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.

The group follows the map searching for answers and things only get worse…

This is the last full chapter I had written before I started posting this, so future chapters will likely take a bit longer. However not too long as I have everything lined out already just not the in between moments.

Chapter 12

I blink my eyes open, the soft light of dawn filtering through the cracks in the shutters. Stretching, I let out a long yawn, only to wince as a sharp ache runs through my arm—a painful reminder of yesterday’s chaos.

I sit up slowly, rubbing the sore spot and muttering to myself. “Great… still not healed. Thanks, super immersive game mechanics. Why can’t this be like a normal game where a potion just makes everything perfect till you’re hurt again.”

Across the room, Kaida stirs, her red hair sticking out in wild directions as she stretches and groans softly. “Morning,” she says groggily, rubbing her eyes. “You okay?”

I nod, though the soreness in my arm is hard to ignore. “Yeah,” I say, flexing my fingers. “Just sore. Yesterday really took it out of me.”

Kaida sits up fully, glancing at me with concern. “Hopefully I can learn a healing spell for this kind of stuff.”

I shake my head, waving her off. “It’s fine. The potions are good enough. ”

She frowns, her gaze lingering on my arm. “You’re too stubborn for your own good sometimes,” she says lightly, though there’s warmth in her tone.

I chuckle softly, rolling my shoulder to test the pain. “You’re not wrong.”

The room falls into a comfortable silence for a moment, the muffled sounds of the inn waking up filtering through the walls.

“Today’s the day,” I say finally, breaking the quiet. “We’ve got to follow the map, find Lyra, and figure out what the hell this ‘heart’ really did to her.”

Kaida nods, her expression growing serious. “We will,” she says firmly. “Maybe this is how we get out of this game.”

I glance at the small bag of gold sitting on the nightstand, lifting it to feel its weight—or lack thereof. The few coins inside barely jingle, and the reality of our situation sinks in.

“Not even enough to get supplies for today,” I mutter under my breath, frustration bubbling up. “Hopefully, we find something to eat for free… or I guess we’ll just have to get creative.”

Kaida stands, adjusting her new cloak and grabbing her staff. “Ready when you are,” she says with a faint smile, though the concern in her eyes is clear.

I push off the bed, slinging my quiver over my shoulder and tucking the map securely into my pouch. “Alright,” I say, squaring my shoulders. “Let’s go.”

As we step out of the room, the faint hum of the inn waking up greets us—soft voices in the distance, the clinking of dishes from the kitchen, and the smell of bread baking somewhere downstairs. My stomach growls faintly, but I ignore it, leading Kaida down the creaky staircase to meet the others.

Hrothgar is already waiting by the entrance, his arms crossed as he leans against the wall. “Took you long enough,” he grunts, though there’s no real heat in his words.

Veyron lounges in a chair nearby, flipping a dagger lazily between his fingers. “Morning, fearless leader,” he says with a smirk, clearly amused by my tired expression.

Lorien stands by the door, his spear resting at his side, his calm gaze meeting mine. “You good?” he asks softly.

I nod, my lips pressing into a thin line. “Yeah. Just ready to get moving. The sooner we follow this map, the better.”

Kaida clears her throat, stepping up beside me. “Alright, everyone,” she says, her voice firm. “Let’s stick together today and stay focused. We can’t afford any distractions.”

I approach the inn keeper resting my hands against the counter. “Those rooms wouldn’t have happened to come with breakfast would they?”

The woman from the night before chuckles. “For 20 gold?” She glances around before continuing. “And wanted fugitives…” she whispers.

I groan slightly frustrated. “Never mind we’ll get out of your hair.”

I pull out the map, the glowing ink marking our path clearly. “We’ll start here,” I say, pointing to the first landmark. “But keep an eye out. We don’t know what—or who—we might run into on the way.”

As we step out of the inn, the bustling energy of the city hits us immediately. The streets, once eerily quiet under the cover of night, are now alive with activity. Merchants shout to advertise their wares, carts creak as they roll past, and clusters of people move through the market square, their voices blending into a constant hum of noise.

“The city’s a whole different place during the day,” Kaida says softly, glancing around at the crowds.

I nod, pulling my hood lower over my face as I scan the streets. “It’ll make it easier to avoid the guards,” I say, my voice steady. “If they’re still looking for us, they’ll have a much harder time spotting us in all this chaos.”

Hrothgar grins, hefting his axe over his shoulder. “Hiding in plain sight, huh? Works for me.”

Veyron smirks, slipping into the crowd like a shadow. “Blending in is kind of my specialty,” he says casually, flipping his hood up. “Stick close, fearless leader, and maybe I’ll teach you a thing or two.”

Lorien stays close, his sharp eyes scanning the streets for any sign of trouble. “We should still be careful,” he says, his voice low. “The guards may not be the only ones watching.”

