Whispers in the Dark

The voice that echoed within Julie's mind sent shivers down her spine. It was a voice she recognized, albeit distorted by an unsettling darkness – the voice of the woman they had encountered in the crystal chamber. Yet, the message was clear – knowledge comes at a price.

Anya, her warrior instincts on high alert, swung her sword in a defensive arc. "Who's there? Show yourself!" she demanded, her voice echoing in the cavern.

But the swirling vortex remained silent, its tendrils of darkness reaching out, coiling around their legs in a chilling embrace. Panic threatened to engulf Julie, but she forced herself to focus. They needed answers, not fear.

Elara, ever the bridge between worlds, strummed a single, tentative chord on her lute. The sound, surprisingly, resonated within the chamber, pushing back the oppressive silence. Taking a deep breath, Julie addressed the unseen entity.