The warmth of the cottage was a stark contrast to the cold, biting wind outside. The fire in the hearth crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the room. Books lined the walls, some so old their pages were yellowed and brittle. A faint smell of herbs and ancient parchment filled the air. Amon's contact, the man they had come so far to see, closed the door behind them and motioned for them to sit at a wooden table near the fire.
Elena's eyes scanned the room, taking in the eclectic collection of artifacts, scrolls, and books. It was like stepping into a forgotten library, one that housed knowledge not found anywhere else. The man, whose name Amon had yet to share, moved with a deliberate slowness, as though time had worn down his body but sharpened his mind.
"Amon, I don't often get visitors from the past," the man said, his voice low and raspy. "Especially ones carrying things like that." His gaze flicked toward the artifact, still wrapped tightly in cloth on the table.
Amon nodded. "It's good to see you, Merrick. I wish it were under different circumstances."
Merrick's sharp eyes met Amon's, and there was a moment of silent understanding between them. The two men shared a history that stretched back farther than Elena could imagine. She wondered just how many secrets were buried in the long, winding path of Amon's past.
Merrick pulled out a chair and sat across from them, his gaze never leaving the artifact. "Tell me what happened," he said simply, as though he already knew much of the story but needed the details filled in.
Amon glanced at Elena, who nodded, and then began to recount their journey. He told Merrick about the Sanctum, the battle with Malakai, and the discovery of the artifact. He spoke of the ancient civilization that had created it and the incomplete translations of the scrolls. Merrick listened in silence, his eyes narrowing as Amon described the artifact's power.
When Amon finished, the room was quiet except for the crackling of the fire. Merrick leaned back in his chair, his hands folded in his lap. "I've heard whispers of this artifact for years," he said finally. "But I never imagined I'd see it with my own eyes."
Elena leaned forward. "Do you know anything about it? We've tried to translate the scrolls, but they're… incomplete."
Merrick's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Incomplete, yes. But not unreadable. You've stumbled upon one of the few remaining relics of an age long forgotten. The civilization that created it… they called themselves the Watchers."
"Watchers?" Elena repeated, her brow furrowing.
Merrick nodded. "They were an advanced society—one that understood the delicate balance between power and destruction. The artifact you carry was one of many they created, each designed for a specific purpose. But the Watchers didn't seek power for domination, as so many others have. They sought to protect the world from forces beyond human comprehension."
Elena exchanged a glance with Amon, her mind racing. "But Malakai—he's trying to use it. He wants to unlock its power."
Merrick's face darkened. "Malakai is a fool. He doesn't understand the forces he's tampering with. The artifact isn't a weapon to be wielded lightly. It's a key—a key to something far more dangerous."
"A key to what?" Amon asked, his voice steady but urgent.
Merrick stood up slowly and walked to a shelf lined with dusty books. He pulled one down, an old leather-bound tome, and set it on the table in front of them. The cover was embossed with strange symbols that looked eerily similar to the ones on the scrolls Elena had been studying.
"The Watchers knew there were forces in this world—ancient, malevolent forces—that sought to consume everything in their path," Merrick explained, his voice low and grave. "They created the artifacts to keep those forces in check, to lock them away where they could do no harm. But the keys… they're dangerous. If someone were to unlock the wrong door…"
Elena swallowed hard. "Are you saying Malakai could release something?"
Merrick nodded, his expression grim. "If he unlocks the power within the artifact, he could unleash a force that would tear apart the very fabric of reality. The Watchers called it 'The Abyss'—an ancient darkness, older than the stars, that feeds on chaos and destruction."
Amon's jaw clenched. He had seen many things in his long life, but nothing like this. The threat they were facing wasn't just a battle for control; it was a battle for the survival of the world as they knew it.
"So how do we stop him?" Elena asked, her voice tense.
Merrick opened the book and flipped through its pages, revealing intricate drawings and strange symbols. He pointed to one of the illustrations—an image of a circle surrounded by five smaller symbols.
"The Watchers created a series of seals—locks, if you will—that keep the Abyss contained. The artifact is one of those seals. But it's incomplete. To neutralize the artifact, you need the others."
"How many others?" Amon asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Four more," Merrick said, tracing his finger over the symbols. "Together, they form a barrier strong enough to contain the Abyss. But if even one is broken, the barrier weakens."
Elena's stomach twisted. "And Malakai has already found one."
Merrick nodded gravely. "Yes. And he won't stop until he has the rest."
Silence fell over the room as the weight of their mission settled over them. They weren't just trying to stop Malakai—they were trying to prevent the end of the world. The stakes had never been higher.
Amon stood, his expression hardening. "Where do we find the others?"
Merrick closed the book and met Amon's gaze. "They're scattered across the globe, hidden in places as ancient as the Watchers themselves. Finding them won't be easy, but I can help."
Elena stood as well, determination in her eyes. "We don't have a choice. We need to find them before Malakai does."
Merrick nodded. "There's one place we can start—an old temple hidden deep in the mountains of Central Asia. It's said to house one of the seals. If you can find it, you might have a chance."
Amon placed a hand on Merrick's shoulder. "Thank you, old friend."
Merrick's eyes softened. "Be careful, Amon. This path you're on… it's more dangerous than you can imagine. The Abyss is not just a story—it's real. And it will stop at nothing to break free."
Amon nodded, a heavy silence settling over him. He knew that what lay ahead would test them in ways they had never been tested before. But there was no turning back now. The fate of the world was at stake, and they were the only ones who could stop the coming darkness.
As they prepared to leave, Merrick handed them the book. "Take this. It contains what little knowledge remains of the Watchers and the Abyss. You'll need it."
Elena tucked the book into her pack and gave Merrick a grateful nod. "Thank you."
Merrick smiled faintly. "Good luck. And may the Watchers guide you."
With that, Amon and Elena stepped back out into the cold mountain air, the weight of their mission pressing down on them. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: they had to stop Malakai before it was too late.