I grip the map tightly, the glowing route leading us through the market and toward the city’s outskirts. “Stay together,” I say firmly, glancing at each of them. “We can’t afford to get separated out here.”

I glance back at Kaida, her tone dripping with mock sweetness as she stares pointedly past me toward Veyron. “Shouldn’t we return these?” she says, tugging lightly at the edges of her cloak. “Since, you know, we were just borrowing them.”

Veyron doesn’t miss a beat, flashing her a cocky grin as he adjusts his hood. “Oh, absolutely. We’ll bring them right back. I’m sure the shopkeeper would love to see us again—especially after that broken window.”

Kaida folds her arms, raising an eyebrow. “You mean after you and Hrothgar turned us into wanted criminals?”

“Hey, hey,” Veyron says, holding up his hands in mock innocence. “I’m not taking all the blame for that. Hrothgar’s the one who smashed the window, and you didn’t exactly object to the cloaks when you were putting yours on.”

Kaida glares at him, though there’s a faint blush creeping into her cheeks. “It was your idea in the first place!”

I step between them, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Can we not argue about this right now? The guards are probably still out there somewhere, and the last thing we need is to draw attention to ourselves.”

Veyron shrugs, smirking as he falls back into step beside me. “Relax, fearless leader. The city’s too busy for them to focus on us. And besides, I think we look pretty good in these cloaks, don’t you?” He winks at Kaida after finishing.

Kaida groans, muttering something under her breath, and I can’t help but laugh softly despite myself. “Let’s just keep moving,” I say, shaking my head.

The group pushes forward through the crowd, the bustling market giving us plenty of cover as we head toward the first landmark on the map.

The bustling crowds slow our progress, the constant hum of voices and the jostling of bodies making it hard to move quickly. I clutch the map tightly, glancing down at the glowing route every so often to make sure we’re still on track.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, we break free of the busiest streets and reach the marked point on the map. It’s a quieter part of the city, tucked away from the main roads. A large, weathered fountain stands in the center of a small plaza, its once-pristine stone now cracked and moss-covered.

“This is it,” I say, my voice low as I glance around. “The first mark on the map.”

Kaida steps forward, her eyes scanning the fountain. “Doesn’t look like much,” she murmurs. “Are we sure this is the right place?”

Veyron leans casually against the fountain’s edge, glancing at the map in my hand. “Pretty sure glowing maps don’t lie,” he says with a smirk. “The question is… now what?”

Hrothgar grunts, his eyes narrowing as he scans the surrounding buildings. “Looks too quiet to me. Feels like a trap.”

Lorien steps closer to the fountain, his hand resting on his spear. “There’s something carved here,” he says, pointing to a faint inscription along the edge of the stone.

I move closer, squinting to make out the words. They’re faded and worn, but the language is unfamiliar—symbols rather than letters, glowing faintly in the shadow of the fountain.

Kaida leans in, her eyes widening slightly. “That’s… definitely not decorative,” she says. “It looks like some kind of magical script.”

I glance back at the map, which seems to pulse faintly in response to the glowing script. My stomach tightens with unease. “Definitely not a coincidence,” I say. “This has to be related to the map.”

“Uhhh, Kaida?” I say, stepping back slightly from the glowing symbols. “Maybe you can… you know, do your magic thing and figure out what this is?”

Kaida raises an eyebrow, her hands tightening on her staff. “My magic thing, huh?” she says, though there’s a playful glint in her eyes. “Sure, let me just wave my hands around and magically know what this ancient script says.”

I rub the back of my neck, giving her a sheepish smile. “Well, you’re the magical one. It’s not like any of us can read glowing runes.”

She sighs, stepping closer to the fountain and crouching down to examine the script. “Alright, alright. Let me see…”

Kaida places her staff down beside her and hovers her hand just above the glowing symbols, her brow furrowed in concentration. A faint shimmer of light flows from her fingertips, dancing over the carved runes.

After a moment, the light intensifies, and her expression shifts to one of confusion. “It’s… not a language I know,” she mutters, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I think I can feel the magic behind it. It’s like… a riddle or a lock, waiting to be activated.”

Hrothgar crosses his arms, watching her closely. “A magical lock? Great. What are the odds that unlocking it triggers something nasty?”

Veyron chuckles, leaning lazily against the fountain. “Oh, come on. What’s the fun of a puzzle if there’s no risk involved?”

Kaida shoots him a glare but continues focusing on the runes. “It’s definitely tied to the map,” she says after another moment. “But it’s not going to open on its own. I’ll need a little more time to figure this out.”

I glance around, unease creeping in as I scan the quiet plaza. “Alright,” I say. “But let’s make it quick. This place feels too open—we’re sitting ducks if anyone’s watching.”

