It was a heavy silence that clouded their minds as they continued eastward. Jasper walked point, his sword sheathed but his hand never more than an inch from the hilt.
Lyra walked behind him, her staff tapping lightly against the earth, while her countenance was a mask of contemplation.
Finn limped but pressed on, his expression quiet resolve, and Raylan brought up the rear, his piercing gaze scanning their surroundings.
The sun was setting, tinging the sky orange and red, but instead of serenity, the colors made the land seem even more desolate.
They stopped by a small stream to rest; the trickling water was a brief comfort in the otherwise hostile world.
Jasper knelt at the stream, splashing cold water upon his face. The chill would help to clear his mind, but it couldn't wash away the doubts that were creeping in.
He glanced over to Raylan, who sat sharpening his blade with an ease born of practice. "Raylan, do you think Malachar knows exactly where we are?"
Raylan's face was unreadable as he stopped. "If he doesn't now, he will soon. By destroying his altars, we are weakening him but also enraging him.... He'll throw everything he has at us."
"Then we don't have much time," Lyra said, sitting with her legs crossed on a boulder nearby. "If we don't move quickly, we lose the little edge we have."
Jasper nodded, his fists clenched. The shadow construct had been a warning-a sign that Malachar was paying attention. They couldn't afford to falter.
As they prepared themselves to continue their journey, Finn suddenly froze, his eyes narrowing as he stared off toward the horizon. "Do you see that?" he asked, pointing towards a cluster of trees in the distance.
Jasper squinted, following Finn's gaze. From the treeline, a soft glow was emerging, pulsating softly like some sort of beacon. It wasn't firelight, nor did it resemble any natural phenomenon they'd seen before.
"Could be a trap," Raylan said. His tone was cautious.
"Or it could be something useful," Lyra countered. "We should check it out. Carefully.
Curiosity and need overwrought their tiredness. As they drew near the trees with light gleaming through them, they felt there was someone in that clearing amidst the dimly glowing runes inscribed into the earth.
There was an old man, with a long gray beard reaching down to his knees, and robes that shone weakly in the poor light. He looked up as they approached and eyed them with critical gaze.
"I have been expecting you," he said in a calm, low tone.
Jasper's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword. "Who are you? And how do you know us?"
Alaric smiled weakly. "I am Alaric, a servant of Malachar-now long past. His reach is wide, and I have been in hiding since the time I turned away from his path."
"You worked for Malachar?" Lyra asked. The skepticism couldn't be masked from her voice. "Why should we trust you?"
Alaric's face went grave. "You don't have to trust me, but if you ever want to defeat him, you need what I know....Malachar's power is a great deal more substantial than you comprehend, and his altars were only part of the solution."
Jasper gave Raylan a wary look before moving closer. "What do you mean? What else is there?"
Alaric nodded toward the runes of light glowing around him.
"The altars are anchors, yes, but they are not the source of Malachar's strength.
His true power comes from a relic-a core imbued with ancient magic, hidden deep within his fortress...So long as the core remains intact, then Malachar cannot be truly defeated."
The group was silent, the weight of the words settling. Destroying altars had felt an impossible task in itself. Now, heart of Malachar's power?
"Why are you telling us this?" Raylan burst out, sharp. "If you served Malachar, why betray him now?
Alaric sighed deeply, his gaze far away. "Ambition had blinded me once, promises of power lured me in. But I saw for myself what he truly was-monster, willing to sacrifice all for himself.
I couldn't stand idly by and watch him destroy our world. I ran, but since then, my actions have haunted me.
Jasper studied the face of the old man before him, searching for any signs of deception. He saw none, only a deep sorrow that weighed heavily on Alaric's shoulders.
"If what you're saying is true," Lyra said slowly, "then how do we find this core? And how do we destroy it?
Alaric already leaned in, lowering his voice as if he was afraid even the air might give him away.
"The core is guarded by ancient magics. You shall have need of a key to breach its defenses. That key lies in the ruins of Aldareth, a forgotten city swallowed by the desert to the south."
Finn groaned softly. "A desert? Great. Just what we needed.
Jasper ignored the comment and turned his attention to Alaric. "If we get this key, can we trust you'll be guiding us the rest of the way?
The old man looked into Jasper's eyes unflinchingly.
"I will do whatever it takes to see Malachar's reign ended. But let me warn you,this journey will test you in ways you cannot imagine....You will face not only Malachar's forces but also the darkness within yourselves. Be prepared."
The group huddled together to discuss what to do next.
We don't have an option," Lyra said. "If that core is the secret to finally defeating Malachar, we have no option but to go to Aldareth."
"But what if it's another trap?" Finn asked, lacing his tone with doubt. "What if he's just leading us right into the palm of death?
"Then we'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Jasper said, firmness in his tone. "If we don't take risks, then nothing is ever going to work out. We have come too far to turn back now."
Raylan nodded. "I agree. If Alaric is telling the truth, then this is our best chance. And if he's lying…" He glanced at the old man; his expression was hard. "We'll deal with him."
Alaric inclined his head. "I understand your distrust. I only hope to prove myself in time."
With their path determined, the party readied themselves for departure from the clearing.
Alaric took up a satchel of provisions and soon followed after them, moving slowly but not awkwardly. Stepping off to the south, Jasper felt an equalling balancing set of hope and trepidation.
A new goal now lay in sight, but the way ahead was now more hazardous than ever. Aldareth was a place told of, under a curse and forsaken for centuries.
If indeed the defeat of Malachar lay with them, it would not go unwarded.
As they walked into the darkening plains, he couldn't shake Alaric's warning off his mind.
You shall confront the darkness within yourselves," the old man had said.
Jasper watched his companions, the weight of all their respective fears and doubts not so easily discarded from their minds.
He wondered what test awaited them in Aldareth, whether they could have the heart to bear it.
All he could do now was take another step forward. The fate of their world depended on it.