A group of people wake up in a video game world and are forced to work together to survive and find out how to escape.

Artemis and the others head down under the city to find the key and uncover more than they ever expected…

Another long one enjoy!

Chapter 10

After getting separated from the others me Kaida and Lorien step further into the passage, the air growing colder and heavier with each step.

“Watch your step,” I say, my voice low and steady as I glance back at Kaida and Lorien. “We don’t need to trigger any more traps. Hopefully, this path leads to the key—and to the others.”

Kaida nods, her grip tightening on her staff as she carefully scans the floor and walls. “Agreed. After that last one, I don’t trust anything in here.”

Lorien moves close beside me, his spear at the ready. “Stay sharp,” he says quietly, his eyes flicking between the dark passage ahead and the faintly glowing moss lining the walls. “If this place wanted to separate us, there’s probably more waiting for us ahead.”

The three of us tread carefully, our footsteps echoing faintly in the narrow corridor. The walls seem to press in closer the deeper we go, and the faint sound of dripping water becomes louder, though it’s impossible to tell where it’s coming from.

Kaida pauses, her eyes narrowing as she points to the ground. “Look,” she whispers. “There’s another pressure plate.”

Sure enough, a faint outline is visible beneath the layer of dust on the floor. I hold up a hand to stop Lorien from stepping forward, my heart pounding. “Let’s find a way around it,” I say.

We carefully edge around the plate, making sure to avoid the suspicious section of floor. As we move past it, I can’t help but glance at the walls, half-expecting them to shift again.

“Do you think the others are okay?” Kaida asks softly as we continue forward.

“They’ll be fine,” Lorien says confidently, though there’s a hint of worry in his tone. “If anyone can handle themselves, it’s Hrothgar and Veyron.”

I nod, though the thought of being separated still weighs heavily on me. “Let’s just keep moving,” I say. “The faster we get to the key, the faster we can figure out how to get back to them.”

Kaida’s words send a chill down my spine as we carefully navigate the narrow corridor. “If Lyra isn’t really Lyra,” she says quietly, glancing over her shoulder toward the sealed wall behind us, “now would be the perfect time for her to strike. With the three of us separated, they’d be vulnerable.”

I stop in my tracks, turning to face her, my heart pounding. “Kaida… don’t say that,” I whisper, though I can’t help but feel the same unease creeping into my thoughts.

“It’s a real possibility,” she presses, her voice low but firm. “If she’s not who we think she is, then what better chance would she have to… I don’t know, betray them? Turn on them?”

Lorien steps closer, his expression grim but steady. “We don’t know that,” he says. “And until we do, we can’t start doubting each other. The last thing we need is to let paranoia tear us apart.”

Kaida frowns, clutching her staff tightly. “I’m not trying to cause doubt. I just… I don’t want us to get blindsided. If something happens back there, we might not be able to get to them in time.”

Her words hang heavy in the air, and I glance back down the dimly lit passage, my chest tightening. “If Lyra is… something else,” I say softly, “then Hrothgar and Veyron can handle themselves. They’re strong, and they’re smart. But we need to focus on what’s in front of us. The key is the only way forward—for all of us.”

Kaida hesitates, then nods reluctantly. “You’re right. I just… I can’t shake this feeling.”

Lorien places a hand on my shoulder, his voice calm. “Let’s keep moving. The others will hold their own, and we can’t get to them anyway. We need to trust they can handle themselves.”

I take a deep breath, steadying my nerves. “Okay,” I say, gripping my bow tighter. “Let’s go.”

As we carefully step further into the next corridor, a noise echoes ahead—a low, grinding sound, like stone scraping against stone.

I freeze, my bow instinctively drawn and ready. “Did you hear that?” I whisper, glancing back at Kaida and Lorien.

Kaida’s grip tightens on her staff, her eyes darting toward the shadowy passage in front of us. “Yeah. What was that?”

Lorien steps closer, his spear held at the ready, his voice low but steady. “It’s coming from up ahead. Stay close.”

The grinding sound grows louder, reverberating through the narrow space. It’s accompanied by a faint, rhythmic thud, as if something heavy is moving—or being moved.

Kaida leans in slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Do you think it’s… another trap? Or something guarding the key?”

I narrow my eyes, my heart pounding as I strain to see through the dim light. The faint glow of the moss is barely enough to illuminate the corridor ahead, and the shadows seem to dance with every flicker of movement.

“Whatever it is,” I say quietly, “we’re not going to find out by standing here.”

“Alright let’s go.”
Without hesitating, I leap forward, my instincts screaming to take the initiative. My boots hit the stone floor with a light thud, and I crouch low, bow drawn and ready to fire at whatever lies ahead.

The grinding noise grows louder as I advance, and for a moment, the shadows seem to ripple in the faint light. As I land, my eyes lock onto the source of the sound—a massive stone door slowly sliding open.

The door is engraved with intricate patterns and symbols, glowing faintly as ancient mechanisms pull it apart. Beyond it is a larger chamber, dimly lit by scattered patches of glowing moss and the faint shimmer of something metallic resting on a pedestal in the center of the room.

“The key,” I whisper, my breath catching in my throat.

Kaida and Lorien rush forward behind me, stopping just short of the chamber’s entrance.

“You couldn’t wait a second, could you?” Kaida mutters, catching her breath.

Lorien steps forward cautiously, his spear held at the ready. “It’s too quiet,” he says, his voice low. “There’s no way this is going to be that easy.”

I nod, my grip tightening on my bow. “Stay alert. There’s bound to be a catch.”

The key itself barely looks like a key, instead an odd mix of a crystal and gold. It glints on the pedestal, its crystalline and gold surface shimmering faintly in the dim light. But the air in the room feels heavy, charged, as if something unseen is watching us.

“Let’s look around first,” I say quietly, lowering my bow slightly but keeping it ready. “This is way too obvious. There’s got to be something we’re missing.”

Kaida nods, gripping her staff tightly as she glances warily around the chamber. “Good call. The last thing we need is to set off another trap.”

Lorien steps ahead slightly, his spear at the ready as he scans the walls and floor. “I’ll check the perimeter,” he says. “Keep your eyes open for anything unusual.”

Kaida moves to the left, examining the intricate symbols carved into the stone walls. “These engravings… they’re not just decorative,” she murmurs. “They look like runes. Maybe magical, but it’s hard to tell what they do.”

I stay near the entrance, my eyes fixed on the pedestal in the center of the room. The key glints in the faint light, but something about it feels… off. The way it’s displayed so prominently, as if it’s waiting for us to grab it—it’s too easy.

Kaida calls out softly, “There’s something strange about these runes. They’re glowing faintly, like they’re linked to something in the room.”

