The Oracle's Gambit
Chapter 2: The Gathering Storm
Alexa tightened her grip on the dagger, its hilt damp from the sweat of her palm. She moved cautiously through the ruins, the pendant pulsing faintly against her chest like a second heartbeat. Behind her, Riven followed with infuriating ease, his boots barely making a sound on the crumbling stone.
"You're awfully quiet for someone who claims to have all the answers," Alexa muttered, glancing back at him.
Riven's hooded face tilted into a sly grin, his sharp features catching the faint light of the moon. "Not all the answers, just enough to keep us alive. For now."
Alexa huffed, turning her gaze forward. She didn't trust him—how could she? He knew her name before she'd spoken a word, knew the Dominion was hunting her, and yet he hadn't explained why he was really here. She was certain he wasn't telling her everything, but for now, she needed him.
"You don't seem particularly worried about the Dominion," she said, her voice low. "Those enforcers back there would've gutted us both without a second thought."
"They didn't gut us," Riven replied smoothly, stepping over a collapsed pillar. "Which is more than I can say for that poor soul they were questioning."
Alexa felt a pang of guilt at the memory. She'd seen the Dominion enforcers execute the man without hesitation, their leader cold and efficient. She had wanted to intervene, but what could she have done? Alone, she would've been overwhelmed, and Riven had made it clear that survival came first.
"They're getting desperate," Riven continued, his tone casual despite the grim topic. "The Dominion doesn't like loose ends, and right now, you're the loosest thread they've ever seen."
"Thanks for the encouragement," Alexa said dryly, her eyes scanning the shadows ahead.
"You don't need encouragement," Riven shot back. "You need answers. And maybe a bit of luck."
Alexa stopped abruptly, holding up a hand to silence him. The pendant grew warmer against her skin, its pulse quickening. She frowned, her gaze darting across the broken terrain. "It's reacting again."
Riven stepped closer, his expression sharpening. "To what?"
"I don't know." Alexa pulled the pendant from beneath her cloak, the faint runes etched into its surface glowing softly. It tugged at her, an invisible force pulling her toward a jagged opening in the rubble. She hesitated, her instincts warning her against plunging headlong into the unknown.
"It's not going to hurt you," Riven said, leaning casually against a broken column. "Probably."
She shot him a glare. "You're not inspiring confidence."
Riven shrugged. "Confidence is overrated. Curiosity, on the other hand…"
Ignoring him, Alexa crept toward the opening. The air beyond was heavy, tinged with the faint metallic tang of magic. She slipped through the gap in the rubble, her boots crunching softly against the debris-strewn floor.
What lay beyond made her breath catch.
The chamber was small, its walls carved with intricate murals that seemed to shift in the flickering light of the pendant. The centerpiece was a towering figure, half-shrouded in shadow, holding a blade aloft as threads spiraled outward from its hilt.
"What is this?" Alexa murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Something old," Riven said, stepping in behind her. "And very important, I'd wager."
The pendant pulsed again, brighter this time, illuminating a single phrase etched beneath the mural:
"The Weaver's threads bind all, but the blade decides their fate."
Alexa ran her fingers over the inscription, the carved letters rough and uneven beneath her touch. The words echoed in her mind like a warning, their meaning tantalizingly close yet frustratingly out of reach.
"The Weaver's threads," she murmured. "It's the same thing the oracle said."
"Clever, aren't you?" Riven said, leaning against the wall with that same infuriating smirk. "You've got a knack for repeating cryptic nonsense."
She shot him a glare. "Do you ever say anything useful?"
"Only when it suits me." He pushed off the wall and stepped closer to the mural, his gaze sweeping over the swirling threads and the shadowed figure at its center. "This isn't just some ancient graffiti, you know. It's a piece of the puzzle."
"You know what this is, don't you?" Alexa pressed, her eyes narrowing. "You've seen it before."
Riven didn't answer right away. He tilted his head, studying the mural as though it might reveal a secret only he could decipher. Finally, he sighed and turned to her. "I've heard stories. Old ones. They talk about a blade that can cut through the very threads of fate. The Weaver forged it long ago to maintain balance, but…" He trailed off, his expression darkening.
