The crackling of the fire was the only sound in the clearing as the old man, Marus, stood before Cedric and his companions. His weathered face, lined with age and experience, showed no signs of aggression. Yet Lira's hand remained on the hilt of her sword, her eyes never leaving him.
"How do you know about the orb?" Cedric asked again, stepping forward. His voice was calm, but his gaze was sharp, studying Marus for any sign of deception.
Marus smiled faintly, lowering his hands. "I've spent my life studying ancient magic, boy. I've seen its effects, and I've watched those who seek to control it. The orb you carry is tied to one of the most dangerous forces this world has ever known, the magic of creation and destruction."
Kellen leaned against a nearby tree, his arms crossed. "Great. Another ominous old man who knows more than he should."
Lira shot Kellen a look before turning her attention back to Marus. "Why should we believe you? You've been following us since Myrlen, yet you waited until now to reveal yourself. If you truly wanted to help, you would have done so sooner."
Marus's expression didn't change. "I was waiting for the right moment. Approaching you in the city would have drawn unwanted attention. Besides, you had to discover some things for yourselves."
Maeve, sitting cross-legged near the fire, raised an eyebrow. "Convenient. So, what exactly are you offering, Marus? And what do you want in return?"
The old man's smile faded slightly, and he sighed. "I'm offering knowledge. I've spent years tracking down the secrets of the orb, its origins, its power, and how it can be both controlled and destroyed. But I don't seek to possess it. In fact, I believe it should be destroyed before it's too late."
Cedric frowned. "Destroyed? But we need the orb to fix the seal. Without it, the shadow magic will spread unchecked."
Marus shook his head. "The orb is unstable, even now. You may be able to use it to patch the seal temporarily, but in the end, the orb itself is part of the problem. If you truly want to stop the shadow magic, you must be prepared to destroy the orb once the seal is restored."
Lira stepped closer, her voice low and dangerous. "And how do we know you won't betray us the moment we're vulnerable?"
Marus met her gaze evenly. "You don't. But you can trust this, I have no interest in the orb's power. I've seen what it does to those who try to wield it. It destroys them from within, twisting their magic and their minds. I've watched friends and scholars fall to it. I don't intend to follow in their footsteps."
There was a heavy silence as the group considered his words. Maeve glanced at Cedric, waiting for his reaction. Kellen's eyes darted between Marus and the rest of the group, clearly on edge. Tamsin, who had remained quiet throughout, finally spoke.
"We don't have much time," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "The orb's getting more unstable, and if we don't restore the seal soon, everything we've fought for will be lost. Maybe… maybe we should listen to him."
Cedric took a deep breath, weighing his options. Marus seemed sincere, but there was still something about him that unsettled Cedric. The old man had knowledge they needed, there was no denying that. But could they really trust him?
"We'll take you with us," Cedric said finally, his voice firm. "But know this, Marus, if you betray us, you won't live to regret it."
Lira nodded in agreement, her hand never leaving her sword.
Marus inclined his head slightly. "Fair enough. I'll prove my worth soon enough. But we should make haste. The closer we get to the seal, the more unstable the magic around us will become."
---
The next morning, the group set off once more, the cold mountain air biting at their faces as they trekked further into the mist-covered peaks. Marus walked a few paces behind Cedric, his presence quiet but noticeable. Lira kept her distance from him, her sharp gaze always on alert, while Maeve and Kellen traded quiet banter, trying to lighten the mood.
"So, Marus," Kellen called out after a while, his voice breaking the silence. "If you've been studying this ancient magic for years, why haven't you done anything about it? I mean, if the orb is such a big deal, why leave it lying around for us to find?"
Marus didn't miss a step, his voice calm as he replied. "Because I didn't know where the orb was until you found it. Its location has been hidden for generations. Many have sought it, but none were successful, until now."
Maeve glanced at Cedric. "Lucky us, I guess."
Lira, walking at the front of the group, didn't take her eyes off the path. "Keep your focus. We don't know what lies ahead, and I'd rather not be caught off guard."
Cedric nodded, but his mind was racing. Marus had been helpful so far, but something still nagged at him. The man knew too much, about the orb, about the shadow magic, about their journey. It was as if Marus had been preparing for this moment his entire life.
As they climbed higher into the mountains, the air grew thinner, and the mist thickened. The magic in the air was palpable, a heavy presence that weighed on Cedric's mind. Every step felt like a test, as if the land itself was challenging them to move forward.
"We're getting close," Cedric murmured, his voice low. "I can feel it."
Tamsin, walking beside him, nodded. "The magic… it's stronger here. It's almost overwhelming."
Marus, who had been silent for some time, spoke up. "The seal is near. But be cautious, the magic around it is unstable. If the orb isn't handled carefully, it could trigger a chain reaction."
Lira's hand tightened on her sword. "Then we'll need to be quick and careful. We can't afford any mistakes."
---
As the group rounded a bend in the mountain path, they came to a sudden stop. Before them stood the entrance to an ancient cave, its stone archway carved with symbols that glowed faintly with magic. The air around it hummed with energy, and the ground beneath their feet seemed to vibrate with the force of the magic contained within.
"This is it," Cedric said quietly, his heart racing. "The seal is inside."
Marus stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the glowing symbols. "The seal was placed here long ago to contain the shadow magic. But now, it's failing. The orb will allow you to restore it, temporarily. But remember what I said. The orb is unstable. It must be destroyed once the seal is restored."
Lira glanced at Cedric. "Are you ready for this?"
Cedric took a deep breath, nodding. "I don't think I have a choice."
Kellen grinned, though the tension in his eyes was clear. "Well, let's hope this doesn't end with the mountain collapsing on us."
Maeve smirked. "Always the optimist."
Together, the group approached the cave, the weight of the task ahead pressing heavily on them. The seal awaited, and with it, the fate of the orb, and the shadow magic, would be decided.