Lorien pauses near the far corner of the chamber, crouching to examine the floor. “Pressure plates,” he mutters. “Looks like the area around the pedestal is rigged. Step wrong, and we’re in trouble. Real life—or digital life, Indiana Jones…”

I frown, my mind racing. “So we can’t just grab the key. There’s probably a mechanism tied to it—or the runes Kaida mentioned.”

Kaida steps closer to me, her brow furrowed. “If I had more time, I might be able to figure out what the runes do. But I’d need to focus.”

I freeze, my focus snapping toward the entrance of the chamber as a faint noise echoes down the corridor we came through. It’s faint at first, but growing louder—a rhythmic clink, clink, clink, like metal on stone.

“Did you hear that?” I whisper, glancing at Kaida and Lorien.

Kaida’s eyes widen, and she tightens her grip on her staff. “Yeah. That’s not good.”

Lorien steps toward the entrance, his spear at the ready. “Something’s coming,” he says quietly, his voice tense. “It might be those golems we left behind. If the trap reset, they could’ve reactivated.”

Kaida bites her lip, glancing between me and the pedestal in the center of the room. “We don’t have much time. If they get here before we figure this out, we’ll be trapped.”

The clinking sound grows louder, the steady rhythm filling the air. My heart pounds as I glance back at the key, still glinting innocently on the pedestal.

“We need to decide now,” I say, my voice firm. “Kaida, can you figure out the runes fast enough, or do we grab the key and run for it?”

Kaida hesitates, her brow furrowing. “I can try, but it’s a risk. If I mess up, I might trigger something worse.”

The sound of movement grows louder, closer. Whatever’s coming, we only have moments to act.

“Lorien,” I say quickly, turning to him, “use your spear to swipe the key. Don’t get too close to the pedestal.”

Lorien nods, gripping his spear tightly as he steps forward. His movements are careful, his eyes flicking between the pedestal and the glowing runes along the walls. “If there’s a trap, this might keep us out of its range.”

Kaida steps to the side, her staff raised and ready. “I’ll keep an eye on the runes. If they react, I’ll try to stop whatever happens.”

I stay near the entrance, my bow drawn and pointed back toward the corridor. The clinking noise grows louder, closer, echoing through the tight space. Whatever’s coming, we only have moments.

Lorien inches closer to the pedestal, extending his spear slowly toward the key. The faint light of the chamber reflects off its golden surface as the tip of his weapon gets closer, closer…

With a sharp motion, Lorien knocks the key off swiftly diving to catch it. For a moment, nothing happens. The room remains silent, the runes still faintly glowing.

Then, with a loud rumble, the ground beneath the pedestal begins to shake. The blue runes on the walls flare brighter, their light pulsating in rapid bursts.

“Something’s happening!” Kaida shouts, stepping back.

The corridor behind us erupts in a deafening roar as the clinking noise turns into a thunderous crash. I glance back just in time to see a massive metal and rock amalgamation charging into view, its glowing eyes locked onto us.

“Got it!” Lorien shouts, holding up the key.

I see the golem charging toward us, its massive arm already swinging. Instinct kicks in, and I leap to the side, trying to get out of its path—but I’m not fast enough.

The golem’s stone arm slams into me, and a wave of pain crashes through my body as I’m sent sprawling across the floor. My bow skitters out of my hand, clattering against the stone as I struggle to catch my breath.

“Artemis!” Kaida screams, rushing toward me.

Lorien grips his spear tightly, his eyes blazing with determination. “Kaida, help her! I’ll hold it off!” he shouts, positioning himself between me and the golem.

The golem stomps closer, its glowing eyes fixed on us as it raises its massive arm for another strike. The air is heavy with the sound of grinding stone and the faint hum of its magic.

Kaida kneels beside me, her hands trembling
“Are you ok? Get up if you can!” she urges, her voice panicked. “We have to move!”

Lorien lunges at the golem, his spear striking against the joints of its body with a sharp clang. The impact barely slows it down, but he holds his ground, his jaw tight with effort. “Guys! We can’t stay here!”

I grit my teeth, pushing through the lingering pain as I force myself to stand. My body aches from the golem’s strike, but there’s no time to dwell on it. My eyes catch sight of something—a new door, glowing faintly on the far side of the chamber.

“There!” I shout, pointing toward it. “A door—it must’ve opened when we took the key!”

Kaida helps me to my feet, her staff glowing faintly as she supports me. “We need to move—now!” she says, her voice trembling but firm.

Lorien glances back at us, his spear raised as the golem steps closer, its massive arms grinding through the air. “Go!” he yells. “I’ll hold it off until you’re through!”

“No way!” Kaida snaps, her eyes narrowing. “You’re coming too!”

The golem lets out a deafening roar, its movements growing faster as it locks onto Lorien. My heart pounds as I grab my bow from the ground, adrenaline fueling my movements.

“Lorien, come on!” I shout, nocking an arrow and aiming for the golem’s head. “We all leave together!”

Lorien hesitates for a second before nodding sharply. He lunges back, breaking away from the golem as I release the arrow. It strikes the creature’s glowing eye, making it stagger just enough to give us a chance to run.

“Go, go, go!” I yell, grabbing Kaida’s hand and pulling her toward the glowing door.

The three of us sprint across the chamber, the pounding footsteps of the golem echoing behind us. As we reach the door, I glance back, seeing the massive construct closing the distance with alarming speed.

We burst through the door just as it begins to slide shut behind us, the grinding of stone loud and relentless. The golem reaches out, its massive hand nearly catching Lorien’s spear before the door slams shut with a resounding boom.

The corridor ahead is dark and narrow, the air heavy and cold. My heart is racing as I lean against the wall, trying to catch my breath. “That… was too close,” I mutter, clutching the key tightly in my hand.

Kaida nods, her chest heaving as she leans on her staff. “No kidding. Is everyone okay?”

Lorien straightens, his spear still in hand. “We’re fine. But we need to keep moving. If that door doesn’t hold, it might come after us.”

I glance down as we start moving again, noticing a faint wetness on my arm. In the dim light of the corridor, I can see it—blood trailing down from a scrape left by the golem’s strike. It stings, but I clench my jaw and push the pain aside.

“We need to keep moving,” I say firmly, gripping my bow tightly and stepping forward. “That door won’t hold forever.”

Kaida looks like she wants to protest, her gaze flicking toward me, but she stays quiet. Her staff glows faintly as she casts a quick spell, the faint light helping to illuminate the path ahead.

Lorien keeps pace beside me, his spear at the ready. “If the key triggered that golem, who knows what’s waiting further in,” he says quietly, his voice steady despite the tension in his face.

“We’ll deal with it,” I reply, my tone firm. “We’ve come too far to stop now.”

