The Six Key Networks

Chapter 72 — The Six-Key Network

Aether returned to the central chamber.

The six-slot mechanism continued glowing.

But now, with Origin Sense, he could see what his eyes couldn't.

Thin streams of Origin Energy traveled beneath the floor.

They connected the six empty positions.

Then they extended outward.

Far beyond Greyfall.

Aether closed his eyes.

He followed the strongest stream.

North.

Another traveled west.

Another east.

Two disappeared underground.

The final one—

went south.

Aether opened his eyes.

"There are six locations."

Lyra looked at the mechanism.

"Each one connected to a key?"

"Most likely."

Aria pointed at the damaged symbol.

"Can you tell where Kael's key came from?"

Aether focused on it.

Origin Sense spread through the mechanism.

A faint image formed in his mind.

A forest.

A ruined tower.

A river flowing beneath red cliffs.

Then—

nothing.

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The connection vanished.

Aether opened his eyes.

"Not enough."

Seris looked thoughtful.

"Maybe the key itself remembers where it came from."

Aether looked at her.

"That's possible."

He reached into his storage pouch.

Kael's black crystal fragment was there.

Aether carefully placed it near the mechanism.

The entire chamber reacted.

HUMMMMM—

The damaged slot illuminated.

One of the six symbols became brighter.

Then a projection appeared above the mechanism.

A map.

Not of the entire world.

Only a section of the northern continent.

Six points of light appeared.

Greyfall was one.

Five others were scattered across distant territories.

Aether studied the map.

One point was deep inside a forest.

One was near a mountain city.

One was beneath a lake.

One was in a desert.

And the final point was located—

Aether's expression changed.

"The Blackridge territory."

Lyra immediately understood.

"So they're not just hunting the keys."

"They already possess one."

Aether nodded.

"And they may have more."

Aria looked at the map.

"How many?"

The projection flickered.

A number appeared.

2/6

Aether's eyes narrowed.

"Two."

Seris stepped closer.

"Then four are still missing."

The map suddenly changed.

A red mark appeared beside one of the points.

[Origin Key status: Unstable.]

A second red mark appeared.

[Origin Key status: Active.]

The third—

[Origin Key status: Dormant.]

The fourth—

[Origin Key status: Unknown.]

The fifth—

[Origin Key status: Active.]

The sixth—

[Origin Key status: Damaged.]

Aether memorized every location.

Then the projection disappeared.

Lyra looked at him.

"Which one are we going after?"

Aether considered the possibilities.

Blackridge already had access to two keys.

Following them directly could lead to another battle.

But the unknown key was closer.

And finding it first could give them an advantage.

"The forest."

Aria smiled.

"Of course."

Aether looked at her.

"You sound surprised."

"I'm not."

Seris approached him.

"When do we leave?"

"Tonight."

Lyra raised an eyebrow.

"Tonight?"

"We don't know how long the network will remain stable."

Aether looked toward the shattered passage.

"And I don't intend to wait for Blackridge to collect another key."

Suddenly—

Origin Sense detected something.

Aether turned toward the entrance.

Footsteps.

Four people.

Moving quickly.

Lyra immediately drew her weapon.

"Wait."

Aether raised one hand.

The footsteps stopped.

A voice came from the darkness.

"Don't attack."

A young man stepped into the chamber.

He was covered in dirt and blood.

Two women followed him.

Then another man.

All four looked exhausted.

The young man raised his hands.

"We're not Blackridge."

Aether stared at them.

"Then who are you?"

The young man hesitated.

"We're survivors."

Aether didn't lower his weapon.

"Survivors of what?"

The man looked toward the six-key mechanism.

"An expedition."

His expression became grim.

"We were searching for another key."

Aether's eyes narrowed.

"Where?"

The man pointed toward the western passage.

"The Crimson Marsh."

Aether looked at the map in his mind.

The western location.

One of the six.

The young man continued.

"And whatever you're planning..."

He swallowed.

"You shouldn't go there alone."

Aether smiled.

"Good thing I'm not alone."

Lyra, Aria, and Seris stood beside him.

For the first time, the four strangers seemed to realize exactly how many people were standing behind him.

Aether turned toward the western passage.

The next key had just become their destination.