The master spy or Puss in the boot adventures

The way of the ninja 31, Part 122

The name of the artifact echoed through the cavern, sending chills down Nightingale's spine. Shadow-cat exchanged a wary glance with his companions before revealing the truth."It is called the Eye of Night," he said hesitantly.

The bird screeched in horror and Nightingale could feel the weight of its words as it continued, "This is the most vile artifact one could seek."

"Why?" The princess spoke up, her voice trembling with determination.

"Because only evil mages and necromancers seek it," the bird explained. "It grants them dark powers, making them nearly unstoppable."

"But we seek it for a different purpose," the princess countered. "To destroy it."

The bird scoffed. "Impossible. The Eye of Night is indestructible."

"Not if we throw it into the Bottomless Pit," the princess exclaimed. "There is no return from there."

Shadow-cat added to her words, "We were on our way to do just that when we were ambushed by two powerful enemies - Solaris, a cunning wizard, and Nyx, an even more sinister necromancer. They stole the artifact and tried to use it for their own gain."

"A goblin then stole it from them," the princess  chimed in. "And we believe he is now hiding in Iron Mountain with the dark dwarves."

The bird shook its head. "The mountain is sealed off. The dwarves abandoned their old capital long ago."

"Do you know why?" The imp asked eagerly.

"Their greed and lust for power awakened an ancient evil within them," the bird revealed solemnly. "And the iron dwarfs became corrupted, turning into dark dwarves and retreating deeper into the mountain to harness the shadow power of this ancient evil."

The princess's voice trembled as she spoke, her hands clenched tightly in anticipation. "Can we find someone to read these ancient runes and open the entrance to the iron cave? We must retrieve the Eye of Night before it falls into the wrong hands."

But the bird's reply was grim. "It would be a daunting task, if not impossible. The sages who could decipher these symbols have long since perished...except..."

Ragnar leaned forward, desperate for any glimmer of hope. "Except what?"

"Except for necromancers," the bird whispered, its eyes glinting with malice. "They are former wizards and evil sages, reanimated from their graves. Some of them may possess the knowledge you seek, but why would they help you? Especially when they discover your true intentions to destroy the Eye of Night. The same artifact they are seeking themselves. 

A second rooster crowed outside and Ragnar felt a chill run down his spine.

"We must leave this palace immediately," Shadow-cat urged. "We have little time before dawn."

"But little bird," Mer-mer interjected, "we promised  your freedom. Will you join us on this perilous journey?"

The nightingale let out a bitter chirp. "I would rather be free than trapped in a golden cage."

With determination fueling their steps, Mer-mer led the way as they quietly slipped out of the palace doors.

Mer-mer led the way, silently opening the door as they slipped out into the garden. Suddenly, applause erupted from behind them and a figure stepped forward, clapping his hands mockingly.

"Well done, well done," he sneered. "But do you really think you can escape so easily?"

The group froze in fear as they realized they had been caught...

With a sinister grin, the king's evil gaze swept over the group as he spoke in a low, menacing voice. "Who do I see here?" His eyes settled on each of them with a cruel intensity. "The new slave girl and her false master, attempting to free their friends from my dungeon."

A gasp escaped the princess's lips as she realized what had happened. "But...how? I put a sleeping dust in your wine..."

"It was all just a game," the king taunted, relishing in his power over them. "Shall I tell you a little story?"

The necromancer behind him grew impatient, raising his staff in warning. But the king silenced him with a wave of his hand. "That can wait. They won't get away with anything."

Mer-mer and Shadow-cat frantically searched for any chance of escape but were met with impossible odds. Elite guardsmen surrounded them, swords at the ready, while archers stood on the battlements above. Next to the king stood the powerful necromancer, backed by several skeletal warriors armed with deadly curved swords. Above them circled a menacing skeleton bird, its shrill cries echoing through the throne room.

The king's twisted amusement continued as he revealed more about himself. "You remind me of when I was young, thieves like yourselves. But now I am the one who steals, and you will pay for your insolence."

 He motioned towards the throne room with a wicked smile. "Come now, wave to your new king and I will tell you my story. And as for your execution, it will be unforgettable." 

He turned his gaze to the princess. "And you, my beautiful creature, will be my slave - fulfilling my every desire."