"The Boundless Cache was indeed important to us. However, resolving the crisis of the demonic portal took precedence," Thebalder said. "Thus, I gave our national treasure to the mages from the Order of Magi as a power source to close the portal. Unfortunately, the power from the Boundless Cache was not enough. They needed at least another item of equal power."
"That's why you asked for the Totem Banner from Verremor," Jack guessed.
"That's right," Thebalder said. "I made a formal visit to the grand chief at the time to borrow the treasure. The people from the Order of Magi assured me that once the portal was sealed, both artifacts could be returned. Unfortunately, the grand chief turned me down."
"I don't find it's strange," Theridan said. "If it is another country that made such a request for our national treasure, I will also reject it. Even if that country is an ally."
"But if the portal is left unchecked, it will spread to other countries, not just ours!" Thebalder said.
"Most of the time, it's difficult to understand the urgency when the fire burns on the other side of the river," Theridan said.
"Yes. I tried to make the grand chief see that, but it is as you said, great grandfather. He just couldn't see the urgency," Thebalder said. "With a heavy heart, I returned empty-handed. But unexpectedly, Mojuto showed up soon after I am back in Themisphere. What's even more surprising, was that he brought the Totem Banner with him. He had secretly taken the national treasure without his father's approval."
"His friendship with you is commendable," Jack remarked.
"That is true. And I value his friendship till now, even when my life is no more," Thebalder said. A hint of deep sadness was seen on his ghostly face.
"What happened then?" Jack asked.
"The two of us went back to the site. Mojuto witnessed my army battling the demonic horde. He understood then that he had made the right choice. This crisis needed to be dealt with as soon as possible. The Order of Magi had constructed a rune diagram around the portal to contain it. Regrettably, during my absence, more demonic creatures came out of the portal. They had driven everyone away from the circle of power the Order of Magi people had created.
"The two legendary artifacts needed to be placed within that rune diagram. So, together with my elite team, Mojuto and I fought our way toward the portal. We suffered heavy losses but we finally reached the portal. The people from the Order of Magi who followed behind us immediately reactivated the rune diagram they had prepared prior.
"We installed both the Boundless Cache and the Totem Banner to power up the diagram which would close the portal. The Order of Magi people then started erecting a seal to contain the area around the portal while the two treasures do their work closing the portal.
"However, the sealing took time. While it was being formed, a powerful archdemon came through the portal. It slaughtered my elite team. Mojuto and I fought as best as we could to stop him from disturbing the Order of Magi people.
"I was heavily wounded in the process but we bought everyone enough time. The Order of Magi people called us to exit the area. But if we did, the archdemon would follow us out and destroy the core of the rune diagram. Someone needed to stay behind and stopped the archdemon.
"Since I'm already wounded and this is my country, I volunteered myself. However, Mojuto used his orcish strength and throw me out. He stayed behind and blocked the archdemon. The Order of Magi people could finally not wait anymore and they activated the seal.
"The area around the portal was completely sealed with Mojuto inside it. He had sacrificed himself when it should have been me!"
Thebalder sighed heavily. He then continued, "The people from the Order of Magi stayed behind to reinforce the sealing and channel their energy into the rune diagram to aid the portal-closing. Unfortunately, the portal had already opened too wide. It couldn't be closed in a short time. But with the power from the two national treasures, the seal would block any further incursion while the portal was slowly shut. Before that happened, the two national treasures couldn't be removed. Otherwise, all our efforts would be wasted.
"The Order of Magi built an encampment around the place and demanded the existence of this portal be kept a secret. Otherwise, demonic cults who worship demon force might come and try to sabotage the seal.
"My army wiped out the remaining demons and set up a blockade around the place. As for me, my grief for losing my best friend caused my wound to become worse and I passed away soon, without being able to properly explain what had happened to Verremor's grand chief… Or perhaps, I'm just too ashamed to go face Mojuto's father. I blame myself for that after my death. Perhaps if I'm not such a coward, I could have prevented the war between our countries."
"I doubt the grand chief would be understanding," Theridan said. "He lost a son and a national treasure because of you. Whatever you said, I don't think he would forgive you."
Thebalder didn't say anything, he just looked away with somber eyes.
"You said before after the portal is shut then we can take back the artifacts, right?" Jack asked. "How long ago was that? Surely the portal is closed already, isn't it?"
Thebalder shook his head. "It is almost two hundred years since then, but the Order of Magi said that it would take around three hundred years for the portal to completely closed."
"Three… Three hundred years? That means it still needs another one hundred years?" Jack asked.
Thebalder nodded.
Jack was speechless. That meant it would not happen during his lifetime. After some consideration, he asked, "Where is this portal located?"
"In Themonium," Thebalder answered.
"Do you mean near Themonium?" Jack asked. Themonium was one of the eight large cities of Themisphere. Not quite a metropolis like the eleven main cities, but larger than a town.
"No, I said the portal is inside Themonium," Thebalder said. "There was originally no settlement there. After I set up barricades for the demonic portal. More and more military structures were built around it. Later, they allowed civilians to settle nearby to support the military. It somehow grew into a settlement, with a population large enough to be a city now."
