Echoes of the Past

The sudden change did not seem to make the young blind wizard shrink back. On the contrary, when he sensed the stirring beneath the lake, not only did he feel no fear—he became intrigued.

Saruman rose to his feet, determination written all over his handsome face. "It seems the invitation has been sent. Karg, stay here and protect Lina. I'll go down and take a look."

As he spoke, he prepared to move.

"It's too dangerous!" Karg immediately objected, his thick arm blocking Saruman's path. "We don't know what's down there! But this is obviously a trap!"

"Precisely because we don't know, someone has to explore it." Saruman's tone was resolute as he gently pushed Karg's arm aside. "Remember the oath of our Eye of Dawn—'For truth, fear no darkness.'"

It was clear

that he was still an idealistic wizard.

"No!" Lina struggled to her feet and grabbed Saruman's sleeve. "Don't go down. In my visions, I saw something terrifying. You'll lose something important."

Saruman gently pried open her fingers and lightly kissed her forehead. "Some truths are worth any price."

He gave his companions one last look.

Then he raised his head to gaze at the eerie stars above the lake before stepping without hesitation onto the stone stairs leading to the lakebed. His figure gradually vanished into the depths of the purple water.

Only ripples spread outward across the surface.

"Will he really be alright?"

Karg and Lina waited anxiously by the lake for roughly two days—of course, this part, being presented through memories, was sped up.

After all, the man in black robes and the blind wizard could not possibly stand around here waiting for that long.

"Teacher, was it during this adventure that you lost your eyes?" Even now, the man in black robes had not