Jax's heart raced as he gazed at the cliff where the cloaked figure—the "Master"—had disappeared. The Northern Wastes sprawled out before him, an intricate maze of jagged rocks and swirling dust beneath a stormy sky. His journal burned in his pocket with its new message: "The second shrine lies in the Arcane Spires. Beware the master's shadow." Jane stood at his side, her expression resolute, and her empty pack reminding them of their dwindling supplies. The Construct hummed softly, its energy a frail light in his chest.
"Energy reserves: 52%," the Construct declared, its voice steady yet cold. "New quest: Reach the Arcane Spires. Objective: Locate the second shrine. Reward: 250 XP, enhanced energy capacity."
"Arcane Spires," Jax muttered, his voice hoarse from their last battle. "Alliance territory. Great. As if they'll welcome us."
Jane snorted, adjusting her jacket. "Sure, mages love Freefolk and magic freaks like you." Her smirk faded as she scrutinized the horizon. "That figure on the cliff—whoever he was, he's trouble. We need to move before he returns."
Jax nodded, but the Master's blazing red eyes lingered in his mind. The scarred Necromancer was gone, but this new menace felt far more sinister. And the sister's warning—"Beware the traitor within"—gnawed at him. Was it the Construct? His own insecurities? Or was there something—or someone—closer to him?
They trudged through the Wastes, the ground crunching beneath their feet. The air was chilly and carried the stench of decay. Jax winced from the cut left by the spy, but the Construct's restored energy kept him going. Jane scouted ahead, her scanner flickering with static. The Spires loomed days away, and they were low on food and tools, not to mention there was trouble on their tail.
"Wish I had a smoke bomb," Jane murmured, kicking a rock. "Or a sandwich. I'd trade anything for a sandwich."
Jax chuckled, despite their situation. "You'd go after less. Remember when you chased that kid for stealing your wrench?"
"He deserved it." She smirked, but her gaze remained sharp, scanning the cliffs. "Keep your magic ready, Jax. This place feels off."
She was right. The Wastes were eerily quiet, the shadows too thick. The Construct whirred, a faint alert. "Hostile presence detected. Multiple signatures approaching."
Jax froze, gripping Jane's arm. "We've got company. Get down."
They ducked behind a boulder, peering out as dust swirled on the plain. Shapes emerged—six undead hounds, their rotting fur and glowing red eyes sending chills down his spine. Two Necromancer enforcers loomed behind them, their chains alive with dark energy. No sign of the silver-haired woman or the Master, but these weren't scouts—they were hunters.
"Six dogs, two enforcers," Jane whispered tightly. "We're outmatched."
Jax's stomach churned. His energy was better at 50%, but six hounds were overwhelming, and the enforcers' chains could easily tear through him. "We can't run," he said. "They're too fast."
Jane clenched her jaw. "Then we fight. You hit hard, I'll find a way." She picked up a jagged rock, her gauntlet useless without charge.
Before Jax could respond, a sharp whistle cut through the air, followed by a brilliant blue light. An arcane bolt struck the lead hound, reducing it to ashes. The others recoiled, and a figure leaped from a nearby cliff—a young man, perhaps twenty, with tousled blond hair and a confident grin. His cloak shimmered with arcane runes, and his hands crackled with energy.
"Need a hand?" he called, his voice warm and playful, as if greeting old friends. He fired another bolt, taking down a second hound. The enforcers turned, chains whipping toward him, but he danced away, laughter in his wake.
Jax blinked, momentarily surprised. "Who's that?"
"Not sure," Jane replied, wide-eyed. "But I like him."
The man landed near them, his grin unwavering. "Name's Kael," he said, winking at Jax. "Arcane Mage, rogue wanderer, and your new best friend. Stick with me, and we'll teach these undead a lesson."
Jax couldn't help but smile. Kael's energy was contagious, his voice smooth and confident. "I'm Jax. This is Jane. Do you always dive into fights for strangers?"
"Only the fun ones." Kael's eyes sparkled as he raised his hands. "Ready to play?"
Jane quipped, standing with her rock. "Less flirting, more fighting, pretty boy."
