Summoned by the Duke, Jayce, Irelia, and Jax found themselves standing in the torture chamber of the castle with the prisoner they referred to as "Iceman" reanimated with his hands bound and shackled to the wall.
The air hung heavy with anticipation, the flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows on the grand walls. The Duke, a figure of authority and power, addressed them with a grave expression.
"The prisoner we have captured has proven to be too... uncooperative," the Duke began, his voice laced with frustration. "We require a different approach to extract the information we seek." He paused, his gaze shifting between the three individuals before him. "There is an item of great significance, known as the 'Truth Seeker,' hidden within the tomb of Avogadro, the legendary alchemist."
As the Duke spoke, his words carried a weight that seemed to settle over the room, filling the silence with a sense of urgency. The tomb of Avogadro, nestled within a mountain not far from the castle, held the key to their mission. However, the Duke's cautionary words lingered in the air, warning of the dangers that awaited them.
"Be warned," the Duke warned solemnly, his voice tinged with concern. "The temple built over Avogadro's tomb has long been abandoned, attracting a motley crew of riff-raff and unsavory characters. Proceed with caution."
Jayce, stepped forward. "We will retrieve the 'Truth Seeker' from Avogadro's tomb," he declared.
With the mission accepted, the trio departed from the castle as the first light of dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and pink, they set out on their journey towards Avogadro's tomb.
As Jayce, Irelia, and Jax ventured through the treacherous terrain towards the ancient ruins of Avogadro's tomb, the air got alot colder and they had to cover up tightly.
The West mountain loomed before them, its towering peak disappearing into the clouds. The group ascended the rugged path, their footsteps echoing against the rocky slopes.
Irelia's keen senses alerted her to the presence of danger. She turned to Jayce, her voice barely above a whisper. "Jayce, there are four bandits outside on lookout duty," she informed him, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of caution and determination.
Jayce leaned in closer, his curiosity piqued. "How do you know that?" he whispered back, his voice laced with intrigue.
A small smile played upon Irelia's lips. "You have your gifts, and I have mine," she replied cryptically, her words carrying a hint of mystery.
Realizing the need for stealth, Jayce motioned for Jax and Irelia to wait behind cover while he silently eliminated the bandits. With careful precision, he moved like a shadow, dispatching the unsuspecting sentries one by one.
Once the path was clear, the group continued their ascent, their eyes fixed on the distinctive crown of five spires that marked the entrance to the tomb. The temple, an imposing structure perched atop a natural arch, commanded a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape, including the Duke's castle. Its ancient origins were evident, mirroring the age of the castle itself.
Jayce peered at the symbols and inscriptions adorning the temple walls, his brow furrowing in contemplation. "Irelia, why do the symbols here and those on the castle bear such striking resemblance?" he inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Irelia regarded the enigmatic markings with a sense of distance. "They were built by the same cult," she explained, her voice tinged with a touch of uncertainty. "But the cult vanished from the Kingdom of Fire long ago. Their true nature remains a mystery to me."
With their questions lingering in the air, the group ventured further into the temple, their footsteps echoing in the vast chambers. Soon, they arrived at a large room where a couple of bandits had set up camp, oblivious to the absence of their lookout companions.
One of them said, "I can't believe they went in there alone. They're either brave or stupid, or both." Another one said, "They're probably dead by now. You know how dangerous these ruins are. They're full of traps and curses."
Silently, Jayce and Jax moved forward, their every step a delicate dance of caution. But as fate would have it, Jax accidentally stepped on a wooden arrow, breaking it. The bandits, alerted to their presence, attacked without hesitation.
Jayce and Jax swiftly engaged the assailants, their movements a blur of strength and skill. Blades clashed and fists flew, as the bandits met their match in the face of their formidable opponents. Yet, when Jayce and Jax turned to locate Irelia, they found her gone, having continued deeper into the labyrinthine corridors.
Irelia pressed forward, her determination unyielding. In a small room, she observed a lone bandit who stood guard beside a lever and a cryptic puzzle. Observing from the shadows, she watched as the bandit pulled the lever, unknowingly triggering a trap that released a deadly barrage of poisoned darts.
Jax and Jayce hurriedly approached Irelia, their footsteps echoing softly against the ancient stone floor. As they drew near, they noticed her standing in a small clearing, her eyes closed in deep concentration. Her voice carried a melodic hum as she chanted softly, a serene aura enveloping her.
The sound of their footsteps reached Irelia's ears, and her eyes fluttered open, revealing pools of focused determination. She turned to face her companions, a knowing smile gracing her lips. "I have discovered something crucial," she began, her voice filled with a sense of urgency.
With a sense of purpose, Irelia led Jax and Jayce to the very spot where the unfortunate bandit had met his tragic fate. The air hung heavy with a foreboding atmosphere, the remnants of the trap serving as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking within the temple's depths.
Gesturing towards the pillars on the left side of the entrance, Irelia explained the puzzle that guarded their progress. "The temple is rigged with traps," she warned. "But fear not, for it can be opened by solving a puzzle."
Her gaze then shifted upward, towards the tablets adorning the upper wall above the gate, and the solitary tablet positioned beside the lever. Ancient symbols and inscriptions adorned these artifacts, holding the key to unlocking the temple's secrets.
With a steady hand, she arranged the pillars, guided by her understanding of the symbols.
"The order," she declared, her voice clear and confident, "is bird, snake, bird. From left to right."
Each movement was deliberate as Irelia adjusted the first pillar, ensuring the bird symbol took its rightful place. Her gaze then shifted to the second pillar, expertly aligning it to reveal the intricate engraving of the snake symbol. Finally, she approached the third pillar, a sense of certainty guiding her as she set it to showcase the bird symbol once more.
As Irelia stepped back, a sense of accomplishment radiated from her. The mechanisms within the temple responded to her actions, and a deep rumbling filled the chamber. Slowly, the gate guarding their path began to creak open. "You'll have to explain your magic to me later," Jayce said placing a hand on her head.