As they approached, they saw that the torch was standing on a pedestal of ancient stone. The pedestal was surrounded by intricate carvings, depicting scenes of great battles and powerful magic.
Aren reached out a hand to touch the torch, and as he did, the carvings on the pedestal began to glow. The air was filled with a soft hum, like the whispering of ancient voices.
Ezra felt a strange sensation, as if the very fabric of reality was shifting around him. The carvings on the pedestal seemed to be pulling him in, drawing him towards some ancient truth.
Suddenly, visions flashed before his eyes: scenes of great wars, of powerful sorcerers and mighty heroes. He saw the kingdom of Eldrador, its people living in peace and prosperity. And he saw Princess Elia, her face shining with beauty and light.
The visions faded, leaving Ezra gasping for breath. He looked at Aren, who was staring at him with an intense gaze.
"What did you see?" Aren asked, his voice low and urgent.
Ezra's mind reeled as he tried to process what he had seen.
"The kingdom of Eldrador," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "
And Princess Elia... she's the real heir."
Aren's eyes narrowed.
"Then we're one step closer to finding her," he said.
"And redeeming ourselves."
He also added.
"By the way, the Kingdom of Eldrador? Wasn't it supposed to be the kingdom of Lancaster?"
"Ahh you're right Aren, but I saw it clearly.
With that, they set off once more, following the Light of Eternity into the unknown. But this time, they were no longer alone. They were being watched by unseen eyes, and guided by an ancient power that only they could feel.
As they journeyed on, the Light of Eternity guiding them through the desolate wasteland, Ezra couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being led deeper into a trap. The visions he had seen in the pedestal's glow still lingered in his mind, and he couldn't help but wonder if what he had seen was truly real or just a trick of the mind.
Aren seemed to sense his unease, and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"We're close, Ezra," he said.
"I can feel it. We're getting closer to finding Princess Elia."
But just as they rounded a bend in the path, a figure emerged from the darkness. It was a woman, tall and statuesque, with skin as pale as marble and hair as black as the night. Her eyes seemed to bore into Ezra's soul, and he felt a shiver run down his spine.
"Who are you?"
Aren demanded, his hand tightening on his sword hilt.
The woman's gaze flicked to him, then back to Ezra.
"I am Arachne,"
she said, her voice like silk.
"And you, strangers, are trespassing on sacred ground."
Ezra felt a surge of fear.
"What did this woman want? And what did she know about Princess Elia?"
Aren took a step forward, his eyes fixed intently on Arachne.
"We mean no harm," he said.
"We're searching for Princess Elia."
Arachne's smile was like a razor's edge.
"Ah, yes,"
she said. "The little princess. Well, I can tell you where to find her... but it will cost you."
Ezra's heart sank.
"What did she want in return? And what lay ahead for them?"
He mumbled.
"What do you want?"
Ezra asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Arachne's eyes glinted with amusement.
"Oh, just a small price,"
she said. "A token of your devotion... and your loyalty."
Aren's grip on his sword hilt tightened.
"What kind of token?" he asked.
Arachne's smile grew wider.
"A small trinket," she said. "
A simple task... one that will test your resolve."
Ezra felt a chill run down his spine.
"What kind of test could Arachne possibly have in mind? And what lay ahead for them if they refused?"
As Arachne spoke, her eyes seemed to bore into their souls, as if reading their very thoughts. Ezra felt a sense of unease wash over him, and he glanced nervously at Aren, hoping his friend would have an answer.
Aren's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in determination.
"What is this task?" he demanded.
Arachne's smile grew even wider, her teeth gleaming in the fading light of day.
"I will give you a riddle," she said.
"Solve it, and you shall find Princess Elia. Refuse, and... well, let us just say that you will not leave this place alive."
Ezra felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead as Arachne pulled out a small, intricately carved box from her cloak.
"Solve this riddle," she said, opening the box to reveal a small, glowing crystal inside.
"What am I?"
Aren's eyes locked onto the crystal, and Ezra could see the wheels turning in his friend's mind. But Ezra was stumped. He had no idea what the crystal was or what it represented.
"Time is running out," Arachne warned, her voice like a whispered threat.
Aren's eyes snapped back to hers.
"Give us a hint," he said, his voice firm.
Arachne's smile never wavered.
"Ah, but that would be too easy," she said.
"You must solve the riddle on your own."
Ezra felt a surge of panic. How could they possibly solve this riddle? And what lay ahead if they failed?
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the wasteland in a dark and foreboding shadow, Ezra and Aren exchanged a nervous glance. They knew they had to come up with an answer quickly, or risk facing Arachne's wrath.
Aren's eyes returned to the crystal, his mind racing with possibilities. Ezra, on the other hand, felt a sense of desperation creeping in. He was starting to lose hope, wondering if they would ever find Princess Elia or escape the clutches of this mysterious woman.
Just as they were about to give up, a faint glow began to emanate from the crystal. It pulsed with an otherworldly energy, and Ezra felt a strange sensation wash over him. Suddenly, visions began to flash before his eyes - images of ancient civilizations, long-lost artefacts, and mysterious rituals.
The visions were fragmented and unclear, but Ezra's mind was racing with connections. He turned to Aren, his eyes wide with excitement.
"To be continued
Stay tuned"