The cavernous entrance swallowed up both Indra and Vizo as they ventured into the unknown depths of the dungeon. Inside, the air was cold and damp, a stark contrast to the arid desert that laid outside. The walls leading further down the dungeon were decorated with ancient symbols and etchings that had a faint glow, giving a light source in the dungeon.
Vizo began to wince slightly, as he began to clutch his injured shoulder. Indra took notice and shot him a concerned glance, "Please, we need to stop here, you won't make it far with that injured shoulder and your exhaustion." she asked gently.
"You're right, it's foolish of me to think I can clear a dungeon in this condition." Vizo replied in a relieved tone, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
Indra caught up to him and guided him to a nearby rock that was exposed from the wall. She helped him carefully sit down, and then took the bag off her shoulders and began to search inside it for anything that could help.
The soft glow of the ancient symbols on the wall bathed them in an ominous light. She managed to find a few bandages, and grabbed a jug of water they had looted off the scavengers they just previously fought.
"Let me take a look at the wound, please." Indra insisted, her eyes were filled concern and it didn't seem like she would take no for an answer.
Vizo gave her a weak smile, "But it's just a scratch, really." he said, trying to downplay the severity of his wound. Though the pain of it was evident in his wincing.
Shoot him a disapproving look, Indra replied, "No it's more than that, we can not afford to get an infection here or get further injured." her voice carrying an added weight as she tried to take control of the situation.
"Alright then, have at it." Vizo replied, moving his armor to the side to reveal the wound. It was gushing blood, and looked much deeper than even Indra had expected. With a most concerned look Indra scolded Vizo saying, "You bastard you would have died if I just let it go!" her voice was filled with anger, but in a caring way.
She took the water jug in her hand and poured some on the wound, Vizo slightly winced in pain as the water touched the wound but didn't pull away. Then she dabbed the wound with a cloth she tore off of her own cloak, taking the dirt and grime off the wound. Lastly she wrapped it with a thin bandage she found in Vizo's bag but it was the best choice they had.
As she wrapped the wound Vizo gave her a gentle smile, "You handled yourself impressively back there," he said, "You know, it took me two years of training my body, and one to train my mind before I could begin to manipulate Zephyra. And even then I was called a prodigy and a genius. I wonder-what does that makes you?"
Indra felt a flush rise to her cheeks, "I don't know about that," she said, "I was just acting on instinct.
He chucked lightly, still wincing in pain, "Even still its extremely rare to see someone grasp it so quickly."
She met his gaze and in her eyes doubt flickered, "But it's all so new to me, and sometimes I feel like I'm being guided by the Zephyra, and not the other way around."
Vizo's expression grew attentive, "Maybe there's more to your arrival in Elysia than just chance. It's rare to see someone connect with Zephyra like you did back there, after only training for what, a day? Maybe your purpose is something greater?"
Indra sighed, her mind began to dance around limitless possibilities for why she was here, "I don't think it's good to think I am here for a higher reason. I feel like I'm just like anyone else." her voice remained calm, "Even still we need to stay ahead of Edon's forces regardless of my aptitude."
He nodded his head agreeing with her, "Let's take a few hours to rest before we carry on. This dungeon seems to be only a tier two or three so we should be able to clear it with relative ease but it's better to stay cautious." his voice seemed confident for the most part, but a part of him seemed unsure.
Thinking to himself, Vizo did notice a strange presence when he first entered the dungeon, a strangely powerful one that seemed in belonged in a tier four or even five dungeon.
She settled on the side of the rock adjacent to him, and leaned against cold stone wall. The small light emitting from the wall created an almost serene atmosphere despite the dangers lurking above, and below.
"Vizo," her voice sounded hesitant, "thank you for-everything. You took a big risk helping me back there, and I don't want you to think it goes unappreciated."
He looked at her with appreciation, "Helping you was the right thing to do. But so was betraying Edon, seeing the lengths he was going to for that stupid artifact of his was too much... He needs to be stopped."
They both closed their eyes after a minute or two, allowing a brief respite. The brief sound of water dripping from a distant source, and soft hum of the glowing walls were almost soothing.
Transitioning to Zara and Icago's location, the Sun hung low in the sky as it was nearly set. It casted dark shadows across the desolate landscape as Zara and Icago approached Edon's fortress. The heart of the operation. The imposing fortress looming ahead-a black monolith and sharp spires that pierced the blood-red hued clouds up above. The closer they approached it the air began to grow colder, almost as if the air itself was being sucked of it's warmth.