Kael laughed, the tension easing. "I like her." He unleashed a barrage of arcane bolts, pushing the enforcers back. The hounds closed in, and Jax sprang into action.
"Flame Pulse!" he shouted, hands thrusting forward. A wave of fire erupted, incinerating one hound. His chest tightened, but he held firm. "Energy reserves: 42%."
Jane threw her rock, smashing a hound's skull. It staggered, and Kael finished it off with a bolt. "Nice teamwork!" he called, dodging a chain. "But let's wrap this up. I've got places to be."
Jax grinned, buoyed by Kael's confidence. He focused, tapping into Divine energy. The sister's voice was silent, but a warm light filled his chest. A shield rose, blocking a chain aimed at Jane. She dove, scooping up another rock and slamming it into a hound's jaw.
The enforcers howled, their chains bright. One swung at Kael, but he spun away, casting an arcane barrier that shattered the links. "Amateurs," he said, blasting the enforcer with a bolt. The man collapsed, his runes flickering out.
Jax's shield flickered as his energy waned. "Reserves: 35%." He collapsed it, switching to Flame Pulse. Another hound fell, but two lunged at him. Kael appeared, hands glowing, sending a wave of arcane force that flattened the hounds.
The last enforcer charged, chain raised. Jax and Kael moved as one—Jax's fire converging with Kael's arcane light in an explosive burst. The enforcer screamed as the blast consumed him. When the smoke cleared, silence reigned—only ashes remained.
Jax panted heavily, leaning on his knees. "Reserves: 25%. That… was intense."
Kael clapped him on the shoulder, grinning. "Not bad for a newbie. You've got some serious spark, Jax." His gaze fell on Jax's hands, where faint gold light lingered. "Real serious."
Jane joined them, brushing off dirt. "Alright, Kael, spill it. Why'd you help us?"
Kael shrugged, his grin easygoing. "Saw you running from that airship. Figured anyone taking on Necromancers was worth saving." He paused, his tone softening. "Plus, I'm not a fan of the Alliance's rules. Out here, I forge my own path. You two seem like my kind of trouble."
Jax felt drawn to him. Kael's charm felt effortless, radiating warmth that inspired trust. Yet, doubt lingered—the sister's warning about a traitor. Still, Kael had saved them. That counted for something.
"You heading to the Spires?" Kael asked, kicking aside a broken chain. "Dangerous territory for Freefolk. I know a shortcut. Safer, faster."
Jane raised an eyebrow. "What's the catch?"
"No catch." Kael spread his hands, his smile disarming. "Just like company. And maybe a story about that glow of yours, Jax."
Jax deliberated, the journal weighing heavily in his pocket. Kael was a mage—Alliance-trained, despite being a rogue. Sharing information about the Construct felt risky. But they needed assistance, and Kael's power was impossible to ignore.
"Deal," Jax said, glancing at Jane, who nodded cautiously. "But let's keep it simple. We're sought after… a relic. In the Spires."
Kael's eyes sparkled, but he didn't push them further. "Relic hunters. My kind of people. Let's go before more undead show up."
They began their trek toward the cliffs, Kael leading with a spring in his step, humming a light tune. His tales—about dodging Alliance patrols, outsmarting bandits—kept spirits high, but Jax's mind was muddled with thoughts of the Construct's quest, the Master's shadow, the traitor within, and now Kael, a surprisingly charming ally.
As the cliffs parted to reveal a narrow pass, Kael pointed ahead. "Shortcut's through there. Cuts a day off the trip."
Jane's scanner beeped, and she halted. "Wait. I'm picking up something. Big."
Jax's skin tingled. The Construct buzzed. "High-level threat detected. Prepare for combat."
Before they could react, the pass erupted with dark energy. A massive undead wyvern burst from the cliffs, wings tattered, eyes ablaze. On its back rode the silver-haired Necromancer, her staff glowing, a cruel smile plastered on her face.
"Thorne!" she bellowed, her voice slicing through the air. "You cannot escape the master!"
Kael's grin vanished, hands alight with power. "Well, that's a problem."
Jax's heart raced as the journal pulsed warmer. The sister's words echoed faintly, yet clearly: "The marked one's trial begins."