"The Boundless Cache was indeed important to us. However, resolving the crisis of the demonic portal took precedence," Thebalder said. "Thus, I gave our national treasure to the mages from the Order of Magi as a power source to close the portal. Unfortunately, the power from the Boundless Cache was not enough. They needed at least another item of equal power."
"That's why you asked for the Totem Banner from Verremor," Jack guessed.
"That's right," Thebalder said. "I made a formal visit to the grand chief at the time to borrow the treasure. The people from the Order of Magi assured me that once the portal was sealed, both artifacts could be returned. Unfortunately, the grand chief turned me down."
"I don't find it's strange," Theridan said. "If it is another country that made such a request for our national treasure, I will also reject it. Even if that country is an ally."
"But if the portal is left unchecked, it will spread to other countries, not just ours!" Thebalder said.
"Most of the time, it's difficult to understand the urgency when the fire burns on the other side of the river," Theridan said.
"Yes. I tried to make the grand chief see that, but it is as you said, great grandfather. He just couldn't see the urgency," Thebalder said. "With a heavy heart, I returned empty-handed. But unexpectedly, Mojuto showed up soon after I am back in Themisphere. What's even more surprising, was that he brought the Totem Banner with him. He had secretly taken the national treasure without his father's approval."
"His friendship with you is commendable," Jack remarked.
"That is true. And I value his friendship till now, even when my life is no more," Thebalder said. A hint of deep sadness was seen on his ghostly face.
"What happened then?" Jack asked.
"The two of us went back to the site. Mojuto witnessed my army battling the demonic horde. He understood then that he had made the right choice. This crisis needed to be dealt with as soon as possible. The Order of Magi had constructed a rune diagram around the portal to contain it. Regrettably, during my absence, more demonic creatures came out of the portal. They had driven everyone away from the circle of power the Order of Magi people had created.
"The two legendary artifacts needed to be placed within that rune diagram. So, together with my elite team, Mojuto and I fought our way toward the portal. We suffered heavy losses but we finally reached the portal. The people from the Order of Magi who followed behind us immediately reactivated the rune diagram they had prepared prior.
"We installed both the Boundless Cache and the Totem Banner to power up the diagram which would close the portal. The Order of Magi people then started erecting a seal to contain the area around the portal while the two treasures do their work closing the portal.
"However, the sealing took time. While it was being formed, a powerful archdemon came through the portal. It slaughtered my elite team. Mojuto and I fought as best as we could to stop him from disturbing the Order of Magi people.
"I was heavily wounded in the process but we bought everyone enough time. The Order of Magi people called us to exit the area. But if we did, the archdemon would follow us out and destroy the core of the rune diagram. Someone needed to stay behind and stopped the archdemon.
"Since I'm already wounded and this is my country, I volunteered myself. However, Mojuto used his orcish strength and throw me out. He stayed behind and blocked the archdemon. The Order of Magi people could finally not wait anymore and they activated the seal.
"The area around the portal was completely sealed with Mojuto inside it. He had sacrificed himself when it should have been me!"
Thebalder sighed heavily. He then continued, "The people from the Order of Magi stayed behind to reinforce the sealing and channel their energy into the rune diagram to aid the portal-closing. Unfortunately, the portal had already opened too wide. It couldn't be closed in a short time. But with the power from the two national treasures, the seal would block any further incursion while the portal was slowly shut. Before that happened, the two national treasures couldn't be removed. Otherwise, all our efforts would be wasted.
"The Order of Magi built an encampment around the place and demanded the existence of this portal be kept a secret. Otherwise, demonic cults who worship demon force might come and try to sabotage the seal.
"My army wiped out the remaining demons and set up a blockade around the place. As for me, my grief for losing my best friend caused my wound to become worse and I passed away soon, without being able to properly explain what had happened to Verremor's grand chief… Or perhaps, I'm just too ashamed to go face Mojuto's father. I blame myself for that after my death. Perhaps if I'm not such a coward, I could have prevented the war between our countries."
"I doubt the grand chief would be understanding," Theridan said. "He lost a son and a national treasure because of you. Whatever you said, I don't think he would forgive you."
Thebalder didn't say anything, he just looked away with somber eyes.
"You said before after the portal is shut then we can take back the artifacts, right?" Jack asked. "How long ago was that? Surely the portal is closed already, isn't it?"
Thebalder shook his head. "It is almost two hundred years since then, but the Order of Magi said that it would take around three hundred years for the portal to completely closed."
"Three… Three hundred years? That means it still needs another one hundred years?" Jack asked.
Thebalder nodded.
Jack was speechless. That meant it would not happen during his lifetime. After some consideration, he asked, "Where is this portal located?"
"In Themonium," Thebalder answered.
"Do you mean near Themonium?" Jack asked. Themonium was one of the eight large cities of Themisphere. Not quite a metropolis like the eleven main cities, but larger than a town.
"No, I said the portal is inside Themonium," Thebalder said. "There was originally no settlement there. After I set up barricades for the demonic portal. More and more military structures were built around it. Later, they allowed civilians to settle nearby to support the military. It somehow grew into a settlement, with a population large enough to be a city now."
