Kai narrowly dodged the axe; ducking behind a felled pillar. I hate undead, he drew his blade. Swift as a shadow, he leaped over his cover. Driving the dagger through the zombie orc’s skull. He released his grip and readied his bow. Three more reanimated corpses shambled his way.

Nocking an arrow, Kai pulled back the string. Letting an arrow fly. As it burrowed into the chest of its intended target, the arrow burst into a spray of sparks. One of the enchanted arrows Torrik had managed to get his hands on ignited the rotten flesh. The remaining foes paused. Having enough cognitive ability to understand what happened. Giving Kai the time he needed to rush in close. Severing the head of what had once been an elf with a single well-timed slash.

Groaning, the remaining zombie—who seemed to have once been human—slammed a heavy wooden club between his shoulders. Forcing Kai to the ground. Air knocked from his lungs. Stunned, Kai quietly accepted his fate.

A crunch of bone echoed through the chamber. But there had been no pain. It hadn’t been his bone to shatter. Something about his weight lay across his back, and the smell of decay followed close behind. Bile threatened to escape as he pushed the thing off him. Rolling on his back, he found his sister hovering over him. Hand firmly gripping the head of his assailant.

“Thank you, sister,” he reached out a hand. Hoping she would help him to his feet. Vivian smiled, tossing the head over her shoulder before walking away. Kai rolled his eyes, “Cold, sister. Even for you.”

“You were the one who said you could handle yourself,” she reminded him.

He looked around the room as he climbed to his feet. Half a dozen undead scattered across the floor. “I’d say five out of six is a good record,” Kai collected his dagger from the orc. “Did you find anything?”

“Sadly,” she replied. Torrik found his way up the stairs as she did. Followed closely by a Brimborne. “We found him.”

The demon spawn bowed, “Pleased, you may call me Lucian. Champion of the Weaver and guardian of this place.”

“Not doing a good job,” scoffed Kai. “Your dead are rising.” Kai wandered to his twin’s side. Pulling her into a huddle as to talk privately, “Please tell me you have a good reason for bringing him along.”

“He claims there is a demon, brother,” Vivian smiled. She looked relieved as she spoke. “Jorn’s men tricked him, and he claims they may have unleashed the thing while trying to claim the Eye.”

Kai glanced over to Lucian for a moment. Returning his attention to his sister shortly after, “Besides him?”

“Yes, as in an actual demon. We might not be safe here, brother.”

“Agreed.” Pain pulsed through Kai’s chest as his airways narrowed; numbness overtook his arm. Forcing him to the ground heaving. A cold sweat dotted his brow in response to a feverish heat overtaking him

“Brother!” Vivian was unable to hold back her scream. Drawing the attention of Torrik and Lucian. The dwarf ran to Vivian’s side. She stared daggers at the warrior, “He needs a potion, now!”

“That won’t help,” Torrik pushed her back. Giving Kai room to breathe. “He’s not hurt, it’s that damn curse.”

“Retrieve the Eye,” a raspy whisper flooded Kai’s mind.

I intend to, he replied with a thought. Clutching his shoulder, nails threatening to tear away the fabric of his shirt. I obey. Gradually, the pain began to fade. However, the bile he’d managed to stomach moments ago found its way free.

“You say he is cursed?” Lucian’s interest piqued now that things had calmed down.

“I don’t think that’s your business,” Torrik said with a grunt. “And I don’t see any demon.”

“It’s alright,” Kai wiped spit from the corners of his mouth. “He can know about the curse. Nothing worth hiding anyway.” It was Vivian who told the story of why they were on Karo. Kai noticed his twin left out the part where they were after the Eye themselves. He trusted his sister’s judgment there. With how little time they’d known Lucian, it was best not to feed him more information than they needed to. When his sister finished, Kai climbed to his feet, “Now, about this demon. Can we kill it?”

“Anything can die,” Lucian mused, “but I’m not sure how we would go about this.”

“Do you know anything about the demon?” Vivian asked. “Species, abilities; anything would be useful.”

