The Abyss

The night's chill, as unforgiving as ever, remained a constant reminder of the harsh realities of their journey. Yet, unlike the previous night, they were not exposed to the elements. They had put together a sheltered spot, a makeshift campsite shielded from the biting wind. A sturdy fireplace, built from scavenged wood and stones.

For the better part of an hour, no one uttered a word, each lost in their own thoughts. The silence was broken only by the crackling of the flames and the distant howl of a wolf.

Vergil's sudden change of heart, his guarded silence, and his unwavering determination to press forward only deepened Darius's doubts, fueling a growing sense of unease. Darius couldn't dismiss the unsettling notion that the man hid a dangerous truth, a secret that could unravel their fragile hopes.

The healer's responses were as slippery as an eel, always dodging the direct question. His words, though carefully chosen, were often misleading, hinting at a hidden agenda.

_Was Corvus seeking to steal their mission for his own gain? Or was there something even more sinister at play?_

Vergil's treachery chilled Darius to the bone. He'd trusted the healer implicitly, but now doubt gnawed at him. After all, how well did he truly know the man?

"Who among you wields magic, even if chore?" Vergil's voice, a chilling whisper, broke the stillness.

Zephyr hesitated, raising her hand slightly, "I can do chore magic... I think," she replied.

The others exchanged puzzled glances. None of them had ever considered Zephyr's magical abilities. She was the most inexperienced member of the group, and they had always assumed that she was simply a skilled archer.

Vergil raised an eyebrow. "When was the last time you used magic?" he asked, his tone skeptical.

Zephyr thought for a moment. "Twelve?" she replied, her voice filled with doubt.

"Not good enough, I'm afraid," Vergil said, his voice dismissive. "I need someone who can actually cast spells."

Vergil's gaze shifted from Zephyr to Bain, his scrutiny focused on the towering warrior.

Bain shook his head. "Didn't have the talent," he admitted.

Vergil's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Perhaps not," he replied, his tone laced with a hint of condescension. "But you have other skills, I'm sure."

Bain's shoulders slumped. He had always been a warrior, a man of action. Magic had never been his forte.

Vergil's eyes then turned to Kailo, who met his gaze with a defiant glint. Kailo is a skilled swordsman, a bit too nervous, but skilled nonetheless.

"You?" Vergil asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Kailo simply shrugged, "Eh," he uttered.

Vergil shook his head in resignation. "It seems you're all a bunch of amateurs," he muttered.

"That's insulting," Darius said.

"My bad,"

~

The crew circled the infected village's perimeter on the following day. They kept their distance, their eyes scanning the tainted fields for any hint of activity or alteration, after which they regrouped at Vergil's waiting spot, their faces marked by fatigue and unease.

"It is as you say," Darius said, his voice filled with a sense of dread. "There are no open spots that haven't already been taken over by the Shadowvine."

The Shadowvine had spread rapidly, its tendrils reaching out like a malignant tumor, consuming everything in its path.

Vergil stared at the infected land, his nod a silent acknowledgment of the grim truth. "It's worse than I expected," he whispered, "The Shadowvine's reach has grown."

He gestured to a crude symbol he had carved on a tree, outlining the infected area's border. "I carved this just last night," he said, "Look how far it has reached."

The others were astonished. The Shadowvine was growing at a frightening pace, threatening to consume the entire region.

Vergil's contemplative expression held for a moment, "There is nothing more we can do other than face the infected zone head-on," he finally admitted

Kailo, his face pale with fear, questioned the wisdom of this decision. "Why is that a problem?" he asked.

Vergil turned to Kailo, his eyes boring into him. "The Shadowvine is territorial," he explained. "If you encroach on its roots, you'll be declaring your presence, thereby attracting hordes of its creature your way... You've seen first hand, what one of that thing can do,"

Vergil pointed out the treacherous vines; the Shadowvine's tendrils, like a web of death, that had crept onto the walkway. He warned them to be wary of their every step.

"Also, don't inhale its spores," Vergil added.

"Won't we inhale them if we enter the infected area?" Zephyr asked.

"Cover your nose or something," he said, his tone dismissive.

"How?" Zephyr persisted, her eyes wide with panic.

"If you find yourself mindlessly walking towards a rather attractive flowering plants, you've been hallucinated," Vergil replied, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "Flowers don't grow on dead land."

Worried looks passed between them. The Shadowvine was deadlier than they thought.

~

The group proceeded, their footsteps echoing ominously in the silence. Kailo, the most cautious member, was particularly unsettled by the eerie landscape. His gaze darted nervously from shadow to shadow, his grip tightening upon his sword.

As they drew closer to the abandoned town, the once-familiar structures were now unrecognizable, enveloped by a thick, unnatural growth of vines and roots. The gate, once a symbol of protection, now stood partially ajar, a gaping maw inviting them into the unknown.

Bain couldn't resist breaking the silence. "Respectfully speaking, good healer," he addressed Vergil, "what is the ultimate objective?"

"Find the Shadowvine core and destroy it," Vergil said in reply. "I need not emphasis just how difficult that would be," he added, giving Bain a knowing look.

"One final inquiry, good healer: What is the true nature of this Shadowvine's core, and why must we destroy it?"

Vergil, his eyes fixed on the horizon, replied calmly, "The Shadowvine core is a relic of ancient evil, a source of darkness that threatens to consume the world. Its destruction is imperative if we are to restore balance."

Kailo could not refrain from interjecting. "What if we are unable to defeat the Shadowvine? What if its power proves to be insurmountable?"

"The challenges we are about to face will test your courage and resolve. Persevere... or die," Vergil shrugged.

As they squeezed through the narrow opening in the gate, the town's interior revealed itself in all its desolate glory. The once-bustling streets were now choked with vegetation, the buildings crumbling and decaying. The air was thick with a strange, musty scent, and the silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the mournful cry of a distant bird.

Kailo took a deep breath and braced himself against the heavy wooden gate. With a grunt that could have been mistaken for a wounded wildebeest, he pushed with all his might. The gate groaned and creaked but refused to budge. It was like trying to move a mountain with a toothpick.

"I'm I the only one bothered with leaving this place alive?" Kailo huffed, his frustration evident. "What if a legion of those creatures descends upon us? how can we possibly flee this town through this narrow gate, trapped like rats in a cage?"

Zephyr, who couldn't agree more, joined Kailo in his futile endeavor. Together, they pushed and pulled and strained, their faces contorting into comical expressions of effort. The gate remained unyielding, a silent, wooden sentinel mocking their attempts.

Seeing their struggle, Bain stepped forward and lent his strength "I'll give it a go," he shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. With a single, powerful shove, the gate creaked open a few inches.

"That should be sufficient," Darius declared, his tone suggesting that he had more pressing matters on his mind.

Vergil observed the scene with a knowing smile. Kailo's prudent approach, so different from Leila's impulsive nature, intrigued him. _Perhaps_, he mused, _this contrasting dynamic would prove to be their secret weapon._