I turn, scanning the surrounding plaza nervously. “Just… you know, act casual, guys,” I say, lowering my voice. “Don’t draw any attention.”

Hrothgar raises an eyebrow, his massive frame making the idea of “casual” seem almost laughable. “Act casual, huh?” he mutters, crossing his arms. “I’m not exactly built for subtlety.”

Veyron grins, flipping a dagger idly in his hand. “Don’t worry, fearless leader,” he says with a wink. “Casual is my middle name.”

I roll my eyes, ignoring him as I turn back to Kaida, who’s now fully focused on the glowing runes. Her fingers move carefully, tracing the faint lines of the script as her magic shimmers faintly around her hands.

“This isn’t exactly easy, you know,” she says without looking up, her tone focused but annoyed. “A little less banter and a little more watchfulness might help.”

Lorien nods, his sharp eyes scanning the plaza as he adjusts his hood. “She’s right,” he says quietly. “Stay alert. Even if this place seems safe, we don’t know who—or what—might be watching.”

I grip my bow tightly, standing a little closer to Kaida while keeping my eyes on the surrounding streets. “We’ve got your back, Kaida,” I say softly. “Just do what you need to do.”

I lean casually against the edge of the fountain, keeping my bow close but making an effort to appear relaxed. My eyes, however, are constantly moving, scanning the plaza as the city moves around us in a chaotic dance.

Hundreds of people pass by, their voices blending into a dull roar. Carts full of supplies creak along the cobblestones, merchants shouting to advertise their wares. Even the guards, walking their patrol routes, seem more preoccupied with maintaining order than noticing us huddled by the fountain.

I let out a slow breath, doing my best to stay calm. The noise, the movement—it’s overwhelming, but it’s also cover. We’re just another group of travelers to anyone who spares us a glance.

Finally, Kaida speaks up, her voice low but firm. “I’ve got it,” she says, pulling her hand back from the glowing runes.

I turn to her quickly, my heart skipping a beat. “What did you figure out?”

Kaida stands, brushing off her cloak as the runes pulse faintly. “It’s a key,” she explains. “But it needs a trigger—something to unlock it. And I think…” She holds up the map, which is now glowing brighter. “This is the trigger.”

Veyron steps closer, his interest piqued. “A map that doubles as a key? That’s pretty fancy,” he says with a smirk. “So, what happens when we use it?”

Kaida frowns, her grip tightening on the map. “I’m not sure,” she admits. “But the magic is clearish—if we activate it, it’ll do something?.”

Hrothgar grunts, his expression skeptical. “And what’s the catch?”

“There’s always a catch,” Lorien adds, his voice calm but wary.

I glance at Kaida, then at the glowing runes. “Do it,” I say finally, my voice steady despite the knot in my stomach. “We’ve come this far—we have to see where this leads.”

Kaida nods, stepping forward and pressing the map to the runes. The glowing symbols brighten, and a low hum fills the air as the fountain begins to shift.

I take a cautious step back, my bow at the ready as the hum grows louder. As the fountain trembles, the stone creaks and shifts as the glowing runes spread out like veins of light.

Kaida holds her ground, her hands steady as she presses the map against the fountain’s edge. “It’s working,” she says, her voice tense but focused. “I think…”

The glowing symbols pulse once, twice, before the center of the fountain collapses inward with a loud crack. Water spills over the edges, cascading down into what now looks like a dark, spiraling staircase leading underground.

Veyron whistles softly, peering into the newly revealed passage. “Now that’s what I call hidden.”

Hrothgar steps forward, his axe resting on his shoulder. “A secret entrance? Figures. What’s down there?”

Kaida pulls the map back, the glowing light fading slightly as she turns to me. “The next step,” she says simply. “Whatever this is, it’s leading us underground.”

I let out a dry chuckle, glancing down at the dark, spiraling staircase. “Great. Back under the city,” I mutter, gripping my bow tightly. “That went so well last time.”

Kaida offers me a faint, apologetic smile. “Maybe this time will be different?” she says, though even she doesn’t sound convinced.

“Yeah,” I reply sarcastically. “Maybe we won’t almost get crushed by golems or chased by whatever else lives down here.”

Veyron smirks, stepping lightly onto the first stair. “Oh, come on, fearless leader. Where’s your sense of adventure?”

Hrothgar snorts, rolling his shoulders. “Let’s hope that adventure doesn’t end with more of those glowing spirits.”

Lorien moves closer, his spear held at the ready. “Stay alert,” he says quietly, his eyes scanning the darkness below. “Whatever’s waiting down there, it’s not going to welcome us.”

Taking a deep breath, I nod and take the first step down, the cold stone damp under my boots. The air grows cooler and heavier as we descend, the faint glow of the city above fading with every step.

The group follows closely behind, the sound of our footsteps echoing softly in the narrow passage.