“I only know it exists,” Lucian confirmed. “It has been locked inside the vault since before my grandfather. And I hoped to never meet the demon myself.” The more they spoke, the less useful Kai found the Brimborne to be. If his sister hadn’t said he would be useful, Kai would have already suggested abandoning him.

Now that the undead weren’t after him, Kai examined the room. It was much like the entrance of the temple. Nothing truly stood out. No visible pathways beyond the way they had come. Unlike the entrance, there was no effigy of the Weaver. Sections of the wall had been hollowed out to hold coffins. Most of them had been empty. A fact Kai was thankful for as he once more looked over the dead.

I doubt we need blood to get beyond this point. His eyes then fell on Lucian, Perhaps you will have a use. “Demon,” he addressed the Brimborne, “can you show us the way to the vault?”

“Brother, show some manners,” Vivian scolded. “Sorry, he’s usually not like this.”

Kai furrowed his brow, “I’ll be polite once our job is done. I want this curse off me, and it seems I’ll need to fight a demon to do so.”

“Right,” Vivian withdrew her protest. A look of disappointment upon her face. One that was mirrored by her twin.

Lucian hadn’t seemed affected by Kai’s words, “Of course, I am the humble servant of the Weaver. I know each and every passage within the walls of her temple.” The Brimborne stepped closer to Kai. His striking features and soothing voice brought red to the archer’s face. And without his cloak, Kai was unable to hide from the world until he regained composure. Lucian smiled at this, “And if aiding your group shall get Aranea scum far from me, then I see no reason to leave you stranded.”

Lucian stepped away with a flick of his tail. “Plus, I owe your dear sister and dwarf for freeing me.” He watched the Brimborne make his way across the room. Having forgotten his sister had been standing right there.

Vivian broke him from his daze, “Careful now, brother. Don’t break a priest’s heart over a demon.”

Kai shifted his gaze to his feet, “I would never, sister. I was just caught off guard.” It took a moment, but Kai eventually noticed the smirk on his twin’s face. She had known there was no emotional pull towards the Brimborne, but she had noticed his physical attraction. She’d always been able to read him when it came to those matters. And he hated it.

Vermilion Wing followed the Brimborne to a section of wall nestled between two curved pillars. “And here is our way up.” Like a phantom, he slipped through the stone. The twins gave each other a look, Kai stepping through first. It had been nothing more than an illusion. Soon everyone had piled on the platform from which the next staircase climbed up the tower. Footsteps echoed in the narrow passage.

He was unsure why, seeing as the Brimborne had chosen to help them. But Kai felt as though he couldn’t trust Lucian. He was too willing to help them. Had his sister done something to gain the Weaver’s champion’s favor?

“I’ll be the first to say it,” Torrik broke the silence, “I don’t care for this place. Too many puzzles.”

Lucian seemed to be amused by that, “Oh, my dear dwarf. There are places far worse than here. Why, I recall a dungeon I once ventured into. Had to find and arrange four monkey statues hidden within a labyrinth.”

“Best we avoid that place,” Torrik barked to the twins.

“We’ll try,” Kai humored Torrik. He then saw his sister move on ahead. Deciding to walk at Lucian's side. What are you doing, sister?

“Are you a priest of the Weaver?” Vivian asked. Changing the cadence of her voice to a flirty tone. “Must be lonely, worshipping death. Living with corpses.”

“Lonely,” Lucian chuckled. “No, not quite. Not so long as I have my brother.”

“And where is this brother of yours?” Kai interrupted.

Lucian briefly looked back at him, a smile on his face. As he faced forward, Lucian shrugged, “Ran off not too long before those Aranea scum tricked me.”

“So, you were abandoned,” Kai laughed. “Betrayed by your own flesh.”

“Brother!” Vivian turned to her twin. “What has gotten into you lately?” Kai remained silent. “Lucian is helping us and you have been uncooperative with him.”

