"See anything?"

"Still nothing."

Synthia and Christoph continued to carefully proceed through the cavern, careful not to step on any firecrystals. The girl was still looking around in wonder.

"You'd think a place like this would be too unstable. Whole thing could blow up with the slightest disturbance like rocks falling from the ceiling."

Crushing another pellet, Christoph explained. "You're exactly right. If you look around, I'll bet you see areas that have blown up. That's just how dangerous these types of jobs were."

Snorting, Synthia said, "I've done worse jobs."

"Oh? And what would those be?"

"Private."

"Okay."

"Hey, wait... I think I see something."

She walked him over to the wall. "Whoooooa... look at the patterns on it!"

Christoph lit the lamp again, the light falling upon a circular groove containing a set of 12 runes inside of it. They were arranged to look like a clock face, each pointing to a different time of day. A set of instructions in old Hephaestus, the dwarven tongue, was in the middle which Christoph managed to decipher quite quickly.

"'The world does not belong to us, for we belong to the world. Take care where you step from here forward, unless you wish to be consumed.'"

"Hmm?"

"The literal translation sounds a bit more archaic, but that's the gist of it." Christoph chuckled. "How crude."

Taking out a knife, he nicked the side of his thumb and scraped it against the wall.

"What did you do that for!?"

"Just watch."

There was a rumbling as the door ground open, revealing a chamber on the other side. The compressed air inside rushed out, blowing over both of them. Sucking on his cut, Christoph brought his lamp up in front of him.

"'We belong to the world' huh? That can mean only one thing: blood payment."

They gingerly stepped forward. The room was about the size of a large Apeiran church. There were strange tiles all over with similar runes on them past a small divide in the floor. Looking at them, Christoph could discern they were also elvish. Given their layout, he could easily guess that you were meant to step on them in a specific order to safely cross. With a little bit of time, he could—

"It really is a hidden treasure room! Sweet!" Synthia stepped forward, not paying attention to the tiles.

"Wait!" Christoph made a grab for her, but it was too late. A click sounded as Synthia's boot hit the ground. A rattle of chains could be heard.

"Move!" He tackled her from behind, narrowly missing the massive bladed pendulum swinging down from the other side of the room. They fell on the ground, triggering another series of clicks.

Grunting, Christoph yanked her back up and sprinted for the end of the room where no more tiles lay in wait for them, all the while setting off more and more traps. Darts flew from hidden compartments in the walls, iron spears sprung up where the two had stepped just a minute before, fire spewed in from both sides of the room. Complete and utter chaos, all because Synthia hadn't payed attention to where she was going.

Yelling in effort the two dove for the end of the room, avoiding the last array of traps as they rolled to safety. Hearts beating in their ears, they looked back at the carnage they had left behind. The both of them were trying to catch their breath as Christoph began admonishing Synthia.

"Apeiros... that... hahhhh... that could've been bad... And this... is why... you need... to pay... attention!"

Wincing, Synthia sat up. "Sorry. Won't happen again."

Laughing miserably, Christoph sat up as well. "It's not like you even can let it happen again. I think we triggered every trap in the place. Hahahaha... Oh, God."

Standing up, he rubbed the shoulder that had hit the ground in their scramble across the room. Miraculously, the lamp hadn't broken in their rush. Picking it up, they could see that they were in front of a large stone door. On it was a mural depicting a figure in black robes wielding a whirling sceptre of dark energy in their left hand, other hand outstretched.

Synthia whistled while Christoph examined the runes below the painting. "Intense."

"Let's see... 'State your most...' uh, evil? No, wait, I think it means deepest, yeah... 'State your deepest desire and let a new world open itself to you.' Ah! That should be easy enough!"

He cleared his throat. "To stop the Dawn!"

Nothing.

"You sure it's just going to open because you ask it to?"

"Well, why don't you try?"

"I mean, I don't know. I want a million things. I could never guess what I wanted the most."

"Maybe my deepest desire, in this moment at least, is for you to stop almost getting me killed."

Still nothing. Synthia chuckled.

"Guess you can't hate me that much."

Christoph could only roll his eyes.

"In any case, it looks like opening this thing is going to be more—"

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

The emergency transmitter interrupted him. Both their eyes grew wide.

"Let's go!"

...

Iggy carefully snaked her arm back from the transmitter she'd activated in the car, dropping it to the bottom. With any luck, her companions would be back in just a few minutes, but until then...

"Impressive bike."

The stranger surveyed the zeitcycle, toying with the handlebars. They looked like small twigs in her hands.

"Very rare. Although I guess that type of car you're driving is pretty rare too."

She stood straight. "So you're sure what you and I are looking for aren't the same thing? That we just happened to end up in the same place?"

