I gazed at the Great Library of Crownforge and marveled at its sheer size and grandeur. The architecture seamlessly blended elven and dwarven design elements, creating a harmonious and awe-inspiring structure.

  As Seraphina, Triolux, and I approached the entrance, Elixander stood outside waiting for us. "Welcome, my friends," he said with a warm smile, “it's a pleasure to have you here."

  "Good morning, Elixander," I replied, returning his smile while trying to push the dire news about the Shadow's Respite to the back of my mind. "It's an honor to visit such a remarkable place."

  Seraphina and Triolux echoed my sentiments and expressed their excitement at the library's vast collection.

  "We have a chamber in the back. A few friends are already there." Elixander opened the door and gestured for us to enter.

  "You brought help?"

  Elixander nodded.

  As we stepped inside, the musty scent of ancient tomes and scrolls filled my nostrils. It was a comforting aroma that reminded me of libraries I had visited back on Earth. I guess some things never changed. Elixander led us through the main hall, where towering shelves lined the walls, filled with an endless array of leather-bound books and delicate scrolls.

  As we walked, Elixander shared fascinating tidbits about the library's history and the rare works it housed. "Some of these texts date back to the early days of our civilization," he explained, his voice filled with reverence. "They hold the collective knowledge of generations."

  We made our way to a secluded back area of the library, where the air grew even more still and the lighting more subdued. As we turned a corner, we were greeted by two familiar faces: the forgepriests Dagor and Durrick Thunderfall.

  "Varix, Seraphina, Triolux!" Dagor exclaimed. "It's wonderful to see you all."

  Durrick, slightly younger than his brother but no less enthusiastic, clasped our hands firmly. "Welcome, my friends. We've been eagerly awaiting your arrival."

  "Dagor, Durrick, it's great to see you both," I said, returning their greetings.

  Elixander said, "Let us take a moment to appreciate the knowledge and wisdom surrounding us. The Great Library of Crownforge is a tremendous collaboration between the elves and dwarves. It is also one of my favorite places to visit. I have spent countless days here."

  Seraphina slid her arm into the crook of Elixander's arm and pulled him close. "It is stunning, father. I could spend weeks here and worry that I still had not explored every nook and cranny."

  Elixander nodded and led us deeper into the library.

  We weaved between massive bookshelves that stretched toward the vaulted ceiling. The smell of old leather and parchment grew stronger as Elixander guided us through the maze. He paused at a small wooden door carved with intricate runes and pushed it open.

  The round chamber beyond held an ornate table, its surface barely visible beneath stacks of books and unfurled scrolls. Brass reading lamps glowed over the weathered pages.

  I leaned close to Elixander, keeping my voice low. "Do the forgepriests know about my... condition?"

  "They do, and they trust me, just as I trust them, which is as much as I trust Seraphina," he murmured. "They've been crucial allies and some of the finest friends an elf could hope for. I have asked for their discretion. When I explained your situation, there was doubt. Who could blame them? But they have come around."

  The dwarf brothers regarded me. Dagor spoke up, "Varix. If Elixander says we can trust you, then we can trust you. He told us about your underground adventure that led to the return of this fine fellow." He pointed at Triolux.

  Triolux broadly grinned at them.

  I swallowed and looked away, face suddenly flushed.

  After a moment, I looked at each person in the room—Seraphina, Triolux, Dagor, Durrick, and Elixander. "I need to thank you all, not just for helping me, but for what you're doing for my friend trapped in Thalindra's body. She's innocent in all this. You are all amazing individuals. And I also thank you for your trust in me and Elixander. Things could have gone completely differently when he discovered the form under my disguise."

  "You earned our trust, Varix. You have proven that your soul is pure. Think nothing more of it."

  "Oh." I looked around the room. "Where's Frostfire?"

  "She should return in a few hours. She is seeking food," Elixander said.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "A dragon must be very hungry," Dagor said. "All the time."

  "Aye." Durrick nodded.

  "We saw her eat at the inn yesterday. She can eat more than anyone I've ever met," I told them.

  "Probably a drop in the well's bucket compared to what her dragon form can consume," Triloux added.

  Elixander turned to Seraphina. "Did you find a jewel that might suit our purpose?"

  Seraphina nodded. She reached into her pouch and carefully extracted the gems she had measured against the Heart of Shadows earlier, and placed them on the table.

  Elixander leaned forward. His eyes were intense as he studied the jewels. He moved them around, arranging them in different patterns, delicately manipulating their positions with his fingers. The only sound was the soft rustle of his robes as he worked. His brow furrowed slightly as he examined each jewel, his lips moving in a silent incantation.

