Kaelor lay awake that night, his mind drifting into space. The shard's murmurs had haunted him long after he had closed his eyes. He could still hear its words loudly, binding him to a force older than time itself. Every inch of him ached from the strain, and the scroll of runes lay at his side, waiting.
He forced himself upright, running a hand over the scroll's faded ink. Zyrelle's words replayed in his mind:
"Each rune is a key to the shard's power, but the wrong one could destroy you."
Despite the risk, he knew he had to learn more if he was to survive in this world.
Suddenly, a knock on the door broke the silence. Kaelor became alarmed, reaching instinctively for the dagger at his belt. It was Lyle, his face was barely visible in the darkness.
"You're still awake?" Lyle whispered, slipping inside and closing the door behind him. "I thought you would be exhausted."
"Power doesn't wait for exhaustion," Kaelor replied in a rough tone. "What do you want?"
"There's someone you need to see. Word travels fast in this city, and I heard rumors about an… artifact collector. He's dealing in relics from both the medieval and modern worlds, objects tied to forgotten powers." Lyle's eyes glinted. "If you're serious about growing stronger, I think you'll want to meet him."
Kaelor squinted his eyes. The shard pulsed faintly in his grip, as if reacting to Lyle's words.
"Where is he?"
"Underground," Lyle replied. "The collector operates in the dark. He's a powerful mage in his own right… one who thrives on secrets and dangers."
Kaelor nodded, feeling a strange thrill. If this collector possessed relics tied to the medieval realm, it could be his chance to uncover the ancient item he was seeking. The one that held the power to end him.
"Lead the way."
The descent into the collector's lair took them through a maze of tunnels beneath the city, past dimly lit alcoves where black figures talked in hush tones and watched on. At last, they reached a set of doors guarded by two tall figures bathed in the darkness.
One of the guards stepped forward.
"State your business."
Lyle held up a small, intricate token.
"We have an appointment."
The guards exchanged glances before nodding, and the doors creaked open. They entered a vast, dimly lit hall filled with artifacts of all shapes and sizes. Relics glowed slightly on the shelves, and their energies pulsated with a quiet menace.
A figure emerged from the darkness. His face was masked by a hood, and his voice sounded mysterious.
"Welcome to my collection," he murmured, gesturing at the array of relics. "I am Cephas, also known as The Collector.."
Kaelor's eyes glanced over the artifacts, each one radiating a different aura of power. He could feel the shard throbbing within him, reacting to the dark energy in the room.
His gaze remained on Kaelor.
"You're carrying something unique. Something ancient. I can feel it."
He smirked.
"Then you know why I'm here. I need something from your collection. Something powerful enough to hold its own against the Abyss shard."
The Collector chuckled, his eyes glinted with amusement.
"Such arrogance. But perhaps… There is one artifact that might suit your needs. Follow me."
They followed him through a maze of shelves until they reached a glass case containing an amulet that shimmered with an eerie, pale light.
"This is the Talisman of Belfor," he explained "An ancient artifact once wielded by a sorcerer known to have touched the Abyss itself. It's said to grant its bearer protection against dark forces."
Kaelor's fingers itched to hold the talisman. But as he reached for it, the Collector's hand shot out, blocking his path.
"Not so fast," he said, his tone cold as ice. "This comes with a price… a trial. You must prove yourself worthy of its power. Should you fail, the talisman's wrath will consume you."
He clenched his fists, a flame of defiance flaring within him.
"I'll take the trial."
The Collector stepped back wearing a smirk on his face.
"Very well. But know this— the talisman's power does not serve the weak."
Without warning, a portal opened beneath Kaelor's feet, pulling him into a dark void. Shadows swirled around him, cold and suffocating, as voices began to whisper in his mind. Face your past… face your sins…
In the darkness, images of his life flashed before him— his past arrogance, his betrayals, the countless enemies he had made. Each memory cut into him like a blade, leaving him raw and exposed.
"Is this all you have?" he shouted, his voice echoing in the void. "You think memories will break me?"
The voices only grew louder, each one a reminder of his failures, and the people he had left behind. His old mentor's face appeared before him, eyes filled with disappointment.
"You were supposed to be better than this," she whispered.
"Enough!" He roared, summoning the shard's power to drive back the shadows. The voices faded, and the void began to dissolve, leaving him standing once more in the lair.
The Collector watched him, a glimmer of surprise in his eyes.
"You survived. Impressive."
Kaelor smirked, though his body trembled with exhaustion.
"Was there ever any doubt?"
His expression turned serious as he held out the talisman.
"You may take it. But remember— this is no ordinary trinket. Use it wisely, or it will be your undoing."
He took it, feeling its cold weight settle into his hand. The shard's whispers grew fainter, as if cowed by the talisman's presence. A sense of power, tempered by caution, coursed through him. He had taken a step closer to his goal, but he knew the road ahead was only going to get more treacherous.
As he turned to leave, the Collector's voice called after him.
"One last thing, mage. There are forces in this world beyond your understanding. Be careful not to overstep—or you may find yourself facing something even darker than the Abyss."
He didn't look back, though his grip on it tightened. He was prepared for any threat, no matter how powerful. But as he emerged from the lair and into the cold night, a chill ran down his spine. It felt as if something was watching him, lurking just beyond the shadows, waiting for him to falter.
He had gained a powerful artifact, yes, but at what cost? And who or what was lying in wait?