Chapter 2 The Blade of Betrayal

Elara's hand tightened around the hilt of her sword, her eyes darting to Fen, whose face had hardened into a mask of steely resolve. The figures in the shadows stepped forward, revealing themselves fully. They were cloaked in black, their faces obscured by hoods, but their eyes glinted with menace.

The leader, standing at the front, took another step toward the altar. He was tall and slender, his voice dripping with smug authority. "You've traveled a long way to find this place. But whatever you seek in Valmor is no longer yours to take."

Elara kept her sword at the ready, but she didn't make a move just yet. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice calm but cold. "And how do you know my name?"

The man gave a mirthless chuckle. "You carry the blood of Valenor, the last of a dying line. Your family's connection to this cursed place is no secret to those who seek power, especially the kind of power that lies within these walls."

Elara's pulse quickened. This man knew far too much. Her family had gone to great lengths to hide their connection to Valmor, and yet here he was, naming her lineage like it was common knowledge. She knew then that they weren't the only ones seeking the forgotten power of Valmor.

"I won't ask again," Elara said, her grip tightening on her sword. "Who are you?"

The man's smile grew wider, though it didn't reach his eyes. "My name is Maren. And like you, I seek what lies within that box," he gestured toward the intricately carved chest on the altar behind them. "But unlike you, I know how to unlock its secrets. Hand it over, and you'll be spared."

Fen stepped forward, his sword raised. "We're not giving you anything. And I doubt sparing us was ever part of your plan."

Maren's smile faltered, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. "You think I need to bargain with you? This city is already under my control. You and your friend have nowhere to run."

Elara's mind raced. Maren's calm demeanor spoke of confidence that went beyond mere numbers. What else was he hiding?

"I don't care how many men you have, Maren," Elara said, standing her ground. "The power in this city wasn't meant for the likes of you."

Maren's eyes flashed with anger, his arrogance slipping for just a moment. "It wasn't meant for anyone. Not anymore."

Without warning, he gestured sharply to his men. The sound of steel echoed through the temple as they drew their swords. The flickering torchlight made their weapons gleam ominously.

"Elara, we need to move," Fen muttered, stepping closer to her.

"I know," she whispered, her eyes locking onto the box. There wasn't enough time to fight their way out and retrieve what they had come for. They had to be smart.

In a flash, Maren's men charged. Fen reacted instantly, his sword clashing with the nearest attacker. Elara's heart pounded as she ducked beneath a swinging blade, rolling to the side and coming up in a defensive stance. She moved with practiced precision, deflecting a blow aimed at her head and countering with a swift kick to her assailant's ribs.

But the men kept coming, their movements coordinated, relentless. This wasn't a group of common thugs-they were well-trained, disciplined. Elara could feel the pressure mounting as more fighters closed in.

"Go!" Fen shouted, pushing back one of the men with a powerful strike. "Get the box, I'll hold them off!"

Elara hesitated for only a split second before she made her move. She dashed toward the altar, narrowly dodging another attacker as she reached the base of the stone platform. Her hand reached out, fingers brushing against the surface of the ancient box.

The carvings seemed to pulse beneath her fingertips, as though the very air around the artifact was alive. For a moment, time seemed to slow. Elara could feel the weight of history in her hands, the centuries of secrets, power, and destruction that had been sealed within the box.

"Elara!" Fen's voice cut through the haze. He was struggling to keep Maren's men at bay, blood already staining his armor from a shallow cut on his arm.

She had no choice. She grabbed the box, its weight heavier than she expected, and turned to flee.

But Maren was faster.

Before Elara could react, he was there, his hand gripping her arm like iron. "You think you can just take it and run?" he hissed, his voice low and dangerous.

Elara tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong. In the struggle, she stumbled, her footing faltering on the uneven stone floor. Maren twisted her arm, forcing her to drop the box. It hit the ground with a dull thud, the sound echoing through the temple.

For a moment, the room fell deathly silent.

Then, a low rumble reverberated from the walls. The air grew thick with energy, and the very ground beneath their feet began to shake. Maren's eyes widened as he looked down at the box, realization dawning on him too late.

"You fool!" he shouted, releasing Elara and stumbling back. "You've triggered it!"

Elara scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding. The ancient mechanism built into the temple had been set off, and she had no idea what was coming next.

Fen, fighting off the last of Maren's men, looked up in alarm. "Elara, what's happening?"

Before she could answer, the floor beneath them cracked, and a blinding light erupted from the box. The temple began to crumble, stone blocks falling from the ceiling as the ground shook violently. Dust filled the air, and the noise was deafening.

"Run!" Elara shouted, grabbing the box and bolting for the exit. Fen was right behind her, dodging falling debris as they sprinted toward the temple doors.

But just as they reached the threshold, a final, massive crack split the ground in front of them. The floor gave way, and the temple began to collapse into the earth. Elara and Fen barely managed to leap across the chasm, tumbling out into the night air just as the entire structure came crashing down behind them.

They lay there, gasping for breath, covered in dust and sweat. The city of Valmor, once silent and forgotten, was now alive with the sound of destruction.

Elara clutched the box to her chest, her heart still racing. Whatever ancient power they had disturbed was far more dangerous than she had anticipated.

But they weren't safe yet.

From the rubble of the temple, Maren emerged, bloodied but alive, his eyes filled with fury.

"This isn't over," he snarled, his voice hoarse but laced with venom. "I will find you, and that box will be mine."

Elara stood, her legs trembling beneath her. "You'll have to catch me first."

With that, she and Fen disappeared into the shadows of Valmor, the ancient box now in their possession, and the dark forces pursuing them closer than ever