The early morning cast a warm glow over Lyndon Village, but the villagers were still oblivious to the creeping darkness that lurked just beyond their homes. Idan and Raya walked in silence through the sleepy streets, each of them burdened by the knowledge of what they had uncovered. The artefact fragment Idan now carried felt heavy, a reminder of the wraith they had faced and the corruption it represented.
As they approached the village chief's home, he was already waiting as though he sensed their approach. His face betrayed no surprise at their return, only a weary resignation.
"You've found something, haven't you?" he asked, his eyes locking onto Idan's.
Idan held out the fragment. "This was all that remained of the artefact in the temple. It's damaged, broken… and it was being guarded by a wraith."
The chief's face darkened. "A wraith bound to protect a mere fragment… it's worse than I feared." He motioned for them to follow him inside, gesturing for them to sit at a rough-hewn table by the window. "I had hoped the corruption was a natural imbalance that would pass with time. But this… this changes everything."
Raya leaned forward, her eyes sharp. "What do you mean?"
The chief sighed, running a hand over his face. "Long ago, a powerful group called the Order of the Abyss existed. They were shadow mages who sought to merge with the darkness itself, using miasma to control and corrupt the land. The village elders forged this artefact, a powerful talisman that kept their influence at bay. But as the Order grew in strength, they fractured the artefact, scattering its pieces to weaken its power."
Idan absorbed the information, pieces of a larger picture falling into place. "If the Order of the Abyss is still active, they could be the ones spreading this corruption, weakening the artefact further to reclaim their hold on the land."
The chief nodded grimly. "Indeed. And if they're back, the threat to Lyndon and all villages around grows daily. They'll come for this village next if the corruption isn't stopped." His gaze fell on Idan and Raya. "If you're willing, there's more that needs to be done. You've both proven yourselves… but this mission will be far more dangerous than what you've faced so far."
A new quest notification flashed on Idan's HUD:
[New Quest: Pieces of the Past]
Objective: Search for the remaining fragments of the artefact scattered throughout Evo-Realm.
Reward: 5,000 XP, Artifact Fragment (Part II), and increased standing with allied factions.
Sub-Objective: Report findings back to the Village Chief after each fragment recovery. Completing sub-objectives provides incremental bonuses.
Idan accepted the quest, glancing at Raya, who gave a slight nod of approval.
"We're in," he said firmly, the weight of the new mission settling over him.
The chief looked relieved, and his eyes softened. "Thank you. You're not only protecting this village; you're standing against something that threatens our entire realm." He paused, glancing over his shoulder as though expecting someone to walk in. "But you can't face this alone. I'll arrange for you to meet a former ally of the village—a healer and mage by the name of Elara. She lives on the outskirts, near the southern woods. She has knowledge of miasma, and her skills might prove invaluable."
Idan and Raya exchanged a glance. A mage with expertise in miasma could be exactly what they needed. But as much as Idan welcomed the help, he was wary of involving too many people; his naturally secretive nature pulled against the idea. Still, with the dangers growing, he knew they couldn't afford to refuse any assistance.
Later that day, Idan and Raya made their way toward Elara's cottage, a modest structure hidden beneath the towering trees of the southern woods. Her garden was lush with herbs and medicinal plants, some Idan could recognize even without using Identify. He noted that several plants were rare, specifically cultivated for advanced alchemical purposes.
They knocked, and the door creaked open. A woman with silver-streaked hair and sharp, piercing eyes stepped forward, her gaze assessing them. She wore a long cloak embroidered with symbols that pulsed faintly, likely imbued with magical wards. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of the artefact fragment in Idan's hand.
"So," she murmured, her voice carrying a hint of an accent, "the village chief sent you. I take it you've come across the miasma."
Idan nodded. "We encountered a corrupted tree, then a wraith guarding a broken artefact in the temple. We've come to ask for your guidance… and possibly your help."
