The group moved quickly through the streets of Myrlen, keeping their heads down as they wove between bustling crowds and market stalls. The city, alive with the energy of merchants and travelers, seemed oblivious to the dangerous encounter they had just escaped. But the weight of the orb in Cedric's pack reminded him that their troubles were far from over.
Lira kept her hand near her sword, her eyes scanning the streets for any sign of the mysterious figures who had attacked them. "We need to find somewhere safe. Those people will be looking for us."
Kellen, walking just behind her, nodded grimly. "Yeah, and I'd rather not be here when they come back with reinforcements."
Maeve tossed him a sidelong glance. "You mean you don't want to fight off more dark mages in the middle of a crowded city? What a shock."
"Call me practical," Kellen muttered, though the tension in his voice was clear.
Tamsin, keeping pace beside Cedric, spoke softly. "Do you think they'll come after us again? That man knew about the orb—he seemed like he'd do anything to get it."
Cedric's brow furrowed as he considered her words. "I don't know. But I'm sure they're not the only ones after it. We need to figure out who else is involved, and why they want the orb so badly."
Lira glanced back at Cedric, her expression serious. "We need to lay low for now. Erion might have more information about the people who attacked us, or at least help us figure out what to do next."
Cedric nodded. "Right. Let's get back to the inn first. We can regroup there."
---
The Silver Griffin Inn was a welcome sight as they slipped inside, the noise of the busy streets fading away as the door closed behind them. The inn was dimly lit, the warm glow of the hearth casting flickering shadows across the room. Cedric led the way to a quiet corner table, where they could talk without being overheard.
Kellen dropped into a chair, letting out a long breath. "So, who's betting those guys were part of a larger group? No way they were working alone."
Maeve sat beside him, pulling a vial from her belt and inspecting it absently. "I'm with you on that. They were too organized. And that man, he wasn't just some low-level thug. He knew exactly what he was doing."
Lira stood near the table, her arms crossed. "Whoever they are, they've got resources. And that means we're going to have to be more careful. No more walking around in the open with the orb."
Tamsin, her expression still worried, looked at Cedric. "What are we going to do? If they come back… we can't keep running forever."
Cedric ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. "We need answers. We know the orb is connected to the shadow magic, but we still don't understand how to stop it from spreading, or why so many people are after it."
"Erion might know more," Lira said. "He's been in Myrlen longer than we have, and he's got contacts. If there's something we missed in the archives, he might be able to find it."
Cedric nodded, his resolve hardening. "We'll talk to Erion, see if he can help. But we can't wait too long. The longer we have the orb, the more dangerous it becomes."
---
Later that evening, Erion met them in a secluded room at the inn. He entered quietly, his face drawn with worry. "I heard what happened at the gates. I'm glad you made it back safely, but I'm afraid this confirms our worst fears. The orb's presence has attracted attention from some very dangerous people."
Cedric leaned forward, his expression tense. "Who are they? The man who attacked us, he knew about the orb. He called it a key."
Erion sighed, sitting down at the table with them. "I suspected as much. The orb isn't just a powerful artifact, it's a link to the shadow magic that's spreading through the land. I've been doing some digging since you left, and I found something… troubling."
Lira frowned. "What did you find?"
Erion pulled a small, weathered book from his bag, placing it on the table in front of them. "This is an old journal, written by a scholar who studied ancient magic. It talks about the seal that once kept the shadow magic contained. But it also mentions something else, the existence of a group that's been searching for the orb for generations."
"A group?" Cedric echoed, his eyes narrowing. "What do they want with the orb?"
"They believe the shadow magic is the key to unlocking even greater power," Erion explained, his voice low. "They think that by releasing the magic and controlling it, they can reshape the world. But as you've seen, the shadow magic can't be controlled. It corrupts everything it touches."
Maeve leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed. "So they're trying to weaponize it."
Erion nodded. "Exactly. They see the orb as a means to their end. And now that you've found it, you've become their target."
Kellen sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Great. Just what we needed, more enemies."
Cedric's mind raced as he considered the implications. "Then we need to stop them before they get their hands on the orb. If they release the shadow magic, it'll be a disaster."
"Agreed," Erion said. "But there's more. According to the journal, the original seal was tied to a specific location, a place deep within the mountains, where the magic was first contained. If you can reach it, you might be able to find a way to repair the seal and stop the magic from spreading."
Lira straightened, her eyes sharp. "Where is it?"
Erion pointed to a map spread out on the table. "Here. The entrance to the mountain pass is a few days' journey from Myrlen, but it's treacherous. Few who venture there return."
Maeve smirked, glancing at Kellen. "Sounds like our kind of place."
Cedric stared at the map, his mind turning over the possibilities. "If that's where the seal is, then that's where we need to go. We don't have a choice."
Erion nodded gravely. "I'll do what I can from here to keep you informed, but be careful. The group searching for the orb won't stop until they find you."
"We'll be ready," Lira said, her voice steady.
---
As they prepared to leave the inn, Kellen glanced at Cedric. "So, we're off to another mountain filled with magic and danger. Starting to feel like a pattern here."
Cedric chuckled softly, though the weight of the task ahead still pressed heavily on him. "Seems like it. But this time, we have a chance to stop the shadow magic for good. We have to take it."
Maeve, adjusting her pack, gave Cedric a reassuring smile. "And we will. Besides, what's life without a little adventure?"
Tamsin nodded, though her worry was still evident. "We just have to be careful. We can't afford to lose the orb to them."
Lira sheathed her sword, her expression determined. "We'll keep it safe. No matter what."
As they left the inn and made their way through the darkened streets of Myrlen, the gravity of their mission weighed on them all. The shadow magic was growing stronger, and the group chasing them wouldn't stop until they had the orb. But now, with a new lead on the seal's location, Cedric knew they had to press forward.
The journey ahead would be dangerous, but it was the only way to stop the corruption from spreading, and to keep the orb out of the wrong hands.