The cold pressed in on Justin as they prepared to leave. He stared across the icy expanse toward Nithral Island. Every instinct told him going there was a mistake. Yet here they were, breaking camp under the dark morning sky. They ate a quick meal before pushing their umiak into the water. The boat lurched as it hit the waves. Justin gripped the edge, steadying himself as he climbed in, joining the others.
Ryak took his place at the stern, directing them with quiet authority. “The way ahead will be difficult." His voice carried low over the sound of the sea. “Pace yourselves.”
With that warning, they pushed off from shore, the umiak carving a slow path through the icy water.
The group fell into a steady rhythm, muscles straining with each stroke. After a few minutes, Justin watched Ryak. “What exactly is waiting for us in this Vault? Do you really not know anything?”
Ryak glanced at him, his face as impassive as the winter sea. “We don't know what the Vault holds. As I've said, no one has ever come back." He paused, gaze fixed ahead as if searching the horizon. “Once we we make landfall, there can be no going back.”
Justin’s grip tightened on his paddle. Of course, he didn't like that answer, but what other choice did they have?
Wind whipped across the umiak, driving sleet into their faces. The sky darkened with heavy clouds. Each stroke became harder, the cold seeping through their gloves despite the enchantments. The island loomed ever larger, its rough shoreline an unforgiving mix of rock and ice.
Finally, Nithral Island rose before them in full. Sheer cliffs jutted up from the water, leading toward a high, glacier-capped mountain. The auroras above reflected off its surface in shifting hues of blue and green.
Ryak guided them into a narrow inlet flanked by massive boulders. They wrestled the umiak onto shore, wedging it between rocks to keep it sheltered from the wind.
They gathered their day packs, filled with a few days' provisions. Justin's carried some of the potions along with his scryer's lens. With the featherweight enchantment, he hardly felt the straps pressing into his shoulders.
Justin glanced around, taking in the eerie silence. The snow muffled all sound except for the hollow whistle of the wind weaving through rocks. No movement, no tracks—just ice and stone.
“This way,” Ryak said, his voice a murmur.
He started up a narrow path that wound between ice-encrusted rocks. They followed, feet crunching on the snow-packed trail, a natural path leading to the interior of the island. Justin cast wary glances around as they climbed. So far, there were no signs of any trouble.
At last, they reached the mouth of a crevice leading into the glacier. The passage was narrow, carved by time and the snowmelt of warmer seasons. Justin wondered how Ryak knew the way. Granted, the island wasn't large and this was the most obvious path.
But as the crevice opened up, it revealed the rocky, icy slope of the mountain. And opening before them was a cave, covered with a red glow.
Red. That was different. What could it mean?
Justin, as he often did when he wasn't sure of a situation, watched Eldrin. The Ranger's face was impassive, but he detected notes of unease.
They followed Ryak toward the opening. As they neared, Justin's interface blinked to life. A line of text appeared before him.
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Vault Discovered: The Star of Elara
Recommended Party Level: 35
Average Party Level: 11.75
Risk Level: Fatal! Survival chances are near zero. Enter at your peril.
Description: Long shrouded in myth, the Star of Elara is one of the most coveted relics of Eyrthian Legend. Known as the Sapphire Star, it houses the protective spirit of Alden the Brave. Alden sacrificed himself to shield Elara as they journeyed to his homeland. Grieved, Elara took the Star to bring news of his death to land of Kurath, from which Alden hailed.
But while traveling the Seraphims, a frost troll fell upon her. Using the power of the Star, she defeated the monster and arrived in Kurath. When she died of old age, Alden's kin buried the Star with her. The grave site bloomed with beautiful starflowers, no matter the weather.
Centuries ago, the deadly Ice Drake Vorthyrn robbed the grave of the Star. The drake terrorized the north, until it was bound to this cave by the famed Wizard, Sikander. He put a curse on the drake to sleep six hundred and sixty-six years. Or until someone worthy approached to claim the Star of Elara, whichever came first.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
To clear this Vault, your party must endure trials that will test its strength, resolve, and unity—and of course, to claim the Star of Elara. Elemental Wraiths are also bound to Vorthryn, guarding the terrible drake. Is any among you worthy to bear the Star of Elara?
Rewards Upon Completion:
—Experience: Scaled to party member level and individual contribution.
—Guaranteed Platinum-Level Weapon: For each party member.
—Guaranteed Gold-Level Leg Armor: For each party member.
—The Ice Drake’s Hoard: Valued at 10 Platinum Shards, divided amongst the party.
—A Selection of Rare Items: To be divided amongst the party.
—Permanent Rare Boon: For each party member.
—Chance for the Star of Elara: The ultimate reward, if one among the party proves worthy. This Ascendant-level artifact offers unmatched protection. The spirit of Alden within the Star grants a loyal and unyielding defense to those who carry it.
Do you accept the Vault’s challenge?
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Justin’s heart pounded as he read, eyes locked on the glowing text: Level 35. He’d never even imagined facing anything this high. The most challenging Vault they’d cleared so far was Level 17. And even then, they’d only made it through because Alistair had been there to carry them.
