The oppressive darkness of the chasm enveloped the group as they groped through the labyrinth of underground tunnels. The rock walls were wet and slippery, making every step uncertain. Their power armor gave off a faint glow, enough to light their way, but not enough to dispel the darkness that seemed to stretch on forever.
"We need to get out of here, and fast," Lyra murmured, her tone shaken but determined. "This tunnel system could collapse at any moment."
"You're not very optimistic, are you?" Caelum replied with a smirk, his dark humor piercing even in this dire situation.
"Let's focus on staying alive," Alaric added, cutting short any further discussion. "The tunnels are old, but there's a logic to their layout." We need to find their center, that's probably where the ancient blacksmiths worked."
Guided by instinct and Alaric's knowledge of ancient structures, they continued their exploration, going deeper and deeper into the underground maze. The further they went, the more the vibrations of the energy crystals embedded in the rock walls could be felt, like a living pulse that resonated in their armor.
After a walk that seemed to last an eternity, they finally emerged into a vast underground cavern. The place was immense, lit by energy crystals mounted on stone pillars, which cast a soft but powerful light over the entire room. It was a blacksmith's workshop, perfectly preserved, as if the blacksmiths had left it the day before.
The group stopped, dazzled by the scene that stretched out before them.
"By the old gods…" Aldric murmured, his eyes scanning the intricate details of the tools, anvils, and strange machines scattered throughout the cavern. "This is where it all began."
In the center of the room, a towering table made of black iron sat majestically. On it, a tablet forged of the same metal sat, seemingly defying time. The inscriptions etched into the black iron shimmered faintly, revealing ancient symbols and runes that only a handful of people on Arkhadia could understand.
"This is… the method of forging power armor," Alaric murmured as he approached cautiously, his fingers brushing over the etched symbols. "The original. The one we lost generations ago."
Lyra stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the tablet. "If we can master this method, we could make armor more powerful than the Fallen's… Maybe even regain the upper hand in this war."
Aldric, who was studying the inscriptions with rare intensity, nodded. "This knowledge was lost for a reason. Perhaps the Ancients decided that the power it granted was too dangerous."
Caelum, pragmatic as ever despite the situation, leaned against a pillar. "Or perhaps they were just afraid that others would use it better than they could. Either way, this knowledge is ours now."
Alaric, after a moment of thought, turned to the group. "This is not just a discovery. This is a weapon. A weapon that could change the outcome of this war. But it is not without danger. We must be certain of what we are doing." »
"Then we take it, and learn how to use it before the Fallen get their hands on it," Lyra said determinedly. "If we leave this place as it is, they'll find out."
Aldric nodded. "It's our best chance. But we'll have to be careful. The power of these crystals and the black iron combined has never been harnessed to its full potential. If we fail, we could cause more destruction than we can handle."
Caelum approached the tablet, his face serious for once. "Well, then, we'll make sure we don't fail. And if we're going to blow it up, we might as well blow it up on them."
Alaric retrieved the tablet and carefully placed it in a secure compartment in his armor. "We got what we came for. Now let's get out of here before someone else comes after us." »
As they prepared to leave the workshop, the crystals around them vibrated more intensely, emitting a rhythmic pulse that resonated throughout the complex. This was not just a simple light: it was a complex energy network, designed to power and reinforce the armor, but also to defend this secret place.
"These crystals are more than a source of energy," Aldric realized as he looked at the network. "They are the heart of this forge. Without them, the whole thing would collapse."
"Then let's make sure we don't disrupt them more than necessary," replied Alaric. "This knowledge is precious, but we must stay alive to exploit it."
The group, after carefully sealing the tablet in Alaric's armor, began to leave the underground forge, taking care not to disturb anything else. As they re-entered the tunnels, one certainty weighed on them: they had just discovered the most guarded secret on the planet, a power that could change the face of Arkhadia. But with this power also came an immense responsibility, and perhaps an even greater danger.
All that remained was for them to survive the journey back to the surface, where new dangers surely awaited them.