“No offense,” Kai addressed Lucian. “I just find it hard to trust there’s something you aren’t telling us. Your willingness to help us, it feels unearned.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“I cannot fault you for being suspicious,” Lucian laughed. “We have only just met. But I mean you no harm. Your sister tells me you were hired to collect the spider’s men. I want them out of this temple, so we have a common goal. Do I need more reason than that?”

With a grunt, Kai moved forward. Pushing past his sister and Lucian. Why do I distrust him? As he climbed the stairs, Kai could feel the spider mark on his shoulder pulse. Kai could feel it. Their target—the Eye, it was close. “I’ll go the rest of the way alone,” he stopped in his tracks. Confusing everyone.

“They want the Eye for themselves,” the voice returned to his mind. “Stop them!”

Pivoting, he aimed his bow toward his comrades. Arrow at the ready, “I’ll complete the quest on my own. Everyone just stay back.” As he drew back the string, the arrowhead came to life with an icy light.

“You dare aim your bow at me?” Vivian raised her voice. “Of all the things you’ve done, this has to be the stupidest. If you attack me, brother, I won’t go easy on you.”

“I,” Kai stammered out. Arms shaking as he lowered his weapon. Light dying from the end of his arrow. Kai tucked away the tools, “I’m sorry. I-I don’t know what came over me.”

“It’s got to be that curse,” Torrik barked. “It’s messing with his head. Kai might be a bit of a loner, but I know he’d never pull his weapon on any of us.”

“Well, he better get it under control,” huffed Vivian. “He’s stuck with it until we get back to Jorn.”

“I’ll try,” Kai sighed. He placed a hand over his shoulder. As they neared the object Jorn desired, the curse poisoned him more and more. Soon he would have no choice but to obey. “Sister,” Kai continued his ascent, “next time, don’t try and reason with me. If you hesitate, it will make me kill you.”

Vivian failed to hold in her laugh, “Please, as if you—”

“Sister, promise me.”

“Of course, brother. If you dare to turn on us, I will take you down first.”

“Then we have nothing to worry about. Let’s get this over with.”

“What a strange bunch,” noted Lucian. “If my duties had not bound me to this place, I would quite like to venture with you.”

“Duty never stopped your brother,” Vivian reminded him. A smile in her voice.

“Hold on now,” Torrik protested. “We can’t just go around picking up strays.”

“We did you,” Vivian reminded him.

“But there wasn’t a reward involved then. Least, not one you ever shared with me. And I ain’t sharing mine with this fellow.”

“Now isn’t the time,” Kai turned back to them. “We’ll figure this out later. Because I think we’re at the vault.”

“Do it now!” the curse compelled Kai. Fighting the curse was not an option this time. His body moved on its own; charging the last section of stairs, stepping to the next floor alone.

He saw no demon. Only dozens of statues. Each one depicted an adventurer frozen in fear. No sign of the Eye or a vault. The curse hissed, The Brimborne lies!”

As the others caught up, Kai turned and grabbed Lucian. Taking him by the collar of his jerkin, “Where is the vault? And where is the demon?” Strong as an oak, Lucian remained silent. Cold eyes stared Kai down. Forcing him to release the Brimborne, “Sorry, I only mean to leave this place.”

“You should,” Lucian brushed his collar. “You should leave, and I shall help your companions complete their quest. Kai tried to tell him that would be impossible. But the words refused to leave his mouth. “I see,” Lucian understood right away. Vermilion Wing—alongside their unexpected ally inspected the room. Kai kept his distance from Lucian. Voices echoed in his mind. Tempting him to assault the Weaver’s servant. Distance was his only chance to quell the curse without violence.

Vivian had even taken his weapons from him. His twin would keep them safe while his mind was not his own. Kai yearned for his bow. Feeling naked without it. Sadly, he knew this was for the best. Unable to trust himself, he would rather remain unarmed.

“Your god has a unique sense of décor,” Torrik laughed. “Though the craftmanship is breathtaking.”

“She thanks you,” Lucian replied, “I believe. To be honest, no one understands the meaning of these statues. And no texts speak of them being commissioned.”

“A death artist favors terror,” Vivian spoke. “I see nothing unusual there.”

