The air in the scholar's dwelling grew thick with the weight of the promise Kael had just made. The shadows in the room seemed to stretch and twist unnaturally, as if they had been waiting for that single word to break the silence. Kael could feel the pull of the oath settling into his bones, an invisible chain that had just latched onto his soul.
Sylara's gaze lingered on him, concern flashing in her eyes. She knew that Kael had never been one to make promises lightly, let alone ones that bound him to a man like Ralen. But there was no going back now.
"We have no choice," Sylara whispered, her voice low and uncertain.
Kael nodded, though the uneasy feeling gnawing at him wouldn't subside. He had sworn an oath to the scholar, a man whose motives were as obscure as the magic he wielded. But to save the world from the Nithralis, to end the plague of the Wasting Expanse, it seemed they had no other path to follow.
The scholar, Ralen, seemed satisfied with the bond that had been forged. His pale, sharp features softened into a knowing smile as he closed the ancient tome before them with a decisive snap.
"Now that the oath is sworn, you must prepare for the journey ahead. The Heart of the Nithralis is no simple destination. The path to it is filled with dangers that would drive lesser men mad."
Kael and Sylara exchanged a glance, their resolve solidifying. If the Nithralis was to be stopped, they had to endure whatever trials lay ahead.
"Tell us what we need to know," Kael said, his voice steady despite the turmoil brewing within him.
Ralen nodded, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something darker. "First, you must seek the Shrouded Vale. It lies to the east, beyond the Broken Hills. It is there that the Oathbreaker Blade is hidden. The blade will be your only weapon capable of severing the Nithralis' connection to this world."
Sylara frowned. "How do you know of this blade?"
Ralen's smile deepened, and he leaned forward, lowering his voice. "There are many things I know, child, things that most men have forgotten. The Oathbreaker Blade is not a simple artifact. It was forged in blood, not only to cut the Nithralis' bond but to sever the very fabric of time itself. It is a weapon of immense power, but it comes at a cost."
Kael's heart skipped a beat. "A cost?"
Ralen's eyes glinted. "The blade demands a sacrifice from its wielder. Those who attempt to use it must give up something of great value, something they hold dear. If you fail, the blade will consume you."
Kael didn't flinch. He had already given up so much in his life—his past, his freedom, and now his soul, bound by the oath he had sworn to Ralen. Losing more didn't seem as terrible a fate.
"But the blade is not the only danger you will face," Ralen continued, standing up from his seat. "The Shrouded Vale is a place of shadows, haunted by spirits and corrupted beasts that have been twisted by the Nithralis' influence. It is a place where reality warps and bends, where time itself loses meaning. You must be prepared for anything."
"You said the blade was hidden. Do you have any idea where it might be?" Sylara asked, her voice tight with urgency.
Ralen nodded slowly, his eyes distant. "It is hidden deep within the vale, in a temple lost to time. The temple is guarded by creatures bound to the will of the Nithralis, and they will stop at nothing to prevent anyone from reaching the blade."
Kael could sense that there was more Ralen wasn't telling them. The scholar was deliberately withholding information, as if he enjoyed the power he held over them.
"We can handle whatever lies ahead," Kael said, his voice unwavering. "Tell us what we need to know to find this temple."
Ralen regarded him for a long moment, his lips curling into a knowing smile. "Very well," he said. "But know this: The Shrouded Vale is not just a physical place—it is a test. It will challenge you in ways you cannot anticipate. What you find there may not be what you seek. And what you lose may be more than you are willing to give."
His words hung in the air, heavy with a promise of things to come. Ralen reached for a nearby shelf, pulling down a small, weathered map. He unrolled it carefully, his fingers brushing over the ancient lines as if he were tracing the very veins of the earth.
"Here," he said, pointing to a spot on the map. "This is the entrance to the vale. It lies at the foot of the Broken Hills, hidden from view by a veil of mist. Once you pass through, you will enter a world of shifting shadows and illusions. Trust nothing you see, and trust no one you meet."
Kael studied the map carefully, memorizing the markings and the location. The path ahead was treacherous, but it was the only way to find the Oathbreaker Blade and defeat the Nithralis.
"I won't forget," Kael muttered under his breath, more to himself than to Ralen.
The scholar's lips twitched. "You'll need more than a sharp sword to survive what lies ahead. And you'll need more than a promise to make it out of the vale alive. The Nithralis doesn't just corrupt the land—it corrupts the soul."
Sylara looked at Kael, her expression hardening with determination. "We'll make it through. We have no other choice."
Ralen's eyes gleamed with something almost predatory. "Very well. But remember, Kael, you are bound by your oath. You must do whatever it takes to fulfill your end of the bargain—no matter the cost."
Kael clenched his fists, a mix of anger and uncertainty surging within him. He had sworn an oath to Ralen, and it was one that he would honor. But the deeper they delved into this cursed world, the more Kael felt as though he was losing himself. Each step felt heavier than the last, each promise made harder to keep.
Ralen gestured toward the door. "Go. The vale awaits, and the Nithralis is already stirring. Time is not on your side."
The Journey Begins
Kael and Sylara left the scholar's dwelling in silence, their minds filled with the weight of the words they had just heard. The wind had picked up, and the sky above seemed to darken in response, clouds swirling ominously as if they, too, sensed the coming storm.
"Do you think he's telling us everything?" Sylara asked as they made their way toward the edge of the ruined city.
"I don't trust him," Kael admitted. "But I don't see any other choice. We need the Oathbreaker Blade. And we need it now."
Sylara nodded. "Then we will find it. Together."
The road to the Shrouded Vale would not be easy, and the path ahead was fraught with dangers Kael and Sylara had yet to fully understand. But with each step they took, they felt the pull of the Nithralis drawing nearer—its dark influence already seeping into the world around them.
And with it, the weight of their oath grew heavier.
End of Chapter 6