  Suddenly, Elixander began to chant aloud, his voice low and melodic. The words were in an ancient language, their meaning lost to me, but the power behind them was palpable. The air in the chamber seemed to thicken, charged with an unseen energy.

  As Elixander's chanting grew in intensity, I glanced down at the Heart of Shadows that hung around my neck. The amulet that had allowed me to assume a different identity, escape Morthisal's dark past, and start anew.

  I hoped that Elixander's magic would be successful and that we could find a way to free my friend from her unwanted prison.

  Seraphina and the others watched with rapt attention. Triolux's metallic features reflected the light, and his gemstone eyes glowed with curiosity.

  As Elixander's chanting reached a crescendo, the jewels on the table pulsed with a faint light, as if they were responding to his words, awakening to the magic that flowed through the chamber.

  I leaned forward as the gems transformed. The light within them grew brighter, mesmerizingly casting many color hues across the table's surface.

  Elixander's voice suddenly fell silent. He reached out with a steady hand and carefully picked up two of the jewels to hold them aloft.

  "There are two," Elixander said. "I am having trouble discerning the exact gem."

  Triolux pushed between us and picked up the pair of gems Elixander had chosen. He reached up, grabbed the amulet hanging from my neck, and tugged me down.

  "Ow."

  "You'll be fine, lad. Hunch over, I'm not tall, in case you hadn't noticed."

  Dagor and Durrick snickered.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Helping." Triolux closed his eyes, rolled his head forward, and stood there for several minutes while we all waited. After a while, I asked, "Did you fall asleep?"

  "Right. It's the light blue stone. Seems the lattice is the strongest of the pair."

  "Are you sure?" I asked.

  "Listen, lad, I know a fair bit about rocks, metals, and gems. If you want something to hold a spell of that magnitude, that's the one you want."

  Elixander carefully placed the chosen gem back on the table. "You shall have to teach me this way of divining."

  "Happy to, friend Elixander."

  Elixander seemed satisfied with Triolux's assessment. He picked up the light blue gem and held it aloft, examining it closely.

  "Once we are done copying the spell, we can try to make Varix's amulet permanent by moving the spell to him," Elixander said, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and caution. "However, there is a possibility that the process could destroy the original jewel."

  A sudden wave of unease washed over me.

  Triolux interrupted. "Wait a moment, Elixander. There's something you need to consider. If you copy the spell, a small amount of the power in The Heart of Shadows will also be permanently transferred. There is no chance the original gem can be used to restore Varix to his true form and remove Morthisal's cursed body."

  "What?" I stared at the gem in Elixander's hand and gripped the Heart of Shadows that hung around my neck. The realization that I might never be able to shed this cursed form suddenly weighed heavily upon me.

  Seraphina's hand found mine, and she gave it a gentle squeeze.

  I took a deep breath and looked up at the faces around me. "I've lived with this curse for so long; maybe a solution can be found at another time. For now, we need to focus on helping Penny. She doesn't deserve to suffer in that dungeon. I can't imagine the terror she must be living under. Let's make the copy."

  Elixander regarded me with what I hoped was admiration and respect. "Varix, this is why you have earned my trust. You are truly a remarkable man with a good heart. Your willingness to prioritize others, even at great personal cost, speaks volumes about your character."

  A lump formed in my throat at his words.

  "Um, thanks," I replied dumbly.

  "Very well. We shall begin. Varix, would you be so kind as to remove the Heart of Shadows?"

  I nodded, suddenly embarrassed. Taking this damn thing off felt worse than being naked in the room.

  "I'm really sorry, friends."

  "For what?" Dagor asked.

  I pulled the chain up and over my head and placed it on the table. My change into the guise of former Dark Lord Morthisal took place over several seconds. My pants loosened, but my shirt lifted up and exposed my gray belly since Morthisal had been about half a foot taller than me.

  "For this," I replied.

  Seraphina looked away. The dwarf brothers both stared at me. "You're an ugly cuss," Dagor said.

  I rolled my eyes but then inclined my head. My voice came out a rasp. "I know."

  The voices of the dead swirled around me. I pushed them aside and hoped this would not take long.

  With a nod, Elixander began the process of copying the spell into the light blue gem. The chamber fell silent once more, save for the soft murmur of his incantations.

  The brothers placed their hands over Elixander's fists, which held the jewel, and the chanting continued. Dagor and Durrick took on a warm glow.

  I couldn't help but feel a sense of bittersweet acceptance. While the prospect of remaining in Morthisal's form was terrifying, I knew that helping Penny was the right thing to do. She was an innocent caught up in this mess, and I refused to let her suffer any longer than necessary.