Zara pulled her cloak closer to her shoulders. "We need to be careful with our choice of words, Icago." she said but her voice was barely audible over the howling winds, "Edon will not take Vizo's betrayal lightly."
Icago let out a grunt, his massive frame was tense and barely restrained his anger, "Then let him be mad. Vizo's betrayal will not unpunished. I'll crush that fly with my own hands."
She shot him a cold stare, "Don't forget our goal is to remain in Edon's favor, don't let your anger jeopardize that."
They both approached the gate, guarded by several stone-faced warriors clad in dark, heavy armor. Recognizing Edon's elite enforcers, the guards stepped aside immediately, not uttering a word. The gates began to open, and a deep chill foreshadowing the upcoming conversation with Edon sent chills into their spines.
Inside, the fortress was an elaborate creation illuminated by flickering torches that lit up the stone walls with their dancing flames. The air was thick of incense, and something far more sinister. A metallic tang that hinted at blood.
They made their way to the central chamber, their footsteps echoing ominously. Their expressions changed to match the gravity of the report that lied ahead.
Remaining ahead were the grand doors to Edon's throne room, they were adorned with carvings of twisted figures and tormented faces. Two more guards pushed open the doors, and revealed a large chamber bathed in an eerie red glow.
Far ahead of them, Edon was lying on a throne carved from obsidian its sharp edges and twisted shaping matched the coldness in his eyes. He was towering, and slender than his reputation gave off, albeit still well-build. Draped in a deep-crimson robe that covered his shoulders to his feet. His jet-black hair framed his face that was striking, but entirely void of emotion. His piercing grey eyes struck into the souls of Zara and Icago as they made their approach. As they stood in front of him, a thin predatory smile began to creep across his face.
"And so you return, my most loyal enforcers." His voice was smooth, but encompassed with an intimidating menace. "For both of your sakes I hope you bring me good news."
They both bent the knee, and knelt before him. His gaze was cold and pressing down on them.
"Lord Edon," Zara began, her eyes did not lift up to look at him as she spoke and she remained kneeling. "We encountered some... complications."
He repeated the word softly, "Complications?" the word remained in the air like a threat.
Icago clenched both of his fists, "Vizo has betrayed all of us. He freed the captive and turned his blade against the two of us."
A threatening silence encompassed the chamber, and slowly Edon rose from his throne and stepped down to the two of them. Each step slow and deliberate. His robes whispered against the cold floor.
"Betrayed?" Edon replied, then tilting his head slightly, "Our dearest Vizo has always been.. troublesome, but treachery..." His eyes began to narrow, and inside of them was a glint of curiosity that could prove to be fatal. "You will tell me everything."
Zara responded, keeping her tone measured, "After capturing the girl as you requested, we set way to the ruins of Dess' Kar as you commanded. But on the journey, Vizo schemed and orchestrated an ambush using the cover of darkness to escape our grasp." Zara's voice remained steady and her tone did not falter, but she was lying, telling the truth could result in incurring Edon's wrath for their failure to stop Vizo. "He fled with the girl."
Edon began to circle around them like a pack of sharks, "And you allowed this to happen?"
Icago quickly replied, "He caught us off guard my Lord. It will not happen again."
Edon's gaze quickly snapped to Icago, his gaze like a knife at Icago's throat, "Failure is a luxury that I do not provide. Fail again and it could prove to be.. fatal."
Zara intervened swiftly, "We accept full responsibility my Lord, our failure is inexcusable."
He turned back to her and paused, he lifted her chin with a single finger to force her to match his gaze. "Indeed, it is."
The room was filled with a suffocating silence for a moment. Edon then released her, and his hands clasped behind his back as turned away from them.
"Vizo's betrayal is a setback, but something I grew to expect." he said calmly, "The cracks in his loyalty were there from the start, but he was... useful."
He moved to a table just behind his throne, a large map illuminated with a sinister glow from candles. "The girl..." he carried on, "She is more important than you realize."
Briefly exchanging a glare with Icago, Zara replied, "We understand to access the deepest rooms of the chamber, she was necessary."
Edon let out a maniacal chuckle, a sound devoid of warmth. "Her significance extends much farther than that. Her blood is the key to unlocking secret powers that Elysia sealed away long ago-powers that will place all of Elysia under my hand."
He began to trace his finger across the map, stopping at a marking with ominous symbols. "With her, I can command the very essence of Zephyra itself."
