The journey to Lord Rhovan's estate took two days. The dense forest that had once been their refuge now seemed to close in around Ethan and Lyra as they approached their target. The air grew colder, and an unnatural stillness hung in the trees, as if the land itself was warning them to turn back.
Ethan adjusted the straps of his pack, his staff slung across his back. "So, how exactly are we going to pull this off?"
Lyra glanced over her shoulder, her face grim but focused. "Quietly. We scout the estate first, find the weak points, and slip in under cover of night. If all goes well, we'll be gone before anyone knows we were there."
"And if things don't go well?" Ethan asked.
Lyra's lips twitched into a wry smile. "Then we improvise."
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Fantastic. That always works out great."
By the time they reached the outskirts of the estate, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the landscape. The manor itself was perched on a small hill, surrounded by high stone walls. Torchlight flickered at the gates, and armored guards patrolled the perimeter.
Ethan crouched beside Lyra in the underbrush, studying the layout. The estate was sprawling, with a large central building and several smaller outbuildings. A small lake glistened in the distance, and gardens sprawled across the southern side of the property.
"Looks heavily guarded," Ethan whispered.
Lyra nodded. "Lord Rhovan has a reputation for paranoia. He's probably got enchantments on the walls, too. We'll need to be careful."
Ethan frowned. "You've done this kind of thing before, haven't you?"
Lyra gave him a sidelong glance. "Let's just say this isn't my first time sneaking into places I'm not supposed to be."
Ethan decided not to press further.
They waited until full dark before making their move. Lyra led the way, her movements almost impossibly quiet as she guided Ethan around the perimeter. They stopped at a section of the wall where the forest grew close, the branches of an ancient tree stretching over the stone.
"This is our way in," Lyra whispered, pointing to the tree. "Think you can climb it?"
Ethan glanced up at the gnarled branches, his stomach sinking. "Not gracefully, but I'll manage."
Lyra smirked. "Good enough."
She went first, scaling the tree with practiced ease. Ethan followed, his movements clumsy but determined. The vines around his staff seemed to sense his unease, tightening slightly as if to reassure him.
When they reached the top of the wall, Lyra motioned for him to stop. She peered over the edge, scanning the courtyard below.
"All clear," she whispered. "Let's go."
They dropped silently into the courtyard, landing in a patch of shadow. Ethan's heart raced as he pressed himself against the wall, his eyes darting to the nearby patrols.
Lyra motioned for him to follow, leading him toward the main building. They stuck to the shadows, avoiding the pools of torchlight and the guards who moved in pairs along the paths.
Once inside, the manor was eerily quiet. The corridors were dimly lit, and their footsteps were muffled by thick carpets. Lyra moved with purpose, her eyes scanning for traps or magical wards.
"The artifact will be in the vault," she whispered. "Rhovan wouldn't leave something that valuable lying around."
"Where's the vault?" Ethan asked.
"Basement level, most likely," Lyra replied. "We just have to find the stairs."
As they crept through the manor, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The air felt heavy, and the faint hum of magic seemed to permeate the walls.
They finally found a staircase leading downward, its entrance guarded by an ornate door etched with runes.
"Let me guess," Ethan said. "It's locked."
Lyra grinned, pulling a set of slender tools from her pouch. "Not for long."
Ethan watched as she worked, her fingers moving with practiced precision. Within moments, the lock clicked, and the door swung open.
The staircase beyond was narrow and steep, leading into a dimly lit corridor. Ethan followed Lyra down, his grip tightening on his staff.
At the end of the corridor, they found another door, this one reinforced with steel bands. The runes on its surface glowed faintly, pulsing with energy.
"Magical wards," Lyra muttered. "This'll take a minute."
As she set to work, Ethan kept watch, his senses on high alert. Every creak of the building made his heart jump, and the hum of his system felt louder than ever.
"How much longer?" he whispered.
"Almost there," Lyra replied, her voice tense.
Suddenly, a loud shout echoed from somewhere above.
"They've found us," Ethan said, his stomach dropping.
"Stay calm," Lyra said, her focus unbroken. "I've got this."
The runes flared one last time before fading, and the door creaked open. Lyra grabbed Ethan's arm and pulled him inside.
The room beyond was lined with shelves filled with treasures—gold coins, jewels, and strange artifacts that seemed to glow with their own light. At the center of the room, on a pedestal, sat the Umbral Core.
The gemstone was pitch-black, its surface swirling with shadowy tendrils. Ethan could feel its power even from across the room.
"That's it," Lyra said, stepping forward.
Before she could reach it, the door behind them slammed shut, and the runes reignited, brighter and more menacing than before.
A deep, rumbling voice filled the air.
"Thieves."
Ethan spun around, his staff at the ready. From the shadows, a figure emerged—a towering man clad in dark armor, his eyes glowing with magical energy.
"Lord Rhovan," Lyra said under her breath.
"Well, this just got complicated," Ethan muttered.