“Let’s just hope this map isn’t leading us into another trap,” I mutter under my breath, the unease growing with every step.

We continue down the spiraling staircase, the air growing colder and damper with each step. The faint sound of dripping water echoes around us, mingling with the soft scuff of our boots on the slick stone.

“Does this staircase ever end?” Kaida mutters, her voice low but echoing faintly in the tight space.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t lead straight to another giant, glowing heart,” Veyron says with a smirk, though his hand rests on the hilt of one of his daggers.

Hrothgar grunts, his axe resting against his shoulder. “Whatever’s down here, it better be worth it.”

I keep my bow ready, my grip tightening as we descend further into the darkness. The glow from Kaida’s staff is the only thing lighting our way now, casting long shadows against the curved walls.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the stairs widen into a larger stone chamber. The floor is uneven, and ancient carvings cover the walls, their details obscured by moss and age. In the center of the room stands a tall, circular platform, faintly glowing with the same runes we saw above.

“We’re here,” I say softly, stepping cautiously into the room.

Kaida moves closer to the platform, her eyes scanning the glowing symbols. “It’s the same magic as above,” she says. “But this… this feels stronger. More… purposeful like the other area.”

Veyron whistles softly, peering around the room. “No signs of traps—yet. But if this place is anything like the last one, we should be ready for something nasty.”

Lorien steps forward, his spear at the ready. “What’s that for?” he asks looking at a familiar looking gold triangle on the platform. The object itself shielded by some sort of magic.

Kaida frowns, running her fingers lightly over the runes. “I think… it’s supposed to be another key,” she says.

I glance at the platform, my chest tightening. “Whatever it unlocks, we’re not going to find out just by staring at it.”

I stare at the glowing platform, my grip tightening on my bow. The runes pulse softly, almost invitingly, but all I can think about is Lyra—the way the heart chose her, the way we lost her.

“With what happened to Lyra,” I say quietly, my voice tinged with hesitation, “I’m not sure if we should be doing this.”

Kaida looks up from the platform, her expression softening. “Artemis…”

I shake my head, taking a step back. “But we can’t give up on finding her,” I say firmly, my voice steadying. “Whatever this is—whatever it unlocks—it might be the only way to figure out what happened to her.”

The group falls silent for a moment, the weight of my words hanging in the air.

“She’s still out there,” Lorien says softly, his gaze steady. “And if this is the only way to find her, then we have to try.”

Hrothgar grunts, stepping closer to the platform. “If this thing wants to pull any tricks, we’ll deal with them. Together.”

Kaida nods, her fingers brushing over the runes once more. “I’ll get this barrier off,” she says quietly. “But we should be ready. There’s no telling what’s going to happen when it deactivates.”

I take a deep breath, my chest tightening as I step back into position, my bow at the ready. “Alright,” I say. “Let’s do this.”

Kaida places her hands firmly on the glowing runes, her magic flaring faintly as the platform begins to hum.

I step back from the platform, my eyes darting across the chamber as the soft hum grows louder. My grip tightens on my bow, every muscle in my body on edge.

The carvings on the walls seem to shimmer faintly in the glow of Kaida’s magic, their shapes twisting and flickering in ways that make my stomach churn. The uneven floor beneath us feels too deliberate, like it’s hiding something.

“Anything?” Lorien asks, his voice low but steady as he stands guard near Kaida.

“Not yet,” I reply, scanning the walls and corners for movement. “But this place feels… wrong. Like it’s waiting for something to happen.”

Hrothgar hefts his axe, his sharp eyes narrowing as he sweeps the room. “If it’s a trap, we’ll spring it. Better now than when we’re caught off guard.”

Veyron snorts, leaning lightly against a cracked pillar. “You say that like we’re ever not caught off guard. It’s practically our thing at this point.”

Kaida doesn’t look up from the runes, her magic intensifying as the platform pulses brighter. “Almost there,” she mutters, her voice strained. “Just… keep watching. This isn’t easy.”

I shift my position, my eyes flicking to a faint shadow in one of the far corners. My breath catches as it moves—a subtle, unnatural shift that sends a chill down my spine.

“There!” I shout, pointing toward the shadow.

The others snap to attention, weapons raised as the shadow begins to ripple and stretch, growing larger and more defined. A low, guttural growl echoes through the chamber, and a pair of glowing eyes flicker to life in the darkness.

The shadow creature moves forward, its form shifting unnaturally as it stalks toward us. The hum of the platform grows louder, and I glance quickly at Kaida.

“Whatever you’re doing, Kaida,” I shout, “do it faster!”

I draw my bow quickly, aiming at the shadowy figure as it lumbers toward us. Taking a deep breath, I release the arrow, hitting the creature square in the chest—only to pass straight through like it wasn’t even there.

