13. The fortress of embers
Chapter Thirteen: The Fortress of Embers
The morning broke with a muted light, filtered through the dense canopy of the forest. Marvis awoke to the sound of rustling leaves and the distant call of birds, but the memory of the Shade's attack lingered like a shadow over his thoughts.
Elias was already awake, standing at the edge of the camp with his sword strapped to his side. Liora sat cross-legged by the rekindled fire, her hands moving over a map spread out before her.
"We're close," she said without looking up. "If we keep a steady pace, we'll reach the fortress by nightfall."
Marvis stretched, his muscles aching from the previous day's trek. "And what happens when we get there? Is it safe?"
Liora glanced at him, her green eyes sharp. "It's abandoned—or so the stories say. If the Council hasn't found it yet, it'll be the best place to regroup."
Elias turned, his expression as unreadable as ever. "If it's truly abandoned, it won't stay that way for long. The Council will know we're heading east."
"Then we'll make it defensible," Liora said firmly. "We don't have many options, and the fortress is our best chance."
Marvis nodded, though unease churned in his stomach. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into another trap.
---
The day's journey was grueling, the terrain growing steeper and more treacherous as they approached the mountains. The air grew colder, and the trees thinned, their gnarled branches reaching toward the gray sky like skeletal fingers.
Elias led the way, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. Marvis followed close behind, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger. Liora brought up the rear, her pace steady despite the weight of the supplies she carried.
As they climbed a narrow, rocky path, Marvis's gaze fell on the horizon. There, perched on the edge of a jagged cliff, was the fortress.
It was a towering structure of dark stone, its walls weathered by time but still standing strong. The main tower rose high above the surrounding cliffs, its spires reaching toward the heavens like a defiant challenge to the elements.
"Impressive," Marvis murmured.
"Intimidating," Liora corrected. "And likely full of surprises."
---
By the time they reached the fortress, the sun was dipping below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of orange and purple. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the distant howl of the wind.
Elias pushed open the heavy wooden gate, its hinges groaning in protest. The courtyard beyond was overgrown with weeds, the cobblestones cracked and uneven.
"This place has seen better days," Marvis said, his voice echoing slightly in the empty space.
"It'll serve," Elias said, his gaze sweeping over the area. "Liora, check the perimeter. Marvis, help me secure the main hall."
The interior of the fortress was just as imposing as the exterior. The main hall was a cavernous space with high ceilings and walls adorned with faded tapestries. A massive stone fireplace dominated one end, its hearth cold and empty.
Elias set to work barricading the doors with broken furniture and debris. Marvis followed his lead, though his attention kept drifting to the shadows that seemed to dance along the walls.
---
As night fell, the three of them gathered around a small fire in the center of the hall. The flickering light cast eerie shapes across the walls, and the sound of the wind whistling through the cracks in the stone added to the oppressive atmosphere.
"We need a plan," Elias said, his tone serious. "The Council won't stop. If we stay here too long, they'll find us."
Liora nodded, her expression thoughtful. "The fortress gives us time to prepare, but we can't afford to be complacent. We need to learn more about the Flameheart—and how to use it."
Marvis hesitated, his hand instinctively going to the key in his pocket. "Do you think the Flameheart is even real?"
Elias's gaze softened slightly as he looked at Marvis. "If the Council believes it's real, that's enough reason to find it first."
Liora leaned forward, her voice low. "The Flameheart isn't just a weapon. It's said to hold the power of creation and destruction—a power that could reshape the world."
Marvis swallowed hard, the weight of the key suddenly feeling unbearable. "And you think I'm the one who's supposed to find it?"
Liora met his gaze, her eyes unwavering. "You're the only one who can."
---
As the fire burned lower, Marvis lay awake, staring at the shadows that flickered across the ceiling. His thoughts were a tangled web of fear, doubt, and determination.
The key in his pocket seemed to pulse with a faint warmth, as though it could sense his turmoil. He pulled it out, holding it up to the firelight. The intricate carvings on its surface seemed to shimmer, their patterns shifting like molten gold.
"What are you hiding?" he whispered.
Elias's voice startled him. "You won't find answers by staring at it."
Marvis turned to see Elias standing nearby, his amber eyes glowing softly in the firelight.
"I don't know if I'm ready for this," Marvis admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
"No one ever is," Elias said, sitting down beside him. "But you're stronger than you think."
Marvis looked at him, searching for reassurance. "And if I fail?"
Elias's hand rested on his shoulder, firm and steady. "Then we fail together. But I don't believe you will."
Marvis nodded, the warmth of Elias's presence chasing away some of the cold fear that gripped his heart. For the first time in days, he felt a glimmer of hope.