Stepping forward, Icago responded, "Then we will give up everything to recapture her Lord Edon." he paused, "Give us your permission and we will hunt them down."
Edon's eyes change, they began to glow with anger. "PERMISSION!? For what to correct your own mistake?"
Icago's voice began to shake, "I only meant-"
Edon raised a hand and Icago's giant body fell to the floor as if a giant weight was placed on him. "Enough." He let his hand back down, and Icago slowly stood back up, his face full of a primordial fear.
Edon began pacing around the table, "Vizo knows my plans, my strategies, operations. His knowledge makes him the biggest threat to my ascent."
Turning back to them, his stern gaze silencing all in the room. "I want them both. Bring me Vizo's head, and the girl. Unharmed."
Zara nodded swiftly, "Of course my Lord, we will correct our mistakes."
Edon's face began to grow a sinister smile, one that was not full of joy or hope, but malice. "See that you don't, my mercy has its limits."
As he spoke, the shadows in the room began to twist and move like living beings. The temperature in the room dropped, and it began to fill with dread.
"Lord Edon," a mysterious voice called from behind the closed doorway, and a mysterious man with a cloak covering his face entered the room. "Our hired scouts report activity near the eastern canyons. They say it looks as if a skirmish happened."
Edon's eyes flickered, and the shadows fell back asleep and the dread slowly escaped the room. "Evidence of Vizo's movements?"
"Possibly, Lord. There are traces of Zephyra, unique signatures that match Vizo's Netherflame."
A slow predatory grin began to cover Edon's face once more, "Perfect."
Turning back to Zara and Icago, "Gather your finest scouts, I want you to pursue them till they are flushed out like rats."
Zara placed a hand in the air, and clenched her fist, as some sort of strange salute. "It will be done my Lord."
Edon's expression became more serious, "And Zara, do not underestimate the girl there is much more to her than meets the eye."
Hesitating for a moment, she replied, "Of course Lord Edon."
Icago banged his fist on his chest letting out a monstrous crash, "Vizo can not escape my grasp again, I will see to it personally that he is crushed."
Edon's eyes turned to Icago, a disdainful look covered his face, "See that your enthusiasm is matched by your abilities Icago."
They turned to walk out, as they approach the doors Edon's voice stopped them. "One more thing."
They froze, awaiting his instructions.
"This mission is to be kept secret," he said in his usual stern voice, "Encounter any obstacles and kill them. Leave no witnesses. If the Emperor were to learn of our plans, then my ascent would soon turn to a descent."
Zara replied swift as ever, "Understood, My Lord."
As they left the chamber the doors closed behind them. With a loud thud, as strong as the pressure of Edon's expectations weighed on them.
In the dimly lit hallway, Icago exhaled, "I can't stand the way he looks down on us, like we're disposable."
Zara shot him a warning glance, "Walls have ears in this place, keep it down."
Icago scowled in response, "Then let them hear, I'm tired of living in fear of his tyranny. It's time someone stood up to him."
Zara grabbed his arms firmly, "And die? You've seen yourself the power of Edon, standing up to him is suicide. We just need to buy time, and receive his favor."
"I don't care about his supreme power, living under his oppression is worse than death." Icago replied in a defeated voice.
Zara turning back to him, her expression turning softer, "Listen, if we capture that traitor Vizo, and his stray we can certainly win favor back-or at least keep ourselves alive."
Icago grunted, but in his mind he knew it was his only option.
As they made it back to the entrance of the fortress, preparing for their departure. Edon watched their fading figures through a hidden viewport. His eyes cold, but gleaming with calculations.
"Fools." He muttered to himself, "Pawns on a board they cannot comprehend."
He returned back to face the map, his fingers tracing the board. "Soon, I will have unrivaled control over Zephyra. Not even the boundaries of this realm will be able to stop me."
A shadow emerged, detaching itself from the darkness behind him. It's face obscured by a hood, and its body hidden by a tattered cloak
"It appears everything has gone as you planned." It's voice monotonous, and a hollow whisper.
Without turning around, Edon replies. "I will see that it does. The convergence must not be delayed."
"Soon, this world will see what it's forebearers sealed away ten-thousand years ago." the shadow replies to Edon, then melts back into the darkness behind him.
Edon's lips turn into a malevolent smile once again, the dark fortress seemed to pulse with his dark intent, the very stones humming with suppressed energy.
Transitioning Back to Vizo and Indra, the oppressive weight of the dungeons depths pressed on Indra as she woke her respite. The dim ancient lighting on the walls casted just enough light for the dungeon passage to be illuminated.