“Seriously?” I mutter, already nocking another arrow out of reflex. I fire again, and just like before, the arrow has no effect. The shadow ripples and growls, clearly unimpressed.

“It’s like the spirits in the other cave!” I shout to the others, backing up toward the platform. “Non-magic attacks don’t work on it!”

“What does that mean? Hrothgar says confused but lifting his axe to attack.

“Only magic weapons can hurt it.” Lorien shouts moving in front of Kaida blocking the creatures path to her.

Hrothgar grits his teeth, his axe glowing faintly as he activates one of his abilities. “Perfect for me,” he growls, stepping between the creature and Kaida. He swings his axe, but the shadow darts to the side with unnatural speed, evading the attack entirely.

Veyron hurls a dagger, its blade glinting faintly with a weak magical aura. It hits the creature, but the impact is minor—barely slowing it down. “Yeah, this thing’s definitely not playing fair,” he says, his smirk fading.

Kaida’s voice cuts through the chaos, tense and urgent. “I’m almost done!” she shouts, her hands glowing brighter as the platform pulses beneath her. “Just keep it off me for a few minutes.”

Lorien his spear glowing faintly as he braces himself. “We’ll hold it back!” he shouts, glancing at me. “Artemis, can you distract it?”

I nod, though my mind races for a solution. My arrows are useless, but maybe I can draw its attention long enough for the others to land a stronger hit.

“Hey, stupid shadow thing! Look over here!” I shout, waving my arms to catch its attention.

The others snap their heads toward me, their expressions a mix of confusion and disbelief.

Veyron raises an eyebrow. “That’s your plan?”

I shrug, stepping back as the shadow’s glowing eyes lock onto me. “I couldn’t think of anything else, okay? Not like you did any better distracting those grey things.”

The creature lets out a guttural growl, its form rippling unnaturally as it launches itself toward me. My heart races as I dodge to the side, narrowly avoiding its swipe.

“Yup, that worked!” I shout, scrambling to create distance between us. “Totally got its attention!”

Hrothgar growls, stepping in to swing his glowing axe at the shadow’s side. “Keep it distracted!” he roars. “We’ll take it down!”

The creature flickers for a moment, shifting its focus between me and the others. It seems reluctant to fully commit to either, its form writhing like smoke in the dim light.

Kaida’s voice cuts through the tension, sharp and urgent. “I just need a little more time!” she shouts, her magic flaring brighter as the platform begins to hum louder.

“Time is the one thing we don’t have!” Lorien shouts, lunging with his spear and forcing the shadow to recoil slightly.

“And money!” Veyron chimes in throwing another dagger.

I backpedal, firing another arrow even though I know it won’t do anything. The projectile flies straight through the creature, but it distracts it just long enough for Hrothgar to land a blow with his glowing axe.

“Keep hitting it with your enchanted weapons!” I shout, circling around the room to keep the shadow’s focus on me. “We’ve got to take it down!”

I nock another arrow, aiming straight for the creature as it ripples and growls, its glowing eyes fixed on me. I fire, then immediately draw another, firing again in rapid succession.

The arrows pass harmlessly through its shadowy form, but they seem to irritate it. The creature flickers and lets out a guttural roar before launching itself in my direction.

“Yeah, that’s right! Over here!” I shout, backing away quickly, my heart racing.

The others look at me, their weapons ready.

“Are you seriously just shooting at it for attention?” Veyron calls out, half-laughing as he dodges sharp tendrils of shadow that lash out near him.

“It’s working, isn’t it?” I snap back, dodging to the side as the creature lunges at me.

Kaida glances up briefly from the platform, the glow of her magic intensifying. “Just keep it away from me!” she shouts. “I’m almost done I think!”

Hrothgar swings his axe again, the blade glowing faintly as it catches the creature’s side. The shadow flickers and shrinks slightly, but it doesn’t stop its pursuit of me.

“Keep firing!” Lorien shouts, his spear glowing faintly as he steps in to stab a stray tendril of shadow from hitting Kaida. “The more it focuses on you, the less it can focus on us!”

I grit my teeth, firing another arrow as I backpedal. “Yeah, great plan!” I shout, dodging another swipe. “Just don’t let it catch me!”

“This better not become a thing of me being bait!” I shout, diving out of the way as the shadow creature swipes at me with an elongated tendril of darkness. The air where it strikes feels cold and heavy, sending a chill up my spine.

“You’re doing great, bait!” Veyron calls out with a laugh, tossing a dagger that glows faintly as it slices through the creature. It flinches, but the attack only seems to slow it for a second before it focuses on me again.

I shoot him a glare, firing another arrow that, unsurprisingly, does nothing to harm it but keeps it coming my way. “Not helping, Veyron!”

Hrothgar swings his glowing axe again, forcing the creature to veer slightly off course. “Less talking, more keeping it busy!” he growls.