"Oh, yeah, the other guys are in there searching for firecrystals. We need them for a magic experiment in the capital. That's why we needed to take vehicles like this all the way out here."

Petting her horse, the woman stroked its mane with surprising gentleness. "Good. There may have been some problems if we'd come here for the same reasons."

Iggy kept her lips pursed, lest she blurt out another hasty lie. Sweat rolled down her brow. "One of those magical keystones, huh? Don't know how much stock there is in an old rumour like that. I mean, if it were true, wouldn't somebody have found it already?"

"Perhaps." The woman stopped stroking the horse. "You're well-off, aren't you?"

"Huh?"

"You're rich, is what I mean. It's the way you're dressed, the way you pose yourself, that overpowering perfume you use... it's impressive seeing somebody like you out this far. Normally, rich airheads prattle on about how they need to leave their homes but run back crying soon enough. Or am I wrong?"

Scowling, Iggy said, "Don't assume you know me after we've just met."

The woman barked with laughter, turning around with another grin. "I don't need to know or understand a thing. I can just tell. And you, Ms. Gardiner, are out of your depth. Go home, or you will regret it. Trust me."

"And if I don't?"

"Not my problem. It's just... a little advice."

"Iggy!"

Christoph came bursting out of the mine entrance, panting heavily. Synthia followed out from behind him. Both squinted as they adjusted to the sunlight.

"Convenient timing," the woman said.

"Well, it's not as if there's much to see in there. Just a bunch of firecrystals to be careful around." Christoph gently set the bag of pellets down by his bike.

"Mm. That so?"

The woman spared a glance for the smallest member of their group who was glaring at her defiantly, neck craned up.

"What're you looking at?"

"Who are you," Synthia enquired. She seemed just as tense as Iggy, if not more so.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Hmm? Oh, that's right."

Clearing her throat, the woman gave an extravagant bow. "Drea Atlas, sword for hire. The best in all of Edretica. And you two?"

"Christoph Pax, adventurer."

"Synthia, king of Styx and stones."

"You're still going on about that?"

Tilting her head, Drea brought a hand to her chin. "Don't you have to be a man to be a king?"

Synthia gave an impish smile. "Not in my book."

"... I see."

They faced off like that, one twice the size of the other. Drea's long, blonde hair flowed in the breeze while Synthia's robes did the same. The two were sizing each other up.

Hoping to defuse the growing tension, Christoph patted Synthia on the back. "Don't mind her. She doesn't usually get along with people. How long have you been here?"

"The question is, how long will you be?" Drea continued glaring at him. Her fist began clenching and unclenching, as if to let off some stress.

Christoph raised an eyebrow. "A day."

Looking at the mine entrance and then back to the group, Drea hoisted herself back up on her steed. "Good. Then I'll let you loot around for your firecrystals or whatever else for a day, and only a day. Then I ask that you leave. Don't worry, I'll be just around the bend waiting for you. Please, take what you need and be on your way."

She drew the reigns in her hands. "Although consider this parting advice a courtesy: Real treasure isn't hammered down. Better grab it if you think you can."

Nudging the horse forward, she trotted off, massive hooves clopping against the ground. Iggy let out the breath she was holding in when she was gone.

"I thought I was dead."

Christoph walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders. "You're fine now. With any luck, we won't get involved in a fight with her."

"Maybe," Synthia said. "She rubs me the wrong way."

Exhaling, Christoph agreed. "She means what she says. If we're going to grab that keystone, we need to figure out a way to do it. Preferably without setting off a million death traps."

"Oh dear, what did she do now?"

"He didn't even say it was me!"

"And it wasn't?" Iggy held a hand on her hips, glaring.

Wincing, Synthia dipped her head in defeat.

"Thought so."

"Enough chattering," Christoph said. "We need to get back in there. Iggy, you can still keep watch, but don't hesitate to call us back again."

And so they entered the mine again, hoping to find their desired prize.

...

Drea rode over to where she had set up camp with her mercenary band. They had pulled back to the other side of the rocky outcropping at the base of the mountain upon seeing them. Drea had decided to go on ahead and investigate, scoping out their competition.

Her friends were eagerly awaiting her.

"The boss is back!"

Crowding around her, they helped her get off her horse, Caraid.

"Madame, what were they like," an elf named Yurvin asked, his dirty nose twitching.

"Yeah, we've been dying to see," another said, this one a slouched human named Erik.

"Weak. We needn't concern ourselves with them. I doubt they'll be able to wield the Mioja even if they find it."

"Shame. Would've liked a good fight." Latanie, another human, stood tugging at the leather protective gear under her cuirass.

"We've been up and down this entire continent, fighting other mercenaries or criminals who get in our way," Drea said. She gave an arrogant grin. "I'm sure we'll find ourselves in another thrilling battle soon enough. We find this Mioja and I guarantee you our real journey is just beginning."