Elara's lips tightened as she took the fragment from him, her fingers tracing the ancient symbols etched onto it. "This artifact… it's older than most can imagine. I never thought I'd see even a part of it." She looked up, her gaze piercing. "The Order of the Abyss has been dormant for centuries. If they're stirring now, it means something—or someone—is summoning them."
The intensity of her words made Idan pause. The Order wasn't just an ancient legend; it was a looming threat that seemed to transcend time itself.
"I'll assist you," Elara said, returning the fragment. "But I have my conditions. You'll need to gather materials to reinforce the artefact and purify its energies, or it'll be of little use against the Order's dark powers. I have a list."
Another notification appeared on Idan's HUD:
[New Sub-Quest: Gathering Light]
Objective: Collect the following materials to assist Elara in the artifact's purification:
Silverleaf Moss – Found in shaded areas near water sources.Starlight Crystals – Buried in the high cliffs of Moonrise Canyon.Essence of Dawn – A rare alchemical solution from Aurora Lake, known to repel dark energies.
Reward: Reinforced Artifact Fragment (Purified), +2 Resistance to Miasma
Idan accepted the sub-quest, committing the list to memory. He felt that gathering these materials would be no easy task, especially if the Order had any influence over the creatures or lands guarding them.
As they left Elara's cottage, Idan and Raya discussed their strategy. They'd start with the Silverleaf Moss, as the shaded riverbeds near the forest edge were rumoured to be rich with it. From there, they'd head toward Moonrise Canyon to hunt for the Starlight Crystals, though the journey would be challenging.
The shadows deepened as they returned to the forest, guided by Elara's instructions. The path wound through dense clusters of trees, sunlight barely penetrating the thick canopy. Idan activated Identify as they moved, scanning for any sign of the moss.
They searched in silence, each of them focused on the task at hand, but the stillness of the forest felt unnatural. It was too quiet like the land was holding its breath. A soft rustle caught Idan's attention, and he motioned for Raya to stop.
From the shadows, a creature emerged—a large, hunched figure covered in a dark, chitinous shell. Its eyes glowed faintly, and a thin mist of miasma surrounded it.
[Identify: Shadowcrawler]
Type: Corrupted Beast
Weakness: Fire, Holy Magic
Abilities: Toxic Bite, Miasma Aura (increases resilience to physical attacks)
Idan clenched his naginata. The Shadowcrawler was clearly drawn to the corruption spreading through the land, and its very presence here confirmed the Order's influence was growing.
"Stay back," Idan warned Raya, stepping forward to engage the creature. He activated Cognitive Shield to keep his mind steady against the miasma aura and charged at the Shadowcrawler, his naginata slashing in a wide arc. The blade met the beast's hard shell, the strike barely piercing its armour.
The creature retaliated, snapping its massive jaws and spewing a toxic mist in his direction. Idan dodged, but the miasma aura seemed to thicken, weighing on him and slowing his reflexes.
Raya fired an arrow aimed at the creature's underbelly, striking one of the few unprotected areas. The creature screeched, its body convulsing as it turned toward her, but Idan saw an opening. He lunged forward, his naginata glowing faintly as he activated Purifying Touch, driving the blade deep into the Shadowcrawler's exposed side.
The beast shuddered, its miasma aura flickering as the purifying energy destabilized it. With a final, agonized cry, the Shadowcrawler collapsed, its body dissolving into dark mist.
Another notification appeared, confirming their victory.
[Quest Update: Gathering Light]
Silverleaf Moss Located
Idan knelt beside a patch of the moss that had grown around the Shadowcrawler's lair, carefully harvesting it. He placed the moss into his inventory, feeling a surge of satisfaction. The first ingredient was secured, but he knew the journey ahead would only grow more challenging.
They moved deeper into the forest, toward Moonrise Canyon, each step bringing them closer to the corruption's source—and to a confrontation with the shadows of Evo-Realm's past.