Chapter 168: Into the Abyss

The echo of Isolde's laughter lingered in the air long after she disappeared. Jay stood frozen, his sword still raised, staring at the spot where she had vanished. His heart pounded, adrenaline coursing through his veins, but he forced himself to stay calm.

Mira sheathed her blades and stepped beside him, her breathing steady but her face tense. "She's gone. But that… that was no ordinary escape."

Jay nodded, lowering his sword. "She's using something… dark. Darker than anything we've faced before."

The woman approached cautiously, her eyes scanning the room. "Isolde has always dabbled in forbidden arts, but this… this is something far more dangerous. That mist she used—it's not just a trick. It's a form of magic tied to the shadows, something ancient, and far beyond simple manipulation."

The traitor, wiping blood from their brow, looked uneasy. "If she can do that, we might be facing more than just an enemy who controls assassins. She's tapping into something bigger."

Jay didn't like the sound of that, but he knew they had no choice but to keep moving forward. "We can't let her power scare us off. The fact that she ran means she's not invincible. We've just got to figure out what her weakness is."

Mira met Jay's eyes, her jaw set. "Then we hunt her down, no matter where she hides. No more hesitation."

They regrouped outside the hideout, the small team gathering their strength. Jay's mind was racing, turning over what had just happened and how it had shifted the game. Isolde's mastery over the shadows added a terrifying new layer to their fight. She had always been a cunning adversary, but now she wielded a force that made her almost untouchable.

"We need information," Jay said finally, addressing the group. "Something, anything, about how she got this power. There must be a way to counter it."

The woman spoke up, her voice measured. "There are old records, ancient texts buried in the archives beneath the palace. They speak of shadow magic—of a power that can be drawn from the depths of the earth. But only a few have ever mastered it, and those who did… well, none lived to tell the tale."

Jay's pulse quickened. "If those texts still exist, we need to find them. It's our only shot at stopping her."

The traitor shook their head. "It won't be easy. The palace archives are protected by the king's elite scholars. Gaining access to those records will raise suspicion, especially now that Isolde has begun her attacks. They'll be on high alert."

Jay ran a hand through his hair, thinking fast. "We don't need to be subtle. If they're on alert, they'll be focused on defending the palace from external threats. We can use that to our advantage. A distraction could buy us enough time to get in, find what we need, and get out."

Mira crossed her arms. "And if we don't find what we're looking for?"

Jay's expression hardened. "We will. We have to."

By the time they reached the palace, night had fallen again, casting deep shadows across the city. The towering walls loomed above them as they approached a hidden side entrance, one that Jay had used in the past for covert operations. Tonight, it would serve them well.

The group moved silently, blending into the darkness, careful not to draw the attention of the palace guards. The traitor led the way, having once been part of the palace's inner workings before they had turned to Isolde's side. Now, their knowledge was vital to this mission's success.

The entrance led to a narrow passageway that twisted beneath the palace, eventually connecting to the lower levels where the archives were stored. As they crept through the dimly lit halls, Jay couldn't help but feel the weight of history pressing down on him. These were the ancient halls of the kingdom's knowledge—filled with secrets, power, and dangers of their own.

They reached a large, iron-bound door at the end of the hall. The woman stepped forward, her fingers brushing over the old locks.

"This is it," she whispered. "The archives."

Mira kept watch while Jay and the traitor examined the door. It was heavily reinforced, designed to keep out anyone who didn't belong. But Jay had anticipated this.

"I have a way," the traitor said, pulling out a small, intricately carved key. "One of the few things I took when I left the palace. It should still work."

Jay nodded, stepping back to allow the traitor to unlock the door. The key slid in with a soft click, and the heavy door creaked open, revealing the vast chamber beyond.

Rows upon rows of ancient scrolls, tomes, and manuscripts stretched out in every direction, the shelves towering high above them. The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and dust.

"This place is huge," Mira muttered, her eyes wide. "How are we supposed to find one text in all of this?"

The woman was already moving toward a specific section. "I know where the shadow magic records are kept. This way."

They followed her deeper into the archives, the flickering light from their torches casting long shadows on the walls. Finally, they reached a small, secluded corner of the archives where older, more fragile scrolls were stored.

The woman began searching through the shelves, her fingers moving quickly but carefully over the ancient documents. After a tense few minutes, she pulled out a large, leather-bound book, its cover worn and faded.

"This is it," she said, handing the book to Jay.

He opened it, scanning the ancient text. The language was old, but readable. As his eyes moved over the pages, his expression grew more grim. "This… this is worse than I thought."

Mira leaned in, her brow furrowing. "What is it?"

Jay's voice was low as he read aloud. "Shadow magic isn't just power drawn from the earth. It's power drawn from the souls of those who wield it. The more you use it, the more it consumes you. And the deeper you go… the less of yourself remains."

The woman nodded solemnly. "Isolde has gone too far. She's bound to the shadows now. There's no way back for her. But there's also a way to sever her connection."

Jay looked up sharply. "How?"

The woman pointed to a section of the text. "A relic. A blade forged from the same shadow magic she now controls. Only that can cut through her power and end her reign once and for all."

Jay's heart raced. "Where is this blade?"

The woman's eyes darkened. "It's not in the archives. It's buried deep in the forgotten ruins beneath the city, in the ancient catacombs where no one has ventured for centuries. Finding it… will be the hardest part."

Jay closed the book, his resolve hardening. "Then that's where we're headed next."

As they left the archives, Jay's mind was already focused on their next steps. The catacombs were a place of legend—spoken of only in hushed whispers. They were filled with traps, ancient creatures, and forgotten horrors. But if that's where the blade was, that's where they would go.

Isolde was growing stronger by the day, her power consuming her from within. But with the relic in hand, they might finally have a chance to stop her, before she plunged the entire kingdom into darkness.

The path ahead was dangerous, but Jay had never felt more determined.