but I can ask my daughter to go with you. She could be great of great help to you. She has the power to use magic without Matron!"
"What!" Mathis gasped. "How is that possible!"
"I don't know. All I know is that I found her at the gates of Rivar ten years ago. Ever since, I've raised her as my own."
"All right," Alex said, "we accept."
"Great. Jezza! Come over here for a sec!"
"I'm coming Father!" said a voice from afar. A short moment later, Jezza ran into the room. She had fiery scarlet hair, and deep violet eyes. "Oh, we have guests."
"Jezza, this is Mathis and Alex. Alex has come from another planet. He needs to find Kane in order to save it from an evil force. I would like you to go with him. I'm not forcing you though, it's all your choice."
Jezza thought for a while. She knew that in order to find Kane, they would have to cross the Arkhis Mountains. She also knew that it would be a very perilous journey. She glanced at Alex. She could sense that he was very powerful. She then looked at Mathis. There was something about him that made him shine, something different. Nevertheless, she had made up her mind. "All right, I'm in."
"Great!" Mathis cheered. He seemed more enthusiastic then ever. "Look Alex, now you have two people with you on your quest."
Alex smiled internally as a sense of de jevu washed over him. This was all too familiar.
"Jezza. Before you go, I want you to have this." Lewis reached into his pocket and pulled out a black fillet. "You were wearing this when I found you. I hope it gives you good luck."
Jezza reached out and grabbed the ribbon and tied it around her brow. She then reached out to hug her father. "Thank you father." She pulled back slowly, and joined the others as they left the library.
"All right," Mathis said, "you know this city better than us, where to?"
"Well, let's see. First, we should go to the weapon store to get you a better sword than that dagger you got there."
Mathis looked down and remembered that he did only have his dagger. He felt embarrassed. How could he do much with a lousy dagger. "Good point," he finally agreed.
After purchasing a long sword and suitable armor, the trio found an inn and stayed the night. The next morning, they would set off for the Arkhis Mountains.