Chapter 8: The Conduit's Price
The twisted, metallic artifact on Lyssa Calder's table shimmered faintly, its runes glowing like embers in the dim light of the Underworks chamber. Elias's eyes lingered on the object. It exuded a strange, palpable energy that seemed to press against his chest like a heavy weight.
"So this is the conduit," Elias said, his voice steady despite the unease crawling under his skin. "You've been hiding it here?"
Lyssa crossed her arms, her sharp gaze flicking between Elias and the conduit. "Hiding it, protecting it, whatever you want to call it. The important part is that Ouroboros doesn't have it."
"They're close," Elias replied, his tone grim. "They sent me a message—three days to hand over the shard, or they come for me."
Lyssa smirked faintly, though there was no humor in it. "Three days? Consider yourself lucky. They don't usually give warnings."
Elias stepped closer to the table, inspecting the conduit. Its design was intricate, almost organic in the way the metallic tendrils twisted and intertwined. The runes seemed to pulse with a rhythm, as if the device were alive.
"What does it do?" Elias asked, his mechanical hand twitching involuntarily as if responding to the conduit's energy.
Lyssa hesitated. For the first time since they'd met, a flicker of doubt crossed her face. "The conduit channels power from the Veil. It's like a bridge—one that connects our world to whatever lies beyond."
"The Unseen," Elias muttered, recalling Victor Caine's journal.
Lyssa nodded. "The Ouroboros Society believes the Veil is a barrier keeping us from true enlightenment. They think breaking it will give them access to limitless power. But…" She trailed off, her voice dropping to a whisper. "They don't understand what's on the other side."
Elias's eyes narrowed. "And you do?"
"I've seen glimpses," Lyssa admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "The conduit isn't just a tool. It's a warning. Every time someone tries to use it, they open a crack in the Veil. And every time, something looks back."
The room fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them like a shroud. Elias glanced at the conduit again, his jaw tightening. If what Lyssa said was true, then Ouroboros wasn't just toying with power—they were inviting disaster.
"We need to destroy it," Elias said, his voice firm.
Lyssa shook her head. "It's not that simple. The conduit can't be destroyed with brute force. If you damage it the wrong way, you could tear a hole in the Veil."
"Then how do we stop them from getting it?" Elias asked.
Lyssa hesitated, her fingers drumming against the table. "There's a place—an alchemical forge hidden beneath the city. It was built centuries ago to neutralize artifacts like this. If we can get the conduit there, we might be able to seal it permanently."
"And let me guess," Elias said, his tone dry. "Ouroboros knows about this forge."
"They'll have people guarding the paths to it, no question," Lyssa replied. "But it's our only shot."
Elias considered her words, his mind already working through the logistics. The Underworks was a maze, and navigating it to find the forge would be dangerous enough without Ouroboros breathing down their necks. But Lyssa was right—this wasn't a fight they could win by standing still.
"Then we move now," Elias said. "If we wait, they'll find us."
Lyssa nodded, her expression hardening. "Grab whatever you need. The path to the forge won't be easy."
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The two of them moved through the tunnels with practiced caution, their footsteps echoing faintly in the darkness. Lyssa led the way, her movements precise and deliberate. She carried a small pack filled with alchemical tools and a pair of daggers strapped to her belt. Elias followed close behind, his revolver in one hand and the satchel containing the shard slung over his shoulder.
The air grew colder as they descended deeper into the Underworks. The faint hum of the shard seemed to resonate with the energy of the conduit, creating a subtle vibration that prickled the back of Elias's neck.
"How did you end up with the conduit?" Elias asked, breaking the silence.
Lyssa glanced back at him, her expression guarded. "I was part of Ouroboros once. An initiate. I thought they were just another secret society, one obsessed with alchemical knowledge and power. But when I saw what they were really after, I ran."
"Let me guess," Elias said. "They didn't take it well."
Lyssa snorted softly. "They sent hunters after me. I've been running ever since."
"Why not destroy the conduit yourself?" Elias pressed.
"I tried," Lyssa admitted. "But it's not just an artifact. It's alive in some way. It resists destruction. That's why I need the forge."
Before Elias could respond, Lyssa stopped abruptly, raising a hand. He froze, his revolver at the ready.
"What is it?" he whispered.
Lyssa pointed ahead. A faint, rhythmic tapping echoed through the tunnel, growing louder with each passing second. The sound was accompanied by a low, guttural growl that sent a shiver down Elias's spine.
"Guards," Lyssa murmured. "Ouroboros sent creatures to patrol the paths."
Elias peered into the darkness, his grip tightening on his gun. A pair of glowing, yellow eyes appeared in the distance, followed by another, and another. The tapping grew louder, revealing the sound of claws clicking against stone.
"What are those?" Elias asked.
"Stalkers," Lyssa replied, her voice tight. "Alchemical constructs. Fast, deadly, and hard to kill."
"Perfect," Elias muttered. "Got a plan?"
Lyssa pulled a vial from her pack, the liquid inside swirling with a faint blue light. "Distract them. I'll handle the rest."
Elias raised an eyebrow. "You'd better be quick."
The first stalker lunged into the light, its twisted, sinewy body gleaming like polished metal. Elias fired, the shot ringing out and striking the creature in the chest. It staggered but didn't fall, its glowing eyes fixed on him as it snarled.
More stalkers poured into the tunnel, their movements unnervingly smooth. Elias fired again, each shot buying him precious seconds as Lyssa moved to the side, hurling the vial into the pack of creatures.
The vial shattered on impact, releasing a cloud of shimmering blue mist. The stalkers froze, their bodies twitching as the mist seeped into their joints. Within moments, they collapsed, their metallic limbs locking into place.
"Nice trick," Elias said, lowering his gun.
"Don't thank me yet," Lyssa replied, already moving forward. "We're just getting started."
Elias followed, his senses on high alert. The path to the forge was still long, and Ouroboros wouldn't stop until they had the conduit.
The real fight was just beginning.
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