The corridor ahead is narrow and winding, the walls lined with more of those faintly glowing runes. Their light pulses softly, almost like a heartbeat, and the air feels heavy, oppressive.

Kaida glances at them nervously. “These runes again. Do you think they’re guiding us—or warning us?”

“Maybe both,” Lorien mutters, his eyes scanning the path for any signs of danger.

I tighten my grip on the key, the cold material biting into my palm. The sound of our footsteps echoes through the tight space, and every creak and groan of the ancient structure makes my heart pound harder.

“We need to get out of here,” I say firmly, quickening my pace. “And find the others. They could be in danger.”

Kaida glances at me, her brow furrowed with worry, but she nods. “You’re right. If they ran into trouble while we were separated…” She doesn’t finish the thought, but the fear in her voice is clear.

Lorien keeps stride beside me, his spear steady in his grip. “Then we move fast, but stay sharp. Whatever’s waiting for us ahead won’t make this easy.”

The corridor twists and turns, the faint glow of the runes pulsing faster now, as though urging us onward. The air feels colder, heavier, and I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched.

The sound of dripping water echoes through the passage, mingling with the faint hum of the magic-infused runes. My heart pounds in my chest, the adrenaline keeping the ache in my arm at bay as we push forward.

We round a corner, and the passage suddenly widens into a larger chamber. The air feels even heavier here, and the faint glint of something metallic catches my eye in the center of the room.

“There’s something there,” Kaida whispers, stepping closer to me.

Lorien narrows his eyes, scanning the chamber. “But no sign of the others,” he mutters.

I clutch the key tightly, my chest tightening with worry. “Let’s make this quick. We need to get back to them.”

As we step into the chamber, the metallic object in the center begins to hum softly, the sound vibrating through the air. I freeze, my grip tightening on my bow as I glance toward it.

The object glows faintly now, its surface pulsing with the same energy as the runes on the walls. The hum grows louder, more insistent, like a warning—or a call.

Kaida takes a cautious step back, her staff raised. “That… doesn’t feel right.” she says, her voice trembling slightly.

Lorien moves closer to me, his spear at the ready. “Stay close,” he says quietly, his gaze fixed on the object. “It could be another trap—or something worse.”

The hum grows louder still, filling the chamber with an almost deafening vibration. The ground beneath us begins to tremble, and the runes on the walls light up in rapid succession, their glow spreading toward the object like a web of energy.

“What’s it doing?” Kaida asks, her voice tight with fear.

“I don’t know,” I reply, my heart pounding. “But we need to figure it out—fast.”

The object suddenly flares with light, casting the chamber in a blinding golden glow. A low, resonant boom echoes through the space, and the energy from the runes shoots upward, forming a swirling vortex of light above us.

I shield my eyes, my mind racing. “Is it… activating something?”

Kaida steps closer, her voice rising with panic. “If it’s tied to the key, it could be unlocking something—or summoning something!”

The hum deepens into a roar, and the ground beneath us shakes violently. Dust and small chunks of stone fall from the ceiling as the room begins to crumble.

“This place is coming down!” Kaida yells, clutching her staff tightly as she stumbles backward.

“We need to move!” Lorien shouts, his voice cutting through the chaos. “Now!”

I glance at the glowing object, its light intensifying as cracks begin to form in the walls around us. The chamber shakes harder, and a massive chunk of stone crashing to the ground nearby.

“Go! Get to the exit!” I yell, gripping the key tightly as I motion toward the corridor behind us.

Lorien grabs my arm, pulling me as the three of us sprint toward the passage we entered through. The ground shifts and crumbles beneath our feet, the roar of collapsing stone drowning out everything else.

Kaida stumbles, and I grab her hand, yanking her forward as another piece of the ceiling crashes behind us. “Keep moving!” I shout.

The glowing object’s light reaches a blinding crescendo as we reach the edge of the corridor. I glance back just in time to see the vortex of energy collapse in on itself with a deafening boom, sending a shockwave through the chamber as it fully collapses.

The force propels us forward into the narrow tunnel, and I land hard on the stone floor, clutching the key tightly to my chest as the entrance behind us seals with a massive crash.

Coughing, I sit up, blinking through the dust and debris. Kaida is beside me, her staff still clutched in her hands, and Lorien helps her to her feet before turning to me.

“You alright?” he asks, his voice steady but concerned.

I nod, my chest heaving as I catch my breath. “Yeah,” I say, my voice shaky. “But we need to keep moving.”

I wince, clutching my arm as a sharp pain shoots through it. The bleeding has gotten worse, and the warmth of the blood soaking my sleeve forces me to stop pretending it’s nothing.

Kaida notices immediately, her eyes widening. “Artemis, you’re hurt!” She rushes over, kneeling beside me and pulling out a small cloth from her bag. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Lorien kneels beside her, his brow furrowed. “You should’ve told us,” he says quietly, his voice carrying a hint of frustration. “You can’t just ignore something like this.”

I grit my teeth, shaking my head as the pain flares. “We didn’t have time,” I mutter, glancing down at the wound. “We needed to move.”

Kaida gently pushes my hand away, inspecting the injury. The gash is deep, blood running freely down my arm. “It’s not good,” she says, her voice steady despite the worry in her eyes. “But I can fix this. Just hold still.”

She grabs a cloth from her bag wrapping it on the wound. “There,” Kaida says, letting out a breath. “It’s not perfect, but it’ll hold for now.”

“Drink this now.” Kaida says forcefully handing me a potion.

I flex my fingers, testing the movement in my arm. It still aches, but it’s manageable. “Thanks,” I say, my voice softer now.

Kaida looks at me sharply. “No more hiding injuries, okay? If something happens to you, we’re all in trouble.”

Lorien nods, standing and offering me a hand. “She’s right. You can’t help the group if you don’t take care of yourself.”

I take his hand, letting him pull me to my feet. “Alright,” I say, glancing between them. “My bad. Let’s just keep moving.”

Kaida sighs, but she smiles faintly. “Good. Now let’s find the others before something worse happens.”

Kaida stands, brushing the dust off her robes, her expression tired. “The others have the rest of the potions,” she says, glancing at her bag. “So… try not to get hurt again, okay?”

I nod, flexing my arm cautiously. “I’ll do my best. Let’s just hope we don’t run into anything else before we find the others.”

Lorien looks between us, his spear resting against his shoulder. “We’ll have to be careful. If something happens and we can’t heal, we’re in trouble.”

Kaida sighs, gripping her staff tightly. “Yeah, well, let’s hope the others are better off than we are. At least they have a few potions.”

“I’ll take the lead,” Lorien says, stepping forward. “I’m better equipped if something jumps out at us.” He says, gripping his spear tightly as he steps forward, his movements careful and deliberate.

“Stay close,” he says, glancing back at me and Kaida. “If there’s anything ahead, I’ll deal with it first.”

