Erend stepped into the swirling portal, the blinding light enveloping him in an instant. A surge of vertigo gripped him as the world seemed to spin, stretching and twisting before snapping into a new reality. The light faded, and the air around him changed. Thick, heavy, and laced with a metallic tang.
Back in Saeldir's chamber, Aurdis stood silently, her eyes fixed on the now-closed portal. Sadness flled her expression. She let out a sigh.
Saeldir, sensing her distress, spoke softly. "He'll be alright, Aurdis. Erend is strong enough and you know it. You must trust that he'll return."
Aurdis turned to him, her voice tinged with frustration. "I do trust him, Saeldir. But it's not easy, watching him go again and again. Knowing what he faces out there, and not being able to help. And I barely even see him…" Her voice trailed off as she turned away.
Saeldir nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful. "I know that you care so much for him. But Erend has his duty, just as you have yours. And though it may feel not fair, you both carry the burdens of those who depend on you."
Aurdis sighed once more, her shoulders slumping. "I know. I just… wish things were different."
She lingered for a moment, then turned and walked out of the chamber. Her footsteps faded down the corridor, leaving Saeldir alone in the room.
The Elf Archmage glanced at the door, a flicker of sympathy crossing his face. He, too, had seen the bonds that Erend shared with those he cared for and he understood the pain of separation.
For a moment, his thoughts wandered to Arty, Erend's sister. Saeldir wondered how she was coping with her brother's frequent departures. Is she okay?
But he quickly shook his head, banishing the distraction.
"There is no time for personal musings now
," he told himself firmly.
He turned to his desk, his hands already reaching for a stack of ancient scrolls. If Erend and Eccar were to face these mysterious beings, Saeldir needed to uncover whatever knowledge he could about them.
Erend blinked as his surroundings came into focus. He stood in a cavernous underground space, its rocky walls glowing faintly with veins of crystalline minerals. The hum of energy filled the air, yet it felt muted, as if the Magic here was suppressed.
The first thing Erend noticed was the soldier staring at him from across the chamber. Dressed in armor identical to his own. The figure gripped a spear tightly, his stance cautious and defensive.
"Hi," Erend said, raising a hand and smiled in what he hoped was a non-threatening gesture. "I'm Eccar's friend."
The soldier hesitated, his helmet tilting slightly as if trying to process the unexpected arrival. His voice, slightly muffled by the helm, carried a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
"Eccar's friend? The Lord Dragonborn? How did you get here?"
Erend stepped forward, keeping his movements slow and deliberate.
"My name's Erend. Eccar contacted us and I'm hhere to help." He gestured to the armor he wore. "I've even got the gear to prove it."
The soldier lowered his spear slightly, though his posture remained guarded. "I'll need to take you to the elders for confirmation. Follow me."
Without waiting for a reply, the soldier turned sharply and began walking deeper into the cavern. Erend fell in step behind him, his gaze darting around as he took in his surroundings.
The underground world was vast and intricate, with tunnels branching off in every direction. The air was dim, illuminated only by the faint glow of the crystals embedded in the rock.
As Erend followed the soldier deeper into the cavern, the atmosphere grew heavier. The faint, steady hum of suppressed Magic start to mix with the echo of distant machinery. When they emerged from the tunnel into a broader chamber, a handful of resistance soldiers turned their heads toward him.
Their gazes were sharp and questioning.
Erend met their eyes briefly, offering a small nod. The soldier who had escorted him gestured for the others to be relaxed when a familiar figure approached.
"Elena," Erend said, recognizing her instantly.
Elena strode toward him. Her sharp eyes scanned him briefly before softening. She nodded to the soldier.
"I'll take him to the elders," she said firmly.
The soldier hesitated for a moment but then nodded, stepping back. "Understood, ma'am." He turned and resumed his post, motioning for the others to do the same.
Elena turned to Erend, her expression unreadable. "Come with me."
Without waiting for a response, she began walking toward another tunnel. Erend followed, his boots crunching softly on the rocky floor.
"You arrived faster than I expected," Elena said as they moved through the dimly lit passageway.
"I came as soon as Saeldir told me what was happening," Erend replied. His gaze darted to the faint veins of glowing crystals in the walls. "This place feels different. Like the Magic here isn't normal."
Elena glanced at him, her expression grim. "You're right. Magic is almost non-existent on the surface. What we have down here is faint and unstable. It's a miracle we've been able to keep using it for as long as we have. We also have been using it on the raid yersterday and it drained almost all of our Magic reserve. But I guess its worth it."
They reached a fork in the tunnel, and Elena took the left path without hesitation. Erend followed closely.
"The elders will explain more," Elena continued. "We also just realized that we didn't know much after what we have found."
Elena's expression looked sad and also worried.
"I've dealt with things that broke the rules before," Erend said. "I'll adapt. Don't worry."
Elena's lips twitched into a faint, humorless smile. "Good. We'll also need that confidence."
As they approached a larger opening at the end of the tunnel, the faint sound of voices reached them, growing clearer with each step.
"You'll see," Elena said softly, glancing back at him. "The elders have been waiting for you."
"Then let's not keep them waiting," Erend said.