"But what?" Alexa demanded.
Riven's gaze met hers, and for the first time, the arrogance in his eyes was replaced by something colder. "The blade was lost. Hidden away because it was too dangerous. People tried to use it to rewrite their destinies, to bend fate to their will. You can guess how that turned out."
Alexa frowned, glancing back at the mural. The figure holding the blade seemed almost alive, its shadowy features shifting as though it might step free from the stone at any moment. The pendant pulsed again, drawing her attention to the center of the figure's chest, where a faint outline of a sigil glowed faintly in the mural.
"Do you think this blade is real?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh, it's real," Riven said. "And if the Dominion thinks you're tied to it, they're not going to stop hunting you."
Alexa's stomach tightened. The pendant had always been a burden, but now it felt heavier than ever, its presence pressing against her like a weight she couldn't shrug off. She stepped back from the mural, her mind racing.
"Then why are you helping me?" she asked, her voice sharper now. "What's in this for you?"
Riven hesitated, just for a moment, and the shadow of a smile tugged at his lips. "Let's just say I like a good gamble. And right now, you're the most interesting one I've found."
Alexa shook her head, frustration bubbling to the surface. She turned away from him, her focus returning to the mural. The pendant's glow was starting to fade, but its pull remained strong. She knew it wasn't finished with her yet.
Before she could press Riven further, the ground beneath them shuddered, a low rumble vibrating through the stone. Dust rained down from the ceiling, and the faint growls that had haunted her since the fissure stirred echoed once more from somewhere deeper in the ruins.
Riven drew his short sword in one fluid motion, his grin returning. "Looks like we've overstayed our welcome."
Alexa nodded, gripping her dagger as the pendant flared again, casting its light across the chamber. The threads etched into the mural seemed to move, writhing like living things as the growls grew louder.
"Time to run?" she asked, her voice steady despite the fear curling in her gut.
"Definitely time to run," Riven replied.
Together, they bolted for the opening, the growls rising to a deafening crescendo behind them.
The tunnel echoed with the sound of their boots pounding against the stone floor, each step a frantic beat in the symphony of chaos behind them. The growls grew louder, accompanied by the scrape of claws against stone and the sharp crack of splitting rock. Alexa didn't dare look back; she could feel the heat of pursuit, the oppressive weight of the creatures that had risen from the fissure.
"Do you have a plan?" she shouted over the noise, her voice bouncing off the narrow walls.
"Run faster!" Riven called back, his voice tinged with amusement despite the urgency.
Alexa cursed under her breath, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her dagger. The pendant pulsed erratically, its glow cutting through the gloom, guiding their path as the tunnel twisted and turned. The air grew colder, the metallic tang of magic sharp and overwhelming.
"Left!" Riven yelled, darting ahead and vanishing around a corner.
Alexa followed, nearly slipping on a patch of loose rubble as the tunnel widened into another chamber. This one was smaller than the last, the walls carved with faded reliefs of battles long forgotten. A single, crumbling archway led out, but before Alexa could reach it, the shadows behind her surged forward.
A hulking creature burst into the room, its glowing eyes fixed on her. It was like the one from the fissure, its form shifting and rippling as if made from smoke and shadow. The sight of it sent a chill down her spine, but she didn't hesitate.
"Riven!" she shouted, backing toward the archway.
"I see it!" he replied, already pulling a small vial from his belt. He hurled it at the creature without breaking the stride. The vial shattered against its chest, releasing a burst of blinding light that lit up the chamber.
The creature howled, its shadowy form writhing as the light tore through it. Alexa didn't wait to see if it would recover. She bolted through the archway, Riven close on her heels.
"That was convenient," she said between breaths, glancing at him.
"I'm full of surprises," Riven replied, flashing her a grin. "You should stick around. You might even learn to like me."
"I doubt that," Alexa muttered, her focus shifting back to the tunnel ahead.
The growls echoed once more, fainter this time but still far too close for comfort. The pendant's glow began to dim, its guidance faltering as exhaustion tugged at Alexa's limbs. She could feel the strain of the day weighing on her, the combination of magic and adrenaline pushing her to her limit.
