The forest was too quiet.
Eldrin's footsteps crunched lightly over the damp earth, his staff gripped tightly in one hand. Nyssa padded beside him, her amber eyes darting from shadow to shadow. The wind stirred the leaves in uneasy whispers, and something about the air felt... off.
It wasn't just Malifax's growing power. It was something—or someone—watching them.
Eldrin stopped abruptly. "We're not alone." Nyssa's fur bristled. She inhaled deeply, then let out a low growl. "I smell steel... and trouble." A twig snapped behind them. Instantly, Eldrin turned around, his staff glowing with a faint blue light. A figure stepped out from behind a gnarled tree, hands raised in mock surrender.
"Easy there, wizard," the man said, flashing a grin. "No need to start throwing spells just yet." He was tall and lean, with sharp green eyes and a smirk that looked permanently fixed to his face. His dark cloak hung loosely around his shoulders, and daggers gleamed at his belt.
Nyssa bared her teeth. "A thief." "Rogue," the man corrected, placing a hand over his chest as if deeply offended. "Arkyn Blackthorne, at your service. And you are?" "None of your concern," Eldrin said, narrowing his eyes. "State your business."
Arkyn sighed dramatically. "Straight to the point. Very well. I hear you're looking for the Celestial Crown." Eldrin tensed and Arkyn's grin widened at the same time. "Now, that I can help you with it." Nyssa scoffed, "And why would a man like you know anything about the Celestial Crown?" Arkyn shrugged. "Because I make it my business to know things. And let's just say... I've got connections."
Eldrin studied him carefully. He had met enough tricksters to know one when he saw him. But still... "What do you want in return?" "Oh, nothing much," Arkyn said, inspecting his fingernails. "Just a share of whatever treasure you find."
Nyssa snorted. "The crown is no ordinary trinket, fool. It's dangerous." "Which is exactly why you'll need someone like me," Arkyn said. "Someone who knows how to survive in dangerous places. You do want to find the next fragment, don't you?" Eldrin exhaled. He didn't trust Arkyn, but he had little choice. Time was running out, and if this rogue had even the smallest piece of information, it could prove invaluable.
"Fine," Eldrin said at last. "But if you betray us—"
"I never betray anyone," Arkyn smirked. "At least, not unless they deserve it."
---
They traveled through the forest for hours, Arkyn leading the way with practiced ease. Eventually, they reached a clearing where an ancient stone archway stood, half-buried in ivy. The symbols etched into the stone glowed faintly in the moonlight.
"This is it," Arkyn said. "The entrance to the Whispering Vault." Eldrin frowned. "I've heard of this place. A tomb of forgotten kings." Arkyn nodded. "And one of them happened to possess a fragment of the crown. The map to its location is hidden inside." Nyssa sniffed the air. "Something feels wrong."
Eldrin ran his fingers over the runes. They hummed under his touch, old magic lingering in the stone. He muttered an incantation, and the archway shuddered. The ground trembled, and slowly, a passage opened beneath them, leading into darkness.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Arkyn said with a dramatic bow, "shall we?"
---
The Whispering Vault
The air inside was stale, thick with dust and secrets. Eldrin conjured a small orb of light, illuminating the tunnel's walls. Etchings of forgotten kings and ancient battles stretched along the stone. They moved cautiously, the silence pressing in around them.
"I don't like this," Nyssa muttered.
They turned a corner and entered a massive chamber. At its center stood a stone pedestal, and on it lay a golden tablet covered in symbols.
"There," Arkyn whispered. "That's the map." Eldrin stepped forward, but Nyssa stopped him with a growl. "Something's coming." A deep, guttural growl echoed through the chamber. From the shadows, a massive stone guardian stirred, its eyes glowing red.
It had awoken. And it was not pleased.
The guardian lunged. Eldrin barely had time to throw up a shield as a massive stone fist came crashing down, shaking the chamber. Dust and debris rained from the ceiling.
"Move!" Arkyn shouted, diving out of the way. Nyssa darted around the guardian, moving too fast for it to track. "Eldrin, grab the tablet!" Eldrin hesitated momentarily before rushing forward. He reached the pedestal and snatched up the golden tablet. The symbols on it flared to life, glowing beneath his fingertips.
The guardian roared.
"Time to go!" Arkyn yelled, already sprinting for the exit. Eldrin turned and ran too, the guardian's thunderous footsteps shaking the tunnel behind them. As they neared the entrance, the walls began to collapse. The passage was closing. They dove forward just as the tunnel caved in behind them, sealing the chamber forever.
---
They lay in the grass, panting. The golden tablet shimmered under the moonlight. "That," Arkyn gasped, "was exhilarating." Eldrin sat up, tracing the symbols. "This... this shows the location of the next fragment."
Nyssa eyed Arkyn warily. "Looks like you were telling the truth." Arkyn smirked. "Told you I was useful." But as Eldrin examined the tablet, Arkyn turned slightly away. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, enchanted stone. He squeezed it.
Far away, deep within his lair, Malifax felt the signal. His lips curled into a slow, wicked smile. The trap was set.
---
Eldrin believes he has found a valuable ally in Arkyn, but little does he know that the rogue is secretly working for Malifax. With the map now in their hands, danger lurks closer than ever.
What awaits them at the next fragment's location?