Kaida and I follow closely behind, her staff glowing faintly to light the way. The corridor is eerily quiet now, the only sounds our footsteps and the occasional drip of water echoing through the narrow space.

My arm still aches, but I push the discomfort aside, focusing on the faint sound of dripping water.

As Lorien moves ahead, his sharp eyes scanning the walls and floor, I can’t help but glance at the key in my hand. Its faint glow pulses slightly, almost like it’s reacting to something deeper within the tunnels.

“Artemis,” Kaida whispers beside me, her voice low. “Do you see it? The key—it’s… doing something.”

I nod, my grip tightening on it. “Yeah. It’s like it’s… pulsating.”

Lorien pauses ahead, holding up a hand to stop us. “Wait,” he says, his voice tense. “There’s something up ahead.”

I step closer, peering over his shoulder. The passage opens into a larger chamber, its walls lined with faintly glowing runes. In the center of the room, a faint light flickers—another pedestal, but this one is empty.

“Another one?” Kaida mutters, her grip tightening on her staff. “What do you think it’s for?”

Lorien’s jaw tightens as he steps closer, his eyes scanning the room. “I don’t know,” he says quietly. “But stay ready. This place doesn’t give anything away without a fight.”

I glance around the room, my gut twisting with unease as I take in the glowing runes and the ominous empty pedestal. “Let’s not waste time,” I say, gripping the key tightly. “We need to find another door and get out of here. The others might need us.”

Kaida nods quickly, her relief clear. “Agreed. This place gives me the creeps.”

Lorien doesn’t argue, though his gaze lingers on the pedestal for a moment longer. “Stay close,” he says, stepping further into the room.

We begin searching the chamber, our eyes scanning the walls for any sign of another door. The runes pulse faintly, their light casting eerie shadows across the uneven stone.

“There!” Kaida whispers, pointing toward a faint outline in the far wall.

Sure enough, a narrow doorframe is barely visible, its edges blending seamlessly with the stone. It doesn’t glow like the others, but the faint draft of air coming from it suggests it’s open—or at least not sealed.

Lorien steps up to it, his spear at the ready. “Looks clear,” he says, glancing back at us.

I nod, my grip tightening on my bow. “Then let’s move. We can’t afford to waste any more time.”

The three of us press through the narrow doorway, the air growing colder as we move deeper into the tunnels. My heart pounds as I think about the others, hoping they’re safe—and that we’re heading in the right direction.

“It’s getting cold down here,” I mutter, wrapping my free arm around myself to ward off the chill. The air feels damp and heavy, each breath coming out in faint wisps of mist.

Kaida shivers beside me, gripping her staff tighter. “Yeah, no kidding. It’s like the deeper we go, the worse it gets.”

Lorien glances back at us, his expression calm but serious. “If it’s getting colder, it could mean we’re close to something—maybe the others, or something guarding the way to them.”

The narrow corridor opens up slightly, the walls covered in more of the glowing runes. This time, they seem to emit a faint, icy-blue light, their glow reflecting off the slick stone like frost. The chill bites at my skin, making my arm ache even more.

Kaida hesitates, her breath visible in the frigid air. “These runes… they’re different from the ones before,” she says quietly, running her fingers lightly over one. “They even feel… colder.”

I tighten my grip on my bow, my instincts screaming to stay on edge. “Just stay alert. We can’t afford to stop now.”

Lorien moves ahead, his spear held at the ready. The draft grows stronger, and with it, the sound of something faint—like whispers carried on the cold air. My chest tightens as I glance around, trying to pinpoint the source.

“Do you hear that?” I whisper.

Kaida nods, her eyes wide. “Yeah. Whispers. Like… like they’re coming from the walls.”

Lorien halts abruptly, raising a hand to stop us. “There’s something ahead,” he says quietly. “The air’s shifting.”

The whispers grow louder, swirling through the air until they’re deafening. Before I can react, the runes on the walls flare brightly, and glowing figures begin to emerge from the stone.

They’re spirits—translucent and glowing with an icy-blue light, their forms twisted and ghostly. Their mouths stretch open impossibly wide, emitting ear-piercing screams that reverberate through the corridor.

“Spirits!” Kaida yells, stumbling back as she grips her staff.

Lorien steps in front of us, his spear raised defensively. “Get ready!” he shouts over the noise.

The spirits rush toward us, their forms flickering as they dart through the air. I nock an arrow, my hands trembling from the cold as I aim at the closest one. Releasing the string, the arrow flies through the air, striking the spirit—but it passes harmlessly through, the spirit shrieking even louder as it surges toward me.

“They’re not solid!” I shout, stepping back as the spirit charges. “Kaida, can you do something?”

Kaida’s hands glow as she raises her staff, her voice trembling but steady. “I—I can try!” She mutters an incantation, and a wave of energy pulses outward, briefly slowing the spirits as they flicker and distort.

“They’re weak to magic!” she shouts. “But I can’t hold them off for long!”

Lorien lunges at one of the spirits with his spear, the glowing tip of his weapon flashing as it grazes the spirit’s form. The spirit wavers, letting out a piercing wail before dissipating. “Enchanted weapons work too!” he calls out.

The remaining spirits circle us, their screams filling the air.

“Great!” I shout, ducking under a screaming spirit as it swoops toward me. “I’m the only one who can’t hurt these things! Why didn’t I get to start with an enchanted bow?”

Kaida glances at me, her face tense as she casts another wave of magic to hold the spirits back. “You did get that orb so I think that evens it out.” she snaps, though there’s a flicker of a grin in her voice.

“I think I’d trade right now!” I shout, rolling to the side as another spirit lunges toward me.

Lorien drives his spear into a nearby spirit, the weapon glowing faintly as the spirit lets out a final wail and dissipates. “Stay sharp, Artemis!” he calls, stepping back as another spirit dives toward him. “Keep them distracted if you can’t hurt them!”

“Distracted?!” I snap, narrowly dodging another spirit. “They’re trying to turn me into a ghost buffet!”

Kaida’s magic flares again, her energy visibly draining as she slows two more spirits. “Just keep moving! We need to clear them or get out of here!”

We push forward, step by step, dodging and fighting off the relentless spirits as their screams fill the air. Each movement feels like a battle in itself, my heart pounding as I twist and leap to avoid their icy claws.

“Keep moving!” I shout, glancing back at Kaida and Lorien.

Kaida’s magic flares weakly, the exhaustion clear on her face as she slows another spirit. “I can’t keep this up for much longer!” she calls, her voice strained.

Lorien stays at the front, his spear glowing faintly as he drives it into another spirit. “We’re almost there!” he shouts, motioning to the faint outline of a door at the end of the corridor. “Don’t stop!”

