The corridor Venric led them down was unlike anything Kael had ever seen. The walls were lined with glowing runes etched into black stone, their light pulsing faintly with each step. Display cases filled with relics, artifacts, and preserved arcane creatures flanked the path, each item more unsettling than the last.
Kael's heart raced as his gaze lingered on a shimmering orb that appeared to contain a storm, lightning crackling violently within its glass shell. Another case held a skeletal claw, its talons long and sharp, encased in a web of faintly glowing silver threads.
"This place feels like a graveyard for magic," Ember murmured, her voice low enough that only Kael could hear.
He nodded, his grip on his satchel tightening. The golden thread pulsed faintly in his chest, a steady rhythm that both reassured him and reminded him of the danger they were in.
Venric stopped abruptly, turning to face them with a faint smile. "Welcome to my collection," he said, gesturing broadly to the room around them. "Every piece you see here is a testament to the lengths I'm willing to go to uncover the mysteries of the arcane."
Kael swallowed hard, his eyes flicking to a display case that held what looked like a frozen creature—a bird with feathers made of ice, its wings spread wide as though mid-flight.
"You've certainly… collected a lot," Kael said, forcing his voice to remain steady.
Venric chuckled, the sound echoing unnervingly in the quiet hallway. "Indeed. Each artifact, each creature, represents knowledge, power, and potential. But tell me, boy—what do you seek? What drives you to dabble in such dangerous pursuits?"
Kael hesitated, his mind racing for an answer. He felt Venric's sharp gaze boring into him, waiting for even the slightest misstep.
"We seek opportunity," Lira interjected smoothly, stepping forward. "You said it yourself—every artifact here represents power and knowledge. We want to be part of that world. And who better to learn from than you?"
Venric's eyes narrowed slightly, but his smile remained. "Flattery, as always, Lira. You've learned well."
Kael glanced at Lira, grateful for her quick thinking but unable to shake the tension building in his chest. Venric wasn't just dangerous—he was perceptive, and Kael knew they were walking a razor-thin line.
The collector turned and continued down the corridor, leading them into a larger room that took Kael's breath away.
The chamber was massive, its walls lined with towering shelves filled with books and artifacts. At the center of the room stood a raised platform, upon which rested a pedestal made of dark stone. Hovering above the pedestal was a crystal, its surface swirling with a faint, golden light.
Kael's chest tightened. The crystal's energy was unmistakable—it was one of the artifacts they were searching for.
"This," Venric said, his voice almost reverent, "is one of the crown jewels of my collection. A relic from an age long forgotten, its power unmatched by anything I've encountered before."
Kael forced himself to breathe evenly, though his heart was racing. The artifact was right there, within arm's reach, but there was no way they could take it without Venric noticing.
"What does it do?" Lira asked, her tone curious but casual.
Venric smiled faintly. "Ah, that is the question, isn't it? Its true purpose remains a mystery, but its energy is… fascinating. I've spent years studying it, yet it continues to elude me. Perhaps that's why I find it so captivating."
Kael exchanged a glance with Ember, who gave a barely perceptible nod. They needed to figure out how to get the artifact without drawing suspicion.
Venric turned to Kael, his sharp gaze locking onto him. "Tell me, boy. Do you feel it?"
Kael's breath caught. "Feel what?"
"The energy," Venric said, his voice soft but insistent. "Even those with the faintest connection to the arcane can sense it. It hums in the air, a silent song calling to those who are attuned to its frequency."
Kael hesitated, then nodded slowly. "I… feel something," he admitted.
Venric's smile widened. "Good. That means you have potential, though whether you can harness it remains to be seen."
Kael's stomach churned. Venric's words felt more like a threat than a compliment, and the weight of the crystal in his satchel seemed to grow heavier.
"Perhaps," Venric continued, "there's more to you than meets the eye. Tell me—what would you be willing to sacrifice for power?"
Kael's blood ran cold. He opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat.
"I think we've seen enough for tonight," Lira said quickly, stepping forward. Her tone was light, but her eyes betrayed a hint of urgency. "We don't want to overstay our welcome."
Venric raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on Lira for a moment before shifting back to Kael. "Very well," he said, his voice calm but laced with an undertone Kael couldn't quite place. "But consider this, boy: power always comes at a price. The question is whether you're willing to pay it."
Kael swallowed hard, nodding silently.
Venric turned away, motioning for Rhoric, who had remained silent at the back of the room. "Escort our guests out," he said. "And Lira—see that they don't waste my time again."
Lira gave a mock salute. "Of course, Venric."
As they followed Rhoric back toward the estate's entrance, Kael's mind raced. The artifact was within their reach, but getting it out of Venric's estate would be a challenge unlike anything they'd faced before.
"We'll come back," Ember murmured as they stepped outside into the cool night air. "We have to."
Kael nodded, his resolve hardening. Venric's words echoed in his mind, but he pushed them aside. They couldn't afford to fail.