But here? They didn’t stand a chance.
His mind buzzed with panic, his gut screaming to turn back.
Eldrin was first to break the silence. "Care to explain this, Ryak?"
Ryak’s icy blue eyes softened for a brief moment. “I didn’t know it would be this dangerous. But my mind is set. My tribe needs this Vault cleared. Though this drake may be asleep, the Vault still twists the land and issues monsters. I will release you from your promise to help, given the danger. I would welcome it, but if you wish to brave the wilds alone, I hold no blame. I will attempt to clear it alone, if I must."
Justin shook his head. He believed Ryak, but that didn't stop him from being angry. This wasn’t about the loot, or the fact that the famed Star of Elara, lost for centuries, was within.
This was a suicide mission. Even if they fought with everything they had, there was no way they could survive long enough to reach the drake or the Star of Elara.
No rewards, no glory—only death.
"The Star of Elara," Lila said, her eyes wide. "That artifact is beyond value. Elara herself was from Daeloria, though it was at least a thousand years ago."
"It's not worth your life, Lila," Kargan said.
"Read the Vault Description," Lila said. "It says to clear this Vault, one of us must claim the Star of Elara. It says nothing about defeating the Ice Drake."
As Justin reread, he realized that this was true, in the strict sense. So far, every Vault description had held some sort of "clue" that helped out.
"Maybe," he allowed, "but that doesn't change the fact that it's Level 35. Even one of these Elemental Wraiths would be far stronger than anything we've faced so far. It's a gamble. One I'm not willing to make."
"I agree," Eldrin said. "Level 35 changes things. Even if none have escaped this island once setting foot upon it, it's still a better chance than walking into our deaths.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Ryak said. "Of course, you are free to decide."
"Why is the color of the Vault red?" Justin asked.
"It denotes that it is above Level 20," Eldrin explained. He then turned to Ryak. “This is your mission, not ours. I'm sorry to leave you here, but we must look after ourselves."
Ryak nodded, his face impassive. "I understand. The umiak, all the supplies...they're yours. I have everything I need in my own pack." His voice then took on a note of warning. "But remember what I said. Don't be surprised if something forces you back to the shores of this island."
"We'll take our chances," Eldrin said. "Good luck."
Justin shook his head. “Ryak, it’s not too late to come with us. Even you know this is suicide. If it's about money, I can offer you ten gold crowns if you lead us south of the Seraphims.”
The offer hung in the air, and for a moment, Justin thought he might actually accept it.
But in the end, he shook his head. “This isn’t about money, Southlander. If no one does anything, this Vault will be the end of us. For centuries, it has festered. At first, I thought its development was recent. But it's now clear it has been here a long time. Long has my tribe considered this place cursed. The fact that its issuing monsters tells me that the ice drake's curse is almost up. This Vorthyrn will awaken soon, and that has consequences far worse than any of us can imagine." He paused. "No, I will make this stand alone. If I die, then I will enter the Ether Realm and join my forefathers and my son, as a warrior should.”
Eldrin looked up at the sky. “We should be going now. The weather is turning.”
“Well, good luck,” Kargan said, though his tone seemed certain Ryak was going to his death.
Justin felt nervous turning his back on Ryak. The Cryomancer had attacked them upon their first meeting, after all. He could easily kill them.
But it was safer than joining him in his madness.
[Ryak has left the party.]
The words faded from view, but the weight of finality lingered. They turned their backs on the Vault, leaving Ryak alone with his impossible quest.
Yet as they hurried down the icy slope toward the shore, Justin’s gut twisted. The wind had picked up, stinging his face with flecks of frost, and the sky above churned with thick clouds. Ryak's warning that it would be impossible to escape returned to him. What if the weather made it impossible to paddle back to the mainland?
Within half an hour, they were back inside the icy inlet. They retrieved the umiak from its hidden spot and pushed it into the water.
“Stay alert,” Eldrin said. “Let’s head back to the shelter. We can reassess there.”
They paddled hard, muscles straining against the rough, ice-laden currents. Each stroke seemed like an uphill battle as the cold cut through their clothing. The wind grew fiercer, howling as it lashed across the inlet.
The weather was actually holding, for now. It was far too soon to celebrate, though.
But as it turned out, Ryak's warning wouldn’t manifest in the form of weather, but something far worse.
As they rounded a small iceberg, a shadow loomed out of the haze of snow falling from the sky. It was to their right, toward the west, and the sight of it made Justin's heart drop.
A ship, low and fast, was bearing down on them, about half a mile away. Its prow, wrapped in some sort of magical shield, cut through the forming ice with ease. Justin's eyes widened as a fireball arced from the bow. It blasted against a smaller iceberg, weakening it enough for the ship to split it in two.
Justin could make out figures on deck from which the magic was issuing. Mages.
Without needing to be told, even if it seemed impossible, Justin knew who it was.
Baron Valdrik.