They moved quietly through the winding corridors, following the pulsing light until they came to a vast, open chamber. Inside, dozens of hooded figures circled an ancient stone altar at the center.
The cultists chanted in unison, their voices low and rhythmic, sending vibrations through the floor. In front of the altar lay an obsidian artifact shaped like a clawed hand, glowing with malevolent energy.
Ren's eyes narrowed as he saw a familiar symbol etched onto the altar—a mark often associated with summoning rituals.
"That's it. They're trying to tap into forbidden powers."
Before they could form a plan, one of the cultists noticed them and raised an alarm. Instantly, the chanting stopped, and dozens of hooded figures turned toward them, eyes gleaming with a fanatical light.
"Uninvited guests," one of the cultists sneered, stepping forward. "You think you can stop us? You're too late. The ritual has already begun."
Skorn cracked his knuckles, stone-like skin rippling. "Oh, you're gonna regret underestimating us."
Talos quickly scanned the room, his mind racing. "If we break that artifact, we could disrupt the ritual. But we'll need to hold off the cultists long enough to reach it."
Ren smirked, flexing his hands as small sparks crackled between his fingers. "Then let's make some noise."
With that, Olivia lifted her staff, summoning a protective barrier around them. "Stay close, and remember our plan. We'll fight together."
The cultists surged toward them, chanting louder as they wielded twisted spells. Skorn took point, slamming his fists into the ground and raising walls of stone to block their attacks.
Talos summoned gusts of wind, creating whirlwinds that scattered their attackers and disoriented them. Meanwhile, Ren shot bolts of lightning through the crowd, each strike sending cultists sprawling.
But despite their efforts, the pulsing light from the artifact grew stronger, the red glow intensifying as the chanting filled the air. Olivia's face tightened with resolve as she darted forward, calling out over her shoulder. "Skorn, Ren—keep them back! I'm going for the artifact."
Ren grinned, nodding. "On it. We'll clear a path!"
As they fought, Olivia weaved through the chaos, using her healing magic to mend any injuries that slowed her down. Talos flanked her, using powerful gusts to knock cultists away from her path. They reached the altar, where the artifact loomed like a malevolent eye, its dark energy rippling outward.
Ren called out, "Olivia! Can you dispel it?"
She nodded, her hands glowing with a brilliant blue aura. "It'll take a minute—cover me!"
With a focused expression, Olivia extended her hands toward the artifact, sending waves of cleansing energy toward it. The green light began to flicker, struggling against her spell. The cultists screamed in rage, redoubling their efforts to break through Ren, Skorn, and Talos.
Just as the energy of the artifact began to wane, the cult leader raised a staff, shouting an incantation that filled the air with a powerful, dark resonance.
The ground trembled, and a monstrous figure began to form in the shadows behind the altar.
"Looks like they're playing their final card!" Skorn yelled, throwing up a protective wall as he braced himself.
Ren glanced at the forming creature, his jaw tightening. "Olivia, now would be a great time to speed things up."
With one final surge of power, Olivia released a blast of pure energy into the artifact. The obsidian object shattered, sending shards and dark energy scattering through the air. The green light instantly faded,
and the half-formed monster gave a guttural howl before dissolving into mist.
Silence fell as the last of the cultists collapsed in defeat, their ritual undone. The team exchanged relieved, exhausted smiles, catching their breaths as the tension in the air lifted.
Skorn raised a fist triumphantly. "Now that's how you crash a party."
**********
As the group emerged from the ruins, the cool evening air was a welcome change from the stifling atmosphere inside. Dust and battle scars clung to their clothes, but they felt a sense of accomplishment as the threat had been neutralized.
Ren stretched, a smug grin on his face. "Well, that was easy. Just another day saving the world. I'm thinking we call this adventure
'Ren and the Misfit Heroes Save the Day.' What do you think?"
Skorn chuckled, slapping him on the back. "You're ridiculous, but I'd buy that book."
Before Olivia could scold them for joking so soon after a battle, the sound of heavy boots and clanking armor caught their attention. Ahead, a group of adventurers—
at least two dozen—was approaching. Most were armed and armored, looking ready for a fight.
One of the leaders stepped forward, a tall woman with an imposing presence. She eyed the group curiously.
"You four were inside?"
Ren tilted his head, pretending to inspect her armor. "Yep. Handled it. You're welcome."
The woman raised an eyebrow, glancing at the ruins behind them. "Handled it?" she repeated skeptically.
"We got a notice from the Guild about an emergency. Bells ringing, cultists, and potential city-wide disaster, and you're saying it's all dealt with?"
Olivia stepped in before Ren could offer another sarcastic reply.
"It's true. The artifact was destroyed, and the ritual was stopped. The cultists were neutralized as well." She gestured to the faint green glow still dissipating in the air.
"We ensured no harm would come to the city."
The adventurers exchanged glances, a mixture of relief and disbelief. Another adventurer, a wiry man holding a massive crossbow, piped up,
"Wait, you're saying four of you handled what the Guild thought required all of us?"
"Yep," Skorn said, crossing his arms and grinning. "Four's all you need when you've got us."
Behind them, Talos muttered, "And when you arrive late to the party."
The tall woman scrutinized them, her gaze lingering on Ren, who offered a half-hearted shrug. "Hey, no need to thank us. Just doing our civic duty." He gestured dramatically.
"Feel free to go inside and clean up any stragglers, though. You know, if you want to feel useful."
A ripple of awkward laughter passed through the adventurers, though a few looked less amused. The tall woman sighed, finally cracking a small smile.
"Well, thanks for saving us the trouble, I guess. You might want to report this back at the Guild yourself. They'll want to hear it firsthand."
As the adventurers filed past them, Ren turned to his companions, a satisfied smirk still plastered on his face.
Unbeknownst to any of them, a pair of eyes watched from the shadows of a distant ridge. The figure's face was twisted with anger, hands clenched as they observed the group.
"So," the voice muttered low and menacingly. "They're the ones who ruined everything."
The figure melted back into the darkness, their presence unnoticed as Ren and his group continued their journey back to the Guild,
none the wiser of the growing enmity against them.
__________
Ren stretched his arms as they walked out of the ruins, his face lit with excitement. "I'm feeling it, you guys—we're getting the biggest reward possible. I mean, we handled this single-handedly! We're basically legends now."
Skorn smirked. "You mean quad-handedly, Ren? Unless you're hiding an extra pair of arms under that jacket."
Talos adjusted his glasses, chiming in. "Technically, the reward size is determined by the guild's assessment of the mission's danger level, not our personal flair."
"Talos, please," Ren groaned, "let me bask in the fantasy before reality kicks me in the teeth."
Olivia blinked, glancing at Ren with concern. "Why would the guild kick you in the teeth? That seems excessive for claiming a reward."
Skorn snorted, nearly doubling over. "Oh, Olivia, you're priceless!"
Ren facepalmed, muttering under his breath, "This is why I need a sarcasm translation guide for her."
"Maybe they should kick his teeth in," Skorn added with a grin. "Might keep him quiet for five minutes."
"Five minutes? Too optimistic," Talos quipped dryly.
As the banter continued, Olivia looked between them, utterly confused.
"Why are we discussing teeth injuries? Should I prepare my healing magic?"
Ren groaned louder. "No, Olivia. I'm fine. My teeth are fine. Let's just...collect our massive, well-deserved reward and call it a day."
"But the teeth—"
"DROP the teeth, Olivia!" Ren exclaimed, throwing his hands up as the others burst into laughter.