The journey to the Crimson Spires was harrowing. The aftermath of their encounter in the Black Hollow lingered heavily, the oppressive darkness still clinging to Liora's mind like a shadow she couldn't shake. Karael was silent, his grip firm around Thane, who staggered along weakly but refused to be carried outright.
The terrain grew more hostile the closer they got to their destination. The Crimson Spires rose in the distance, their jagged, blood-red peaks piercing the dull, gray sky like the claws of some ancient beast. The air was colder here, thick with a metallic tang that made each breath feel unnatural.
As they neared the fortress, an eerie silence settled around them. No birds, no animals, not even the wind dared to disturb the suffocating stillness.
"We're close," Karael murmured, his voice low and wary.
Liora nodded, her hand tightening around her weapon. The closer they came, the more she felt an unsettling sense of foreboding. It wasn't just the silence—it was the absence of life itself.
The gates of the Crimson Spires were ajar, swinging lightly in the faint breeze. Deep claw marks marred the metal, as if some massive creature had torn its way through. Liora exchanged a glance with Karael, who nodded grimly.
They stepped inside.
The sight that greeted them was one of carnage. Bodies littered the ground, their lifeless forms sprawled in grotesque positions. Blood pooled in dark rivers, staining the stone floors and walls. Some of the corpses bore wounds so vicious that it was clear whoever—or whatever—had attacked had no intention of leaving survivors.
Karael swore under his breath, his grip tightening on his blade. Liora felt her stomach churn, but she forced herself to focus. They had come too far to falter now.
"This wasn't an ordinary attack," she said, her voice hollow. "These people… they didn't even have a chance to fight back."
Thane groaned softly, leaning against a nearby wall for support. "What could have done this?"
"That's the question," Karael said grimly, his eyes scanning the shadows. "And whether it's still here."
The trio moved cautiously, their every step echoing in the vast, deathly silent halls. The deeper they went, the worse the devastation became. Whatever had done this had been thorough—no one had been spared.
At last, they came to the central chamber. Unlike the others, this room was eerily intact. The crimson hue of the spires seeped through the high, arched windows, bathing the chamber in an unsettling light.
At the center of the room lay Dr. Voss.
Liora rushed forward, her heart pounding. The scientist's body was crumpled on the cold stone floor, his lab coat torn and bloodstained. Beside him lay a note, its edges singed as if it had narrowly escaped a fire.
Karael knelt beside Voss, his fingers pressing against the man's neck. "He's alive," he said, though his tone was strained. "Barely."
Liora picked up the note, her eyes scanning the hastily scrawled words:
**"2nd completed. Going for 3rd. I'm going to end this."**
Her hand trembled as she crushed the paper, the words searing themselves into her mind. Whoever this was, they were playing a game, and Voss had been just another pawn.
"We need to move," she said sharply, looking at Karael. "Can you carry him?"
Karael nodded, scooping the unconscious man into his arms. Come let's take him to sir manav
Thane straightened, his expression grim. "If we don't find out who's behind this soon, there won't be anyone left to save."
Liora didn't reply. The weight of the note's message hung heavily on her. The second phase was done. What did the third phase entail? And who would be the next target?
The journey to the Goodie Hunters' palace was swift but tense. The air seemed heavier, the silence pressing in on them as they raced against time.
The palace itself was a sprawling fortress, its high walls and guarded gates offering a semblance of security. The guards welcomed them
"What happened to him?" one of the commander asked as Karael carried Voss inside.
"Ambush," Karael said shortly. "He needs medical attention immediately."
The commanders didn't waste time. They led the group to a secure chamber where a doctor began tending to Voss's wounds. Liora and the others stood nearby, their tension palpable.
"How bad is he?" Liora asked after what felt like an eternity.
The doctor looked up, their expression grim. "He's stable for now, but he's been through a lot. Whatever he endured wasn't just physical—it's as if his very essence has been drained."
Liora's fists clenched at her sides. She could still see the note in her mind, the mocking words daring them to stop what was coming.
Hours passed before Voss finally stirred. His movements were sluggish, his breaths shallow. When his eyes fluttered open, they were filled with a dazed confusion.
"Where…" he murmured, his voice barely audible. "Where am I?"
"You're safe," Liora said softly, stepping closer. "You're in the country's palace . No one can hurt you here."
Voss's eyes flickered to her, then to Karael and Thane. His brow furrowed, and he tried to sit up, only to groan in pain and sink back into the bed.
He's coming," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "You… you don't understand. They won't stop. They…"
"Who's coming?" Karael asked sharply, his tone edged with urgency.
But Voss didn't seem to hear him. His gaze turned inward, his lips moving as if reciting a mantra. "The Crimson Spires… the Black Hollow… it's all connected. You have to stop them before it's too late."
"Stop who?" Liora pressed, her frustration mounting. "Tell us what you know, Voss!"
The scientist's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, there was a flicker of clarity. "You can't stop them," he said, his voice trembling. "Not yet. They're too far ahead. But… there's still hope. The key… lies in the ruins… beneath the Spires…"
Before they could press him further, his eyes rolled back, and he fell unconscious once more.
The room was silent, the weight of his words hanging heavily over them.
"The ruins beneath the Spires," Thane said, breaking the silence. "What do you think he meant?"
"Whatever it is," Karael said grimly, "it's the next step in this nightmare. And we need to find it before whoever's behind this does."
Liora nodded, her resolve hardening. The game wasn't over yet. The second phase had been completed, but they wouldn't let the third play out without a fight.
As they left the chamber, the shadows seemed to press in closer, as if the darkness itself was watching, waiting.
And Liora couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come.