The safehouse in Lyndara was a modest building tucked away in the city's merchant district, its unassuming exterior blending seamlessly with the surrounding workshops and warehouses. Inside, however, tension hung heavy in the air as the group gathered to share their findings.
Kaelron leaned against a wooden pillar, his staff resting by his side, while Ignis perched silently on the rafters above. Nyx paced near the window, her daggers glinting faintly in the afternoon light. Zerin and Eryk sat at the table, sifting through a mix of maps, notes, and the relic, which pulsed faintly in the center of the clutter.
"This city feels worse every time we step outside," Zerin muttered, tossing a piece of parchment onto the table. "The cult's influence is everywhere. If the nobles aren't outright involved, they're looking the other way."
Nyx stopped pacing and crossed her arms. "That's not surprising. House Draymoor's estate was filled with enough shadow-forged weapons to equip a small army. They're funneling resources here, and Lyndara is the perfect staging ground."
Eryk nodded, his frost wolf, Frostbane, sitting loyally at his side. "Kaelron and I didn't find much peace either. The monastery was a wreck, but the relic... it's powerful."
Kaelron's gaze fell to the artifact, its faint light reflecting off the rough-hewn table. "It's tied to the Bonds. I saw them—frayed, breaking. The Maw's corruption is tearing them apart, and this relic is somehow connected."
Nyx frowned, her sharp eyes narrowing. "Do you think the cult knows about the relic's power?"
Kaelron hesitated. "They might. The guardian warned me that using it could hasten the Bonds' collapse. But if the cult gets their hands on it, they'll destroy everything faster than we can stop them."
Zerin drummed his fingers on the table, his expression thoughtful. "Then we need to act fast. We picked up something from the Draymoor estate—word of a meeting happening tonight at the Larkspur Theater. Nobles and cult agents, probably to finalize whatever deal they've been working on."
Eryk leaned forward. "If we can disrupt it, we might set them back long enough to regroup and figure out what to do with the relic."
---
As night fell over Lyndara, the group made their way to the abandoned Larkspur Theater. The once-grand building had fallen into disrepair, its ornate facade marred by cracks and grime. The streets around it were eerily quiet, with only the faint hum of distant activity betraying the presence of guards patrolling the perimeter.
Nyx led the way, her black panther, Umbra, moving silently at her side. She motioned for the others to stay low as they approached the back entrance, a rusted metal door partially obscured by overgrown ivy.
"Zerin and I will go in first," Nyx whispered, her voice barely audible. "Kaelron, you and Eryk hang back until we signal. If things go wrong..."
"We'll be ready," Kaelron said, his tone steady. Ignis flapped her wings softly, her fiery glow barely contained as she perched on a nearby rooftop.
Nyx nodded, slipping through the door with Zerin close behind.
Inside, the theater was a husk of its former glory. The grand stage was cracked and warped, and the once-plush seats were covered in layers of dust and cobwebs. At the center of the main floor, a group of finely dressed nobles stood in a loose circle, their hushed voices carrying faintly through the cavernous space.
Nyx and Zerin crouched in the shadows of the balcony above, their eyes fixed on the scene below.
"That's House Draymoor's crest," Zerin whispered, pointing to a tall man in a deep blue coat. "And that one's Valdris. Definitely cult-affiliated."
Nyx's gaze shifted to a figure standing at the center of the group, their face obscured by a hood. "That must be the contact. Look at how they're holding everyone's attention."
The hooded figure's voice carried through the theater, calm and authoritative. "The weapons shipments are on schedule. Lyndara is but the first step. The shadows will spread from here, and soon, no realm will stand against the Order."
Nyx tensed, her grip tightening on her daggers. "They're planning something big."
Before Zerin could respond, the hooded figure stepped back, revealing another man in the group. Nyx's eyes widened as recognition hit her.
"Rohen," she whispered, her voice laced with venom.
Nyx's movement was slight, but it was enough. One of the guards stationed near the stage snapped their head up, their eyes locking onto the balcony.
"We've got company!" the guard shouted, drawing their weapon.
Chaos erupted as Nyx and Zerin leapt into action. Nyx hurled a pair of daggers, striking the guard before they could sound an alarm. Zerin followed with a fluid dive, landing on the main floor and engaging another guard in close combat.
Rohen turned, his face twisting into a smirk as he recognized Nyx descending from the balcony. "Well, if it isn't Lady Nyx. Always sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."
"You're a traitor, Rohen," Nyx spat, her daggers flashing as she closed the distance. "And I'm here to end this."
---
Outside, Kaelron and Eryk heard the commotion and sprang into action. Kaelron mounted Ignis, the gryphon's fiery wings propelling them into the air as they soared toward the theater's rooftop. Eryk followed on foot, Frostbane leading the way with a snarl.
Kaelron crashed through a skylight, flames flaring around him as Ignis roared. "Time to end this!" he shouted, landing in the midst of the chaos.
Eryk burst through the main entrance, ice shards forming in his hands as he hurled them at the guards converging on Nyx and Zerin.
The nobles scattered, their once-haughty demeanor replaced with panic. Only Rohen and the hooded figure remained calm, their eyes locked on the newcomers.
The hooded figure stepped forward, their voice smooth and commanding. "Fools. You think you can stop what is already set in motion?"
As they raised their hands, the shadows around the theater deepened, coalescing into twisted forms that lunged at the group. Kaelron and Ignis worked in tandem, their fire cutting through the shadow beasts, while Eryk and Frostbane created barriers of ice to protect Nyx and Zerin.
Rohen watched from the sidelines, his smirk never fading. "You're playing a losing game. The Order's reach is far greater than you realize."
Nyx glared at him, her daggers poised. "Then let's see how far you get without your head."
The fight raged on, but the hooded figure and Rohen slipped away in the chaos, disappearing into the theater's labyrinthine halls.
"We can't let them escape!" Nyx shouted, but Zerin grabbed her arm, pulling her back as more shadow beasts closed in.
Kaelron, his flames dwindling, called out, "We'll get another chance! Right now, we need to regroup and figure out their next move."
Reluctantly, Nyx nodded, and the group fought their way out of the theater, leaving the corrupted shadows behind.