“Yeah, I’m keeping it busy!” I snap, narrowly dodging another lunge.

Lorien steps in, his spear slicing through one of the creature’s tendrils. “Artemis, try leading it to the opposite side of the room!” he shouts. “Then we can all focus on attacking it without needing to defend Kaida!”

“Fine!” I yell, spinning on my heel and sprinting toward the side of the chamber. The creature snarls, its shadowy form shifting as it chases after me. My heart pounds in my chest as I dart between pillars and debris, glancing over my shoulder to make sure it’s still following.

I keep running, weaving around cracks in the stone floor and uneven debris, my heart pounding with every step. The shadow growls behind me, its distorted form flickering as it barrels forward.

“Alright, you stupid shadow!” I shout, glancing over my shoulder. “Come and get me!” I nock another arrow and fire, the projectile passing harmlessly through it but keeping its attention locked squarely on me.

“Keep it moving!” Lorien calls out, his spear glowing faintly as he circles the chamber, readying to strike the creature.

“Yeah, great advice!” I yell back, dodging another swipe as one of its tendrils slams into the ground behind me. “Totally not what I’m already doing!”

Kaidas voice rings out, tense and urgent. “I’m almost there! Just a few more seconds!”

Veyron tosses another glowing dagger, the blade slicing through the creature’s side. It snarls, pausing just long enough for me to fire another arrow and keep it distracted.

“Hey, fearless leader!” Veyron calls out with a grin. “You’re pretty good at this bait thing!”

I glare at him, dodging another attack. “Don’t make me shoot you next, Veyron!”

Hrothgar takes a heavy swing with his glowing axe, the blade barely grazing the creature but causing it to recoil slightly. “Don’t let up, Artemis!” he shouts. “It’s still focused on you!”

“Yeah, I noticed!” I snap, firing another arrow as I continue running towards the wall. The creature snarls again, lunging forward with an unnatural speed that makes my chest tighten.

My eyes catch sight of a hole in the wall, a jagged opening just big enough for me to squeeze through. Without a second thought, I sprint toward it, diving through at the last second. The shadow creature snarls and crashes through right behind me, its form rippling as it squeezes into the narrow space.

I scramble to my feet, barely pausing to catch my breath as I realize what just happened. The passage is dark and tight, the walls pressing in on me as I continue running. The creature\u2019s growls echo behind me, and I can feel the chill of its presence getting closer.

“Okay, bad idea!” I shout, my voice bouncing off the walls. “Definitely a bad idea! I’m separated now!”

The others voices are muffled, distant through the thick stone walls, but I can hear Hrothgar’s roar faintly “Artemis! Where are you?”

“I’m fine!” I call back, though the pounding in my chest says otherwise. “Just... keep doing what you’re doing!” The narrow tunnel twists and turns, the dim light from the chamber fading behind me.

My mind races as I fire another arrow behind me, not even bothering to see if it connects. I know it won’t hurt the shadow, but the movement is almost instinctive now.

The growling grows louder, the creature’s form flickering unnaturally as it gains on me. I grit my teeth, my grip tightening on my bow. I have to figure something out, or I’m going to end up cornered.

I draw my bowstring back, the faint magical glow of the string illuminating the narrow tunnel around me. The light flickers against the jagged stone walls, revealing just enough of the path ahead to keep me from tripping over debris.

“Alright” I mutter to myself, panting as I run. “No more blindly running into danger. Let’s see where I’m actually going.”

The tunnel twists sharply to the left, the shadows dancing as the glow from my bow lights up the corner. I glance over my shoulder, the creature’s glowing eyes flickering in the dim light as it gains on me, its form distorting unnaturally to fit through the tight space. “Great.” I mutter, pushing forward. It’s not giving up.”

The tunnel widens slightly up ahead, and I catch sight of what looks like an opening to another chamber. The faint hum of magic? Pulses through the air, sending a shiver down my spine.

That’s probably not great I think to myself, my steps slowing as I approach the opening. Behind me, the creature growls, its movements growing more frantic as it closes the distance. I grit my teeth, my bow still drawn and glowing as I glance toward the chamber ahead.

I sprint toward the chamber, my boots skidding on the uneven stone as I approach the edge of a steep drop. The tunnel opens into a wide, dark space below, the faint glow of runes etched into the walls slightly illuminating the area.

The creature growls behind me, its distorted form flickering as it lunges again. With no time to think, I leap forward, jumping down into the chamber below.

The air rushes past me as I fall, my heart racing. I brace myself as I land hard on the stone floor, rolling to absorb the impact. My bow slips from my grip momentarily, but I scramble to grab it as the creature crashes down behind me.

It snarls, its form rippling unnaturally as it rights itself. The glowing runes on the walls pulse faintly, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the chamber. “Alright” I mutter, pulling myself to my feet. “Looks like it’s just you and me now.”

