Keystones of the Abyss

The journey back to the surface from the ancient temple was eerily quiet. Erynn could feel the keystone's vibrant energy humming softly in her satchel. It had grown warmer with every passing moment, almost as if it were alive—aware.

Kian broke the silence first. "I don't want to jinx it, but I expected more… explosions, shadow beasts, or a sudden betrayal by now."

Alaric shot him a sharp look. "Don't tempt fate."

Erynn glanced over her shoulder, her expression grim. "It's not over yet. The Order knows where we are. They'll come. They always do."

The sunlight finally broke through the cracks of the cavern as they emerged into the open air. The ruins surrounding the temple seemed to shimmer in the dawn light, but Erynn barely noticed. Her thoughts churned, tangled in the weight of their mission.

"The Abyssal Order's base is close now," she said, her voice steady despite the tension she felt. "If we're going to stop them from getting their hands on the keystone—or worse, the other fragments—we need to strike first."

Alaric nodded. "Agreed. But we'll need allies. The Order has resources, soldiers, and magic we can't even comprehend yet. Going in unprepared would be suicide."

Kian adjusted his daggers at his sides. "So, what's the plan? Knock on their door and hope they let us in for tea?"

Erynn smirked despite herself. "Not quite. I have someone in mind who might help. An informant—someone who knows the Order's movements better than anyone."

Kian raised an eyebrow. "And this person didn't come up until now?"

"She's… complicated," Erynn admitted. "But if we're going to do this, we'll need her insight. The Order's fortress isn't just a place—it's a labyrinth of traps, wards, and illusions. She's the only one who's been inside and lived to tell the tale."

Alaric folded his arms. "If you trust her, we'll follow your lead."

Erynn hesitated for just a moment before nodding. "Let's move. We don't have much time."

---

The small, secluded village of Ashvale lay nestled in the shadow of the mountains, its streets eerily quiet. Erynn led the group to a run-down tavern at the edge of the village, its sign barely hanging on by a single nail.

"This is it?" Kian asked skeptically, glancing at the dilapidated building.

"She prefers places where people don't ask questions," Erynn replied, pushing open the creaking door.

The interior was dimly lit, the air heavy with the scent of stale ale and smoke. A lone figure sat in the corner, cloaked and hooded. Erynn approached cautiously.

"Kaelith," she said, her voice steady but tinged with tension.

The figure looked up, revealing sharp, piercing eyes that glimmered with a strange golden hue. A faint smirk played on her lips. "Erynn. I wondered when you'd come crawling back."

Kian leaned closer to Alaric, whispering, "Oh, this is going to be fun."

"Enough games, Kaelith," Erynn said, her tone firm. "We need your help. The Abyssal Order—"

"I know what you need," Kaelith interrupted, standing and tossing back her hood to reveal cascading auburn hair. "And I know what you're carrying." Her gaze flicked to the satchel, her smirk widening. "The keystone. You've been busy."

Alaric stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "If you already know, then you know what's at stake. This isn't a game."

Kaelith's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Oh, but it is. And you're playing it beautifully." She turned to Erynn. "I'll help you, but you know my price."

Erynn's jaw tightened. "This isn't the time for your games, Kaelith. If the Order succeeds—"

"Spare me the dramatics," Kaelith said, waving her hand dismissively. "I'll help you. But I want something in return. Something only the keystone can give me."

Kian stepped forward, his daggers flashing. "You'd better start explaining before I lose my patience."

Kaelith chuckled. "Relax, dagger boy. I'm not asking for the world. Just a glimpse into the keystone's power—a sliver of its light. That's all."

Erynn hesitated. The keystone pulsed faintly, almost as if it could sense the tension in the room.

"She can't be trusted," Alaric said quietly. "We don't know what she'll do with even a fragment of its power."

"I know," Erynn replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But we don't have a choice."

Kaelith raised an eyebrow. "Tick-tock, Erynn. The longer you wait, the closer the Order gets to finishing their ritual. Decide."

Finally, Erynn nodded. "Fine. But you get nothing until we're inside the fortress."

Kaelith grinned. "Deal. Now let's get moving. The Order's fortress isn't far, and if we're lucky, we might just live long enough to regret this."

---

As the group left Ashvale, the distant mountains loomed like dark sentinels against the horizon. The keystone's light grew brighter with every step, as if it were reacting to the impending confrontation.

Erynn's thoughts churned as they approached the path leading to the Abyssal Order's stronghold. This was it—the final gambit. Everything they had fought for, every sacrifice, led to this moment.

But deep in her heart, she knew that victory would come at a cost.