“Nothing unusual indeed,” Kai approached one of the statues. Examining it closer. It was an elven man. Based on the robes he wore, he was to be a wizard of some kind. Around his neck was a pendant depicting the sigil of the Deep-Watcher: a snake’s eye beneath a wave. Why would the Weaver house something like this? In his limited understanding, Kai had come to believe the gods all respected each other to a degree.

“Watch out!” bellowed his twin. Kai turned her way in time to spot a shadow swooping toward him. A Hair’s breadth later and Kai would have been too late to dodge. Assaulter harmlessly phasing through the stone wizard. Retaliating, Kai fired a volley of arrows after the strange creature. Cursing as each one effortlessly passed through without causing harm.

“We need to retreat,” Lucian said. Much to the protest of Torrik. “We cannot harm the shadow,” the Brimborne reminded the dwarf.

“Brother, now,” Vivian called out. Kai could feel as the curse fought him. It tried to lock him in place, urged him to stay put and continue the fight. In the end, he won out. The curse relented control to ensure his survival. As he reached the stairwell, Vivian smiled, “I thought for sure you would have stubbornly held your ground.”

“I wanted to,” he admitted. “Lucian, is that your demon?”

“No,” the Brimborne answered. “I have never seen a thing like that. And I have no way to stop it.”

“Mira would be useful right now,” Torrik groaned. “First thing I can fight in this forsaken place, and it’s immune to physical damage.”

“There’s more to worry about than the shadow,” Lucian said. Making sure to grab everyone’s attention. Corpses shambled up the stairs. “I cannot harm them. They were once my brethren. Followers of the Weaver. Take them out, but please try not to damage the dead too much. I would like to put them back to rest.”

“I’ll try,” Torrik sounded too happy to have something to fight. The dwarf charged down the stairs.

The shadow began to charge toward their group; Kai fired an arrow in desperation. As it sailed through the air, crystals of ice built upon the tip. The shadow seemed to be pained as the frozen edge grazed its incorporeal form. “The magic arrow,” Vivian celebrated. “Brother, how many of those do you have left?”

“Six,” he answered after releasing another enchanted arrow. This one setting fire before contact. Effortlessly dodged by the shadow.

“Please tell me that was number seven,” Vivian pushed passed her brother.

“It was. But what are you doing?”

“I’ll be your bait. Just kill it before it gets to me.” Vivian took off before Kai could raise any protests. He had to hope her plan would work.

Aim steady, Kai kept an arrow locked on his sister. Following as she weaved through the gathered statues. He could tell she was keeping an eye out for him as well. Making it out as though she were randomly dodging the shadow. When in fact, she was herding it. Doing her best to get it into Kai’s line of sight.

Kai fired the first of his remaining shots. His target took notice of the arrow and managed to dodge within a hair's breadth. The explosive spell attached shattered one of the statues to dust. His next three shots were just as easily dodged. The creature had started to come for Kai, but Vivian kept its attention by taunting the beast. As well as insulting her brother, referring to him as weak and a waste of time. If it weren’t being said to save his life, Kai might have felt insulted. Kai’s next arrow managed to make contact. Ripping a hole through the shadow with a vortex of high-speed winds.

Desperate, the creature charged for Vivian at greater speeds than they’d seen it move before. Kai readied his final arrow. Heartbeat pounded in his ears; his thoughts racing. He took a deep breath and focused only on his target. Drowning out his thoughts.

Bowstring reverberating; Kai unleashed his attack. Lightning streaked through the space between him and the shadow. Shrieks of pain echoed as the creature erupted into smoke and ash. His sister’s plan had worked. Kai knew it best to leave out the part where he had been unsure it would.

Celebrations were cut short as another shadow slipped from the wall behind Vivian. Quicker than Kai could warn her, the thing slipped into her body. Seconds later, it burst from her chest as it burned away into golden embers. Leaving both twins shocked and speechless.

