Chapter 69: Shadows of Loyrn
The city of Locaris was unusually quiet, its streets bathed in the silver light of the twin moons. The frost left by the Ice Warden still clung to the edges of buildings and statues, a grim reminder of the battle that had shaken the city earlier.
In the shadows of an alley, Quintin leaned against a wall, adjusting his scarf to shield himself from the lingering chill. Seraphine paced back and forth, her crimson eyes reflecting the moonlight. Alaric stood nearby, scribbling notes into his leather-bound journal, his glasses slightly askew.
"So, remind me again," Quintin said, his voice breaking the silence. "Why are we sneaking around in the middle of the night instead of, I don't know, sleeping?"
"Because," Seraphine snapped, "the Ice Warden isn't the only threat we're dealing with. The Crimson Witch's followers are active in Locaris, and they've been spotted near the old catacombs. We need to figure out what they're up to."
Quintin sighed, pushing off the wall. "Right, of course. Can't let a secret cult have a quiet night."
Alaric closed his journal with a soft thud, his sharp gaze shifting to Quintin. "This isn't a joke. The Crimson Witch's influence is spreading, and if we don't act now, we could be looking at another disaster. Or worse—another war."
Quintin raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I get it. No jokes. Let's go hunt some cultists."
The Catacombs
The entrance to the catacombs was hidden behind an overgrown thicket near the city's outskirts. The air grew colder as they descended the stone steps, the faint sound of dripping water echoing in the darkness.
Seraphine lit a small flame in her palm, the warm glow illuminating the narrow passage ahead. Ancient carvings lined the walls, depicting scenes of battles and rituals from Loyrn's early days.
Quintin ran a finger over one of the carvings, his expression curious. "These look old. Like, pre-Veil Nexus old. Didn't think anything this ancient was still standing in Locaris."
"They're from the Era of Scars," Alaric explained, his voice low. "A time before the ley lines stabilized, when magic was wild and destructive. The catacombs were used as shelters during that era, but they've since become a place of mystery—and danger."
Seraphine's flame flickered as she glanced over her shoulder. "Perfect place for a cult to hide, then."
As they ventured deeper, the air grew heavier, charged with a faint hum of magical energy. The passage widened into a vast chamber, its ceiling disappearing into darkness. At the center stood an altar, surrounded by hooded figures.
The cultists chanted in an ancient tongue, their voices echoing eerily. A swirling orb of dark energy hovered above the altar, pulsing with a sinister light.
"Okay, that's not ominous at all," Quintin whispered, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Seraphine extinguished her flame, motioning for silence. "We need to get closer. Whatever they're doing, it can't be good."
The Confrontation
As the trio approached the altar, one of the cultists turned, their hood slipping back to reveal a gaunt, pale face. "Intruders!" the cultist hissed, raising a hand.
The chamber erupted into chaos as the other cultists turned, their chants replaced by cries of alarm. Dark energy crackled around them, and the swirling orb above the altar began to expand.
Quintin drew his sword, its blade glowing faintly with an enchantment. "Guess the sneaking part's over!"
Seraphine unleashed a burst of fire, the flames lighting up the chamber as they engulfed the nearest cultists. Alaric summoned a gust of wind, scattering the cultists' formation and disrupting their magic.
"Stop them!" one of the cultists shouted, their voice frantic. "The ritual must not be interrupted!"
The ground beneath the altar began to tremble, cracks spreading outward as the orb of dark energy grew brighter. From within the orb, a shadowy figure began to emerge, its form shifting and amorphous.
Seraphine's eyes widened. "They're summoning something. We need to stop it now!"
Quintin charged toward the altar, his sword cutting through the cultists who tried to block his path. Alaric focused his magic on the orb, his wind currents spiraling around it in an attempt to contain its power.
Seraphine followed closely behind Quintin, her flames carving a path through the chaos. As they reached the altar, she raised her hands, her fire intensifying. "Let's end this!"
Together, Seraphine and Quintin struck the orb, their combined power shattering it into a burst of light and shadow. The chamber shook violently, and the remaining cultists scattered, their cries of despair echoing as they fled.
The Aftermath
The chamber fell silent, the only sound the labored breathing of the trio. The altar lay in ruins, and the dark energy had dissipated, leaving behind only a faint scorch mark on the ground.
Quintin sheathed his sword, slumping against a nearby wall. "Well, that was fun."
Seraphine glared at him. "This isn't over. They'll try again, somewhere else."
Alaric adjusted his glasses, his expression thoughtful. "At least we've bought ourselves some time. But we need to figure out what they're after—and why the Crimson Witch is so interested in the Veil Nexus."
As they made their way back to the surface, the weight of their task pressed heavily on their minds. The shadows of Loyrn were growing darker, and the threats they faced were only the beginning.