The creature growls again, its glowing eyes locking onto me as it begins to circle. The runes on the walls pulse brighter, the hum of magic growing louder.

I grip my bow tightly, my chest heaving as I try to steady my breath. The chamber is large enough to give me some space, but there’s no way to escape without finding a hidden exit, and the creature isn’t going to give me time to look.

I grip my bow tightly, my chest tightening as the creature growls and lunges again. There’s no time to think, no time to strategize just pure instinct.

I roll to the side, barely avoiding its outstretched tendrils as they slam into the stone floor with a sharp crack. “Great” I mutter breathlessly, pushing myself back to my feet. “This is fine. Everything’s fine.”

The hum in the chamber grows louder, the glowing runes pulsing brighter with each passing second. Whatever magic is tied to this room, it’s building toward something, but I have no idea what.

The creature snarls, its shadowy form rippling as it darts toward me again. I dive to the side, narrowly avoiding another swipe, the cold chill of its attack brushing past my arm.

“I don’t suppose you’re going to just, stop?” I shout at the creature, my voice echoing off the chamber walls. Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t respond.

The hum becomes almost deafening now, and the runes on the walls flare so brightly that they begin to cast sharp, defined shadows across the room. The light dances over the creature’s form, and for a moment, it hesitates, its movements faltering slightly.

I take the chance to put some distance between us, backing up as quickly as I can while keeping my bow drawn. “Come on, come on,” I mutter, my eyes darting between the creature and the glowing walls. “Whatever’s about to happen, just happen already!”

The creature growls again, snapping out of its hesitation and turning its attention back to me. It lunges once more, faster this time, and I barely manage to roll away. The stone floor beneath it cracks slightly as it lands, sending small shards scattering.

A sharp pain shoots through my leg as one of the stone shards grazes it, tearing through my pants and leaving a thin, stinging cut. I stumble slightly, but there’s no time to stop, the creature’s growl behind me pushes me forward.

With no other options and my stamina running dangerously low, I dive toward the glowing center of the chamber. My hands slam into the stone, the surface humming with magic as the runes light pulses brighter around me.

“Come on, come on!” I shout, my voice desperate. “Do something!”

The creature growls, lunging again, its tendrils stretching toward me. Just as it’s about to strike, the chamber erupts in blinding light, the runes flaring so brightly that I have to shield my eyes.

A deafening hum fills the air, vibrating through my bones as the magic surges around us. The creature lets out an unearthly screech, its shadowy form flickering wildly as the light engulfs it.

I shamble away from the center, blinking through the intense brightness as I try to see what’s happening. The runes on the walls begin to shift, their shapes twisting and reforming into a single massive sigil in the center of the ceiling.

The creature snarls again, its movements growing erratic as the magic seems to pull at it, dragging it toward the center of the room.

This... better be good!” I mutter, clutching my bow tightly as I brace for whatever comes next.

The hum reaches an almost unbearable pitch, and before I can react, the entire room is consumed by a blinding light. I throw my arms up, covering my eyes as the brightness sears through the chamber, turning everything around me into an overwhelming white glow.

The creature lets out a deafening screech, its distorted form thrashing wildly in the light. The sound is raw, unnatural, like something being torn apart.

The magic’s pull intensifies, the air feeling heavy and charged, and I can feel the room vibrating through my very core. My leg stings, but I’m too overwhelmed to even focus on the pain.

Through the faint cracks between my arms, I see the remaining runes on the walls and floor swirling and converging toward the massive sigil on the ceiling. The light pulses once, twice, and then explodes outward with a force so powerful it sends me skidding backward across the stone floor.

When the light finally dims, I lower my arms cautiously, blinking through the spots in my vision. The room is eerily quiet now, the hum replaced by a deep, resonating stillness.

The creature is gone. All that’s left in its place is a faint, shimmering wisp of shadow that slowly fades into nothingness. The runes on the walls and ceiling are dark now, their glow extinguished as if their purpose has been fulfilled.

I sit up slowly, my chest heaving as I try to catch my breath. “What the hell was that?” I mutter, my voice hoarse.

I push myself back against the nearest wall, the cold stone pressing into my back as I slump down. My chest heaves as I try to steady my breathing, my legs trembling from the effort of dodging and running.

My bow rests loosely in my lap, the faint ache in my leg reminding me of the shard that nicked me. I glance down at the cut, just shallow enough not to be serious, but it still stings.

The chamber is still now, eerily so, as if the air itself is holding its breath. The faint hum of magic is gone, replaced by an almost deafening silence.

I tilt my head back, staring up at the darkened Center of the room where the massive sigil had flared to life only moments ago. My thoughts race, but exhaustion dulls them, leaving me sitting there, just trying to process.

