As Kael finished explaining his plan, Emilia felt a surge of determination. She was ready to take action, to break the curse and free her family from its grasp.
"Let's get started," she said, her voice firm.
Kael nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "I'll gather the information we need on the artifacts. But first, we need to be careful. The darkness will be watching, waiting for us to make a move."
Emilia nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. "I have an idea. There's someone who might be able to help us. Someone who knows the ancient lore and might have information on the artifacts."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Who is it?"
Emilia hesitated, unsure if she should trust Kael with this information. But something about him made her feel like she could trust him. "Her name is Ariana. She's a scholar, a expert in ancient magic. But she's also...unpredictable."
Kael's expression turned thoughtful. "I think it's worth a try. Let's go see her."
Together, they set out to find Ariana, navigating the winding streets of the city. When they finally arrived at Ariana's shop, Emilia felt a sense of trepidation. What would Ariana say? Would she help them?
As they entered the shop, Ariana looked up from behind the counter, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Emilia! What brings you here?"
Emilia took a deep breath, explaining their plan to Ariana. The scholar listened intently, her expression growing more and more intrigued.
When Emilia finished, Ariana nodded thoughtfully. "I might have some information that can help you. But it won't be easy. Are you prepared for the challenges ahead?"
Kael stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Ariana's. "We're ready. We'll face whatever it takes to break the curse."
Ariana smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "I like your spirit. Let's get to work."
With Ariana's help, they began to gather the information they needed on the artifacts. Emilia felt a sense of hope rising within her. Maybe, just maybe, they could break the curse and free their families from its grasp.
But as they worked, Emilia couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that the darkness was waiting for them to make their next move.