They gave hearty cheers, bumping shoulders and feeling in good spirits. All except for one: A stern, ebon-skinned dwarf named Hyfe. Her lightly creased features craned up at Drea's towering stature.

"Are you sure? It wouldn't do to have them steal it out from us. We should keep watch on them."

"Hmph." Drea tied Caraid to the hitching post they'd hammered into the ground. "Do as you wish, but I doubt it. Especially not that little mixed brat. There's no way."

...

Nighttime. Christoph, Iggy and Synthia had set up a campfire using old firewood stored in the abandoned lodging house. After a day of trying to crack open the chamber, they had yet to find success. Whatever Christoph said didn't work, and Synthia didn't have much success either. They were coping with their lack of headway with a steaming pot of stew hung over the fire.

"Dude, you are one hell of a cook." Synthia had to restrain herself from eating too fast.

"I agree," Iggy said, smiling with each sip she'd take. "The tastes have blended together wonderfully."

Christoph chuckled. "Stop, you're making me blush. When you're out travelling like this, knowing how to cook, and cook well, is necessary. And a hearty stew lifts your spirits like nothing else."

Once they finished, they passed time by talking.

"Putting that crazy woman aside, this is actually really exciting." Iggy stretched, her belly full.

"It's not all going to be waiting by the car," Christoph said. "You do know that, right?"

Iggy shrugged. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

Synthia was hugging her knees, staring at the fire.

Christoph leaned forward. "You're awfully quiet. For once."

"I keep thinking about that door," Synthia said. "And that Atlas woman."

"Yeah." Christoph crossed his legs. "We don't have a lot of time."

Synthia suddenly walked over to the car, rummaging in her bag. She came back with The Odyssey of the Seven Swords of Power.

"I've been thinking." She began flipping through it. "What do we even do when we find this keystone? I mean, I can't imagine we'll just pull it out of some stone and be on our merry way."

Christoph nodded. "It definitely won't be that easy. How much do you know about them?"

Synthia waved the book. "Only what's in here. But it's just a story. If what we're looking for is in that cave, it might need an extra step."

Iggy joined in. "Well, what does that book say about it?"

Synthia shook her head. "I've never been able to figure it out. The exact quote is... let me see—aha! Here."

She began reading. "'There are fewer paths to misery wrought in blood than there are in hubris. To take on this power, you must be strong in spirit, noble at heart and penitent to the greater order of Nelen. To pledge yourself when weak, when eager to horde power or place yourself at or above the forces that bind this world is to invite disaster into your home.' And on it goes, same nonsense. Oh, and apparently these keystones are usually called Mioja. Always though it was a cool name."

"Soooooo... it basically means don't be full of yourself?" Iggy frowned. "Well, I guess if you don't know you're a jerk, you'd pick up that keystone-Mioja thing and pay the price. Or something."

"Hmm..." Christoph looked at the fire, pensive. "I think... the Mioja have been discovered before."

"Huh?" Synthia put the book down. "What do you mean?"

"Being from here, you two wouldn't know, but every century or so, people make a big stir using these magical weapons." Christoph threw another log onto the fire. "They pop up again in different people's hands, ranging from warriors, to soldiers, kings, queens, adventurers, and especially criminals. And they're not mutually exclusive."

Synthia leaned closer. "So you're saying that the Mioja have already popped up throughout history?"

"That seems to be the case, in a lot of people's opinions including my own. But then an adventurer some fifteen years ago began gathering up these weapons. Got five total all to himself, more than anybody. He was travelling the whole world gathering them. And once he did, he just... disappeared. But if rumour is to be believed, this was the last place he visited. Add more gossip about some bizarre inscription inside the cave, and I decided to come hunting out here."

Iggy leaned back on her hands. "Mysterious. Who was the adventurer?"

Christoph smirked. "Another story for another time."

Groaning, Synthia hit the book against her forehead. "You are not about to be this lame right now, are you?"

He laughed. "Sorry, sorry. Couldn't resist doing that stupid 'I-will-not-reveal-relevant-information-just-because' schtick. His name was Odysseus, and he's one of the most legendary adventurers the world has ever seen. Got involved in wars, won a few, made some friends... I could go on forever, but you get the gist of it."

"Still, that's not a whole lot to go on," Iggy said. "If we find this thing, that really does mean everybody's going to be after us since it's that valuable."

"Correct."

"Yeah." Synthia tapped the book against her knee. "Whoever controls those keystones effectively controls the world, regardless of any time-controlling abilities. Anybody would want that."

Christoph nodded. But then his expression began to change, almost as if something had possessed him. It was a true eureka moment, the curious light in his eyes brighter than ever.

"Christoph?" Iggy asked. "Everything okay?"

"You're spacing out," Synthia added.

