As they exited the chambers where they held the meeting with King Durin, Alex and Lyria caught sight of a familiar figure outside. It was a Semibeast, resembling a fox, the same one who had stolen the medallion in Desiería. To their surprise, he turned out to be King Durin's bodyguard, a formidable mercenary whose strength could rival that of entire kingdoms.
The Semibeast, known as Renn, stood tall and imposing, his muscular frame accentuated by the massive sword strapped to his back and a gleaming dagger sheathed at his waist. His eyes held a glint of mischief as he regarded Taramis and his companions, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
Taramis's expression hardened as he locked eyes with Renn. "What are you doing here, Renn?" he demanded, his voice tinged with suspicion.
Renn's smirk widened, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Merely fulfilling my duties, my dear Taramis," he replied smoothly. "But enough about me. I believe you have something of mine."
Alex's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?" he interjected, his voice laced with irritation. "And where is my medallion?"
Renn's gaze shifted to Alex, his smirk never faltering. "Your medallion is exactly where it needs to be," he replied cryptically. "On the door, waiting for its counterpart."
Lyria's eyes widened in realization. "You mean there's only one left?" she exclaimed, a note of urgency creeping into her voice.
Renn nodded, his expression unreadable. "Indeed," he confirmed. "And I believe your elf companion holds the final piece of the puzzle. You should consider speaking to King Durin. I'm sure he would be willing to make a generous offer for it."
With a final nod, Renn melted into the shadows, leaving Taramis and his companions to ponder his cryptic words. As they continued on their journey through the bustling corridors of Forjgris, the weight of Renn's warning hung heavy in the air, serving as a grim reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.
After their brief conversation, Durin strode down a darkened corridor deeper into the mountain, leading Taramis and his companions to a massive door adorned with four slots. These slots seemed tailor-made to accommodate the medallions they possessed, each one a key to unlocking the mysteries hidden within the mountain's depths.
With a sense of purpose, Durin stepped forward and inserted Taramis's medallion into one of the slots, the mechanism of the door emitting a faint hum as it recognized the ancient artifact. As the medallion clicked into place, there remained only one empty slot, a stark reminder of the missing piece needed to unlock the door's full potential.
Taramis peered at the empty slot, a furrow forming between his brows. "Where could the final medallion be?" he mused aloud, his voice echoing off the stone walls of the chamber.
As they stood before the imposing gateway, Lyria felt the weight of the final medallion resting against her skin, hidden beneath her garments. She had kept its existence a secret, uncertain of what to do with such a powerful artifact. The allure of the unknown treasures that lay beyond the door tempted her, but she hesitated, pondering the potential consequences of revealing her possession.
Durin's keen eyes scanned the empty slot, his curiosity piqued by the absence of the fourth medallion. Sensing an opportunity, Lyria remained silent, her mind racing with possibilities. What could she gain by revealing her secret? What rewards awaited her if she chose to divulge the existence of the final key?
As Taramis and Durin exchanged knowing glances, Lyria wrestled with her decision. She knew that her medallion held immense value, not just as a key to unlocking the secrets of the mountain, but also as a bargaining chip in negotiations between the kingdoms. With the power to sway alliances and secure favors, it was a tool of unparalleled significance.
But as she weighed the potential benefits against the risks, Lyria couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that gnawed at her conscience. Would revealing the medallion lead to untold riches and glory, or would it bring about unforeseen consequences that could jeopardize everything she held dear?
With a resolve born of uncertainty, Lyria made her decision. For now, she would keep the medallion hidden, biding her time until she was certain of the path she wished to take. The secrets of the mountain would have to wait, for there were greater mysteries yet to be unraveled, both within the depths of the earth and within her own heart.