The cold morning air heralded the real beginning of the journey to the abandoned monastery for Cassidy and the man. Food was ready, and all other supplies were inclusive of rations for survival, protective charms, and the map that Dr. Sinclair had given them. After a final check on equipment, off they went into the thick embrace of the forest.
The pathway leading up to the monastery was overgrown with vegetation, while twisted roots blocked the way. It was as if the wood were alive, peopled with invisible animals, since the stillness was only broken either by the rustling of leaves or by the very occasional distant call of a bird. Cassidy shivered, but not from the coolness of the air; something was off about this woods.
"We shall have to pay close attention to the map," the man explained to them, "since the monastery is said to be hidden and full of traps.
Cassidy nodded, her eyes straying to scan the surrounding foliage. "I'll watch for anything strange. We cannot afford to be caught with our pants down.
As they went deeper into the woods, the terrain became more rocky, with steep slopes and overgrown underbrush; the pathway quickly disappeared from sight, and the quartet began falling back on the map for guidance. Although the sun was high overhead, little light filtered through the dense canopy above, and the forest floor seemed shadowy, almost twilight in appearance.
After hours of trekking, they reached an open area which the map insinuated could be the way into the catacombs of the monastery. The ground was dotted with a cluster of old stone pillars, their surfaces partly cloaked with moss. Right in the middle of the clearing stood a very large, intricately designed door-half hidden under tangles of ivy and rubble.
"This must be it," he said, cautiously proceeding towards the door. "Now, let us try if we can manage to open it."
Cassidy worked hard, uncovering the vines that had concealed the door, as several very fine carvings could be seen. On the door, there were some symbols etched, matching the ones in the altar and Dr. Sinclair's book. Though very, very ancient, the door was remarkably well-preserved through the ages.
"There's some kind of mechanism here," he said, peering close at it. "Appears that a specific sequence will be needed to open it.
Cassidy peered more closely at the carvings, and they did seem to resemble the symbols used by the Order of Shadows. "We need to be very careful. We don't know what kind of traps or defenses we're going to trigger.
The mechanism only painfully complied as he pressed and twisted segments of the door, creaking open after several minutes of anxious work to show a darkened corridor beyond; from it, air was stale, heavy with the scent of damp stone.
"Stay awake," he said, tugging a flashlight from his pack. "We have no idea what awaits us inside."
They had entered through the doorway; footsteps, echoing, fell down the narrow corridor one after another. Various carvings on the wall-ancient surfaces worn but still partly readable-decorated the place. Winding and twisting, the corridor hauled them deeper inwards to the very heart of the monastery.
The feeling would never leave her mind as she strolled down the hall. The disquieting patterns on the wall seemed to shift as if shadowy forms danced and twisted. Every creak and groan of this time-worn structure furthered her growing feeling of unease.
Finally, they came to a big chamber lit with flickering torches down its sides. There were rows of dusty, forgotten artifacts and ancient tomes from bygone times lining this space. Right in the very middle of the chamber was an immense stone pedestal with a chest on it, bound by an old lock.
"This has to be the secret archive," he exclaimed-illuminated eyes sparkling with excitement. "The artifacts and the documents must be here."
Cassidy strode over to the pedestal and eyed the chest warily. "It's locked, we'll have to find some sort of way to open it."
He surveyed the chest; there was an intricate pattern around the lock. "Indeed, it does seem to require a specific key or a combination. Maybe we can find that key somewhere here in the room.
They began searching the room cautiously, peering at the shelves and observing the numerous artifacts lying around. It was then that Cassidy noticed an ancient book lying on a pedestal in the corner of the room, with its cover bonded with the same signs they found on the door.
"Look at this," an excited Cassidy raised the book. "It may have information about the chest or the artifacts.".
He took the book and started to flip through the pages. "This is the ledger of the artifacts of the Order-what their properties are, and how they may be used or neutralized. It makes mention of a key that resides within a hiding place.
They expanded the search towards finding a secret compartment that was mentioned in the ledger. Cassidy, after some time, found a small panel intelligently hidden behind a shelf containing the very old books. The panel did contain a keyhole and the book did contain the directions pertaining to opening the said panel.
With mixed emotions of anticipation and trepidation, they inserted and turned the key, which opened the compartment. Inside was a small ornamented key that looked just right for the lock on the chest.
He marched to the chest with the key in his hand, his hand shaking about as steadily as his nerves, put in the key, and slowly turned it. The lid creaked as the chest opened with a soft click.
Inside, there had been a hoard of dark relics, their parchments glowing in the dark, odd, and haunting carvings on the relics of times long past. There were writings and incantations on the scrolls from ages past.
"It is here," the man breathed, scarce in a whisper of wonder. "These artifacts and texts may hold the key to interpret the Order's intents, find a way to defeat them.
Cassidy gently picked one of the scrolls up, the tips of her fingers caressing the ancient parchment. "We need to take these with us and peruse through them," she said. "They might have crucial information on what to do with the Dark Energy we've encountered."
It was the kind of thing that wouldn't leave Cassidy's mind as they prepared to leave the room. The blackness of the room seemed to quiver and twist on itself, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.
In one moment, the temperature in the chamber plummeted-and the flickering of the torches was wild. It was a low, dangerous growl rumbling inside the room; the shadows seemed to wake up, twist, and merge into threatening dark forms. "Something is queer," he cried sharply and incisively, "we must get out of here at once!" They clutched the artefacts and scrolls, running down the corridor. With every step taken in the surge of dark energy, growling and shadows seemed to follow. They were running down twisting passages, their breathing laboured. As they attained the entrance, Cassidy threw a glance backward; the shadows seemed to close in after them, outlines distorting into horrific shapes. The darkness closed in, and they needed to get out-fast. With a last spurt of strength, they pushed through the door and out into the clearing. The night air enveloped them like an old friend, refreshing and cooling after the choking darkness of the catacombs. They ran back through the forest, the feelings of being followed still strong in their veins. Now that Cassidy finally had the artifacts and scrolls, he knew that this was far from over; the Order of Shadows would not take this incursion lying down, and the dangers ahead had only just started to unravel. The walk back into town, stepping back into town with rejuvenated resolve, found Cassidy shooting sideways glances at the man beside her. They now had critical knowledge in hand, but the forces of darkness bided their time, knowing they would be back. What lay ahead would be dangerous, but Cassidy would face it head-on. Still, this was only the beginning of the war against the Order of Shadows, and their real test, Cassidy knew, was yet in store.