The safehouse in Lyndara was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of parchment as Lys laid out the details she'd gathered. She stood at the head of the table, her voice calm but resolute as the group listened intently.
"The Valdwyn family has been hosting secret auctions," she explained, her tone steady but urgent. "They're selling shadow-forged items—cursed weapons, armor, and possibly artifacts tied to the Maw."
Nyx leaned against the wall, her arms crossed. "How reliable is this information?"
"Very," Lys replied. "The auction is invitation-only, attended by nobles from Lyndara and beyond. Tonight's event is their biggest yet. Rumor has it they're unveiling something extraordinary—something tied to the cult's growing influence."
Kaelron's gaze hardened. "If the cult's involved, this auction isn't just about trade. Shadow-forged weapons are bad enough, but if they're moving something significant, we need to stop them."
Zerin smirked, spinning a dagger idly in his hand. "Sounds like a good time for us to crash a party."
"We can't just barge in," Nyx said sharply. "This kind of operation doesn't leave room for error. If we're caught, we lose any chance of finding out what's going on."
Lys hesitated. "These auctions are tightly controlled. The Valdwyns are careful about who gets in, and they'll have security. We'll need a way to blend in."
Kaelron leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "Nyx, Zerin, and Lys, you'll pose as bidders and get inside. Eryk and I will stay outside for backup. If something goes wrong, we'll act."
Eryk glanced at Kaelron, nodding. "We'll keep an eye out for anything unusual. If there's trouble, we'll be ready."
The Valdwyn estate loomed on the outskirts of Lyndara, a sprawling mansion surrounded by high walls and patrolling guards. The group approached under cover of darkness, careful to avoid the roving patrols guarding the perimeter.
At the back entrance, Lys adjusted the delicate cloak she'd chosen to blend in with Lyndara's noble guests. She fidgeted nervously, her hands clutching the fabric.
"I'm not sure about this," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've never done anything like this before."
Nyx placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You'll be fine. Just stick close to us and don't draw attention. Let me and Zerin handle the talking."
Zerin, dressed in a polished outfit that made him look surprisingly aristocratic, grinned. "You'll be the most believable of all of us. The rest of us have to act the part."
Kaelron and Eryk watched from the shadows near the estate's stables, their beasts hidden nearby. Ignis perched silently on a rooftop while Frostbane prowled through the undergrowth.
"We'll keep watch," Kaelron said. "If anything seems off, we'll signal."
Nyx nodded once, then slipped through the back entrance with Zerin and Lys.
The grand ballroom of the Valdwyn estate was a spectacle of opulence. Crystal chandeliers cast golden light over the gathering of finely dressed nobles, their voices a low murmur as they examined the items on display.
Nyx and Zerin moved confidently through the crowd, their eyes scanning for signs of cult activity. Lys trailed slightly behind, her movements reserved but deliberate.
Nyx's sharp gaze caught glimpses of shadow-forged artifacts—blades etched with runes of corruption, gauntlets that pulsed faintly with malevolent energy. Her jaw tightened.
"This isn't just about money," Nyx murmured. "These are tools for war."
Zerin nodded subtly, his eyes darting toward a group of nobles engaged in hushed conversation. "If the cult's making deals here, they're building more than influence. They're preparing for something big."
The auctioneer, a tall man with an air of practiced confidence, stepped onto the raised platform at the front of the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Valdwyn Auction. Tonight's offerings are rare and powerful, crafted for those bold enough to wield greatness. Shall we begin?"
---
Outside the estate, Kaelron and Eryk remained hidden near the stables, their senses attuned to the faint sounds of the distant gathering.
"I don't like this," Kaelron muttered, his staff resting against his shoulder. "There's too much activity for a simple auction. The guards are on edge."
Eryk crouched beside Frostbane, his frost wolf sniffing the air. "This isn't just about artifacts. There's something bigger happening here."
Kaelron nodded, glancing at the crown fragment secured in his satchel. Its glow had dimmed, but he could still feel its faint hum.
"Do you feel that?" Kaelron asked, holding up the fragment slightly.
Eryk frowned, his gaze narrowing. "It's reacting to something. Whatever it is, it's inside."
Kaelron's grip tightened on the satchel. "If the cult's involved, we need to stay ready. They wouldn't be here unless this auction mattered."
---
Inside the ballroom, the auction progressed, the bidding growing more intense with each shadow-forged item unveiled. Nyx's patience wore thin as she watched noble after noble compete for tools of corruption.
Then, the auctioneer gestured to an assistant, who stepped forward carrying a blackened orb on a velvet cushion. The orb pulsed faintly, its surface emitting a dark aura that sent a chill through the room.
"This," the auctioneer announced, his voice filled with reverence, "is a relic of immense power. Said to be tied to the Primordial Bonds, it is a fragment of ancient strength. A weapon. A key. A legacy."
Nyx's eyes widened, her breath catching. "A relic?" she whispered.
Zerin's expression darkened. "If the cult gets that..."
Lys, standing behind them, whispered, "It's like the orbs they used at House Valdris, but stronger. This isn't just a weapon—it's a beacon for the Maw."
Before Nyx could react, the ballroom doors burst open, and a group of robed cultists stormed in. Their weapons glinted with shadow-forged energy, and the crowd erupted into chaos as nobles fled in all directions.
"This auction is over," the lead cultist declared, stepping onto the stage. "The relic belongs to the Order."
Nyx cursed under her breath. "They're taking it."
Zerin drew his daggers, his stance ready. "So much for subtlety."
Nyx glanced at Lys. "Stay out of this and keep out of sight. This fight's not yours." Lys nodded, quickly retreating into the shadows.
---
Outside, Kaelron and Eryk heard the commotion and sprang into action. Ignis launched into the air with a mighty beat of her wings, her fiery glow illuminating the estate as Kaelron climbed onto her back.
Eryk followed on foot, Frostbane charging ahead as they made their way toward the ballroom.
Bursting through a side entrance, Kaelron and Ignis joined the fray, flames cutting through the chaos as they forced the cultists back.
Eryk arrived moments later, his frost wolf freezing the ground beneath the attackers' feet. He hurled a barrage of ice shards, creating barriers to protect Nyx and Zerin.
As the lead cultist grabbed the relic, the orb pulsed violently, its energy rippling through the room. Kaelron's satchel glowed in response, the crown fragment resonating with the relic's power.
Kaelron staggered as a wave of energy washed over him, visions flashing before his eyes. He saw threads of light connecting the relics, their power converging on a central point shrouded in darkness.
"It's all connected," he murmured, his grip tightening on his staff.
The cultist smirked, their eyes glowing faintly. "You cannot stop the Maw's will."
Kaelron gritted his teeth, directing Ignis into the air as he prepared another attack. "We'll see about that."
Despite their efforts, the cultists began to overwhelm the group. Nyx shouted, "We can't hold this position! Fall back!"
Kaelron unleashed one final burst of flames, creating a wall of fire that forced the cultists back. Ignis swooped low, carrying Nyx and Zerin out of the room.
Eryk and Frostbane covered their retreat, freezing the doorway behind them as they fled into the night.
The relic was gone, taken by the cult, but the fragment's reaction left Kaelron with a chilling realization: the relics were more connected than he'd ever imagined—and the cult was closer to unraveling the Primordial Bonds than they'd feared.