Kai nearly jumped from his skin as a hand touched his back. It was Torrik. A wide grin plastered upon the dwarf’s face. “The undead are just regular dead again,” Torrik said. Pleased to show off his handiwork. “Did you get the shadow?”

“We did,” Kai answered. Choosing not to disclose the second one. What happened with Vivian? His sister knew no magic. None that he was aware of. And from her face, none she was aware of either. Both Lucian and Torrik stepped back into the room filled with statues. Vivian slipped between them to meet her brother on the stairs.

“How did you kill it?” Kai questioned.

“How should I know?” Vivian admitted. “One second I felt frozen, then an explosion of heat, and that thing jumps out of me.”

“Do you think—”

“—It’s related to the strange feeling we’ve felt? No, I don’t think so.”

“Do you want to tell the others?”

“I’m afraid to,” Vivian said. Her voice seemed to tremble as she spoke. “I don’t understand what happened, and I’m scared the answer won’t be good.”

“Then it’s our secret.”

“Our secret,” she agreed. Smiling at her brother. “Well, let’s get this job over with.”

“Wait,” Kai grabbed her arm. “I want you to have this.” Kai fished the page from his boot. Handing it over to Vivian, “It’s better for you to have it.”

“And this is?”

“Something that might save us.” He made his way back into the room. Finding himself once more inspecting the Deep-Watcher wizard. That was when he noticed. “Fuck, he said a bit louder than intended. Drawing the attention of everyone there. No use in hiding what he found, “This isn’t a statue. I don’t think any of them are. Unless these were commissioned by the Syndicate.”

Vivian strolled over, “Why do you say tha—” It was difficult to notice at first. Until you knew what you were looking for. At the collarbone of the statue, one could make out the same mark that Kai bore. The elf wore the symbol of Aranea. It was one of those who went missing.

Kai looked in Lucian’s direction, “Something turned them into stone. How is that possible?”

“They must have failed to solve the puzzle” Lucian said. He made his way to Kai’s side. Around the wizards wrist was a chain from which a purple gemstone hung. Unaffected by whatever had turned them to stone. Lucian took hold of the gem and ripped it free, “You are free to return to your employer. You found the others he sent. Your mission is complete.” The Brimborne then switched his focus to Vivian, unless of course, you have not told me everything.”

“Come brother,” Vivian replied, “we should let Jorn know about this. I’m sure it will change the nature of our mission.” She was right. Jorn needed to know about the demon, and what had happened to his men. But more importantly, Kai knew returning would give them the chance to research the demon. Find out what could turn men to stone, and how to deal with such a beast. Then, he could return and collect the Eye.

“The Eye is near,” the curse whispered to him. “There is no turning back.” Spider threads spread out across his body. Taking hold of Kai far stronger than ever before. One continuous motion, Kai nocked his bow and took aim. Crimson tears streaked from Vivian as his arrow buried deep into her shoulder. Before he could ready his next arrow, Torrik and Lucian had him pinned to the ground.

“Let go of me,” Kai barked. Struggling against the two. “I have to claim the Eye.”

“So, there was more to your mission,” Lucian spat. “You’re just like the others, you wish to steal from the Weaver.”

“Only to help him,” Torrik rebutted. “So, he won’t do stuff like this.” Lucian took one of Kai’s daggers and pressed the blade to Torrik’s neck. Pressing the tip deep enough to draw blood, but went no further. “Kill me,” the dwarf laughed, “and he breaks free. And trust me, Kai’s a better fighter than you know.”

Lucian withdrew the dagger but did not return it to Kai. His attention then turned to Vivian. “The dwarf better know what he’s talking about.” The two pinning Kai down released him, and they agreed to continue their trek to the vault. Those words seemed to release the curse’s grip on Kai.

“Sister,” he ran to his twin’s side. She had already removed the arrow and drank a potion of healing. Her skin began to sew itself shut. “Sister, I’m sorry. You know I would never hurt you.”

“I know,” Vivian replied. Right before knocking the air from her brother’s lungs in a single punch. “But still, I can’t let that go unpunished.”

Kai wheezed, “Of course not, sister.”