The next morning, the group pressed onward toward the cliffs Zara had seen in her vision. The air grew colder with each step, carrying a metallic tang that made her teeth ache. Shadows stretched unnaturally long across the barren plains, and the silence was oppressive, broken only by the crunch of gravel beneath their boots.
As they approached the jagged cliffs, Zara felt a growing unease. The map in her satchel seemed heavier now, almost as if it were resisting her touch. She glanced at Ade and Emeka, who walked ahead of her, their postures tense but determined. Despite their earlier assurances, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
When they reached the base of the cliffs, the narrow pass revealed itself exactly as Zara had drawn it a winding trail carved into the rock face, barely wide enough for one person to traverse at a time. Above them loomed the labyrinthine caves, their entrances shrouded in mist.
"This is it," Zara said, pulling out the map. "We need to stick to the path. One wrong turn, and we'll trigger the guardian."
Ade smirked, adjusting the strap of his sword. "Relax, girl. We've handled worse."
Zara ignored him, focusing instead on the map. The ink shimmered faintly, guiding her forward. She took the lead, her heart pounding with every step. Behind her, Ade and Emeka exchanged a glance she didn't see.
They moved cautiously through the pass, the walls closing in around them until the sky above was little more than a sliver of gray. The air thickened, heavy with the scent of damp stone and decay. Then, without warning, the ground beneath Zara shifted.
She froze, her breath catching in her throat. A low rumble echoed through the pass, followed by a sharp crack as the cliffside began to collapse. Rocks tumbled down from above, forcing the group to scramble backward.
"What did you do?" Ade snapped, his voice laced with accusation.
"I didn't" Zara started, but the words died on her lips as she realized what had happened. The map in her hand no longer matched the terrain. Someone had altered it while she wasn't looking.
Before she could react, Emeka grabbed her arm, yanking her back onto solid ground. "Enough games," he growled. "Draw us another map. Now."
Zara stared at him, realization dawning. "You… you changed it. You sabotaged the map."
Ade stepped closer, his blade gleaming ominously in the dim light. "We're done playing nice, girl. You've been holding out on us. Time to show us the real way in or else."
Her stomach churned with anger and fear. These men weren't just mercenaries; they were thieves, willing to risk everything including her life for whatever treasure lay hidden in Elarion. But she wasn't about to let them win.
"Fine," she spat, snatching the quill from her satchel. "But if I die because of this, you'll regret it."
She knelt on the rocky ground, spreading the parchment before her. As the quill touched the paper, the familiar surge of energy coursed through her veins. Visions flooded her mind once more the cliffs, the caves, and beyond them, the glowing artifact. But this time, something else appeared: a faint outline of runes etched into the cave walls, pulsing with ancient power.
"There," she said, standing up and handing the map to Emeka. "Follow those markings, and you'll bypass the guardian. But be careful they're unstable. One misstep, and the whole place could collapse."
Emeka studied the map briefly before nodding. "Good. Let's move."
As they entered the caves, Zara lagged behind, her mind racing. She couldn't trust these men not anymore. Whatever they sought in Elarion, it wasn't worth the cost. And yet, she couldn't abandon her own quest for answers. Not yet.
Deep within the caverns, the air grew colder still, and the walls glowed faintly with an otherworldly light. The runes Zara had drawn guided them safely past traps and pitfalls, bringing them closer to their goal. Finally, they reached a massive chamber dominated by a pedestal upon which rested the golden artifact a sphere etched with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and swirl like liquid fire.
Ade grinned triumphantly, stepping forward to claim it. But before he could reach it, the shadowy figure from Zara's vision materialized, blocking his path. Its eyes burned with an unnatural light, and its presence filled the chamber with an oppressive weight.
"You dare disturb this sacred place," the figure intoned, its voice echoing like thunder.
Ade drew his sword, but Emeka held up a hand. "Wait. There's more here than meets the eye."
Zara stepped forward, her heart pounding. "It's not just a treasure it's a test. That's why my curse led me here. To prove myself worthy."
The figure turned its gaze on her, and for a moment, she felt as though it could see straight into her soul. Then, slowly, it nodded. "Prove your worth, cursed one. Or perish."
Behind her, Ade lunged for the artifact, ignoring the warning. In an instant, the chamber erupted in chaos. The ground shook violently, and the walls began to crumble. Zara dove for cover as rocks rained down, her mind screaming at her to run.
But she couldn't leave not without answers.