“Not how I pictured this day going,” I mutter to no one in particular, my voice echoing faintly in the empty space.

For a moment, I close my eyes, letting the cool air and silence wash over me. My muscles ache, my mind feels like a tangled mess, but at least, for now, I’m still breathing.

I glance around the chamber, my breath still uneven as I scan for any kind of exit. The walls are smooth and solid, no hidden doorways or passages. My gaze shifts to the gap in the wall above, the one I jumped down from.

“Great,” I mutter, my frustration bubbling up. “The only way out is the way I came in. And, of course, it’s too high to reach.”

I push myself up slowly, my legs trembling a bit from the effort, and shuffle toward the center of the chamber. My bow feels heavy in my hand as I rest my other hand against my leg, trying to think.

I glance back at the extinguished runes, my mind racing. “There has to be something,” I mutter. “No way this place doesn’t have another way out. It wouldn’t just trap me here... would it?”

I pace the room slowly, limping slightly as I take in every detail, or lack thereof. The walls are smooth, the floor even smoother, and the extinguished runes offer no clues. It’s like the chamber itself is mocking me with how perfectly sealed it is.

“What the hell am I supposed to do now?” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. My voice echoes faintly, the only sound in the suffocating stillness.

I glance back up at the gap in the wall, frustration bubbling up inside me. “Great plan, Artemis,” I say to myself sarcastically. “Run into the weird glowing chamber. Totally worked out.”

I slump back against the wall, staring up at the ceiling where the massive sigil had been floating moments ago. “Hopefully the others are okay,” I whisper, my voice softer now. “Maybe they’ll find me.”

The silence is unnerving, but it also makes me hyperaware of my own breathing, my own heartbeat. I lean my head back, closing my eyes for a moment, hoping to hear some faint sign of them calling out but nothing comes.

I sit slumped against the wall, the cool stone pressing into my back as I stare blankly at the ceiling. Time drags on, each passing minute feeling like an eternity.

I glance at the gap in the wall above, the faint light from the tunnel barely visible. “Where are they?” I mutter under my breath.

For what feels like an hour, I stay there, unmoving, straining to hear anything footsteps, voices, anything that might mean the others are nearby. But the silence is unrelenting, pressing in around me like the walls of the chamber.

I sigh, shifting slightly as my leg throbs. The cut stings, but it’s the least of my worries right now. “They’ll find me,” I whisper, as much to convince myself as to state a fact.

But deep down, the silence is gnawing at me. What if they’re in trouble? What if they can’t find this place?

I stare up at the gap in the wall, frowning “Other than Kaida, I doubt any of them could even fit through there,” I mutter, the thought settling uncomfortably in my mind.

I shift slightly, leaning my head back against the wall. “Hopefully they find another way around,” I say softly, though my voice carries little confidence. The others are resourceful, sure, but this place is probably a maze of tunnels and traps. If they don’t find me soon...

I shake my head, pushing the thought away. “No, they’ll figure it out,” I say, trying to convince myself. “They always do.”

A sharp, burning sensation draws my attention, and I glance down at my leg. My breath catches in my throat as I see the small cut from the stone shard, it’s no longer just a scratch. The area around it has turned an odd purple, and a faint, darkened vein trails from the wound.

“Shit,” I mutter, panic bubbling in my chest. I press my hand near the wound, but the skin feels warm, too warm. The burning grows sharper, like fire crawling just beneath the surface.

“This is bad,” I whisper, forcing myself to think. “What the hell is this? Poison? Magic?”

The silence of the chamber feels suffocating, the heavy weight of being alone and helpless crashing down on me. I glance up at the gap in the wall again, a fresh wave of urgency surging through me.

I watch helplessly as the shadow under my skin continues to creep along my leg, the darkened veins spreading further with every passing second. My breathing grows shallow, panic gripping me as the burning sensation suddenly fades, replaced by an eerie numbness.

Relief doesn’t come, though. Instead, a cold, sinking feeling takes over as I realize I can’t move. My arms go limp, my bow slipping from my grasp as my legs go still.

“No... no, no,” I try to say, but my lips refuse to move. My voice is trapped inside me, my thoughts screaming as my body refuses to obey.

My vision starts to blur, my eyelids growing heavier despite my desperate attempts to keep them open. The dim light of the chamber begins to fade, and the last thing I see before darkness claims me is the faint glow of the extinguished runes on the walls.

Please, no... not like this, I think as my eyes finally shut, and everything goes quiet.

End of chapter 12

Cliffhanger time! Are the others ok? Did they get the key? What’s happening to Artemis? Will the others find her? What about Lyra and the not so npc nps stay tuned!

I know there’s lots of jokes about writers making the main character experience all the trauma and I’m actively trying to avoid this but it was necessary for the story that this happen…