The tunnel began to slope upward, the air growing fresher with each step. Alexa's heart leapt at the promise of escape, but the sound of claws scraping against stone was a stark reminder that they weren't safe yet.
"Almost there," Riven said, his tone more serious now.
The faint glow of moonlight appeared ahead, spilling through a jagged crack in the tunnel wall. Alexa surged forward, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps as she pushed herself harder.
They burst out into the open air, the ruins of Aedrion stretching out before them. Alexa staggered to a halt, her chest heaving as she scanned the crumbled buildings for any sign of the creatures.
Riven stepped beside her, his sword still drawn. "I don't see them," he said, his eyes narrowing. "But that doesn't mean they're gone."
The pendant pulsed faintly, a weak but steady rhythm that seemed to echo her own heartbeat. Alexa wrapped her fingers around it, her grip tightening as she tried to calm her racing thoughts.
"We need to keep moving," she said, her voice low. "They'll find us if we stay here."
Riven nodded, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "Agreed. There's a safe place not far from here. We can regroup there."
Alexa hesitated, her gaze flicking back toward the darkened tunnel. The creatures were still down there, she was sure of it. And whatever they wanted, they weren't going to stop until they had it.
Alexa followed Riven as he led her through the ruins, his movements swift and practiced, like someone who had navigated these treacherous paths a hundred times before. The moonlight bathed the shattered buildings in an eerie silver glow, their jagged edges casting long, angular shadows across the ground.
"You sure this place is safe?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Riven shot her a sideways glance, his lips curving into a faint smirk. "Safe is a relative term. It's out of the Dominion's usual patrol routes, and the creatures back there don't tend to wander too far above ground. That good enough for you?"
Alexa didn't answer, her hand tightening around the hilt of her dagger. The pendant's pulse had steadied but remained faint, its glow barely perceptible against her chest. The weight of it felt heavier now, as though it were a living thing sharing her exhaustion.
They slipped through a narrow alley, the crumbling walls of ancient buildings pressing close on either side. Alexa's boots crunched softly against the debris-strewn ground, her every step measured and cautious. Riven moved ahead of her, his sword held low but ready, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows.
"Here," he said suddenly, coming to a stop in front of what remained of a large stone structure. A jagged archway marked the entrance, its keystone cracked but still holding. Faded carvings adorned the weathered stone, their once-intricate designs obscured by time and grime.
"What is this place?" Alexa asked, glancing up at the archway.
"Old temple," Riven replied. "Abandoned long before the city fell. The Dominion doesn't care about it, which makes it perfect for us."
"Convenient," she muttered, following him inside.
The interior was dark and cavernous, the faint smell of damp stone and decay filling the air. Moonlight filtered through cracks in the ceiling, casting pale beams onto the rubble-strewn floor. Riven moved with confidence, weaving his way through the debris toward the far side of the room.
"Make yourself comfortable," he said, gesturing to a relatively clear patch of ground near a collapsed column. "We'll stay here for a while."
Alexa eyed him warily but sat down, resting her back against the cold stone. Her legs ached, and her chest still burned from the frantic escape through the tunnels. She unclasped the pendant and held it in her hands, the faint runes glowing softly against her palms.
"Tell me more about this blade," she said, her tone sharp. "You clearly know more than you're letting on."
Riven leaned against a nearby wall, his sword resting across his lap. He studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "It's not just a blade," he said finally. "It's a key. To what, exactly, depends on who's holding it."
"That's not an answer," Alexa snapped.
"It's the only one I've got," Riven said, shrugging. "The stories say the blade can bind or sever the Threads of Fate. It can change everything—or end everything. Either way, it's not the kind of thing you leave lying around for just anyone to find."
"And you think I'm tied to it somehow?"
Riven's gaze flicked to the pendant in her hands. "I don't think. I know. The Dominion knows it too, which is why they're hunting you."
Alexa's stomach twisted at his words, her grip on the pendant tightening. She looked down at the runes, their glow steady and unyielding, as though they were waiting for her to understand something she wasn't ready to face.