Vizo, already on his feet, and his eyes scanning their surroundings. "We should move," he said softly, "I can't shake this feeling that time is working against us."
Indra got up, and began to stretch to fix the stiffness in her limbs. "Did you manage to get any rest?"
He gave a slight nod, "Enough, and you?"
She shot back a faint smile, "As much as anyone can in a place like this."
They gathered their belongings once again, and set off once again. After adjusting the straps of the bag back onto her shoulders Indra asked, "Which way do we go?"
Vizo, pointing toward a narrow passage just ahead of them, "This way, I believe. I check the other two while waiting for you to wake up and they seem to be dead ends oddly enough."
Taking a deep breath before she approached it, "Then let's go."
As they ventured on down the cave, the glow of the ancient symbols began to intensify. And a feeling of unease began to settle into Indra.
"Do you feel anything strange, or is it just me being superstitious?" Her voice steady as she asked Vizo, but laced with unease.
"No I feel it too, it's best to stay alert in places like these." He replied sharply.
As they followed the winding passage, the feeling grew stronger. The path took a sudden turn, and the moment Indra turned the corner, a small creature leapt out at her.
She quickly stumbled back, but just as quickly regained her composure. "What the hell is that thing Vizo?" She exclaimed, glancing back at Vizo.
Vizo, swiftly went past the corner to get a clear look at the threat. His expression changing in a flash, as he recognized the creature.
His face full of urgency, "A cave dweller, get back!" He yelled, "They can fly, and their claws are sharper than swords too!"
His shout began to echo through the corridor as he lunged forward, trying to catch the creature before it's claws reached Indra. But it was too fast, with tremendous speed, it unfurled its membranous wings and launched itself at Indra.
Indra's instincts stepped in, and she sidestepped the creature's swooping attack just in time, the rush of air from its flapping wings brushed past her as it flew. Once again, summoning the tingling sensation into her hand, she focused intensely, summoning a small, but concentrated amount.
Gales of wind began to circle around her hand, creating a soft swooshing sound. Without hesitation, she flicked her finger at the cave dweller. A small vortex shot out at lightning speed from her hand. It sliced through the air with precision.
The concentrated attack reached the cave dweller, and struck it down before it had time to react. With a swift, decisive impact, the blades of wind cut through the creatures skin, and it hit the ground in pieces.
Silence settled around the two of them, Indra looked to her hand. Amazed, and unsettled, by the power that she had just wielded.
Vizo carefully approached her, his eyes wide with a sense of astonishment and respect, "You've learned to manipulate Zephyra at a tremendous rate. Faster than I could ever have imagined."
She took a deep breath, attempting to keep herself steady, "I didn't have much of a choice." she replied, her voice slowly getting more steady. "I had to learn to protect myself, I didn't wanna be a hinderance to you anymore."
Vizo smiled appreciatively, "Well in that case you've done well." he gave her a soft pat on the back as he passed her clipped the wings off the cave dweller.
With a curious look on her face Indra asked, "What's that for?"
"Well, if we do make it back safely, cave dweller wings go for a ridiculous price, you could buy yourself a decent weapon with just five pairs of wings." Vizo replied to her.
Indra unable not to smile at Vizo's practicality, "Always thinking ahead, aren't you?" She remarked.
Vizo's face lit up with a small smile, "It's my best trait I would say!" letting out a laugh as he finished. Indra let out a small laugh as well.
They continued down the dim corridor which had another turn just a few feet after the last one, however this time no cave dweller awaited them-only the quiet stillness of the dungeon and a path that lead further into the heart of it.
As they continued down the path, from a distance they could see a silhouette of a door beginning to take shape. Strange markings covered its surface, which was faintly illuminated by the same glow that is on the walls. With each step the writing grew clearer, and the light making the passage more visible.
As they halted in front of the door Vizo's expression shifted to confusion, "I can't read this," he muttered, his voice low and uncertain. "It looks like some forgotten language." His eyes scanned the strange markings, and frustration became visible on his face as he failed to make sense of them.
Vizo noticed Indra also looking at the writing, intently staring at the strange symbols, before he could say anything, she spoke, her voice filled with confusion. "Prove yourself worthy, dump thy power into the door, and for the worthy it may open."
Vizo's eyes widened slightly, "You can read that?" he asked, surprised.
Indra shook her head slowly. "I don't know how, but... it just makes sense to me."