Arvandor

A Common Adversary

The battle against the cultists had left the clearing quiet, but the air remained thick with tension. The dark artifact on the altar still pulsed with a malevolent glow, and the scroll in Seraphis' hand revealed grim truths about the Lich cult's intentions. As Kaelan and the others prepared to leave, something in the atmosphere shifted—a subtle, almost imperceptible ripple of magic that made the hairs on the back of Kaelan's neck stand on end.

"We're not alone," Talia muttered, her hand drifting instinctively toward her blade.

Kaelan's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, his senses sharp. He scanned the tree line, his eyes narrowing as he spotted movement in the shadows. A figure stepped out from behind a towering oak, cloaked in darkness, yet radiating a palpable aura of power.

The woman was tall, her long, raven-black hair cascading down her back. Her skin was pale, almost ethereal, and her eyes glowed with an unnatural light—pale violet, like the sky at dusk. She moved with an otherworldly grace, her black and purple robes billowing slightly in the breeze, and Kaelan could feel the weight of her gaze as it settled on him and his companions.

"A warlock," Draxor growled, his warhammer half-raised. "Be on your guard."

Kaelan didn't need the warning. He could feel the dark magic emanating from her, wrapping around her like a cloak. Warlocks were powerful, but their magic often came with a price—pacts with dangerous entities from beyond the mortal plane. Whoever this woman was, she was bound to something ancient and dangerous.

The woman raised her hands in a gesture of peace. "I mean you no harm," she said, her voice soft yet carrying the weight of authority. "I've been watching you."

Seraphis raised an eyebrow, their expression a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "Have you now? Well, you must be quite entertained."

The woman ignored Seraphis' quip and turned her attention to Kaelan. "I saw your battle with the cultists. It seems we have a common enemy."

Kaelan didn't lower his sword. "Who are you?"

"My name is Elyra," she said, stepping closer, her eyes glowing faintly in the dim light of the clearing. "I am a Warlock, bound by a pact to a powerful Fey. I've been tracking the movements of the Lich cult for some time now. They threaten not just this world, but the fabric of all the planes."

Draxor's eyes narrowed. "And what interest does a Fey-bound Warlock have in stopping the Lich? Your kind isn't exactly known for altruism."

Elyra's gaze flicked toward Draxor, her expression unreadable. "I have no love for the Lich or his cult. Their plan to collapse the planes threatens everything, including the Fey realm. My patron—like myself—seeks to preserve the balance between worlds. If the Lich succeeds, the chaos will consume us all."

Talia crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing as she studied Elyra. "And you've just been... watching us? Why?"

"I wanted to see if you were worthy of trust," Elyra replied calmly. "The cult is a dangerous enemy, and not everyone who opposes them is noble. But now that I've seen you fight, I can tell you're not aligned with the forces of chaos."

"Not aligned with chaos," Seraphis echoed with a grin. "What a glowing recommendation."

Kaelan's eyes remained fixed on Elyra, his mind racing. She was clearly powerful, and her knowledge of the planes could prove invaluable. But warlocks were not to be trusted lightly, especially those bound to Fey entities. The Fey were known for their trickery and hidden agendas, and Kaelan had no desire to become entangled in someone else's dark bargain.

"You say you want to stop the Lich," Kaelan said, his voice firm. "But why should we trust you? Warlocks don't make pacts with benevolent beings."

Elyra met his gaze, her expression steady. "I don't ask for your trust, only for the chance to prove myself. You're searching for the Shattered Key, are you not? I know of its power, and I know where it can be found."

Kaelan's heart skipped a beat. "You know where the Shattered Key is?"

"Not exactly," Elyra admitted. "But I know more than most. The Key was broken into fragments and scattered across the planes. You've already encountered the Lich cult, which means you're on the right path. But the cultists aren't the only ones hunting for the Key. Other forces are moving, and if you're going to find it before they do, you'll need someone who understands the complexities of planar magic."

Kaelan glanced at Talia and Draxor, gauging their reactions. Talia looked skeptical, her hand still resting on her blade, but Draxor's expression had softened slightly. Seraphis, as usual, seemed amused by the entire situation, their eyes flicking between Elyra and the rest of the group with interest.

Kaelan hesitated. There was no denying the danger Elyra represented—her connection to the Fey, her mastery of dark magic—but there was also no denying that they needed help. The cultists were growing bolder, and if they were going to find the Shattered Key before the Lich cult, they would need someone with Elyra's knowledge.

After a long moment, Kaelan finally spoke. "We're trying to close the rifts. If you're serious about stopping the Lich, you can join us. But know this—if you betray us, there will be consequences."

Elyra inclined her head, her violet eyes glowing faintly. "I understand. You have my word—I will help you, and together we will stop the Lich."

Talia remained silent, her eyes still fixed on Elyra, but Kaelan could see the tension in her shoulders. She didn't trust the Warlock, and neither did he, not fully. But they were running out of options, and they couldn't afford to turn away someone who might hold the key to saving their world.

Draxor, always the pragmatic one, spoke next. "If your knowledge is as valuable as you claim, we'll need it. But remember this, Warlock—if your Fey patron has other plans, we will not hesitate to strike you down."

Elyra's lips curled into a faint smile. "I would expect nothing less."

Seraphis clapped their hands together, breaking the tension. "Well, isn't this delightful? Another mysterious ally joins our merry band. It's almost like fate, isn't it?"

Kaelan ignored Seraphis' playful tone and turned to Elyra. "What can you tell us about the temple ahead?"

Elyra's expression grew more serious. "The Temple of Ashra is ancient, older than any other structure in this region. It was built by a sect of scholars who studied the balance between the planes. The temple's defenses are still active—wards, traps, and guardians designed to keep intruders out. You'll need someone who can navigate those defenses, and that's where I come in."

"And why haven't you gone in yourself?" Talia asked, her suspicion still evident.

Elyra's smile faded slightly. "Because the temple is warded against certain kinds of magic. My connection to the Fey would be detected instantly if I entered alone. But with you, I can suppress those wards long enough to help us get inside."

Kaelan considered her words. She was offering to guide them through the temple, to use her magic to disable the defenses. It was exactly what they needed, and yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that Elyra's true motives were still hidden behind her calm demeanor.

But there was no time to dwell on his doubts. The Lich cult was growing stronger by the day, and they couldn't afford to waste any more time.

"Fine," Kaelan said at last. "You're with us. But we'll be watching you, Elyra. One wrong move, and you'll regret it."

Elyra's smile returned, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

With their newest ally now by their side, the group turned their attention back to the path ahead. The temple loomed in the distance, its ancient stone walls barely visible through the thickening mist. Whatever trials awaited them inside, Kaelan knew they would need every ounce of strength, skill, and magic they could muster.

And as they moved forward, Elyra's presence lingered at the edge of his mind—a reminder that in this world of broken planes and shifting alliances, nothing was ever as it seemed.