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

In the Depths of Bleak Falls: part 1

Aeyrie stepped tentatively into the dimly lit chamber, the soft crunch of shifting rocks and the occasional thud of falling soil accompanying her cautious steps. Her senses heightened at the steady drip of water as condensation trickled off the stone walls, every shadow seeming to hold a lurking threat, every creak of the ancient structure a potential danger. She moved forward, her thoughts a quiet prayer that no creature would emerge from the darkness to challenge their presence.

Despite the thick tension of their predicament, no foe came to meet them, not even when they had reached the altar well across the rushing mountain stream that had carved its way through the stone walls of the cavernous final chamber. Something felt wrong about this whole situation. Aeyrie could recall a vague memory, one from a distant life she had once lived—a life where all that she now saw around her was, in fact, just a game.

The thought seemed absurd, but the memory persisted, casting doubt. Had WINNIE been lying to them? Or were the memories of these two different lives blurring together so much that she could no longer distinguish which was truth and which was merely a dream? In the memory dancing through her mind, she knew there was a final battle to be fought in this chamber, yet the details eluded her.

Unable to recall how to begin this last fight, Aeyrie motioned for Loche and the others to come closer. "Aeyrie, what's wrong?" Jenassa asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"It's nothing," Aeyrie lied, determined not to frighten her companions unless absolutely necessary. "I only meant to say we should search the chamber for the stone."

Uthgerd responded with a curt, "Aye," and the group began their search, unaware of the internal struggle Aeyrie faced.

From where she now stood, Aeyrie could see a raised stone platform to her left and the low trench where the stream rushed to her right. In front of her, beyond a wall connected to the platform, appeared to be another section of the chamber. "Jenassa, you and Loche should search behind the stone wall. Uthgerd and I will search the platform," Aeyrie suggested.

Loche nodded in agreement, "We'll meet you on the platform when we're done," he reassured her before he and Jenassa climbed the rocky slope that led behind the wall, disappearing from view.

Aeyrie exchanged a nod with Uthgerd, and together they ascended the steps of the platform. At the top, they found a lone chest, an embalming tool table, and a sarcophagus carved from black stone, its surface devoid of any identifiable features. Yet, something else caught Aeyrie's attention—a low, chanting whisper, almost like a hiss, echoed through the air.

"Do you hear that?" Aeyrie asked Uthgerd, turning around in search of the source of the whisper.

"I hear nothing but the whistle of the breeze from the collapsed ceiling above," Uthgerd replied earnestly. Aeyrie paused, listening to the faint sound of the breeze that Uthgerd mentioned, but it wasn't what she was hearing.

Her eyes were drawn to the wall, where she noticed the faint glow of runes, similar to those at the entrance of Bleak Falls Barrow. As she slowly approached, the whispers grew louder, more insistent. When she was within arm's length, her hand reached out almost involuntarily, fingertips brushing against the carved stone. She expected it to be cold, but instead, the stone was warm, as if a fire had been burning beside it for some time.

The moment her fingers made contact with the runes, a powerful wind rushed—not at her but into her. Aeyrie felt an overwhelming surge of power rise within her, as the wind and chanting filled her body, making her feel stronger than she ever had. But then, as quickly as it began, it ceased. Aeyrie collapsed, her padded knees striking the stone floor with enough force to hurt despite the protection they provided.