445 CDXLV. The Mind-blowing News (1/2)

After inviting the other two of them to take their seats around the modest study table, Kranus moved the tomes on it and rolled several scrolls.

Dag knew immediately that one of them, in particular, was written by him, looking at the inkwell next to it, with a crow feather nestled inside.

”Kranus is a well of knowledge. I have to try to make the most of his intelligence, it will certainly be useful to have such an ally!” he thought, waiting for the mage to begin the explanation.

”So, Dag. As I've already explained, the Crystal of Fire is the most powerful relic on this planet. But its only power is not just to hurt the Frostsinners, even if it was created specifically for that.”

”And what else then? Does it have anything to do with fire? Why is it called that?” Dag asked naively.

”No, the fire has nothing to do with it. It's called that for two reasons... because of its color, reminiscent of the flame, and the fact that it enhances all kinds of magical sources that use that element, that's why your axe is such a strong weapon. Not only for the excellent materials from which it was built but also for the gem, which quadruples its intrinsic power, making it a legendary weapon” Kranus explained, marveling at Dag, who every minute he spent listening to him, learned something new.

”And what is its other power then?”

”You come from Earth, right? And you arrived here through the Vortex, the machine that the Frostsinners designed to allow us, humans, to make incredibly long journeys in a very short time.”

”Yes, that's right. I don't understand what has that to do with the Crystal embedded in the Giantbane...”

”Patience, boy... I'm getting to that. Even though you were only a kid when this happened, I'm sure you remember how that machine works, using the traveler's genetic code to teleport him only to his target planet, right?”

”Yes... I remember the Xis Guard forcing me into the Vortex by making a little cut on my wrist or something... then he used my blood to activate the capsule, which in a few minutes teleported me to this planet, causing me to lose consciousness. I remember the first person I saw before my eyes was Hallr, that I never saw again after that day” Dag smiled, looking at Egill and knowing that even though he had known him in different circumstances, he knew and estimated the Guardian of the Vortex.

”Well. Apparently, the Crystal of Fire can bypass this passage, allowing you to activate the Vortex without the involvement of your genetic material” Kranus continued, who did not speak like a normal Viking, having studied a lot about the Frostsinners and their technologies, on some book that could only be found by him.

”Eh?! What? How do you know that? In a nutshell... are you telling me that... through the red gem of the Giantbane, I can...”

Dag retreated to his chair, crawling its wooden legs on the floor, unable to believe those words.