But the spirits don’t let up. More emerge from the walls, their glowing forms swirling around us as the air grows colder and heavier. My breaths come out in visible puffs, and the chill bites at my skin, making my movements sluggish.

“We can’t keep this up!” Kaida shouts, stumbling as a spirit brushes past her, its icy aura sapping her strength.

I glance at the door, my chest tightening. “It has to be the way out!” I yell, gripping my bow tightly. “We just need to reach it!”

Lorien nods, his voice firm. “Stay together! I’ll clear the way!”

The door looms closer, but the spirits grow more frantic, their screams intensifying as they try to block our path.

I grit my teeth, the helplessness eating away at me as I dodge another spirit.

Lorien spins his spear around, his movements precise as he pierces another spirit attempting to flank him.

“Left, Kaida!” I yell as another spirit dives at her from the shadows.

Kaida spins in time, a burst of magic from her staff sending the spirit flickering and slowing it just enough for Lorien to finish it with his spear.

“We’re almost there!” Lorien shouts, motioning to the door just a few feet away now. “Stay together!”

The spirits grow more frantic, their glowing forms swirling faster and their screams intensifying as they close in from all sides.

I scan the corridor frantically, spotting another spirit diving at Kaida from her right. “Right side!” I yell, drawing her attention just in time for her to spin and block it with a weak burst of energy.

The door is just steps away now, and my heart pounds as we push forward through the onslaught.

I stumble through the doorway, the icy grasp of a spirit narrowly missing me as I slam into the stone floor of the next room. My breath comes in ragged gasps, my heart pounding as I whip around to see the others following close behind.

Kaida bursts through next, her staff glowing faintly as she fires off one last burst of magic to hold the spirits at bay. Lorien is right behind her, his spear spinning in a defensive arc as the door slams shut behind him.

The screaming stops abruptly, leaving only the echo of our heavy breathing in the now-silent room.

“Everyone okay?” Lorien asks, his voice steady but strained.

Kaida nods weakly, clutching her staff. “Barely,” she mutters, leaning against the wall to catch her breath.

I straighten up, clutching my bow tightly. “We’re here,” I say, glancing around the room. “But… what now?”

The answer comes quickly. The center of the room begins to glow, a faint, pulsing light emanating from a circular stone platform. The runes carved into the floor around it light up in sequence, their glow casting eerie patterns across the walls.

“What is that?” Kaida whispers, her eyes wide as she steps closer.

Lorien grips his spear tightly, his gaze fixed on the glowing platform. “Looks like another test,” he says quietly.

The pulsing light intensifies, and a faint hum fills the air, growing louder with each second. My chest tightens as I glance between the platform and the others.

“Whatever it is,” I say firmly, “we’d better be ready.”

As the light from the platform intensifies, a faint beep… beep… beep echoes through the room, sharp and rhythmic. I freeze, glancing toward the glowing platform.

“Do you hear that?” I whisper, my voice tense.

Kaida nods slowly, gripping her staff tightly. “Yeah… What the hell is it?”

Lorien steps closer, his spear at the ready, his expression grim. “It’s coming from the platform. That doesn’t sound like magic.”

The beeping grows faster, the rhythm becoming more urgent. The glow from the platform shifts, pulsing in time with the sound.

My heart pounds, dread pooling in my stomach. “It’s like a… countdown,” I say, the realization hitting me hard. “We need to move!”

Kaida’s eyes widen. “A countdown to what?!”

“I don’t think we want to find out!” Lorien shouts, motioning toward the far side of the room.

The walls begin to tremble, faint cracks forming along the edges as the beeping becomes a rapid, piercing BEEP BEEP BEEP.

I sprint toward the glowing platform, my heart pounding as the rapid beeping fills the air. “Maybe we can stop the countdown!” I shout over my shoulder

Kaida and Lorien follow close behind, their footsteps echoing through the trembling room.

The moment we reach the platform, the light of the runes flare, blinding us for a split second. The beeping stops abruptly, replaced by a low hum.

The platform jolts, then begins to rise, grinding against ancient mechanisms as it lifts us off the ground. Dust and debris fall around us, and I glance down to see the room below shrinking as the platform ascends.

Kaida clutches her staff, her knuckles white. “Let’s hope this doesn’t just drop us into something worse,” she mutters.

Lorien steadies himself, his spear at the ready as he scans the narrowing walls around us. “If this is the game’s way of giving us a break, it’s got a twisted sense of humor.”

The platform continues to rise, the glow intensifying as we’re lifted higher. The air grows colder again, the hum vibrating beneath my feet.

Finally, the platform slows, coming to a stop in another chamber. This one is eerily silent, the walls lined with intricate carvings that seem to shimmer faintly in the dim light.

I step off cautiously, the key still clutched tightly in my hand. “Is this… it?” I ask, my voice hushed.

Kaida steps off behind me, glancing around nervously. “Looks like some kind of… ceremonial space?”

Lorien nods toward a large stone door on the far side of the room, its surface covered in glowing symbols. “If there’s a way forward, it’s through there.”

The silence of the chamber is shattered by a deep, rhythmic thud-thud… thud-thud. It’s faint at first, but unmistakable—a heartbeat, steady and slow, echoing through the space.

I freeze, my grip tightening on my bow. “Do you hear that?” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

Kaida nods, her eyes wide as she glances around. “Yeah… it’s coming from… everywhere.”

Lorien steps forward cautiously, his spear held at the ready. “No,” he says, his voice low and tense. “It’s coming from behind that door.”

The glowing symbols on the stone door pulse faintly, almost in time with the heartbeat. The sound is deep and resonant, vibrating through the floor beneath our feet.

Kaida shivers, clutching her staff tightly. “Whatever’s in there… it’s alive,” she says softly.

I swallow hard, my chest tightening as the sound grows louder, more insistent. The heartbeat seems to fill the air, heavy and oppressive, each pulse sending a wave of unease through me.

“This… doesn’t feel right,” I mutter, glancing at Lorien and Kaida.

Lorien nods grimly. “It’s not. But if we want answers, I’m guessing it’s in there…”

The glowing symbols on the door shimmer, and the faint outline of a hole becomes visible at its center. My stomach churns as I glance down at the key in my hand.

“Do we… use the key?” Kaida asks hesitantly, her voice trembling.

Before I can even open my mouth to respond, the key slips from my hand. It floats into the air, glowing faintly as if drawn by an unseen force.

“Hey!” I shout, reaching for it instinctively, but it’s already too far out of reach.

Kaida steps back, her eyes wide. “It’s… moving on its own.”

The key hovers in front of the massive door for a moment, then flies into the keyhole at the center. A deep click echoes through the chamber, and the glowing symbols on the door pulse brighter.

