Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 138: Forgotten Memories

After breakfast had ended, Grim headed to the Archive Chamber.

Lin was already there when Grim arrived, her fingers were delicately tracing characters on a coral tablet. She looked up as he entered, her eyes immediately going to his face.

"You came," she said softly.

"You said there were things I needed to know," Grim replied, glancing around to ensure they were alone. "About my family. About these keys."

Lin set down the tablet and moved to a section of the archive he hadn’t noticed.

"These belonged to my mother," Lin explained, withdrawing a scroll bound with silver wire. "She kept detailed records of everything related to the Emperor’s final days. Including Axem’s role in creating the key system."

She unrolled the scroll carefully. It contained detailed illustrations about the four keys, the Emperor’s Tomb, and figures that Grim was beginning to recognize.

"This is Axem," Lin pointed.

Before Grim could examine the scroll more closely, footsteps echoed in the corridor outside. Lin quickly rolled up the scroll, concealing it within her robes as Bi’an and Suanni entered the chamber.

"There you are," Bi’an said to Grim. "Ao Shun wants to see us immediately. Something about the treasury records."

"What kind of records?" Lin asked.

"Access logs," Suanni replied. "He wants to determine who could have helped Jiaolong steal the key."

"I should come with you," Lin said firmly.

"Your father specifically said you were to remain in your chambers," Bi’an reminded her.

"My father doesn’t know what I know about the key system," Lin countered. "Or about who had access to the information Jiaolong would have needed."

They made their way to Ao Shun’s private study, a chamber Grim hadn’t seen before.

Ao Shun sat behind a desk carved from a single massive pearl, its was so shiny you could see your reflection off of it perfectly. Xu Wu stood beside him, several tablets spread across the desk’s surface.

"Ah, daughter," Ao Shun said as Lin entered with them. "I thought I instructed you to remain in your quarters."

"I thought you might need my knowledge of mother’s archives," Lin replied. "If we’re investigating the key theft, her records could be relevant."

Ao Shun studied her for a moment, then gestured for them all to approach the desk. "Very well. Perhaps your insights will prove useful."

The tablets displayed detailed records of who entered the treasury for the past six months.

"The key was taken sometime between the evening feast three nights ago and dawn the following morning," Xu Wu explained, his voice steady but troubled. "During that window, only three individuals had the necessary access privileges."

"Myself, obviously," Ao Shun said, gesturing to Xu Wu. "Myself. And..." he paused, his expression darkening as he looked at Lin, "my daughter."

"Father!" Lin protested. "You can’t possibly believe—"

"I don’t want to believe it," Ao Shun interrupted. "But the records are clear. Those are the only three signatures with sufficient authorization to bypass the treasury’s defenses."

"Except," Bi’an said slowly, "someone had to help him. Someone who could access both the treasury and disable the magical protections around the key."

Ao Shun started to speak. "Xu Wu, tell me how you noticed the key was gone."

Xu Wu straightened himself. "I did my morning rounds of the treasury and noticed the key was gone."

Ao Shun continued. "The time log says you were in the treasury the past 3 nights."

Xu Wu heaistated for a moment.

He paused, his brow furrowing in concentration.

"And then?" Ao Shun prompted.

"I..." Xu Wu’s confusion was evident. "I remember entering the vault in the morning when I told you those key was missing but nothing before that."

Lin leaned forward suddenly. "You lost several days of memory?"

"Not lost," Xu Wu replied, his voice growing uncertain. "More like... clouded. When i try to remember it’s just blank."

"Memory manipulation," Lin said quietly.

Ao Shun’s eyes flashed before ice particles began to freeze in the air and shattered as they hit the foor.

The temperature in the chamber seemed to drop several degrees as Ao Shun’s fury manifested. "I know of only two dragons in history with the ability to influence other dragons."

"It’s the only explanation that fits the evidence," Grim said carefully. "Jiaolong couldn’t risk recruiting a willing traitor....."

"The bastard played us all," Suanni growled, small flames flickering around his mane.

Xu Wu straightened his shoulders, his face set in grim lines. "My lord, I accept full responsibility for this breach. Whatever punishment—"

"You were violated, Xu Wu," Ao Shun interrupted sharply. "Used against your will by magic you had no defense against."

"Who are the two dragons?" Grim asked.

Ao Shun’s ancient eyes grew distant, troubled. "The Dragon Emperor. The other..." He shook his head. "I pray I am wrong about this."

"Father," Lin pressed, "if you know who might be behind this—"

"I know nothing for certain," Ao Shun said firmly.

Xu Wu was examining one of the tablets more closely. "My lord, there’s something else. I found traces of recent activity in the communication crystals. Messages sent during the time period I cannot remember."

