A Tale of Could-be Heroes Book 1: Hero, Dragon, Elf

Into Bleak Falls: part 2

{ Author update: Some of the images used in these chapters were generated by yours truly on a site called Gencraft, others were saved from google images, most of if not all of the character representations seen for original characters AKA Calimon, Loche, Aeyrie. Are of my own creation and were generated on Gencraft. Other characters, like the ones featured in the original game were generated on Gencraft using character descriptions and different models available on that site. Some details I mentioned in my intro have changed and I will try to update that soon so that it matches with the story material. I also want to say thank you to everyone who has read the story so far, I hope you all are enjoying the story and I apologize that it has been slow getting started, and also for the delay in the release of my newest chapter. More chapters will be released, I ask only that you are patient with me as I have hit a few snags. With that out of the way let's get back to the story at hand.}

It was decided that Uthgerd and Jenassa would search the current chamber, which contained a table, a chest, and a few urns. Meanwhile, Loche and Aeyrie would continue down the stairs to survey the next chamber. As Aeyrie and Loche began their descent, there was a sudden, ominous creak from the ancient wood. The staircase, weakened by time, gave way beneath them with a deafening crack. They plummeted into the darkness below, landing with a loud, jarring oomph.

The dust from the collapse began to settle, and the faint sound of Jenassa's voice echoed from above. "Aeyrie, Loche? Are you alright?!"

Aeyrie pushed herself up, her breath coming in sharp bursts from the impact. She glanced at Loche, who was already on his feet, assessing their surroundings. Miraculously, their torches had not gone out in the fall.

"We're fine!" Aeyrie called back, her voice slightly strained but resolute. "Just a bit shaken. We'll need a moment to check out the area."

"Uthgerd and I will find a way down. Just stay where you are!" Jenassa's voice echoed from above.

"Got it," Loche replied, turning his attention back to the chamber.

Aeyrie retrieved her torch from the floor and joined Loche in exploring their new surroundings. Using the wall as a guide, Aeyrie soon bumped into a large stone brazier, positioned at waist height. The brazier was filled with a dark, viscous liquid that rippled with the draft moving through the chamber. Curious, Aeyrie dipped her fingers into the liquid, noting its slick texture but lack of detectable odor.

"Is this oil?" she wondered. With a deliberate motion, she brought the torch to the liquid's surface, igniting it instantly. The flame spread quickly, casting a warm glow throughout the chamber.

Encouraged by the newfound light, Aeyrie moved to the other brazier in the chamber, lighting it as well. Loche mirrored her actions, lighting the two braziers on the opposite side of the room. With four of the six braziers now ablaze, the chamber was thoroughly illuminated.

The illumination revealed a vast chamber adorned with intricate carvings on the stone walls, depicting the ancient history of the long-gone inhabitants. The floor was strewn with the bones of various rodents, both large and small, and even a few that appeared to be of human origin.

However, the most unsettling aspect of the chamber was the extensive spiderwebs that coated parts of the floor, walls, and ceilings. The webs glistened ominously in the torchlight, suggesting the presence of something far more menacing than just ancient relics.

Aeyrie's heart skipped a beat when she heard two soft thumps—the sound of feet landing against rotting wood. She turned to see Jenassa and Uthgerd emerging from the shadowed staircase, their forms becoming clearer as they approached where Aeyrie and Loche stood.

"We're here," Jenassa said, brushing dust from her shoulders. "Any trouble?"

"Just some unsettling sights," Aeyrie replied, gesturing to the spiderwebs and scattered bones. "We've got some light now, so we can explore further. But we should stay alert. This place feels... ominous."