Alden entered the chamber, his eyes adjusting to the subdued light. The air was thick with the musty scent of old parchment. As the newly appointed royal scribe, he was eager yet apprehensive about his duties. He approached the center of the room, where a pedestal held the legendary talking sword, Vexar.
"Ah, the new scribe has arrived," said Vexar, its voice smooth and unexpectedly sarcastic. Alden jumped slightly at the sudden sound, his heart racing.
"You... you can talk?" Alden stammered, trying to regain his composure.
"Indeed, and I have much to say. Prophecies, mostly. With a hint of humor, of course," Vexar replied, its blade gleaming in the candlelight.
Alden took a deep breath, his curiosity piqued. He sat down at the desk, quill in hand, ready to record whatever Vexar would reveal.
"First prophecy: The kingdom shall face a perilous threat, but fear not, for it's merely a dragon with a toothache," Vexar declared, its tone dripping with irony.
"A dragon with a toothache?" Alden echoed, unable to suppress a chuckle as he scribbled it down. He wondered if this was going to be the norm.
Just as Alden finished writing, a flash of lightning illuminated the chamber. Vexar's glow intensified, casting an eerie light around the room.
"Next, a secret shall unravel at the stroke of midnight, revealing the truth behind the king's missing crown," Vexar continued, its voice tinged with mystery.
Alden paused, intrigued by the mention of the crown. "Do you mean the one presumed lost for decades?" he asked.
"Precisely. And trust me, it's not where you'd expect," Vexar replied with a cryptic chuckle.
Alden's eyes widened as he discovered the map. He carefully unrolled it, revealing a complex network of paths leading to a forgotten part of the castle.
"Follow the map, and you'll find more than just the crown," Vexar advised, its voice echoing with anticipation.
Alden knew this was the beginning of an adventure far beyond his original duties. "Looks like my job just got a lot more interesting," he mused, excitement sparking in his eyes.
Alden navigated the castle's hidden passages, his heart pounding with each step. The ancient stones whispered secrets of ages past, and he felt the weight of history on his shoulders.
"Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination," Vexar reminded him, its voice both a guide and a companion.
"I'll keep that in mind," Alden replied, determination fuelling his every move.
Alden approached the crown, awe-struck by its beauty and the secrets it held. He knew that his life as a royal scribe would never be the same.
"Congratulations, scribe. You've uncovered more than just prophecies," Vexar said, its tone a mixture of pride and satisfaction.
Alden smiled, realizing that his partnership with Vexar was the true treasure he had found. "Thank you, Vexar. This is only the beginning," he replied, ready to embrace the adventures yet to come.
