A chill settled over the swamp as the trio ventured deeper into the Obsidian Mire. The mist grew thick, swirling in eerie patterns around their feet. The whispers in the air grew louder, their words just beyond understanding.
Nyssa's ears twitched as she glanced around warily. "Something is wrong. The air feels... tainted." Eldrin clutched his staff tighter. He could feel it too—a presence lurking just beyond the mist, watching.
Arkyn, however, seemed entirely at ease. He walked a few steps ahead, his boots barely making a sound on the damp ground. He had played his role well—earning their trust, guiding them toward the fragment's resting place. And now, all that was left was to wait for Malifax's spell to take effect.
The enchanted stone in his pocket burned slightly against his skin, a reminder of the dark bargain he had made. "Not much farther," he said over his shoulder. "The tablet's magic is growing stronger." Eldrin hesitated. He had been so focused on finding the next fragment that he hadn't truly questioned how Arkyn knew so much.
How did a rogue with no magical training know about the Celestial Crown? Why had he conveniently appeared at the perfect time? Nyssa shot Eldrin a glance as if sensing his doubts. She had never trusted Arkyn. But before she could voice her concerns, the ground beneath them trembled.
A pulse of dark magic rippled through the air. The mist thickened, forming twisted shapes, faces contorted in silent screams. And then there was silence.
A voice echoed through the swamp, low and cold. "You've done well, Arkyn."
---
Shadows swirled at the center of the clearing, forming into the familiar figure of Malifax. His cloak billowed, though there was no wind. His eyes gleamed with amusement as he stepped forward, the dark aura around him crackling with raw power.
Eldrin's heart pounded. "You!" Malifax smirked. "I wondered how long it would take you to realize."
Nyssa snarled, her fur bristling. "You led us into a trap!" she spat at Arkyn. Arkyn hesitated for only a moment. He could feel Nyssa's anger, the sharp betrayal in Eldrin's eyes. But he forced himself to keep his expression neutral.
He had made his choice.
"A deal's a deal," he said, tossing the enchanted stone to Malifax. "I held up my end." Eldrin's grip on his staff tightened. "You betrayed us!" Malifax chuckled. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. He simply chose the winning side."
Nyssa lunged at Arkyn, but before she could reach him, Malifax flicked his wrist. A wave of dark energy slammed into her, sending her flying backward into a tree. She hit the trunk with a painful thud, her breath leaving her in a sharp gasp.
"Nyssa!" Eldrin rushed to her side, but Malifax raised his hand, and the ground beneath them turned to inky blackness. Dark tendrils shot out, wrapping around Eldrin's arms and legs, pinning him in place. "You see, Eldrin," Malifax said, stepping closer. "You've been a thorn in my side for too long. Always meddling. Always interfering."
He knelt beside Eldrin, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But this time? You've already lost."
---
Arkyn stood a little aside, watching. The thrill of the deception should have been satisfying. Malifax had promised him freedom from the bounty hunters chasing him, riches beyond imagining.
And yet…
He hadn't expected it to feel this wrong. Nyssa groaned, trying to push herself up. Eldrin struggled against the tendrils, his face twisting in pain. They had trusted him.
Malifax turned his attention back to the golden tablet, now hovering in the air, reacting to his presence. The symbols pulsed with light, revealing the next location of a Celestial Crown fragment.
"There it is," Malifax murmured. "At last."
But then—
A faint ripple of magic vibrated through the air. The tablet flickered. Malifax's expression darkened. "What?" Another vibration, and then, a blinding surge of golden light exploded outward. Malifax stumbled back, shielding his eyes.
The tablet's magic was rejecting him.
"No... No!" Malifax snarled, his hands crackling with dark energy. He tried again, but the tablet flared brighter, sending another pulse of power that forced him back. Eldrin felt the tendrils around him weaken.
Now was his chance. With all his strength, Eldrin channeled his magic, breaking free of the dark bindings. He thrust his staff forward, sending a blast of blue energy straight at Malifax. Caught off guard, Malifax barely managed to deflect it. He hissed in frustration, his fury boiling over. "Enough of this!" he roared, raising his hands.
The swamp shuddered as shadowy creatures rose from the ground—twisted beings with hollow eyes and clawed hands, moving toward Eldrin and Nyssa. Eldrin braced himself. He had to buy time. He had to keep the tablet out of Malifax's hands. Nyssa recovered, leaping onto one of the creatures, her claws slicing through the shadowy form. Eldrin cast a protective barrier around them, but the creatures kept coming.
And then—unexpectedly—Arkyn moved.
He threw a dagger. Straight at Malifax. Malifax barely dodged in time, the blade slicing his cloak. His eyes flashed with fury. "What are you doing?" Arkyn twirled another dagger between his fingers. "Changing sides."
Malifax let out a guttural growl. "You dare betray me?" Arkyn shrugged. "Seems like I have a habit of that." He spun, slashing through one of the shadow creatures before running to Eldrin's side. Eldrin stared at him in shock. "Why?" Arkyn grinned, but there was something genuine in his eyes. "Because I hate owing people. Consider us even."
Malifax's rage boiled over. The entire swamp trembled as he gathered a massive storm of dark energy.
"You will regret this, Arkyn!"
The power in his hands crackled violently, growing unstable. But before he could unleash it— The golden tablet flared once more. A final, powerful pulse of energy burst outward, sending shockwaves through the swamp. The air shimmered. The world tilted.
And then—darkness.
---
When Eldrin opened his eyes, he was lying on solid ground. The swamp was gone. Instead, they were standing on an ancient stone platform, high above a vast, glowing chasm. Golden runes shimmered beneath their feet. The air thrummed with power.
Nyssa groaned as she stood. Arkyn rubbed his head, muttering something about 'awful decisions'. Eldrin looked around in disbelief.
"Where are we?" Nyssa asked. Arkyn whistled. "Wherever it is, it's not the swamp." Eldrin's gaze settled on the center of the platform. Floating above it—
A fragment of the Celestial Crown. The next piece was within reach. But so was danger. Malifax was nowhere to be seen. Which meant he was still out there. Watching. Waiting.
And planning his next move.
---
The battle in the swamp has changed everything. Eldrin, Nyssa, and Arkyn now find themselves in an unknown ancient location, with a fragment of the Celestial Crown before them. But Malifax's defeat was not permanent.
He will return.
And next time, he will not hold back.