The heartbeat grows louder, resonating through the air as the door begins to shift. Dust and debris fall from its edges as ancient mechanisms grind into motion, and the massive stone slab starts to open.

Lorien tightens his grip on his spear, stepping in front of us protectively. “Stay close,” he says firmly, his eyes fixed on the widening gap in the doorway.

The light spilling through the opening is dim, but I can see faint shapes shifting in the shadows beyond. The heartbeat is deafening now, each pulse sending a wave of dread through me.

Kaida grips her staff, her knuckles white. “What’s behind there?” she whispers, her voice trembling.

The door groans open fully, revealing a cavernous space beyond. At its center, bathed in a faint, pulsating glow, is a massive, organic structure—something resembling a heart. Its surface is veined and slick, each pulse sending waves of energy through the room.

I take a shaky step forward, my breath catching in my throat. “What… is that?”

I stare at the massive, pulsating heart, my breath catching in my throat. The sound of its deep, rhythmic thudding reverberates through the chamber, making the ground feel alive beneath my feet.

“Is this…” I whisper, glancing back at Kaida and Lorien. “Is this what the map guy wanted? Is this… the key’s purpose?”

Kaida’s face pales as she clutches her staff, her wide eyes fixed on the heart. “I… I don’t know,” she says, her voice trembling. “But if it is, why didn’t he tell us? Why send us here without warning about… this?”

Lorien steps forward cautiously, his spear at the ready. “If he knew this was here, he didn’t he sure didn’t act like it.” he says grimly. “This doesn’t feel like the end of the quest.”

Kaida bites her lip, glancing nervously between me and the heart. “Maybe… maybe it’s connected to this world. Or the vault. Or both,” she says.

A roar echoes through the chamber, deep and guttural, sending a chill down my spine. The sound of heavy, pounding footsteps follows—fast, relentless, and getting closer by the second.

My heart races as I spin around to face the open door. “Something’s coming!” I shout, gripping my bow tightly. “We need to shut the door—now!”

Kaida rushes toward the doorframe, her eyes scanning the edges frantically. “There’s got to be a way to close it!” she yells, her voice trembling.

Lorien steps to her side, his spear ready as he glances at the glowing key still embedded in the center of the door. “The key opened it,” he says, his voice calm but urgent. “Maybe it can close it too!”

I sprint toward the door, reaching up and trying to grab the key best I can. It’s warm to the touch, pulsing faintly in time with the massive heart behind us. I try to pull it free, but it doesn’t budge.

“It’s stuck!” I shout, glancing back at the others. “Kaida, can you do something?!”

Kaida raises her staff, her face pale as she mutters an incantation. A faint glow surrounds the key, but the magic flickers and fades. “Nothings happening!” she says, frustration and fear in her voice.

The pounding footsteps grow louder, the roar echoing again, closer this time. My chest tightens as I glance toward the corridor beyond the open door. The shadows shift, and I can see the faint outline of something massive barreling toward us.

Before I can make another move, three figures sprint into the room, their footsteps echoing loudly. Behind them, the pounding and roaring intensify, shaking the ground beneath us.

Then, with a deafening boom, the door slams shut behind them, cutting off the creature mid-roar. The room falls into an uneasy silence, save for the faint hum of the glowing heart and the heavy breathing of the newcomers.

My bow is still drawn as I take in the new arrivals. My tension eases as I recognize them—it’s Hrothgar, Veyron, and Lyra.

Hrothgar’s axe is still raised, his face drenched in sweat as he glances back at the sealed door. “That… thing nearly had us,” he growls, his voice thick with frustration.

Veyron leans against the wall, his daggers still in hand as he tries to catch his breath. “Nice timing on that door,” he mutters, glancing at us with a smirk. “Didn’t think we’d make it.”

Lyra looks shaken, her eyes wide as she stares at the massive heart in the center of the room. “What… what is that?” she whispers, her voice trembling.

Kaida steps forward, her staff still glowing faintly. “We don’t know,” she says, her voice steady but uncertain. “It started glowing when the key activated, but… it’s alive. And it feels dangerous.”

Hrothgar’s gaze locks onto me, his expression serious. “Artemis,” he says, his voice low. “What’s the plan? Is this what we came here for?”

I glance back at the heart, its rhythmic thudding filling the room. The glowing runes on the walls pulse in time with it, as though waiting for something—waiting for us.

“I… I don’t know,” I admit, my voice shaky as I glance between the heart and the sealed door. “But we didn’t close the door. It shut on its own, like… the game wanted us in here.”

The group falls silent, the weight of my words sinking in.

Kaida steps closer to the heart, her staff glowing faintly. “It feels… deliberate,” she says softly, her voice barely audible over the deep, rhythmic thud-thud of the heart. “Like this whole thing was designed to trap us—or test us.”

Hrothgar grips his axe tightly, his expression grim. “If it’s a test, then what the hell are we supposed to do? That thing,” he motions to the heart, “doesn’t look like something we want to mess with.”

Veyron leans against the wall, twirling a dagger in his hand. “Maybe it’s the key to getting out of here,” he says, smirking faintly. “Or maybe it’s just here to kill us.”

Lyra shifts uncomfortably, her eyes darting around the room. “If it wanted us here, then… it’s expecting us to do something,” she says hesitantly. “But what?”

I stare at the heart, its pulsating glow casting eerie shadows across the room. My chest tightens as I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “I think…” I pause, glancing at the group. “I think we’re supposed to do something with it. But we need to be careful.”

Kaida looks at me, her expression cautious. “Do we approach it?”

Before I can answer Kaida, a figure steps out from behind one of the massive pillars lining the chamber. The dim glow of the heart casts long, flickering shadows across his face, but there’s no mistaking him—the map seller.

“You…” I whisper, my chest tightening as I instinctively draw my bow and aim it at him. “What are you doing here?”

Selric smirks, his calm and confident demeanor as unnerving as ever. “Ah, my dear adventurers,” he says smoothly, spreading his arms as if to greet us. “It seems you’ve done well to make it this far.”

Kaida grips her staff tightly, her face pale but determined. “You sent us here!” she snaps. “What is this place? What’s with that… thing?” She motions to the pulsating heart.

The map seller chuckles, his tone dripping with amusement. “Patience, patience. All will be revealed soon enough.” He steps closer to the heart, his eyes gleaming as he gazes at it. “Magnificent, isn’t it? The very core of this world, pulsating with life and purpose. The key to everything.”

Hrothgar growls, taking a step forward with his axe at the ready. “Enough riddles. If this thing’s so important, then what the hell are we supposed to do with it?”

Septic turns to face us, his smile widening. “That,” he says cryptically, “depends entirely on you.”

My grip on my bow tightens, frustration boiling in my chest. “What does that mean?” I demand, my voice sharp.

