In the quiet of the Royal Library, the weight of their discovery settled between them. Liam closed the ancient book, his decision made.
"You know I have to go, Lyra," he said, his voice low but firm. "I have to find those missing pages. If I survive and clear this dungeon, I will bring them back to you. I promise."
Lyra's eyes glistened, but she nodded, her expression a mixture of fear and resolute strength. "I understand. Survive, Liam. And come back to me." She reached out, her hand resting on his armored arm. "And please, be careful. If what the people say is right, there are two powerful beings in that dungeon."
With a final, shared look of understanding, Liam turned and left the palace. His path led him to the city's bustling Hunter's Guild. The air was thick with the smell of cheap ale and boastful stories. Liam approached the main counter, keeping his voice down. "I'm looking for information on a certain... old dungeon."
The chatter in the hall died down. The guild master stared at him with cold, hard eyes. "Never heard of it."
A tense silence fell over the room as eyes followed Liam. Knowing he would get no answers here, he turned and walked out. As the heavy doors swung shut behind him, he felt a presence. A moment later, a rough hand clamped down on his shoulder.
"Follow me. Not a word."
The man led Liam away from the main thoroughfare and into a dark, narrow alley slick with grime. He spun Liam around, pinning him against the damp brick wall. "Hey! Who are you? Are you out of your mind?" the man hissed, his face inches from Liam's. "You don't know? Talking about that dungeon is forbidden! It will get you jailed for years. I know you didn't know, but still. Why do you want to go there?"
Liam met the man's intense gaze without flinching. "My name is Liam. And for what you think, like everyone else. For money."
The man studied him for a long moment, then a slow grin spread across his face. He stepped back, his posture relaxing. "Money, huh? Good answer." He gestured deeper into the alley. "Then let me introduce you to our group." He raised his voice. "Come on out, guys!"
Three figures emerged from the deeper shadows, their forms coalescing into view.
"I'm Kaelen," the man said, puffing out his chest. "And this is my crew." He pointed to a broad-shouldered young man built like a fortress. "This is Garrus. He's our shielder. He can shield us when we get attacked; believe me, the man's a beast."
He then gestured to a graceful woman with sharp, intelligent eyes. "That's Seraphina. She's our magic caster. Got a telekinesis power that can stop a charging boar in its tracks."
His eyes shifted to the final woman, who leaned against the wall with a coiled, predatory energy. Her muscles were lean and defined, and she moved with a dangerous grace. "And this is Zarya. She's a warrior. Fights like a jaguar; her physical skill is out of this world."
Kaelen clapped his hands together. "And myself, I'm the face of the group and the attacker. The first line. We need three more people to round out the party: one healer and two fighters. We'll go after we recruit them. A good healer is hard to find these days. So, what are you? What's your magic?"
Liam allowed a small, confident smile to touch his lips. "Do you believe me if I say I'm the best healer you've ever seen?"
Kaelen snorted, unconvinced. He pulled a wicked-looking knife from his belt and, without hesitation, drew it sharply across his own palm, opening a deep, bloody gash. He thrust his hand towards Liam. "Okay. Fix me."
Liam stepped forward and placed his hand over Kaelen's. A soft, emerald light pulsed from his palm. The group watched, stunned, as the wound knitted itself shut in seconds. When Liam pulled his hand away, there was no cut, no blood, not even a scar. It was as if the injury had never happened.
Kaelen stared at his perfectly healed hand, his jaw slack. "A healing... without even seeing the cut after... You're a good healer," he breathed, his voice filled with awe.
"I also have two warrior companions," Liam stated calmly. "I'll bring them with me."
Kaelen's eyes lit up. "Perfect! That's our full party!" He clapped Liam on the shoulder. "Tomorrow. We go to the dungeon tomorrow. Be ready with your companions. Meet us at the city's door, about 100 meters out. We'll regroup there. Goodbye for now."
The group melted back into the shadows, leaving Liam alone. He stood in the dark alley for a moment before issuing a simple command. "Come to me."
The air shimmered, and Nyx and Luna appeared before him, bowing in perfect unison. "Tomorrow, we will go," Liam informed them. "Both of you, be ready." You can hide your horns hide it
They bowed again and vanished as silently as they had arrived.
The next morning, the sun was bright as Kaelen's party waited at the designated spot. Soon, they saw three figures approaching. It was Liam, flanked by two women of such breathtaking, otherworldly beauty that both Kaelen and Garrus stopped breathing.
As they drew closer, Liam gestured to his companions. "This is Nyx, and this is Luna."
He then looked directly at the two stunned men. "And stay away from them," he said, his tone flat and serious. "I won't take responsibility for what happens if you don't. Don't fall for their beauty. They are killers."
The warning was lost on them. Kaelen and Garrus were completely mesmerized. "We don't care," Garrus stammered, his eyes wide. "I want to die by those hands."
Liam let out a short, unexpected laugh. The strange and deadly party was assembled. Together, they turned their backs on Oakhaven and began their journey toward the forbidden dungeon.