Chapter 22: Secrets of the Void
The air grew colder the deeper they went, each step taking them further into the heart of the prison. The walls seemed to press in on them, as if the very structure of the place was alive, watching them. Every sound—every distant scrape of chains or growl in the shadows—put the group on edge.
Azaymos walked in silence, his grip tight on the dagger. The glow of the runes was faint, not yet fully charged, but he could feel the magic building inside it. Soon, they would be ready to move.
Mara walked just ahead, her eyes never leaving the path. "How much longer?" she asked, her voice low.
Azaymos glanced down at the dagger, shaking his head slightly. "Not long. We're close."
Nox was the first to break the uneasy silence, her voice laced with tension. "This artifact… you're sure it's what we need?"
Mara didn't hesitate. "It holds the power of the void itself. If used properly, it can destroy even the immortal. That's why the creatures here are so drawn to it. It's the only thing that can truly harm them."
Rex let out a low whistle. "A god-killer. And we're just going to steal it and hope the monsters don't notice?"
Azaymos nodded grimly. "That's the plan. We steal it, and we run. Fighting isn't an option."
The weight of the situation hung heavy over them. Every step they took toward the artifact brought them closer to not just immense power, but immense danger. The creatures imprisoned here—the Thryvan, the Etherborn, the Voidwalkers—had all been drawn to the artifact over time, feeding off its energy. The moment they took it, those monsters would come for them. There would be no hiding.
Mara's voice cut through the tension. "We need to be careful. The moment we get too close, they'll know. Every monster down here will be drawn to it."
Nox shook her head, her eyes scanning the shadows. "And we just run? What if they catch up to us?"
Azaymos's expression was hard. "They won't. We'll get out before that happens."
Rex grinned nervously. "I hope your confidence is as fast as my feet."
---
The group moved carefully through the winding corridors, the oppressive weight of the place growing stronger the closer they got to the heart of the prison. It wasn't long before they reached the chamber—a massive, open space, dominated by an ancient stone statue that loomed over them like a silent guardian. Beneath the statue, at its base, was a faint glow—the artifact.
Mara's voice was barely a whisper. "There. That's it."
Azaymos stared at the artifact, feeling the pull of its magic even from a distance. It wasn't large—just a small, dark object, pulsing faintly with a deep, ominous energy—but the power it held was unmistakable. This was the key. The one thing that could turn the tide of their journey.
Rex tilted his head, squinting at the object. "That little thing is what's causing all this trouble?"
Mara nodded. "It may not look like much, but it's ancient. And incredibly dangerous."
Nox frowned, her gaze locked on the artifact. "If it's so dangerous, why hasn't anyone used it to stop these monsters?"
Mara's eyes were sharp as she spoke. "Because they don't know what it truly is. They think it's just a powerful relic, something to suppress the creatures. But it's more than that. The artifact holds the power of the void and darkness itself. It can kill immortals—if you know how to use it."
Azaymos felt the weight of her words, the enormity of what they were about to do settling in. They weren't just stealing a relic—they were about to take something that could reshape the balance of power in the world.
Rex stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "So, we grab it, and the monsters get weaker, right?"
Mara shook her head. "No. Taking it will weaken them, but it will also enrage them. The artifact is what's been feeding them, making them stronger. Once we take it, they'll know, and they'll come for us."
Nox shot Azaymos a glance. "You sure that dagger's going to be ready in time?"
Azaymos looked down at the dagger in his hand, the runes glowing brighter now, but not yet fully charged. "It'll be ready. We just need to buy ourselves enough time."
---
They moved closer to the artifact, careful to stay in the shadows. The oppressive energy in the room grew stronger with every step, and even without touching it, they could feel the artifact's power radiating outward.
Mara crouched beside Azaymos, her voice tight with urgency. "How much longer until the dagger's ready?"
Azaymos could feel the magic building inside the blade, but it still needed more time. "Not yet. We'll have to wait."
Nox shifted uneasily, her eyes scanning the chamber. "And what happens when the monsters realize we're here?"
Mara's expression was grim. "Then we run. We don't stop, we don't fight. The moment we take the artifact, every creature in this place is going to come after us."
Azaymos's grip tightened on the dagger. "Stay sharp. The second I take it, we move."
They waited, crouched in the shadows, watching the artifact as time seemed to stretch endlessly. Every sound—the distant growl of a creature, the faint clink of chains—seemed amplified in the silence. And then, just as Azaymos was about to speak, something shifted in the darkness.
---
A figure stepped out from one of the side passages, moving with the kind of practiced silence that only a master thief could manage. He was tall, his face mostly hidden beneath a hood, but his movements were fluid, precise. He moved like someone who knew the prison's layout well—and wasn't afraid of what was lurking in the shadows.
The group tensed, but the figure raised a hand in a gesture of peace. "Easy there. I'm not here to fight."
Azaymos narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
The figure pulled back his hood, revealing a sharp, angular face with a mischievous grin. "Name's Darius. Most people call me the Phantom."
Rex blinked, taken aback. "You're the Phantom? The thief everyone's been talking about?"
Darius chuckled softly. "The one and only. And judging by the looks on your faces, I'm guessing you're here for the same reason I am."
Nox raised an eyebrow. "You're after the artifact?"
Darius shrugged. "Why else would I be down here? Though I've been stuck in this place longer than I care to admit. They locked me up when I got too close last time."
Azaymos studied him for a moment, then spoke. "We don't have time for games. If you're here to help, fine. But we're taking the artifact and getting out."
Darius smirked. "You'll need my help if you want to get out alive. This place is crawling with creatures that would love to make you their next meal. But with my abilities… I think we can make it work."
Mara's eyes narrowed, studying Darius. "Your powers. You can manipulate objects, right? Move things without touching them?"
Darius gave her a playful wink. "Exactly. Which makes me the perfect person to grab that artifact while you all prepare for the chaos that'll follow."
Azaymos glanced at Mara, who nodded slightly. "He's useful. We'll need him."
Rex sighed, grinning. "Well, this just got more interesting."
---
With the plan set, the group prepared to make their move. Darius would use his powers to retrieve the artifact from the base of the statue, and the rest of them would be ready to run the moment it was in his hands. The dagger was nearly ready, its runes glowing brighter by the second, but they still had to buy time.
Azaymos turned to Darius. "Once you take it, there's no going back. You ready?"
Darius grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I was born ready."
Mara's voice was tense but focused. "The second you have it, we run. No looking back."
Azaymos nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. They were on the edge of something monumental. The artifact was within their grasp, but so was the danger that came with it.
The countdown had begun.
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