Following the destruction of Eldergrove, Kael and Elira had escaped, hearts laden but alive. Their journey took them to Tarenport, a tiny thriving city constructed where humans, elves, and dwarves freely bartered. The market streets throbbed to the sound of blacksmiths clanging, merchants calling, and children laughing without a care for the terrors of the world beyond.
As the siblings navigated the cobble streets, Kael and Elira were accidentally parted by a sudden market brawl. Kael, attempting to stop it, was dragged out of the way by an inquisitive elf—Lyrielle Faelwen—who was observing the magical presence of the city limits. While Elira was confronted by a hooded figure standing in the shadows—Azrak Thorne, a half-demon whose smirk was both menacing and playful.
The first encounter was strained: Kael questioning Lyrielle's serene, mirthful attitude and Elira suspicious of Azrak's snide, clever comments. But circumstances compelled them to work together when a small monster riot in the city squares put civilians at risk.
Kael's sword flashed, Lyrielle's staff conjured fire and wind, Elira's defensive spells protected civilians, and Azrak's shadow daggers cut with deadly efficiency. In the end, the monsters were defeated, and the four saw that, though different, they were greater together.
The four made their way to the Tarenport Adventurer's Guild, its stonework grand and imposing with its banners of countless adventurers and victories past.
"Welcome," the guild receptionist greeted them, handing them official adventurer badges. "You'll be needing those to enter dungeons and obtain quests. I hear there's a dungeon close by… one even underground in the city."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "An underground dungeon?"
Lyrielle's eyes sparkled. "Underground ruins tend to house forgotten relics and magical items. This could be worth its weight in gold for our training—and staying alive."
Azrak grinned. "And perhaps an opportunity to try my mettle against something a bit. tougher."
Elira, always prudent, hesitated. "We don't know what we'll find down there. Are we ready?"
Kael put a hand on her shoulder. "We'll be alright. Together, we can do this.
The party descended a hidden stairway, the air growing colder and damper with each step. Faint glowing moss clung to the walls, illuminating carvings depicting ancient battles between humans, elves, and monsters.
The entrance was deceptively simple, but Lyrielle immediately noticed faint magical runes etched along the archway. "Traps… definitely traps," she murmured. "We'll need to be careful."
Azrak probed the shadows, his senses heightened against the slightest magical auras. "Yeah. Danger all around. Standard dungeon fare. Just don't lag behind."
Thargrim may have been smug—but today the four of them had to depend on one another alone, as they delved deeper into a labyrinth of corridors, concealed doors, and decaying chambers.
The dungeon became darker and more sinister. Rusted iron spikes protruded from walls and floors, pressure plates promised poison darts, and faint whispers seemed to seep from the stone walls.
Kael took the lead, sword ready, stepping cautiously to miss concealed mechanisms. "Watch the floor—step carefully. Lyrielle, decipher those runes. Elira, ready protective wards. Azrak, shadows first—clear the blind spots."
A clicking sound was heard suddenly as Kael landed on a pressure plate. Arrows fired out in a burst from hidden wall slots. Kael rolled on, knocking one away with his sword, and Azrak's shadow magic deflected another, leaving the rest a path. Elira quickly chanted a barrier spell, shoving more projectiles aside, and Lyrielle had a small gust to send a last arrow safely into the wall.
The party paused, breathing heavily, and shared a glance. "Good work," Kael said. "We'll need that coordination later."