Chapter 30: Narrow Slit

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Narrow Slit

Lilith collapsed into Xavier’s arms. He had spent far longer inside the sword realm than she had expected, which took a toll on her. Her body was soaked with sweat, every curve glistening.

Xavier lifted her carefully and laid her on the luxurious sofa in her office. He searched the closet until he found a clean towel, then stripped her wet clothes away and began drying her skin. His hands pressed deep into the soft, heavy flesh of her tits as he worked the towel over them, lingering on her stiff, sensitive nipples and squeezing the full weight of each breast.

Ahhnn...

Lilith moaned inn her sleep.

He dragged the cloth slowly across her toned abdomen, over the curve of her plump hips, and down the length of her smooth legs, making certain every inch of her was dry so the damp fabric would not give her a cold.

Once she was dry he pulled a blanket from the same closet and covered her naked body. The sight of her lewd curves and her sweet moans made his cock strain hard against his pants, but he was not twisted enough to take advantage of an unconscious woman. After checking her temperature with the back of his hand against her forehead and confirming she had no fever, he left her to rest and quietly exited the office.

It was already evening. Exhausted from the massive expenditure of pure mana, Xavier went straight to the dorms and collapsed onto his own bed. Sleep claimed him almost at once.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Xavier, are you in there?"

A familiar voice pulled him awake. "Come in," he called without sitting up.

Elena opened the door and stepped inside. She crossed to the bed and looked down at his tired face. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah. I’m fine." Xavier rose, went into the bathroom, washed up quickly, and returned looking fresh. He stretched once, then walked straight to Elena and took her mouth in a soft kiss.

Mmm... ahhn...

She returned it with equal force, tongues sliding hot and wet. He pulled her flush against him so her soft, heavy tits pressed hard into his chest while his hands dropped to squeeze and knead the plump, juicy cheeks of her ass.

Nnnh... ohh...

Elena’s arms locked around his back, holding him in a tight embrace.

Aaahn...

"I love your soft lips," he murmured against her mouth, sliding his tongue past them again. "I love your hot tongue." His palm cracked down in a sharp slap on her ass.

Mmph—!

"And I just can’t get enough of this soft, squishy ass."

Elena moaned at the pleasure, her body arching into his touch.

Unngh...

"You suddenly look so happy," she said, voice breathy.

"I finally got the thing you wanted."

Her eyes lit up. "You mean—?"

"Yes. I can finally conjure the fire elemental sword."

"Then let’s not waste any more time."

They left the room together, placed a mana crystal into the lamp holder on the stairs, and turned it. The floor rose, carrying them up to the hidden fifth level. They walked to the central fire that still burned exactly as it had on the day they first discovered the chamber. The wood remained as fresh as ever.

"The only riddle that made any sense said we must strike the fire with a fire elemental sword," Elena reminded him.

Xavier closed his eyes and focused on the sword summoning sigil. Mana condensed between his hands until Miss Incinerator appeared in her sword form—black, sharp, and elegant, red rubies glowing at the crossguard and pommel.

"Wow... what an incredible sword," Elena whispered.

"It’s name is Miss Incinerator" Xavier said feeling the difference at once. The power flowing through the blade was nowhere near what he had experienced inside the sword realm. He could draw only as much strength as his current mana-control level and depleted reserves allowed. Manifesting Miss Incinerator’s full personality was impossible right now; the pure sword form would have to be enough.

He drove the blade into the heart of the fire. The wood stirred. Embers spiraled upward, sank into the circular magical array on the ceiling, and set the entire formation glowing. With a deep hum the ceiling began to twist, concentric rings rotating one after another from the outer edge inward. The central disk descended slowly until it hung at eye level, revealing a locked box that had been hidden above.

Instead of a keyhole the box bore a long, narrow slit.

Xavier tried to force it open and failed. "Now how do we open this?"

"Did the diary say anything about it?" Xavier asked

Elena hesitated. "Actually... I have to tell you something. The diary is strange. Every time I close it and open the same page, the writing is different."

Xavier frowned. "Different how?"

"Even if I read the entire book in one sitting, the moment I close it and open it again the content has completely changed. It’s like the diary contains multiple volumes, and each time I close it a new one appears."

"So we have no idea how to open the box?"

Elena closed her eyes, concentrating. "Wait—I think I remember a line from one of the pages. ’Forged heat is the key to unlocking the secret hidden beyond the amber-lit runes.’"

Xavier considered the words, then pulled Miss Incinerator free of the fire. Elena held the box steady, the narrow slit facing him. He slid the tip of the blade into the opening and fed a thin thread of mana into the metal. The sword heated. With a soft hiss the lid unlocked.

Elena’s eyes shone. "Oh, Xavier—you’re incredible."

He let the sword disperse back into the realm and carried the box to the nearby desk. The lid was free, but they had not yet lifted it.

"Go ahead," he said. "Open it."

Elena raised the lid. Both of them stared at the artifact resting inside. Surprise, confusion, and curiosity took over their faces as the exact same words left their mouths at the same time.

"What the hell ?"