He tilts his head slightly, as if studying us. “This world… it is not as simple as it seems,” he says, his voice calm. “To unlock its secrets—and to escape—you must prove yourselves. The heart is both a gift and a challenge. What you do with it will shape your fate.”

Kaida glances at me, her expression filled with doubt. “Artemis… what do we do?”

Selric steps back, folding his arms as he watches us. “Choose wisely,” he says softly, his voice echoing faintly. “For this world does not forgive missteps.”

“What the hell does that mean?” I snap, lowering my bow slightly but keeping it ready. My voice echoes through the chamber as I glare at the map seller. “And how did you even get down here? You weren’t with us, so don’t act like this is normal.”

Selric tilts his head, his smirk unwavering. “Ah, always the questions with you, Artemis. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

My hands tighten on the bowstring. “Enough with the cryptic nonsense. Tell us what’s going on, or I swear—”

“—you’ll shoot me?” he interrupts, raising an eyebrow. “By all means, if that’s how you’d like to waste your time.”

Hrothgar steps forward, his axe gleaming in the faint light. “You better start talking, old man. How did you get down here?”

The map seller sighs, brushing imaginary dust off his jacket. “Let’s just say the rules of this world don’t apply to me in the same way they apply to you,” he says nonchalantly. “I have… privileges, shall we call them?”

Kaida narrows her eyes. “You’re not just some random NPC, are you?”

“Ah, she’s catching on!” he says with a flourish, his grin widening. “Very astute, my dear. No, I am not just ‘some random NPC.’ My role in this world is… more complicated.”

I take a step forward, my chest tight with frustration. “Enough games! What does the heart do? Why did you send us here?”

Selric’s smirk fades slightly, his tone turning serious for the first time. “The heart,” he says, gesturing toward the massive, pulsating organ, “is the anchor of this world. Its power sustains everything you see. To escape this game, you must decide whether to destroy it… or harness it.”

My breath catches, and I glance back at the others. Kaida’s face pales further, while Hrothgar’s grip tightens on his axe.

“You’re telling us to either save this place or tear it apart?” I ask, my voice shaking slightly.

The map seller nods slowly. “Precisely. But choose wisely. This world’s fate—and yours—hang in the balance.”

“If you choose to destroy it,” he says casually, as if discussing the weather, “and that’s the wrong decision? Oop—instant game over. You’ll be trapped in a void forever, no escape, no second chances.”

He pauses, a flicker of amusement crossing his face as he continues. “But if you choose to leave it alone and find another way home… well, let’s just say you may be wandering this world for a very, very long time.”

Veyron clutches his dagger tightly, his knuckles white. “Are you serious? That’s… that’s insane! You expect us to make a choice like that with no real answers?”

The map seller shrugs nonchalantly. “This world thrives on difficult decisions. It’s the only way to test who you truly are.”

Lorien steps forward, his spear pointed slightly toward the man. “And what if we choose to harness it?” he asks, his voice low but steady.

The map seller’s smirk returns, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. “Ah, the bold choice. To harness the heart’s power would mean binding yourselves to this world in ways you cannot yet comprehend. It could bring salvation—or damnation. That, of course, depends on you.”

I feel my chest tighten, my pulse racing as I glance at the massive, pulsating heart. Its glow seems almost alive, as though it’s waiting for us to decide its fate.

“This isn’t fair,” I mutter, my voice barely above a whisper. “How are we supposed to know what’s right?”

The map seller leans against a pillar, his smirk fading into a more neutral expression. “Perhaps the better question, Artemis, is not what’s right—but what you’re willing to risk.”

Lyra’s scream cuts through the tense air like a knife, sharp and filled with terror. I spin around, my eyes widening as I see the massive, pulsating heart extending dark, sinewy tendrils toward her.

The tendrils have wrapped tightly around her arms and legs, lifting her off the ground as they pull her closer to the glowing, veined surface of the heart. She thrashes wildly, her face pale with fear.

“Help me!” she cries, her voice trembling. “It won’t let go!”

“Lyra!” I shout, raising my bow and nocking an arrow.

Kaida gasps, her hands trembling as she raises her staff. “What is it doing to her?!”

Lorien rushes forward, his spear ready. “We need to stop it before it’s too late!”

The heart’s thumping grows louder, shaking the very ground beneath us. Its glowing tendrils tighten their grip on Lyra, pulling her closer to its pulsating core.

“Ahhh,” the map seller says, his tone almost gleeful. “She has been chosen.”

I don’t wait to hear more. “We’re not letting it take her!” I shout, pulling my bowstring taut and releasing an arrow directly at the heart. It strikes the surface with a faint thunk but barely leaves a mark.

Kaida raises her staff, her voice trembling. “What do you mean, ‘chosen’? Chosen for what?!”

The map seller chuckles, stepping back toward a pillar. “You’ll find out soon enough,” he says cryptically. Then, with a faint shimmer, he vanishes behind the pillar, leaving nothing but the echo of his laughter behind.

“Damn it!” I growl, pulling another arrow and aiming at one of the tendrils holding Lyra. “Kaida, help us get her free!”

Kaida snaps out of her shock, muttering an incantation as a wave of glowing roots erupts from her staff. The magical vines grab on to the tendrils, briefly slowing them down as the roots try to pull the tendrils down but not breaking their grip.

Hrothgar charges forward with a roar, swinging his axe at one of the thicker tendrils. The blade digs deep, and the tendril recoils a bit, but quickly tightens its grip.

“It’s regenerating!” Kaida shouts, her voice filled with panic. “We have to take out the heart!”

Lorien nods, lunging forward and driving his spear into the heart. The glowing surface flickers, and the heart lets out a deep, reverberating thud that shakes the entire chamber.

Lyra lets out a weak cry, her body growing limp as the tendrils pull her closer.

“Keep hitting it!” I yell, aiming another arrow at the heart’s glowing core.

The heart’s glow intensifies, and a shockwave of energy erupts from it, sending us all stumbling backward. The tendrils tighten around Lyra, and her body begins to glow faintly, as if the heart is absorbing her.

“It’s not working!” I shout, loosing another arrow that barely leaves a mark on the massive heart. Each attack—Kaida’s magic, Hrothgar’s axe, Lorien’s spear—hits, but the heart regenerates too quickly, its glowing tendrils reforming almost as soon as they’re damaged.

Kaida grits her teeth, summoning a wave of fiery magic that engulfs part of the heart. The flames flicker and hiss, but the damage heals instantly. “It’s regenerating too fast!” she yells, panic creeping into her voice.

Hrothgar slams his axe into one of the thicker tendrils, grunting with effort as it recoils briefly. “Then what the hell are we supposed to do?!”

