Chapter 13: Into the Depths

The first night went by really fast. It was already time to start moving again.

Kael had survived this long by knowing when to be silent.

By knowing that words were a weapon, one that could be used against you just as easily as a blade.

Which was why she hated this.

Because Riven?

He never stopped talking.

"You know, I've been thinking," he said as they walked, his boots crunching lightly over loose stone. "For someone who's supposed to be deadly, you're surprisingly bad at conversation."

Kael didn't look at him. "Conversation is a waste of energy."

Riven exhaled dramatically. "Gods, you're no fun."

"She's right, though," Jorrik muttered, adjusting his gear as he followed behind them. "Talking too much gets you killed."

"Then it's a miracle I've survived this long," Riven mused.

Kael let out a slow breath, already regretting agreeing to this.

They had been traveling for hours, weaving deeper into the underground ruins. The air was colder here, heavier, as if the stone itself was holding secrets.

It was quiet.

Too quiet.

Which meant something was watching.

Kael's fingers twitched toward her bow. "We're close, aren't we?"

Riven's smirk was gone now. His expression was calm, focused. "Yes. Blackreach isn't far."

Kael narrowed her eyes. "And you still haven't told me what we're actually looking for."

Riven flashed a quick, easy grin. "I told you. A key."

Kael stopped walking.

Riven took two more steps before realizing she wasn't beside him anymore. He turned, his white hair catching the dim torchlight, his blue eyes sharp.

Kael crossed her arms. "You want me to risk my life for something, but you won't tell me what it unlocks?"

Riven shrugged. "Where's the fun in that?"

Kael's grip tightened. "You—"

"Look," Jorrik interrupted, stepping between them before she could throw another dagger at Riven. "I hate to break up whatever this is, but maybe we should keep moving?"

Kael exhaled through her nose and turned, continuing forward.

Riven, of course, kept talking.

"You really should try smiling sometime," he mused. "Might do you some good."

Kael didn't stop walking. "You should try shutting up. Might keep you alive longer."

Jorrik snorted. "She's got a point."

Riven sighed dramatically. "You're both terrible travel companions."

*Blackreach*

The tunnels stretched on for what felt like hours. The deeper they went, the older everything felt.

Then, suddenly—

The passage opened up.

Kael stopped at the edge of the tunnel, her breath catching as she took in the sight before her.

*Blackreach*.

An entire city, swallowed by time and ruin. Crumbling towers stretched toward the cavern ceiling, their broken windows glowing faintly with remnants of magic long forgotten. Bridges hung suspended over deep chasms, and the streets below were covered in ashen dust, untouched for years.

It was silent.

Dead.

Kael took a slow step forward. "This place…"

"It's been abandoned for decades," Riven said, stepping beside her. "No one comes here anymore."

Jorrik frowned. "Then why do you need something from it?"

Riven didn't answer immediately.

Kael turned toward him. "Riven."

Riven's blue eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Because what I'm looking for was hidden here. Buried beneath everything else."

Kael studied him for a moment, her instincts warning her that he was still keeping something from her.

But before she could press him further—

Something moved in the ruins below.

Kael's dagger was in her hand instantly. "We're not alone."

Jorrik swore under his breath. "Fantastic. Just what we needed."

Riven smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Well, at least things won't be boring."

Kael resisted the urge to punch him.

Instead, she gripped her bow and pulled an arrow from her quiver.

If something was hunting them—

She'd make sure it never got the chance.