The dawn broke over Thundertop with an unsettling stillness. Drakar and Elara spent the night poring over the items in the bag, trying to decipher the meaning. Drakar took a sip of his hot tea as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the tavern windows.
“We need to find out who sent this,” Drakar said, his voice determined. “And why.”
Elara nodded, her striking red hair catching the light. “Agreed. But first, let’s see if anyone in town knows anything about this ‘friend’.”
Their first stop was the market square, bustling with the morning’s activities. Drakar’s imposing figure and Elara’s confident stride drew attention as they entered the crowd. They approached a merchant known for his extensive network of contacts.
“Morning, Jareth,” Drakar greeted. “We need some information.”
Jareth looked up from his wares, his eyes narrowing. “Drakar, Elara. What brings you here so early?”
Drakar handed him the letter quietly.
As Jareth read the letter, his expression darkened. “I’ve heard whispers… of something dark stirring in the north.”
He furrowed his eyebrows. “People are disappearing, and lookouts have spotted strange creatures in the forests. This message—it’s a warning.”
“Do you know who might have sent it?” Elara asked.
Jareth shook his head. “No, but I’d start with your old friend, The Sage, Alaric. If anyone knows about this, it’s him.”
As they left the market square, Drakar felt the weight of the guitar axe, Brütal, on his back. It reminded him of his battles and the ones yet to come. He glanced at Elara, who returned his look with a determined nod.
Their path led them to the outskirts of Thundertop, where Alaric’s tower loomed against the sky. Ivy covered the ancient stone structure, and its windows glowed with an eerie light.
“Ready?” Drakar asked, ready to push the heavy wooden door.
“Always,” Elara replied, her fists glowing with magical energy.
Together, they pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside, the air thick with the scent of old books and mysterious potions.
The inside of Alaric’s tower was a maze of shelves. They overflowed with old books, strange objects, and jars filled with mystery. The scent of old parchment and incense filled the air, mingling with the glow of magical runes etched into the walls.
“Alaric!” Drakar called out, his voice echoing through the chamber. “We need to talk.”
A moment later, a figure emerged from the shadows. Alaric, the old sage, was a man of indeterminate age. His long white beard and piercing blue eyes gave him an aura of wisdom and power. He wore robes that shimmered with arcane energy and clutched a staff topped with a glowing crystal.
“Drakar, and Elara” Alaric greeted, his voice resonant. “What brings you two to my humble abode?”
Drakar took out the letter and handed it to the sage. “We received this message. The messenger died before he could explain further.”
Alaric’s eyes scanned the items, his expression growing grim. “This is no ordinary warning. It speaks of an ancient prophecy—the Awakening of the Dark One.”
Elara’s brow furrowed. “What does that mean?”
“The Dark One is a malevolent entity from the earliest days of creation,” Alaric paused
“Sealed away by the combined efforts of the ancient races, its return would bring chaos and destruction to our world. Only the four Relics of Light mentioned in the letter can stop the Awakening.”
“Where do we start?” Elara asked, exchanging glances with Drakar.
“The Crystal of Whispers can be found in the Forest of Whispers. But beware, for the forest is alive with magic, and it does not take kindly to intruders. After that, the relic will guide you to the next one.”
“Thank you, Alaric,” Drakar said, nodding his appreciation. “We’ll start our quest immediately.”
“Be careful. The path ahead is fraught with peril. I will call the companions, mighty warriors who hail from different parts of the realm, to come and assist you. Once you have the relics, come back here and we will ready our plan.” Alaric replied, his eyes filled with hope and concern.
As Drakar and Elara left the tower, burdened by the gravity of their mission. They knew the journey ahead would be dangerous, but the fate of their world depended on their success.
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