"What kind of messages?" Ao Shun demanded.

"Coordinates," Xu Wu replied grimly. "Directions to a location in the deep territories. The Abyssal Trench."

A heavy silence fell over the chamber. The Abyssal Trench was legendary even among the Dragon Kings—a place of such danger that even Ao Shun’s forces rarely ventured there.

"The frost behemoths," Suanni said quietly.

"Among other things," Ao Shun confirmed. "The Trench is where we banish the most dangerous criminals."

"Why would Jiaolong go there?" Grim asked.

Lin’s eyes widened as she realized what he was trying to do. "The Emergency Gate," she whispered.

"What?" Ao Shun turned sharply to his daughter.

Lin retrieved the scroll she’d hidden earlier, unrolling it quickly on the desk. "Mother’s records mention a portal in the deepest part of the Abyssal Trench. An emergency gate that was created in case members of the royal family ever became trapped there."

Ao Shun examined the text, his expression growing increasingly grave. "The Blood Gate," he said slowly, the name coming back to him. "I had forgotten about that old contingency."

"What does it do?" Bi’an asked.

"It was designed as an escape route," Lin read from the scroll. "A gateway that could transport dragon royalty directly from the Abyssal Trench to any of the other sea realms. You just need the blood of dragon royalty to activate."

"Dragon royalty," Grim repeated. "You mean..."

"Myself, Lin, or any of the other Dragon Kings," Ao Shun confirmed grimly. "The gate was keyed specifically to our bloodlines. It won’t respond to anyone else." freeweɓnøvel.com

"Jiaolong is royalty." Grim said.

"Indeed," Ao Shun’s expression grew even more troubled. "If he has reached the gate, he could have already transported himself to another realm. Most likely the South Sea to claim Ao Qin’s key."

"Or he might still be there," Grim said suddenly. "If we move quickly, we might be able to stop him before he uses the gate."

Ao Shun studied him intently. "You’re suggesting we pursue him into the Abyssal Trench? One of the most dangerous places in all the sea realms?"

"It’s better than letting him escape to terrorize another Dragon King," Grim replied. "At least this way, we know where he is."

"I’m coming with you," Lin declared immediately.

"Absolutely not," Ao Shun said. "The Abyssal Trench is no place for you, daughter. The frost behemoths are the least of the dangers that lurk in those depths."

"But father, I know more about the Blood Gate than anyone—"

"Which is precisely why you must remain here," Ao Shun interrupted. "If something happens to me, the North Sea will need its heir."

Lin’s face fell, but she nodded reluctantly. "I understand, father."

Xu Wu stepped forward suddenly. "My lord, I request permission to accompany the expedition."

Ao Shun raised an eyebrow. "Xu Wu?"

"I was used as a tool against you, against our realm," Xu Wu said, his voice heavy with shame. "I may not remember what I did, but I know I helped our enemy steal what was most precious to us. Allow me to make amends. Let me help capture the one who violated my mind and used me as his puppet."

Ao Shun considered this for a long moment. "The Trench will test even your considerable abilities, old friend."

"Then it will be a worthy test," Xu Wu replied firmly. "I would rather die attempting to right this wrong than live with the shame of what I’ve unwittingly done."

"Very well," Ao Shun decided. "You may accompany us."

"Us?" Bi’an questioned.

"You don’t think I would send others into such danger while remaining safe in my palace, do you?" Ao Shun’s eyes flashed. "Jiaolong has violated my realm, manipulated my advisor, and stolen my most sacred artifact. This has become personal."

Lin looked alarmed. "Father, if you leave the palace undefended—"

"The palace has defenses beyond my presence," Ao Shun assured her.

He stood, his massive up from his chair. His body shifted from human to dragon. "We leave within the hour. Xu Wu, prepare cold-weather gear for the human."

As they prepared to depart, gathering weapons and supplies for what might be the most dangerous journey any of them had undertaken, Grim found himself touching the amulet Lin had given him. It felt warm in his hands.

"Grim," Lin caught his arm as they prepared to leave. "Be careful in the deep waters and watch over my father," she added quietly. "He hasn’t ventured into truly dangerous territory in centuries. His pride may make him take unnecessary risks."

An hour later, they stood at the edge of a cliff. The cliff loomed over the Abyssal Trench.

"The Abyssal Trench," Ao Shun announced, his voice carrying over the sound of distant, unidentifiable creatures moving in the depths below. "Beyond this point, we enter a place where even I cannot guarantee our safety."

Grim peered over the edge, watching strange bioluminescent shapes drift through the water far below. "How deep does it go?"

"No one knows for certain," Xu Wu replied.