Lorien activates his ability, his spearglowing brightly as he lunges at the heart’s core. The strike sends a ripple of energy through the chamber, but the heart pulses stronger, its glow intensifying as the tendrils tighten further around Lyra.

Lyra’s faint cries grow weaker, her body glowing more brightly as the heart seems to draw energy from her. “Help me,” she whispers, her voice barely audible.

I activate Arrow Volley, sending a flurry of glowing arrows into the heart. For a moment, the surface flickers and the tendrils recoil—but almost instantly, the heart regenerates, its pulsing thud growing louder and more powerful.

“This isn’t working!” I yell, frustration and fear twisting in my chest.

Kaida looks around desperately, her staff glowing faintly. “There has to be another way!” she shouts, her voice trembling. “Maybe it’s tied to those runes on the walls! They’re glowing like the heart is!”

I glance at the runes surrounding the room, their reddish orange light pulsing in time with the heart. “If they’re connected, maybe we can break the link!”

“Kaida, see if you can figure it out!” I shout, turning to her as I ready another arrow. “We’ll slow it down the best we can!”

Kaida nods, determination flickering in her eyes as she turns toward the glowing runes on the walls. “I’ll try!” she says, gripping her staff tightly as she rushes to the nearest set of runes. “Just keep it busy!”

Hrothgar lets out a thunderous roar, his axe glowing faintly as he activates his special ability. His muscles seem to surge with strength, and he charges forward with a brutal swing, severing several tendrils in a single blow. The heart recoils slightly, its glowing surface flickering under the force of the attack.

“Nice hit!” Lorien shouts, activating his spear’s special enchantment. The weapon glows even brighter as he drives it into the heart’s core, sending another ripple of energy through the room. The heart shudders, but its regeneration kicks in almost instantly, restoring the damage.

I unleash another Arrow Volley, my glowing arrows streaking through the air and striking the tendrils wrapped around Lyra. For a moment, they loosen their grip especially when the glowing arrow hits, but the heart pulses stronger, drawing her closer to its core.

“It’s not enough!” I yell, gritting my teeth.

Kaida presses her hand against one of the runes, her staff glowing faintly as she mutters an incantation. The rune flickers, its glow dimming slightly. “They’re definitely connected!” she shouts. “But they’re warded or something—it’s going to take time to break them!”

“Then we’ll give you all the time you need!” Hrothgar growls, slamming his axe into another tendril as it lashes toward him.

The heart lets out a deafening thud, the glowing runes on the walls pulsing brighter as if resisting Kaida’s magic. Lyra’s glow intensifies, her body almost translucent as the heart continues to pull her towards itself.

“Kaida, hurry!” I shout, my chest tightening as I aim another arrow.

I fire the arrow as a bright flash appears. I feel myself flying backwards as we all get blasted back as the heart finally absorbs Lyra.

The world feels like it’s spinning as I try to push myself up, my vision blurry and my ears ringing from the explosion. The faint glow of the chamber flickers erratically, casting disjointed shadows across the room.

“Lyra!” I shout, my voice trembling as I force myself to focus. “Are you okay?”

Slowly, my vision clears, and my heart sinks as I see her. The heart is gone—completely vanished—and in its place is Lyra, lying on the ground. Her clothes are now black and gold, faintly glowing with an otherworldly light. Her body radiates a strange energy, and for a moment, I can’t breathe.

Kaida groans from somewhere behind me, her voice weak. “What… what happened?”

Lorien stumbles to his feet, his spear still clutched in his hand, though his movements are shaky. “The heart… it’s gone,” he mutters, his voice filled with disbelief.

I take a shaky step forward, my legs unsteady beneath me. “Lyra?” I whisper, my voice breaking as I inch closer to her. “Lyra, can you hear me?”

Her eyes slowly flutter open, and for a moment, they seem normal. But as she looks at me, a faint golden glow flickers in her irises. She sits up slowly, her movements graceful but unnatural, and when she speaks, her voice has a strange, echoing quality.

“I…” she begins, her gaze distant as if she’s looking through me. “I feel… everything.”

Hrothgar stumbles to his feet, his axe dragging along the ground. “Lyra? Is it really you?”

Kaida moves cautiously closer, her staff glowing faintly. “She’s… different,” she says quietly, her voice laced with fear. “The heart… it didn’t absorb her. But it changed her.”

Lyra stands slowly, the golden glow around her intensifying. She looks down at her hands, flexing her fingers as if testing them. “I am… more,” she says softly, her voice calm but unsettling.

The air in the room grows colder, and I take another step back, my grip tightening on my bow. “Lyra… what did the heart do to you?”

She looks at me, and for a moment, there’s a flicker of the Lyra I knew. But then her expression shifts, becoming unreadable. “I don’t know,” she says quietly, “but I was chosen.”

“What?” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the pounding in my head. Confusion and fear churn in my chest as I take a hesitant step forward, reaching out toward her.

“Lyra…”

Before my hand can reach hers, her body starts to lift off the ground, her feet leaving the stone floor as if gravity no longer applies. The glow around her intensifies, growing blindingly bright.

“Lyra!” I shout, my heart racing. “What’s happening?!”

I hear the others yell out to her trying to figure out what’s happening.
Then her eyes meet mine for a brief moment, and I think I see something—fear, maybe, or understanding—but before I can say anything else, the light around her explodes outward. It’s warm and blinding, forcing me to shield my eyes as the room fills with an overwhelming brilliance.

When the light finally fades, I lower my hand cautiously, blinking against the spots in my vision. The room is eerily silent now, the air heavy and still.

She’s gone.

Kaida stumbles forward, her staff glowing faintly as she scans the room. “What just happened?” she whispers, her voice shaking.

Lorien grips his spear tightly, his eyes darting around the chamber. “She… disappeared,” he says, his voice low and tense. “She’s gone.”

Hrothgar growls, his axe still at the ready. “Where the hell did she go?!”

I stagger forward, my legs feeling like lead as I stare at the spot where Lyra had been. The glow is gone, the heart is gone, and now Lyra is gone too.

I stand frozen for a moment, my mind racing, trying to process everything that just happened. The heart, the light, Lyra—gone. It feels like the ground has been pulled out from under me.

Veyron steps forward, breaking the silence, his tone sharp and edged with frustration. “What now?” he says, looking directly at me. “We came all this way, fought through gods-know-what, and now she’s just… gone? What the hell do we do now?”

I glance at him, his words pulling me back to the present. My grip tightens on my bow as I shake my head. “I… I don’t know,” I admit, my voice trembling. “I don’t know where she went or… or how to get her back.”

End of chapter 10

I did another cliff hanger sorry!
We now know what the key was for… kinda? But what was the heart? What happened to Lyra? What’s going on with Selric? With the heart gone can they even escape now?!
To be continued…