Christoph shook his head. "It's nothing. Just a random thought."

He continued to stare at the fire all night. He'd pitch in with conversation, laugh at and tell jokes, but he kept his eyes trained on that flickering flame the entire time.

Getting ready for bed, Synthia felt unease sit at the pit of her stomach. She couldn't quite tell why, but she began relaxing once Christoph said he could stand watch. He'd wake Synthia up when it was her turn.

She and Iggy rolled out their sleeping mats, pulled up the covers and after more bickering between the two, began to drift off.

...

Something was wrong. Or about to be.

Sitting up groggily, Synthia looked around. The stars still dotted the sky. Everything was as it had been when she had slept. All except for one thing: Christoph.

Nudging Iggy awake, Synthia stood up on her feet. She shook her head, trying to clear out any fatigue.

"Ughhh, what is it?"

"Iggy, Christoph's gone."

That caught her attention.

"... Gone? Do you think—"

"No, it wasn't that woman," Synthia said. "At least, I don't think so. If she took him, she probably would've taken us. Which means..."

Her golden eyes honed on the mine entrance. She helped Iggy to her feet. "He went back in. I think he figured out how to open that door."

"Why would he go on without you or me?"

"We'll ask him when we find him."

They made their way in, Iggy clinging to Synthia despite her apparent dislike for her. "You can see in the dark... right?"

"Yeah. So just stick by me."

"God, this creeps me out. Maybe you should go ahead—"

Synthia snorted. "Fine. Be a coward. Don't blame me if we die in there."

"Hey, hey! You can't say stuff like that!"

Managing to get the sheltered girl to trundle along after her, Synthia smirked. Guilt was one of the most effective coercion techniques there were.

Making their way down, the two entered the main cavern. A small light could be seen walking to the other side of the room where the secret chamber was.

"That's him, let's go!"

Gingerly making their way down the platforms, they heard a loud rumbling.

"He really did it," Synthia whispered. "He opened it."

Iggy grabbed Synthia's shoulder hard as they ran across the cavern floor. "Meaning he might've found the Mioja."

Arriving at the secret entrance safely using Synthia's night vision, the two girls looked inside. The massive door with the mural on it was open. Past it was Christoph on a dais, back facing them. The light from the lamp placed on the floor seemed to be sucked into the space directly in front of him.

Stepping on the already triggered tiles, the girls managed to see that the second secret chamber had a mural of different figures like the one on the outside on it amidst a whirling storm. They were fighting one another, blood spatters on the ground as they flung fire, water, hail and every Nelenly force imaginable at each other. It was pure chaos, yet above them all stood that same robed figure, throwing down blasts of Darkness.

Synthia called out to the adventurer. "Christoph? What are you doing?"

He didn't respond. His hand reached forward and with a grunt, he slid a one-handed sword out of a stone pedestal. It almost looked like one half of a larger weapon split in two, judging by the flat side of the handle. Yet what was most curious about it was it's blade; it appeared to be made out of solid Darkness. Even looking straight at it, it began to shimmer like a mirage, almost as if it were an illusion. Impermanent. Unpredictable.

Synthia tried again. "Christoph?"

Perking up, Christoph turned around. "Oh, it's you. Sorry about rushing ahead, I just thought of an idea on how to get past that door. And it worked."

Synthia and Iggy grinned, happy their goal had been completed. They stepped into the inner chamber to look closer at the weapon Christoph had obtained.

"So this is the sacred Mioja?" Iggy stroked her chin. "Certainly lives up to the hype. So I guess with that, our job's done here."

Christoph nodded. "So it would seem."

Synthia pumped her fist, although for some reason her heart wasn't really in it. Even the smile she gave felt forced. "Sweet! One mega powerful artifact down, five or six more to go!"

Christoph nodded, taking the lead. He picked up the lantern and made to walk out of the room.

A chill ran up Synthia's spine. This fear was what had been gnawing at her all night, and she could tell it was about to come to fruition. The disturbing mural didn't help matters.

"Chrisoph, wait!"

"Ugh!"

It was too late. The arm holding the sword began to twitch just before Christoph exited the chamber. Then it began to tremble.

"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Darkness from the weapon began crawling up his arm, and through it all an ear-splitting yell of agony pierced the room. Iggy staggered back, terror flooding her expression.

Synthia lunged forward, swatting the weapon out of Christoph's hand just as the Darkness reached his collar bone. It flew back to the dais, inserting itself back atop the pedestal with a BOOM! Synthia caught Christoph as he fell but not before noticing how mangled the right half of his body had become, although the damage didn't extend to his legs or face.

The door began to close, and Iggy yelled as she ran toward it, but it was too late. The entrance was once again sealed, trapping its inhabitants in a room filled with nothing but the light of one measly lamp and images of bloodshed.