Before she could respond, a faint sound echoed through the temple—a soft, rhythmic tapping that sent a chill down her spine.
Riven stood immediately, his sword at the ready. "We've got company," he said, his voice low.
Alexa scrambled to her feet, her dagger in hand. The tapping grew louder, closer, until it resolved into the deliberate stride of heavy boots against stone.
From the shadows of the entrance, a figure emerged—a Dominion enforcer, clad in black armor that glinted faintly in the moonlight. The mask covering their face was featureless, save for a single vertical slit that glowed with an ominous red light.
"Well," Riven muttered, shifting into a defensive stance. "This just got interesting."
The Dominion enforcer stepped further into the temple, their heavy boots echoing against the stone floor. They moved with deliberate precision, the faint red glow of their mask casting jagged shadows across the crumbling walls. Alexa tightened her grip on her dagger, her heart pounding as the pendant pulsed faintly against her chest.
"Stay behind me," Riven muttered, shifting his stance slightly to block her from the enforcer's view.
"Not a chance," Alexa shot back, her voice low but firm.
The enforcer stopped just a few feet away, their head tilting slightly as though assessing the two of them. When they spoke, their voice was distorted by the mask, cold and mechanical. "Alexa Thorne. You will come with me."
Her blood ran cold at the sound of her name. "Not likely," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
The enforcer didn't respond. Instead, they raised a gloved hand, and the air between them shimmered with a faint, crackling energy. Alexa barely had time to react before the enforcer launched a bolt of crimson light directly at her.
Riven shoved her aside, the bolt searing past her and slamming into the wall behind them. The stone exploded in a shower of debris, and Alexa hit the ground hard, her dagger skittering out of reach.
"Move!" Riven barked, lunging forward with his sword.
The enforcer parried with unnatural speed, their arm snapping up to deflect the blade with a pulse of energy. Sparks flew as Riven's sword collided with the invisible barrier, and he staggered back under the force of the impact.
Alexa scrambled to her feet, her gaze darting around the room. The pendant's pulse quickened, its faint light growing brighter as though urging her to act. She reached for her dagger, but the enforcer was already advancing on Riven, their movements unnervingly fluid.
Riven ducked under another strike, his blade slashing at the enforcer's side, but it was like striking air. The enforcer barely flinched, their attention shifting back to Alexa.
"You cannot escape your fate," they said, raising their hand again.
Alexa's jaw clenched. She didn't know what the pendant wanted from her, but she couldn't just stand there. As the enforcer launched another bolt of energy, she raised the pendant instinctively, its light flaring to life.
The energy collided with the pendant's glow, shattering into a thousand flickering sparks. The enforcer paused, their head tilting again as though reevaluating.
"What… are you?" they murmured, their distorted voice carrying an edge of something unfamiliar—hesitation, perhaps, or fear.
Alexa didn't wait to find out. "Riven, now!"
He didn't need to be told twice. With a swift motion, he tossed another vial at the enforcer's feet. The glass shattered, releasing a cloud of thick, acrid smoke that filled the room instantly.
"Go!" Riven grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the exit.
The two of them bolted from the temple, the enforcer's voice echoing behind them. "You cannot run forever, Thorne. We will find you."
As they stumbled out into the ruins, the cool night air hitting their faces, Alexa slowed, her chest heaving.
"What was that?" she demanded, clutching the pendant as its glow began to fade again.
"Dominion enforcer," Riven said grimly. "Elite, and clearly more interested in you than I thought."
Alexa shook her head, her mind racing. "They knew my name. They knew…" She trailed off, her gaze falling to the pendant.
"Which means they know more than we do," Riven said, his tone sharper now. "We need to figure this out before they catch up."
Alexa didn't argue. She could still feel the enforcer's words echoing in her mind. You cannot escape your fate.
"Where to now?" she asked, forcing herself to steady her voice.
Riven pointed to the distant outline of the Ember Highlands, their jagged peaks glowing faintly under the moonlight. "Somewhere they won't follow. For now."
Alexa nodded, gripping the pendant tightly as they disappeared into the shadows of the ruins.